Life Changing Memories

IV

"SOPHIE" napatingin ako kay Clarisse na siyang papalapit sa'kin. Nandito ka sa pantry ngayon, currently having a break, lunch break to be exact. Past one pm na, late lunch.

"Why?" napakunot noo kung tanong niya ng makarating siya sa mesa kung saan ako kumakakain.

"Naipasa mo na ba iyong financial statement kay boss?" tanong niya, habang hinila niya ang upuan sa harapan ko at umupo.

"Yes, kanina pa." sagot ko naman na may halong pagtataka. "bakit?"

"Miss Gwendalyn asking for it." Hindi ko naman mapigilang magtaas ng kilay. I don't think so, with Gwen I don't trust that cunning of a woman.

"Nakakapagtaka naaman at gusto niyang dumaan sa kanya ang F/S, isa pa Mr. Ramon ask for it as soon as I finished it." Litanya ko naman sa kaharap ko. "Kaya naman, pinasa ko na kay boss pagkatapos."

"Malamang gagawa na naman iyan ng paraan para masira ka sa kompanya ng uncle mo. She being, attention seeker. Hindi na nakakapagtaka ang bagay na iyon." naiinis na sambit niya sakin. Knowing she and Gwen aren't in good terms, both work and personal.

"Hayaan mo nalang Risse, napasa ko na naman." I said, baka na naman kasi mapang-abot ang dalawa mahirap na. They could be trouble. Lalo na at nasa iisang departamento lang kami.

I glanced at my phone when it beeps. I check my phone, message from a certain person.

Done lunch?

Ang tipid talaga niya mag-message. Lihim nalang akong napailing. Not really fond of texting, actually hindi ko naman siya pinipilit to do things na hindi siya sanay. Making effort, I appreciated it.

I'm currently having my lunch.

I hit the send button and put it in the side.

"It's him?" napaangat ako ng tingin sa kasama ko. She wiggled her brows, and can't to role my eyes secretly.

"Yeah."

"I see."

This woman really wants to fish something interesting.

And speaking of interesting. . .

~*~*~

Interesting

I came to the point that I discovered something interesting.

Interesting?

Specifically, I really don't give any importance about that word. Doesn't give a damn. How could it be interesting, when your routine bore you? You can't even let go, of what you wanted to be. Your own – of who you are, nonetheless you need to do something because you are asked to do so. How absurd right? Interesting for me simply imply something you weren't really committed but you have to.

I lived in a kind of life which never give me something valuable. I was locked in the four corner – it was how I felt. The word interesting bore me to death. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung paano ko o mas tama atang sabihin na, sa paanong paraan ako naka-survive sa ganoong klaseng buhay. It was suffocating. I faced the world with hate and anger. Siguro ganoon talaga ang mararamdaman ng mga tao included me (though that was in the past now) na nasa sitwasyon kung saan ay palagi ka nalang minamanduhan sa buhay. Na kulang nalang ay sila na mismo ang magde-decide sa buhay mo. So, masasabi mo sa sarili mo, ano ba ang interesanting bagay doon? None. An empty vessel.

It changes, yes change. I remember the infamous quote "Change is the only constant thing in this world." Perhaps it is proof? Yeah, it is. It was the start that difference of itself, but simply makes you realized that there is something more in life to hold and live for.

The day of the result finally came. It was Friday, so I checked my locker as what they told me so. Thanks, I arrived early and Lia wasn't there yet. She would surely nag me if she's early; of course I won't want that to happen. I made myself came early for that obvious reason. And just what I thought the white envelope inside. Why would I have to postponed the inevitable, if I can do as soon as? I just want one thing. That was to make it pass, I mean done and I could get back with my own routine. But those thoughts remained thoughts because it clearly says the opposite.

Congratulations, Miss Imperial. And welcome to the family.

- Ink Heart Organization

I stared at the placard. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba dapat ang maramdaman ko? Will my emotions really matter? Happiness? Do I need to feel it? I doubt it. Maybe deep within me, I felt the happiness but I don't want to show. Sa bawat sitwasyon ng buhay natin, iba-iba ang paraan kung paano nati i-handle ang lahat ng iyon. Me, I chose to be neutral – no-reaction. Na para bang walang pakialam sa nangyayari.

"I knew it! Masasali ka sa organisayon na iyon." nagulat ako ng nagsalita si Lia, I did not notice her presence.

"H-how long you've been here?" nauutal ko pang tanong sa kanya. Like I was hiding something from her.

"Long enough to read everything." Napasimangot nalang ako sa sagot niya. Knowing her, hindi niya palalagpasin ang ganitong pagkakataon na malaman ang resulta. She did everything para lang makapasok ako o mas tamang sabihing makapasa ng application. Umiiwas na nga ako sa kanya at balak kong iimikin ko na siya after one week. But what happened was the opposite.

Lia was beyond happy when she knew. Sa totoo nga niyan ay siya pa ang mas excited sa aming dalawa. She pursued me in the first place, kaya somewhere in my heart I thanked her. If not because of her, might be I, still living my life in hell. Na hindi ko maramdaman ang kasiyahan na natatamasa ko ngayon. Isa siya sa mga taong nagpa-realized sa'kin kung gaano kahalaga ang sumubok, na pwede palang maging worth. Basta ba tama at wala kang naaapakan ng tao.

After I received the result, pumunta kaagad ako sa office. Nasa may faculty building, sa ikaapat na palapag ang office ng IHO. Pagkarating ko, I saw them smiling at me – a welcoming smile. Na para bang inaasahan nila ang pagdating ko.

"Congratulations!" they said in unison. I can't help but to return their smiles.

"Masaya ako na makilala ka at maging parte ng Club namin." Saad ng isang member, I knew her. Olga Villafuerte from HRM Department; known for being the cheerleader and having the bubbly personality. Not the bitchy type of, hindi siya ganoon. Nagulat nga ako at kasali siya sa organization, napakalayo sa personalidad niya. Ang layo-layo sa pagkakilala ko sa kanya, I was too focus with my own, that I don't know her and others better than the outward display.

Pero kung meron man ang siyang nagpagulat sa'kin. Iyon ay ang makita ko ulit ang lalaking nakabangga ko ilang araw bago dumating ang araw na iyon. "So, you're Sophia Blaire Imperial, Miss-Goal-Oriented?" he shows me his carefree smile. The very fateful day the word INTERESING slowly change.