#CollisionKab1
It's been a week since I started law school and I have to say, I'm starting to smell coffee everywhere! Puro na lang kape ang naaamoy ko kahit wala namang kape sa paligid! Maybe it's because of my frequent study sessions, which won't be possible without coffee. Akala ko nung college 'yung pinakamarami kong in-take ng kape. But I was wrong.
Law school is really changing my life.
I haven't seen any of my brothers in two weeks. Hindi ko sila natye-tyempohan kapag bumibisita ako sa bahay. Tapos once a week ko lang nakikita ang magulang ko. But I'm grateful for that already. I'm lucky enough to visit my family every week. Not everyone has that opportunity. And I salute those people who stay abroad just to provide for their family. Not everyone has the courage to do that.
Speaking about that, I applied for a job. Multiple jobs. People say that I don't need one, pero gusto kong kumita ng pera galing sa sarili kong paghihirap. I need to learn how to be independent without my parent's money or share from the company. Oo, pinapahirapan ko lang sarili ko, pero doon kasi ako natututo.
I learn through experiencing, not suffering. I think I can do it.
From what I've heard, hindi biro ang nagtatrabaho habang nag-aaral. But this is just one step from living the life I've always wanted. Ayaw kong magaya sa mga rich spoiled kids na walang alam sa sariling effort o hardwork. I was digesting a case when an e-mail notification showed up on my laptop screen...
From: markandrada@gmail.com
To: auroramercado@gmail.comDecision_Job Application
Dear Ms. Mercado:
Greetings! You have been accepted at Galaxy Records as a Junior Marketing Personnel. If you wish to continue in our company, we would like you to go to our headquarters any time this week. We are located at #28 Street, Roosevelt Avenue, Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines. Please bring a valid ID with you.Sincerely,
Mark Erikson AndradaHead ManagerGalaxy RecordsGreat! I have a job now and its near my law school. Sana lang flexible ang schedule ko. I don't mind working in a music company. I think this is a fresh start, I hope.
***
It's a Sunday the next day. Napagdesisyonan kong pumunta sa Galaxy Records para pirmahan ang kontrata ko. It's only a 1-year contract, but I can extend if I like it there. 'Yun naman ang sabi ni Mr. Andrada sa unang e-mail niya sa akin.
I wore a black fitted top and a white pantsuit. Nag-sandals din ako at nagdala ng purse. Hindi naman ako siguro magtatagal doon since kailangan ko pang magreview. I drove my car to the company's headquarters. And infairness, ang ganda ng building! May convenience store sa baba at malapit lang din siya sa Powerplant Mall. So far, convenient ang workplace ko, since dito naman ako sa main headquarters magtatrabaho. Pumasok ako sa lobby at pinuntahan ang receptionist.
"Hello po, good morning! What can I help you with, Ma'am?" bati ng babae sa kabila ng desk. She looked young, baka ka-edad ko siya.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Mark Andrada," I politely said.
"May I see an ID, Ma'am?"
Inilabas ko ang Law School ID ko at ibinigay sa kanya.
"Okay Ma'am. Fifth floor po, Main Convention Room." sabi ng babae, ngunit hindi parin binabalik ang ID ko.
"Miss...my ID," sabi ko.
"Ma'am, you can only get it before exiting the building."
Ay ganon ba? Tumango na lang ako at pumunta sa elevator. I pressed 5th floor and waited while some jazz music was playing. Reaching the 5th floor, hinanap ko ang Main Convention Room. Madali kong nahanap since iyon pala ang unang room na malapit sa elevator. Made of glass ang wall ng room at kita ko na medyo maraming tao sa loob, may ino-organize or something. Medyo nahiya ako dahil mukhang busy sila. After some minutes, may lumabas sa room na lalaki.
He's around 29 to 33, or maybe he's in his mid-thirties. Naka-eye glass siya and his appearance reminds me of an actor who starred in Ghostbusters, but he looked really professional.
