My Bright Star (COMPLETE) - Published under PHR

The Interview

"BAKIT daw po siya nagresign?" maang na tanong ni Yumi nang makompirma mismo mula sa kanilang boss na nagresign na nga si Pete.

"Ang sabi sa akin ni Pete kailangan na daw niyang full time na manatili sa Aurora ngayong may sakit ang papa niya. He needed to personally handle all their businesses there. But you and I both know it's not true, right, Yumi?"

"S-sir?" gulat na tumitig siya kay Architect de Guzman. Hindi niya sukat akalain na ganito pala ito ka-hands on sa mga empleyado nito.

"Alam kong nagtataka ka kung bakit ganito na lang ang concern ko kay Pete."

Isang tango ang isinagot niya dito.

"To tell you the truth, I'm as surprised as you. Nang una kong makita 'yang si Pete, he was sitting at that very same chair you are sitting on with a determined look on his face. Did you know that I turned down his application a number of times?"

Lalo pang nagulat si Yumi sa narinig. "N-no, Sir, he never mentioned it before."

"Pero bilib talaga ako sa determinasyon ng batang 'yan. I hired him not because of his credentials. I just wanted to see if he can live up to everything he said and promised."

"Bakit po? Ano po ba ang mga sinabi niya sa inyo?"

"Ah," itinaas nito ang isang kamay na tila may naisip itong isang magandang ideya. "Mas mabuti kung papakinggan mo na lang." Pagkatapos ay may kinalikot ito sa isang drawer.

"Is that a recorder, Sir? Nirerecord niyo po ang mga interviews ninyo?"

Umiling ito. "'Yung interview lang ni Pete. I accidentally recorded it. Nang araw kasi na iyon ay nagpra-practice ako ng aking speech. Anyway, I think this was his fourth and last interview until I finally gave up and accepted him."

"Fourth?"

"Yes, now just listen." Pagkatapos ay may pinagpipindot ito sa recorder bago niya narinig ang boses ni Pete.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

"Mr. Asuncion, it's you again." Tinig iyon ni Architect de Guzman.

"You can call me Pete, Sir."

"All right, Pete, what can I do for you today?"

"Sir, baka po pwede ninyong pag-isipan uli ang tungkol sa application ko."

"Pete, this is what? Your fourth time here in my office already? At tulad nang mga nakaraang tatlong beses, the answer is still no. We don't have any opening at the moment. And even if we do, I'm afraid I just can't bet on you that easily."

"Bakit po?"

"Alam kong nasa top ten ka sa board exam. Nakita ko din ang transcript mo. Your grades were high on the subjects that count. But that's not enough, Pete. Paano ko malalaman na seseryosohin mo nga ang trabaho dito? Kung ang mga minor subjects mo nga ay halos magkabagsak-bagsak, and then there's your track record in high school."

"What can I do to convince you to accept me?" mahihimigan ang frustration sa boses ni Pete.

"I'm afraid my answer would be nothing. There are other architectural firms that might be interested in taking you in. I can put on a good word for you."

"That won't do, Sir. This is where I want to be."

Natawa si Architect de Guzman. "Alam mo, Pete, hindi ko alam kung maiinis ba ako o hahangaan ko ang determinasyon mong makapasok dito sa EcoUrban. But this is the real world, son. Our company has a reputation to uphold. We need dedicated people on our team."