"Congratulations, girls!"
Cynthia brought us flowers for our graduation. After greeting and hugging us ay nagpakuha kami ng picture together.
Nothing could bother me today because fina-fucking-ly, I've graduated. I know it's just the beginning of an end, but at least I'm moving forward.
Mom and Dad went home after the graduation. Sabi nila ay sa bahay na lang daw kami magce-celebrate and I can celebrate with my friends for now which works for me especially when they told me my brother's home. No problem with that kung hindi lang sana kasama ang fiancée niya. Ugh. I think my day's ruined already. Good thing na lang talaga at hindi ko sila makikita.
"I'm really thankful we get to celebrate together." Cynthia was so clingy. Aakalain mong hindi na kami magkikita pagkatapos.
"Drama naman nito," reklamo ni Mikee habang kumukuha ng pictures ng bulakak na binigay ni Cynthia. "We just graduated sa school, hindi in life. We're still alive noh."
"Yeah. But... I'll leave soon."
Ah, tama pala. She won't be staying here for good. It was just supposed to be a vacation pero natagalan din. I rested my head on Cynthia's shoulders. I'll miss this girl.
"Why naman!"
"Grabe ha. I'm extending my stay here for a while now. I love the Philippines, but I still need to go back. I need to work na din. How about you two? Any plans?"
"I got the job I've been talking to you about." I excitedly told them. I waited for the perfect time to announce this because I didn't want to jinx anything but finally! Nung na-confirm, tamang timing na lang talaga ang hinihintay ko.
My family's business is in logistics. Dati pa lang, alam ko nang wala akong interest doon. I didn't care if Mom would think I was not practical and if Dad thought I was wasting too much of my time.
Fashion designing is my passion. Ayaw kong sa huli ay magsisi dahil alam ko naman ang gusto ko at hindi ko iyon sinunod. Right now, I'm very looking forward to starting my journey. I know I'd have to start small, so I applied to be a designer apprentice with a small brand that is just starting. I know the designer, she has already worked for several known brands, but right now, she is still starting to make a name for her own. I'm so excited to learn from her and, someday, build a name for myself too.
Baby steps. Slowly but surely.
"Seriously? Congratulations, Zahara!"
"Not surprised. I knew she'd love you. Cynthia told me. She's actually the one who informed me I can still try to apply even if they are not officially hiring. Hindi ko alam kung magkakilala sila but I just asked for the process. Ayaw ko din namang tanggapin because I'm friends with one of the Figueroa's.
I smiled at both of them. "I didn't think I was qualified. Kung hindi niyo ako in-encourage, maybe I was still wondering right now what would happen if I applied for the job."
"And... you got the job!" Cynthia screamed.
During the last semester, I was pressured to be successful. Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakapagtapos, I already feel like my parents are ready to tell me that I chose the wrong path. Tapos, andiyan pa si Kuya Zander who is their definition of a perfect child. Successful, prepared to take over our business, marrying someone who would definitely be the perfect daughter-in-law.
I've been a wild child, but I still want to be someone successful, even if it's not on their own terms.
They'd be proud of me too... I hope.
Right now, I'm just really thankful I have these two friends who believe in me.
"This will be your desk."
Miss Kat's assistant toured me around the design studio. Under construction pa kasi ito days ago so it's my first time coming here too.
"Thank you, po."
"Uy, don't po me naman." The lady told me. She actually looks a few years older than me, which was why I addressed her that way, but it seems like she was offended.
I waved my hand. "Oh my, sorry!" I apologized immediately. Ano ba iyan, unang araw ko pa lang dito, I'm making mistakes already.
"Chill, Zahara. Just call me, Mimi. No need to be formal. Hindi naman kami strikto dito."
She didn't seem to be offended. Thank goodness... Kahit kasi bago pa lang si Miss Kat nagsimula, I know that Mimi has been working for her for a while already since she was the one who did the initial interview. She was more strict that time too. Good to know she's approachable now that we're co-workers.
"Is there anything I need to remember, Mimi?" I asked her. I actually wanted to ask if she could give me any tips on how to approach Miss Kat. This is my first job, and she is really a great designer. I don't want to fuck this up.
Halos hindi na nga ako makatulog kagabi with the excitement that I was feeling. I was confident, and I badly wanted to do a great job. Masyado ata akong pressured to do my best and not just an okay performance.
"Just be... creative." She said. "Mabait naman si Kathea at si Phoenix, though if you meet him, tawagin mo munang Sir. He can be strict at times."
"I'm sorry, who?" I was surprised to hear the name, or maybe I'm not hearing it right. I thought I heard Mimi say Phoenix or something.
"I thought Kathea mentioned her business partner?"
I nodded. Miss Kat mentioned that she is the Creative Director while the business side it's managed by her close friend. "B-but what was the name again?" I asked, wishing so bad I had heard her wrong earlier.
"Phoenix Figueroa is the name pero hindi naman madalas iyon dito. He's an investor, a business partner but he got other business to keep him busy so hindi mo na kailangan mag-worry about dun. I think he's nice naman but he's... ano ba, mayaman? Haha! Ang sama pakinggan. Baka sabihin mo pa sinisiraan ko iyon. Hindi ha. Walang ganyanan dito."
I gave Mimi a small smile while I held the corner of the table, leaning slightly for support.
And just when I thought he was out of my life.
BINABASA MO ANG
Forever Trapped
General FictionZahara Ivy Aguirre has always been in the mood to play the game but not with Phoenix Figueroa. It's all just fun and game but his intense gaze would say otherwise.