"Are you Ms. Mercado?" tanong ng lalaki. Nagulat ako ng kaunti pero napagtanto ko na baka siya si Mr. Andrada.
"Yes, sir," sagot ko.
"Okay, come with me."
Sinundan ko naman siya. We walked along the hallway into some kind of office. Baka office niya. I stared at the interiors of his office at madaming awards at plaques. Sa kanya ba ito? Or sa mga artist na minamanage niya?
"Sorry to keep you waiting, we were busy organizing an event for this artist we are managing, biglaang desisyon kasi. So Ms. Mercado, you are to join our team?"
"Yes, sir. I am delighted to work in your company,"
"No need for the formalities, just call me Macky, and please read this contract although na-send ko na sayo through e-mail. Then, put your signature above your name."
I did what he said. So far, I think the aura of this company is very chill. Hindi gaanong formal ang pag-hire ng employees. For sure, hindi ito professional sa mata nila daddy. Considering that this company is kind of big. Marami silang na-produce na famous singers and bands. But who am I to judge their way of operating?
Employee lang naman ako.
Pinirmahan ko na, e.
"Okay, you can either start this-" Naputol ang sasabihin ni Mr. Andrada, I mean...Macky, nang may kumatok at nagbukas ng pinto.
"Austin, later. I'm with a new employee," sabi ni Macky na parang alam na kung sino ang nagbukas ng pinto.
Napatingin ako kay "Austin" at...holy shit! Siya 'yung guy na kumakanta sa taas ng balcony ko! Hindi ako tanga...so famous singer siya? Or baka starting lang? Maybe employee din dito? What the hell! Will I be working with him? Oh, god...
"Ms. Mercado, meet Austin. The Golden Boy of Galaxy Records. Surely you have heard of him? He's one of our top leading artists in the market," sabi ni Macky. Parang nanlamig ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya.
"Nice to meet you...again, 'Just Rosie'. I mean, Ms. Mercado." Austin smirked. Iyan na naman ang nakakalokong ngisi niya! The audacity of this man! Nilahad pa niya ang kamay niya. Ayan tuloy, nag-shake hands kami!
Parang tanga. He's making things awkward!
Tiningnan na lang kami ni Macky with questioning eyes. I hope he doesn't jump into conclusions.
"So you've met? Glad to know since you'll be part of Austin's team, and ako ang manager niya...just so you know." Macky said while examining the contract again. Tiningnan lang ako ni Austin at mukhang na-aamuse siya. On the other hand, hindi ako masyadong natutuwa sa nangyayari. Buti naman at may suot siyang shirt at pants ngayon. I can't seem to remove his picture out of my mind ever since that night.
Kainis!
"As I was saying, you can either start this month or next month. Whatever you like. I'll just send you a sample schedule. And that's all for now. Austin, you can escort her to the lobby." Macky said with a dismissive tone.
Maybe I should start looking up on google "How to make things less awkward with a man you have seen in his boxers". God, at least may trabaho na ako. But I'm not sure if it will be okay with this Austin guy around. Feel ko aasarin niya ako mamaya...bahala na!
"So, Ms. Mercado..." Austin started.
Ayan na.
Nasa elevator kami ngayon at wala kaming ibang kasama. Great! Sana tumahimik na lang siya.
"You'll be working with me now, huh? Fate is really something..." he continued while smirking again.
"What are you trying to say?" sagot ko. Grabe talaga, ang kapal nito...
"Wala." he just looked ahead and smiled to himself. Bahala siya diyan. Parang tanga!
Good thing he didn't mention anything about that night. Nakakahiya na talaga. Gusto ko na lang lamunin ng lupa at hindi na bumalik sa mundo. Nakalabas na kami sa elevator at dumiretso ako sa parking lot dahil ayaw ko nang maalala ang pagmumukha niya. I heard him calling my name but I proceeded to go inside my car. Ano na namang gusto niya? Baka asarin lang ako. Makaalis na nga! Or maybe it's all in my head. Kailangan kong masanay sa presensya niya, pero nahihiya parin ako sa nangyari noong gabing iyon.
