Prologue

Yesterday, in the morning when I woke up, and even up until now, I could still hear those words left by my previous employer over and over again.

His voice keeps on deafening my ear drums as if it's a shrill sound coming from an EKG monitor that is painful to hear. Irritating loud noise, especially, when it beeps only to form a straight horizontal line.

Natulala ako sa kinatatayuan ko, hindi pa rin naipo-process ang lahat. I can't honestly find the reason why they'd fired me?

Did I just do something they don't want?

Did I just piss them? Did I disappoint them?

Because ... all I could think at this moment is, I

did everything for them.

I continued walking on the street's sidewalk, approaching the waiting shed. I faced myself on its glass wall.

I smiled sweetly despite the hardship I've been experiencing. Today, I was wearing a woman's corporate attire. A black corporate coat with a pair of black pants, having maroon pointed toe heels attached on my feet.

Noong nakaraang linggo, nag-submit na ako ng application form ko sa iba't-ibang kompanya pero ni isa sa kanila, walang gustong i-dial ang number ko.

This is the very first time after a long time I felt so thirsty for phone calls.

Ilang kompanya na nga ba ang sinubukan ko? One? Two? Three? Uh! no, it was more than that.

Naubos ko na nga yata lahat ng business establishments dito sa North and South ng City na ito, e. But then until now, no one accepts me. No one trusted me.

"Annoying..." Inis na bulong ko sa sarili at umirap.

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha sa pagkapikon. I tilted my head slowly until my eyes viewed the adorable blue shaded sky. Ngumiti ako. Hindi masyadong ma-ulap kaya kitang-kita ang pagka-asul ng kalangitan.

Whenever I get annoyed, irritated, sad or whatever sorrowful moment it is ... I just look up above the breath-taking image of sky. Sky really comforts me. It tamed the raging waves I felt inside me.

Banayad akong pumikit sa sandaling dumampi ang malamig na hangin sa aking mukha. Nang matapos, nagmulat din ako agad. Sandali akong naupo para makapag-isip-isip.

And the minute I was sitting here, an idea crossed my mind. I took my phone out of my bag then dial Zy's number. She's my best friend, we've known each other since we're in highschool.

Tinapat ko sa tainga ang phone sa sandaling nag-ring iyon. I sighed in relief when she answered it. She seemed to have someone with her there because she's not responding yet.

"Zy..." Kasabay ng pagbigkas ko sa pangalan nya ay ang pag nguso ng labi ko.

"Natanggal ka sa trabaho because?" Bungad niya.

She's even laughing and was enough to tease me but I tried calming myself because I really need her now. I know this isn't the best thing to do but I don't have a choice. I have no other choice.

"Uh, do you know someone looking for a hard worker?" Ngumiti ako ng alanganin kahit na alam kong hindi niya iyon makikita.

"Who's that hard worker? Ikaw?"

"Ang sama mo sa 'kin! Tulungan mo na lang ako!"

Nang magtinginan ang mga taong dumadaan, naitikom kong bigla ang bibig ko. Shit. Nakakahiya.

"Biro lang, gaga! Actually, hiring ang apparel today. Hindi ko lang in-offer sa'yo kasi alam ko namang tatanggi ka. Ano? Okay lang ba sa'yo na dito ka magtrabaho?"

Bakas ko ang pag-iingat sa bawat bitiw niya ng salita.

"Oo ... Mukhang wala na akong pagpipilian." I almost whispered then chortled, acting unbothered but in fact, nilalamon na ako ng kaba.

"He took BS Biology before, right? Ilang taon na ang nakalipas Thalia! For sure doktor na 'yon. Malabong makita mo siya dito." Zy assured me.

"You sure?"

He took Biology so he might still be in Med School! Or maybe he's helping in managing their company? Or he might have been working in a hospital? Or I don't know and why am I guessing? Matagal na akong walang pake sakanya.

Matagal na dapat, hindi ba?

"Sure ako. Mga 85 over 100 ganoon." Napa-irap ako sa sagot niya.

"Kailan ba ako pupunta diyan? Open pa ba sa ganitong oras?" Sinulyapan ko ang relo ko, alas-tres na pala ng hapon.

"Yes. Um, wait. As far as I remember, three years ka pa lang sa Juarquez Corporation, hindi ba?"

"Yeah."

"Five years contract mo doon, therefore, you should be working there up until now because you still have two years before your contract ends,"

"Ahuh?" I muttered waiting for her next words. Mukhang alam ko na ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

She sighed on the other line.

"Then why not file a wrongful dismissal claim against your former employer? They terminated you without cause and failed to provide you with the proper amount of working notice." She asked in a serious tone.

My lips automatically rose up. Mabuti na lang at napaghandaan ko ang speech ko para sa mga atanong sa akin ng ganito.

