A Far-fetched Love ✓

AFL 10 ✓

"You can leave your resume to us and we'll contact you in no time."

"Sorry, Ms. Vasquez. But we have no vacancy at the moment."

"We'll call you, Ms. Vasquez."

"The only available function that we have is intended for I.T graduates."

"Work experience is of the essence in our company, sorry but we'll have to turn down your application."

"My apologies, but we are not currently in search of HR personnel."

Those were the various statements that I received from different employers. I could hardly get them off my mind, they came whispering in my ears as if injecting the reality in me that it wasn't easy to quest for a job.

Your latin honors and achievements? They're just there, enclosed in your CV to decor your educational background. A reality slap.

"Huy, bakla!" my best friend yelled as she snapped her fingers in front of my face. My reveries were cut off. She accompanied me, just like how I did when she was the one in need of a job.

"There's no reason for you to feel down, okay? Makakahanap ka rin ng work. Hindi naman kasi talaga madali, ako nga si gaga oh. Hanggang ngayon nagtataka nanay ko kung bakit criminology ang kinuha ko, dahil 'pag hindi yata matulis bawal magpulis. Kaya ano ako ngayon? Nasa waiting list pa rin, kaya nauwi muna sa pagiging office staff." She scowled her face.

"At least you're employed, 'di ba? Eh, ako? Nga-nga." I took a spoonful from my meal. Nasa McDo kami to grab our late lunch. Pasado alas quatro na kasi.

"Mon, mahirap magtrabaho lalo na 'pag hindi 'yon ang gusto mo. In-e-expect ko na pag-graduate natin noon, magpupulis ako. Na mga kaso ang hahawakan ko at hindi papeles na naglalaman ng kung anu-anong business related proposals. Kaya cheer up, okay? Hindi pa naman end of the world. You're a fresh grad kaya mahirap talaga sa umpisa."

Napanguso na lang ako at pinaglulukot ang wrapper ng kanin namin. "Bwisit kasing bakla 'yan, na-pe-pressure tuloy ako."

She frowned. "Regarding that, Mon. Hindi ba parang nakapa-unreasonable naman niya? Magagalit sa mababaw na dahilan? Parang... bakit? Kung ako siya matatawa pa 'ko, baka tinayuan pa nga ako kung may tatayo," natatawang sabi nito.

Binato ko ito ng tissue at tumawa.

"Magkakaiba tayo ng emotional capacity, Kai," I said. "Pwedeng mababaw sa 'tin pero para sa iba hindi. He must have his own reasons why. Malay mo tawagan pala nila ng ex-boyfriend niya ang honeybunch, sweetheart o sugarpie."

She rolled her eyes at me. "But it's not enough reason for him to bastardize you. Kung kasama mo lang ako, nasampal ko talaga 'yong baklang 'yon. Bakit ba kasi hindi mo ako t-in-ext kaagad o tinawagan?"

"Eh, 'di sinugod mo siya kung t-in-ext kita? Maloloka si bakla. Baka mamaya bigla siyang magladlad nang tuluyan," I laughingly said. "Feeling ko kasi paminta si gago, baks."

She laughed. "Ay, baks. Ipupusta ko ang kapalaran ko sa pagiging pulis. Feeling ko hindi beks si koya. Sa KFC pa lang 'di ba? I told you 'di ko naamoy."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Who knows, baka closeted lang. May mga tao kasing sobrang perpekto kung makapuna. That's why the LGBTs are very resistant to unveil their true identity, given the social stigma attached to sexuality. 'Di na lang sarilinin ang opinyon para walang naaapakan."

"True, bakla!" she exclaimed. "Pakyu sila payb tayms. Pero 'wag mo naman akong english-in, 6th row 'tong bestfriend mo, oh."

I laughed. "Siraulo ka talaga!" sigaw ko at tumayo na mula sa upuan. "Tara na at mag-grocery ka na lang nang makauwi na rin tayo. Magluluto pa 'ko ng dinner namin ni bakla."