Bukas Paggising Mo

[PART III] I: Pangalawang Buhay

"Good morning, team! I have good news for you," ani George.

Nagtinginan si Iya at ang ilang officemates niya sa loob ng conference room. George, CMA's head of marketing, tend to exaggerate a lot of things early in the morning.

Ang CMA - Learning Resource ay affiliate ng Scholastic sa United States. Apat sila sa team na iyon na ipinadala para sa three-month project dito sa Pilipinas. Si Iya ay hindi naman talaga part ng marketing, pero parte siya ng creative development.

All of them were chosen because they had been in the Philippines and had lived in the country for a short time to be familiar with its Education curriculum. They were there in the country to introduce a new mode of learning for schools and learning centers.

They were renting a small office in Makati, kung saan sila hindi sinasadyang magkita ni Lea. Si Lea naman ay nasa Makati para sa final fitting ng bridal gown nito.

"One of the senior partners of SebSeb Software, Victor Robles, contacted me yesterday," enthusiastic pa rin ang boses ni George. "And guess what? They want to schedule an appointment with us tomorrow."

In fairness sa balitang dala ni George, nagpalakpakan ang buong team. SebSeb Software was one of the biggest software developers in the Philippines. A collaboration with the company would be a big victory for CMA.

"Wow. Who did you sleep with this time, George?" pambubuska ni Quinn.

Umirap si George, na nagiging Georgia sa gabi. Hindi naman lingid sa kanilang lahat ang mga sexual escapades ng head ng marketing.

"Just you wait," pilyang sabi nito. "I heard that Victor is very much eligible."

"And unfortunately, very much straight," dagdag ni Elise, ang babaeng bakla naman ng grupo.

Elise was in charge of all communications to local government agencies in the country. Ito rin ang sumulat ng Letter of Intent sa SebSeb Software.

Tinaasan lang ito ni George ng kilay. "And how did you know?"

"You should really check out all his escapades on the Internet. Parang wala pa siyang dine-date na lalaki sa dami ng beses na nahuli siya ng paparazzi na lumalabas sa lobby ng hotel."

"Hmp. If I know. Those players, they tend to go both ways." Pagkatapos ay humalakhak nang malutong.

Napailing na lang si Iya sa mga ito. It was fun being with this team. They bring lots of laughter in her life.

She had been in the company for three years now. Isang taon matapos siyang dumating sa poder ni Cristina ay hinikayat siya ng stepfather niya na si Philip na kumuha ng BA Liberal Arts sa eskwelahan na pinagtuturuan nito. Ang mga taon pagkatapos naman ng graduation niya ay ginugol niya pag-ja-job-hopping, taking side jobs here and there to somehow support her needs.

Contrary to the notion that the United States was the land of dreams, it was pretty hard to get a decent job that she would genuinely enjoy. Hindi practical sa ibang bansa iyon dahil sa mataas na standard of living. Idagdag pa na stressful ang buhay sa New York. Nahirapan talaga si Iya na mag-adjust sa buhay sa ibang bansa kahit pa sa tulong ni Cristina at ni Philip, ang stepfather niya.

And then miraculously, one winter morning, she landed an interview with CMA and hadn't looked back since. Sa tatlong taon na nasa CMA siya ay naging magaan ang buhay niya. These people were really nice people and had become her friends. Those three years also gave her the best sleeps she had in her life.

"We'll visit the company tomorrow. Iya, come with me."

Sabay na lumingon si Quinn at Elise sa kanya, naka-handa nang mag-protesta.

"Ang daya!" reklamo ni Quinn. "Why does Iya get to come with you?"

"Dahil siya lang ang hindi bakla sa'ting apat," ani George na akala mo ay siyang pinaka-logical na sagot. "We need a rational mind when we face him tomorrow."

Natawa si Elise.

"Yeah, expect that from Iya. I'm sure hindi uubra ang kagwapuhan ni Victor diyan sa babaeng bato na 'yan."

"Grabe kayo sa'kin," natatawang sabi niya.

Pero alam ni Iya na iyon talaga ang reputasyon niya sa kompanya - ang babaeng bato ang puso. As far as everyone in the company was concerned, she had not gone out of a date in the last three years she had been in the company.

"So? Okay na tayo?" Pumalakpak si George. "Let's cross our fingers that we land the collaboration so we can all finally go back to our normal lives. Na-mi-miss ko na ang glitz and glamour ng New York."

Si Iya ay agad na hinanap ang portfolio ng SebSeb Software sa Internet. Hindi iyon mahirap gawin. Victor Robles was pretty much active in the social circle. He was good-looking and charismatic. Totally George's type.

Hindi napansin ni Iya nang tabihan siya ni Elise.

"Iya, are you okay?"

Nagulat pa siya sa tanong nito. Wala sa loob na napahawak siya sa mukha. "Why? Don't I look okay?"

Dinutdot nito ang eyebags niya.

"You haven't been sleeping well?"

She crunched up her nose. Nanumbalik sa kanya ang nangyari noong Sabado nang makita niyang muli si Clark. Mabuti na lang at nandoon si Angelo. Kung hindi, hindi niya na alam kung ano nang nangyari sa kanya.

"This past weekend, I have not," pag-amin niya sa kaibigan.

Nakakaunawa ang tango ni Elise.

"Ako rin. Namamahay pa siguro."

"Then let's just do our best this time. Para pare-pareho na tayong makauwi."

Napansin ni Iya na tinititigan lang siya ni Elise na parang may gustong itanong sa kanya.

"Hey, spill it."

"Single pa ba si Angelo?"

Bumunghalit ng tawa si Iya.

"By god, Elise. Ligawan mo na kaya ang kapatid ko?"

Elise grinned.

"Nagpapa-cute nga ako. Pero 'di naman pinapansin ang beauty ko."

"He worries a lot about me, that's why. Akala niya ata ay mas matanda siya sa'kin."

"But he looks the part of an older brother!" bulalas ni Elise. "Akala nga namin nung ipinakilala mo siya ay boyfriend mo na. Alam mo bang pina-plastik ka ng mga bading na 'yan dahil kay Angelo? Lalo na noong unang beses na ipinakilala mo siya sa'min?"

Lalong natawa si Iya.

"I know. They were pretty obvious with their disapproval."

But physically and psychologically, Angelo looked older than his twenty-five years. Dahil din siguro sa culture na kinalakihan nito kaya iba ang upbringing ni Angelo. Plus, when Cristina first introduced her to him, Angelo stuck to her like glue. Masayang-masaya na nagkaroon ito ng kapatid. That he probably self-appointed himself as her guardian.

Katulad ngayon. Hindi naman nito kailangang sumama sa kanya sa Pilipinas. But he took a leave from the hospital he was working just so he could watch over her. Saksi kasi si Angelo sa mga breakdowns niya noong unang taon niya sa States kaya siguro dinala nito ang pag-aalala na iyon sa kanya sa loob ng mga taon.

"But I like a challenge," pilyang sabi ni Elise. "Sooner or later, bibigay din 'yan sa'kin."

Tinapik ni Iya ang balikat nito.

"I really wish you good luck, my friend."

Ginugol ni Iya ang oras niya maghapon sa pag-aaral sa profile ng SebSeb, trying to distract herself from the fact that after all these years, she was breathing the air Clark was breathing.