Hindi ako overreacting, may delikadesa pa rin naman kasi ako. Hays, makauwi na nga!
***
Buong gabi, nag-aral na lang ako dahil may class kami the next day. I emailed Macky, saying that I'll start next week. Sana ma-balance ko ng mabuti ang school and work. If not...'di ko lang alam kung anong mangyayari sa akin.
I was drinking an Americano nang bigla akong inantok. Wala na yatang epekto ang kape sa akin. Parang naging juice lang siya. Weird. Matutulog na nga ako. I already studied the required readings, and sana hindi itanong sa akin ang tungkol sa previous readings. Minsan kasi, nagtatanong pa sila tungkol sa previous readings kahit tapos na. May mga classmate akong hindi nakasagot dahil doon.
Ayun, singko.
I almost drifted to sleep when I heard a loud knocking. Sa unit ko ba 'yun? Wala na akong pake. Antok na antok na ako.
I heard a faint sound of a door bell, but sleep has already invaded my senses.
Pagkagising ko, nagready ako para bumili ng groceries dahil malapit nang maubos ang stock ko dito sa condo. Naglinis ako ng unit para malakas ang "strong independent woman" gaming ko at nagreview hanggang oras na para pumunta sa school. I always try to get there early dahil sa traffic at ayaw kong ma-late. Minsan 'pag late, hindi na nagpapapasok ang prof sa classroom. Nakakatakot.
Naligo ako at nagbihis ng white blouse and black pencil skirt. Hindi naman ganong kataas ang heels ko kaya komportable naman ako sa paglalakad. I packed everything and made sure that nothing was forgotten. Tiningnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin at naramdaman ko na parang may mali. Something is not so right. Chineck ko ang buong sarili ko sa mirror.
Oh my god...'yung ID ko! Shit!
Hinalungkat ko ang buong bag ko para mahanap ang aking ID, ngunit wala.
Chineck ko ang kwarto ko. Wala.
Kusina. Wala.
Banyo. Wala.
Holy...
Nasa Galaxy Records pala!
Inayos ko ulit ang bag ko at tumakbo sa parking lot. I rushed through the boulevard at nakarating ako sa headquarters. I speed-walked to the building at pinuntahan ang babaeng receptionist na nag-assist sa akin kahapon.
"Miss, I forgot to get my ID yesterday..." panimula ko. Inalis ng babae ang kanyang mata sa computer screen ng desk at binaling ang pansin sa akin.
"Ma'am...I rushed it to Sir Austin when you exited because I saw that he was escorting you out." kabadong sinabi sa akin ng babae.
Shit! Nakay Austin pala! Kaya niya ba ako tinatawag bago ako pumasok sa sasakyan? Ang tanga ko naman. Bakit ko nakalimutan kasi?
Deciding fast, bumalik ako sa condominium. Medyo maaga pa naman, around an hour before classes start. Actually, hindi 'yun maaga. I need to go to school now dahil baka ma-traffic ako. Pagkalabas sa elevator, dumiretso ako sa pintuan ni Austin at nagdoor bell. Walang sumasagot. Kinatok ko ng malakas at ng paulit-ulit. Wala parin. Wala atang tao sa loob. I don't want to wait for him, malalate ako 'pag ganon!
I guess I have to go to school na walang ID?
God, 'pag hindi ako pinapasok ng guard, babatukan ko 'yang Austin na 'yan!
