Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 36

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I still couldn't believe that it was Rahma who was endorsed to me as a farm manager. Nahiya na akong tawagan pa si Brunetto para sabihin dito na hindi ko tatanggapin ang aplikante. I clearly told him during our phone call that I'd consider his personal assessment. Nagsisisi tuloy ako na nagdesisyon ako nang agad-agad. Bakit ko ba naman kasi nasabing first day na bukas ng aplikante at hindi na niya kailangan pa ng anumang interview?

Sumasakit tuloy ang ulo ko. Mukhang mas naging problema ko pa ang farm manager na dapat ay makakatulong sa sakahan ko.

Bago pumunta sa meeting sa Multi-Purpose Hall, sinadya ko munang tawagan si Dana na baka buong araw ay wala ako sa café. Luckily, the woman understood me again. She was very excited after knowing that today would be the start of the construction of my farm's outbuildings.

Tanging t-shirt, fitted jeans, at cowgirl boots lamang ang napili kong isuot para sa meeting. I asked Bien last night if it would be a formal meeting, fortunately it isn't.

Matapos magpaalam kay Hwallie, dumiretso na kaagad ako sa venue.

"Syntia! I'm so pleased to see you again!" ani Darcie, ang president ng Helping Hands Organization.

Ms. Darcie is a surgeon abroad. El Camarico is her hometown and I personally witness her genuine love for it. Helping children had always been her advocacy. Aniya ay tinulungan lang din siyang maabot ang pangarap niya, kaya bilang kapalit ay tutulong din siya sa iba. She was also here last year. Nakakatuwang naglalaan siya ng oras para sa kanilang organization. Ms. Darcie is very kind and approachable. Kapag dumadalo sa mga ganitong event, sinisigurado niyang hindi siya ang nasa spotlight. She knows how to blend with the kind of people she's with.

"I'm so pleased to see you too, Doc." Malugod kong hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"I heard from Bien that you will be donating, too?" She guided me on the chair.

"Uh, yes po. I'm still waiting for the package, though." I was suddenly worried. "Ngayon na po ba tayo magpa-pack?"

She chuckled at my reaction. "No, not yet. Next week pa naman. Sa ngayon, meeting muna. Committees will be assigned."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag at prente na ngang naupo sa silya. Bien was already waiting for me to sit beside him. He was smiling from ear to ear. Ano kayang nakain ng isang 'to at mukhang good mood?

"Hi, Syntia!" he cheerfully greeted me.

I nodded at him and awkwardly smiled back. "I thought I was late."

Iginala ko ang mata sa paligid. Narito na rin ang ibang members ng organization.

"Nope, sakto lang naman. Magsisimula na." aniya at humarap na sa unahan.

Ms. Darcie delivered a short speech first about how grateful she is that the organization is still moving until now. She's also overwhelmed with the members and she was thrilled to announce to everyone that I'm now a new member of the organization. Tumayo pa ako at nagpasalamat sa mainit na pagtanggap sa akin.

Kagaya nga ng sinabi ni Ms. Darcie, nagkaroon ng classification ng mga committees. Nakakatawang nasa iisang grupo na naman kami ni Bien. Bawat committee ay binigyan ng responsabilidad. There were four members in our group, and we got assigned to solicitation. Pagkatapos ay pinag-usap-usap kami sa kanya-kanyang grupo upang magplano sa hakbang namin.

"Syntia, would it be okay if you create our solicitation letter?" si Ms. Valencia, isang empleyado sa Munusipyo.

"Uh, okay, no problem. Mayron na naman akong details dito." sabi ko sabay sulyap sa notes ko sa aking notebook. "Let's just create a GC so I can send you the file. Sama-sama ba tayong magbibigay ng solicitation letters?"