"I already thought of that though, naisip ko na rin kung ano ang pupuwede mangyari kapag ginawa ko 'yan. Maaari lang naman akong abutin ng ilang taon at gumastos ng malaking halaga para sa pag-hire ng Corporate Lawyer." I stated.

I owe Mr. Elvis Juarquez a huge thing. They paid me during my on-the-job training before at kahit na dalawang taon akong nagpahinga sa US matapos kong grumaduate ay mabilis pa rin akong natanggap sa kompanya niya.

Bukod doon, marami pang mabuting naidulot ang kompanya nya sa sarili ko, sa buhay ko. Kaya kung ipadadaan ko pa ito sa batas, para ko na ring kinalaban ang mga magulang kong nagluwal at bumuhay sa akin. Kahit na ganito, marunong pa rin akong tumanaw ng utang na loob.

I rode a bus and waited until it stopped in front of the well-known clothing company, the VLSQZ Apparel.

I was sitting near the window so I could see the places and establishments we passed by. When the bus finally stopped, I went straight to VLSQZ Apparel's Interview room.

Sa gilid ng silid na ito ako naghintay, iyon kasi ang sinabi sa akin ng babae.

Nilibot ko ang paningin, the interior design looks so professional and neat. I've never been here before. Napakalapit ko sa may-ari nito noon pero ... kahit isang beses, hindi ko pa ito napasok.

"Ma'am, kayo na po ang susunod." Nabalik ako sa huwisyo nang may magsalita sa gilid ko. Nagkatinginan kami kaya naman nginitian ko sya. She's the woman who had told me to wait until the previous applicant finished.

Kaagad akong tumayo at huminga muna ng malalim bago pasukin ang interview room.

Hinarap ko rin saglit ang salamin sa gilid ko para siguruhing maganda pa rin ako. It's important, right? Para kung sakaling lalaki ang interviewer hindi niya ako aayawan kasi maganda ako!

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, bumungad sa akin ang isang lalaki. Nakatalikod ito at prenteng nakaupo sa swivel chair habang pinaglalaruan ang ballpen sa kanan niyang kamay.

"Why should we hire you?

I was in shock when the man in front of me asked.

Napahawak pa ako sa dibdib ko sa gulat. Mabuti na lang at nakatalikod ang lalaki dahil kung hindi, sa tindig ko pa lamang, hindi na ako tinanggap.

Grabe naman kasi 'to! Wala lang naman intro-intro? Why should we hire you agad?!

"Hmm," I murmured, "A pleasant afternoon to you, Sir. I'm Thalia Aviatrix Martinez, 28 years old. I'm a college graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from East Edison University. I worked at the Financial Department of Juarquez' Corporation for three years. During my three years working in the Business Industry. I am confident to say that I'm well-prepared to apply my skills and knowledge here in VLSQZ Apparel." I introduced.

Napa-isip pa tuloy ako. Tama ba ang pinagsasabi ko?

"East Edison..." I heard him whisper. "Okay ... then, you're hired. You may start working tomorrow."

I got chills with that sexy voice. I clenched my fists in too much happiness. For the first time in a long time! Finally! A company accepted me! Makakapagtrabaho na ako!

"All you have to do is to sign this contract, come here. Take this." he commanded.

Maingat at mabagal kong nilakad ang daan papalapit sa kanya. I am currently hearing the sound of my heels clicking on the floor. And in every step I did, the pump of my heart began to feel heavy.

Trabaho na ito, Thalia. Trabaho. Tanga na lang ang tatanggi.

So without muttering something, I grabbed the contract in his hand and signed it instantly.

I then turned my gaze back to him as soon as I'm done. Hindi pa rin siya lumilingon sa akin.

I placed the contract down his desk carefully. Time after time, the feeling of uneasiness becomes even worse.

I held on my chest.

This feeling is the same as what I had felt before.

W-What does this mean?

As I looked back to him, with his swift actions, he stood up and faced me. A smirk slowly formed around his lips. I stared at him with a heavy-pounding-heart. He was wearing a Charcoal Gray Suit. He moved his head

side-ward to fix his black necktie.

There he is.

He maintained eye contact with me but I looked away.

I could now feel the heavy atmosphere.

Was it a laugh that I heard from him?

"It's nice seeing you again, Thalia. Hope to have a good work with you," he said casually. The man I have forgotten for too long.

Did I really?

Why the **** I need to feel this way?

"See you tomorrow." he said as he waved his hand sparingly.

Then our memories together suddenly flashed in my mind like a lightning from a thunderstorm that strikes in the night sky.

It sends pain.

It scares me.

So, I won't.

I won't let ruined things be fixed.

As the moon embraces the sun. Our paths again,

collided.

*******

To be continued.....

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