One Step Closer (COMPLETED)

Prologue

Amelia Martini

   I took one last glimpse of my working table- dating working table. It brought a lot of memories and nostalgia. Apat na taon din akong namalagi sa cubicle na to, this table witnessed how I fought with my anxiety of meeting new people within my first few months of working. This place opened a new door for me, who would have thought that this is where I would find find my happiness again.

"Amy, we are going to miss you."

   Paglingon ko nakita ko ang mga kasamahan ko na kumpol kumpol habang may hawak na cake. They have bittersweet emotions reflected on their faces. Hindi ko rin tuloy maiwasang malungkot.

"Guys, you don't have to buy me a cake." humakbang ako palapit sa kanila at binasa ang nakasulat sa cake.

'Good Luck, Amy!' napangiti ako dahil may kasama pa talaga iyong heart emoticon. Even the cake shows how much they know me, it's not just a normal dedication cake. It's a personalized FRIENDS themed cake with lettering that says 'The one where Amy says goodbye".

"Mami-miss ka namin, lalo na ang mga luto mo." Mathew said, one of my co-worker who is also an Accountant.

"Naku! Ang sabihin mo, mami-miss mo si Amy dahil wala ng mamimigay ng ulam sa iyo kapag lunch time!" Gladys pointed one which made everyone laugh.

    I shook her head while chuckling. Bumalik ako sa lamesa ko nang maalala ko ang usapang ulam. I made lasagna for everyone as my parting gift.

"Here," Inabot ko sa kanila ang lasagna. "Consider this as my gift, alam niyo naman ayaw ko ng despidida party."

"Oo nga, but we understand you Amy."

  

   I purposely declined for a despidida party kasi alam kong magiging emosyonal ako. I don't wanna think that this is going to be the last time I'm gonna see these faces. They are not just my workmates, they are my friends now.

"Okay lang pala walang kainan, may lasagna naman pala! The best ka talaga, Amy!" Mathew  said while slowly opening the containers. "Bisitahin mo kami paminsan minsan ha?"

"Of course, babalik naman ako!"

"What are your plans after this?" nalipat ang tinging ko kay Tita Helga, one of our seniors. "I am sure you can come back here anytime."

"Kahit hindi mag-apply ulit si Amy, I am pretty sure tatanggapin agad siya."

" Sinabi mo pa, I even heared that her table should remain untouched- aray!"  hindi natapos ni Gladys ang sasabihin niya dahil bigla siyang siniko ni Tita Helga. After exchanging looks with each other, Gladys turned to me with a smile. "Wala kang narinig, Amy!"

   Umiiling ako habang sinusukbit ang bag sa kaliwang braso ko. Kanina ko pa naibaba ang mga gamit ko sa opisina, bumalik lang ako para ibigay sa kanila ang lasagna and I'm set to leave. Well, hindi pa pala. I have one last stop before I could officially say goodbye to this place.

"No problem, Gladys. I'll pretend I didn't hear a thing."

"Ang bibig mo talaga Gladys, kabilin bilinan ng nasa itaas na huwag na huwag sasabihin iyon kay Amy." pang-sesermon ni Tita Helga. "Wala talagang preno ang bibig mo."