Stale cold air. Beehive noise. Movements of people. The only boundary Oneil has between them is the designated tent for him. But he kept it open to see his surrounding. His eyes scrutinize the place until he gets familiar. There is a nearby charging station and distribution of solar lamps to the evacuees. New batches of evacuees are coming with their needed items. Their eyes are filled with the question if there are more available tents for them. Oneil went out from the large tent and thought of giving the unit to a larger family.
“I think they need it more, Sir,” Oneil said to the evacuation coordinator. He was carrying his bagged bedding while pointing to the influx of people who needed spaces in the building.
The officer was moved by his genuine effort. He offered a tent space near their station for this lonesome caring man. Oneil thanked the officer before moving to place his bedding inside.
“By the way, did you eat already? There’s a releasing of food fo
Riley had many sleepless nights and the last one was painstakingly long. It is not because his nipa hut bowed to the storm five days ago. Neither does it have something to do with Marika. Indeed, he was not even hurt by Captain Arturo’s declaration of sending Marika to study in Japan. After all, Riley is used to Captain Arturo’s claim that Marika will not have a good future if she will end up with a useless man like him. It did not move him either make him remorseful that Marika left after their slight argument.Insecurities surrounded Riley. He didn’t notice himself plunging to it uninvited. A poignant possibility just hit him like a deer caught in the red light. What if falling in love with Essi also meant having her away from him? What if Essi also needs to return to Bordeaux at the expense of his trust? What if Essi was altogether wrong in believing that he is Oneil? What if he will also be left as a hapless man as he is now? All of these questions are a
Essi has something to say. Whatever it is, Oneil is more than willing to listen. He groomed himself a formal one for his visit to Essi’s company building. He knew that his apparel is already fancy. But the people entering there are wearing clothes of greater elegance. Even the building is an impression of a modern palace where Essi is the princess. He entered there without constraints. The guards greeted him. Inside the building are a different huge world of metal beams and glossy floors. The tiles reflect his astounded countenance. Ceiling lights and chandeliers join the orchestra of luminous hymns. The lobby is wide and polished with fine materials. He was distracted for a while but composed himself again towards the conference room. A dim glass with large letters of the room’s purpose awaited him. There are LED lights at the edges and glows in harmony with the interiors of the wooden accent. And yet, in all these beauties and designs that mark the talents of workers combi
Publicity does not last. But the people of Bayanihan will always find the reason to crown Essi as the talk of the town. It is redeeming that it is no more primarily on her relationship although there’s no guarantee of avoiding a bad light. They now look at her because of her equestrian talents. They would pass by her house and check how she is. They would never forget supplying their reminder about the festival and why she needs to join. Tata Ramon is not an exception as well. Just like them, he asked Essi what she has been doing lately. “I’m still looking for someone who is also named Riley. His alma mater didn’t respond to my letter yet,” she answered. “How about your time with Oneil?” “He’s friendly. I think it got a lot better now.” Tata Ramon nodded as if he expected this to happen. Just as he declared to his wife, he will always take Essi’s side. He proceeded to reveal something he witnessed at the mango orchard. While Essi was w
How does an Essi Paulsson sulk? Instead of locking herself up in the room, she got to the office to get all her focus on work. There, the hopes to not think of Oneil reside intransigently. Clipped folders are on her desk, still waiting for her scrutiny. Emails are logging to her online address and appointments are waiting for confirmation. Gwyneth cannot even disturb her. On behalf of her cousin, she bears the shame of hurting Essi Paulsson. She can choose to have a serious talk with Oneil again but Essi pleaded with her to not do it. Instead, she is brought with her in the building, as a talking companion for whatever Essi would like to chat about. But it’s past six hours and Essi didn’t start another conversation. Little inquiries were for necessities like meals and company events. Still, Gwyneth is to bear the silence in the room. She cannot even find something else to waste her time about. For on playing chess alone would make a fool in herself. And reading
The concept of talents cannot be lovely in its own right. For while all the processes of works and designs are in their hands, the question of attitude will always be the weighing scale. There are a few people who hold that scale in Gautarza as if it is the only boundary of the many applicants coming in and out of the building. The HR Manager always imposes direct hiring to know each of the potential employees of Gautarza. It is her favorite roller-coaster of disappointment and excitement --such an experience she is privileged to have while not being a CEO. She always gets thrilled to see new people staging their desirable characters. For they are unconsciously inviting her to a game of hide-and-seek just to bust out some horrors before they plague the workplace. Many coated skills and the sweetened stench have not passed her. Then for the past ten sessions of facing the candidates, none of them personally impressed her. They are good in talents but might have
Oneil once had a good nightdream. Its ambiguity gave him a different ache that even his heart cannot say if it started from it. All of it reran against his face. Even the same details and delight are moving through that vision. Curtains linen white were flowing from unknown heights. The fabrics are waving like walls of emerging sweet disclosure. Sunset light crisps through the scene. A window opens. Then, he hears the sound of glee. He keeps moving the curtains away until a familiar silhouette is also trying to get closer to him. There is a face he cannot recognize. Another set of curtains flowed between them. His hand reached out the figure and moved the fabric to know it. He can see the eyes clearly, but only that image alone with irises in its hue of amber bright. He proceeded to her cheeks then that familiar lips smiled at him. He pressed on trying to recognize her face. Then he woke up.
Everything seems to be going smoothly. Oneil’s day begins without suddenly arising from a heavy dream. He has a good night's sleep. Every person that he passes by is smiling at him. Others are congratulating him because he is heading to his job. He may never comprehend why the people of Bayanihan counted his career shift a piece of big news. There are varying reactions. Others were amazed, and some mocked the mediocrity of his work. He does not have time to defend it. All he knows is that his day is good. The orientation was brief but uplifting. His assignment to the third floor is not a problem. He might meet Essi any time of the day while cleaning in the building of Gautarza Company. He is still smiling while standing inside the elevator with his equipment, right in the far unnoticeable corner. But it didn’t last when the office men started to mention Essi in their conversation.
His workplace is indeed a different world of experiences. The office workers are in varying proximity to him. But what is more astounding are the interns who make themselves their bosses. He even has to bear someone’s spoiled behavior and follow some of his requests. Does he even have a choice when it is his only way to save his colleague of older age? “Son, let me just do it,” the senior janitor, Mang Pablito said. “Please let me help you, sir. You are already busy with your tasks downstairs but you also have to produce bulk copies for that intern.” “I must follow that person, Riley. You know that they have the power to cut me off from my job,” Mang Pablito always talks like this, feeling chased by other people. “But they are just interns,” Riley said. “We are worke