#CollisionKab2Pagpasok ko sa room, nakaupo na halos ang lahat. May mga lalaki pang nasa corridor at nag-uusap about their frat or about girls. Lagi namang ganon. Kahit nasa law school na, fling parin ang hinahanap ng iba, but I don't judge. Sila bahala sa buhay nila. Buti na lang at hindi pa dumadating ang prof...at thank God! Pinapasok parin ako ng guard kahit wala akong ID! Medyo kilala na kasi ako ng naka-duty na lady guard kanina kahit mag-iisang month palang ako dito sa law school. Ang daming readings. Ang daming din na groupwork. Akala ko medyo malaya na ako sa mga pabuhat na tao, pero hindi parin.Umupo ako sa tabi ni Nicolas. Isa siya sa mga unang kaibigan ko dito sa school. At first, akala ko medyo masungit siya at seryoso, pero mabait naman pala. He once offered to drop me off sa condo ko when my car ran out of gas. Nagsesend din siya ng reviewer minsan. Minsan lang, kasi pinaghihirapan niya 'yun. Over all, he's c
#CollisionKab3"Ms. Mercado, answer me! Nag-aral ka ba?" tanong ni Atty. Sanchez, mala-dragon ang tunog ng boses.Nakatayo ako ngayon at halatang nahihiya na. Nakakahiya. It took all the strength in my body to not cry. Nag-aral naman ako, e. Nabasa ko 'yung case na tinanong sa akin. But I guess I didn't read enough. Ganon talaga ang buhay.Everyone in the room was looking at me with pity. Well, 'yung iba parang nag-eenjoy kasi kilala nila ang pamilya ko. They're probably thinking I deserve this. And particular situation is exactly what I am trying to avoid. Ayaw kong nakikishare sa success ng pamilya ko. Ayaw kong isipin nila na nakakaraos lang ako dahil sa apilyedo ko. Pero ito nga, ginawa ko ang best ko ngunit hindi parin sapat."If you don't study harder, you don't deserve to cross the bar. Each case carries its own weight, Ms. Mercado. If hindi mo napanalo ang kaso, may inosenteng ma
#CollisionKab4I woke up early the next day. Usually, one hour lang ang naco-consume ko sa paghahanda. I showered for 20 minutes and dried my hair. Nagsuot ako ng white long-sleeve na may ruffles sa gilid. Nag-black skinny jeans na lang ako. I also wore nude heels pero hindi din siya masyadong mataas.Pinainit ko na lang 'yung pagkain ko kahapon at inilagay sa tupperware. Sa headquarters na lang ako kakain ng breakfast. Dadalhin ko rin 'yung Consti ko at ibang materials para sa class mamayang gabi. Kaunti na lang naman ang gagawin ko sa trabaho ngayon, I hope Macky doesn't mind me studying during work hours. I put all my personal stuff sa black backpack ko. Pati na rin ang laptop ko. 'Yung mga reviewer at codal ko naman, nilagay ko sa isang tote bag. I was about to head out nang may nagdoor bell sa unit ko.
#CollisionKab5"Ms. Mercado! You are being incompetent! Get out of my class!" My professor was heaving in anger.Wala na akong ginawa kundi sundin ang utos niya. I'm on the verge of tears and my classmates were looking at me with pity. I looked at Nic and tried to smile, to tell him I'm okay. But I failed. I carried my bag and went out. I kept walking until I got out of the building.I need fresh air.Hindi ko namalayang tumutulo na pala ang mga luha ko.I'm fucking weak.I wasn't raised like this.I'm not born to be a quitter.
#CollisionKab6"Are you sure about that?" I said, challenging him. Sinful thoughts started to cloud my mind as his lips hovered above mine. Nilagay niya 'yung isa niyang kamay sa pisngi ko. Tumaas ang balahibo ko sa ginawa niya at naramdaman ko ang pagbilis ng pagtibok ng aking puso.This guy is definitely something...I was about to lean in when he pulled away.What the hell?!I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted. Why did he do that?"Just kiss me already, asshole..." I mumbled.Austin chuckled at what I said and smirked.
#CollisionKab7"No, don't sign thatthing." Austin stormed in. Mas lalong bumilis ang paghampas ng puso ko sa aking dibdib."Austin...the PR! Your collab is coming up. We need this. You need this!" Macky gritted his teeth."I don't need a fucking collab!" Austin shouted. Natahimik ang lahat. Ako, hindi ako makatingin sa kanila. Nararamdaman ko ang maiinit na mga mata sa akin at kay Austin."Renee needs it! Help out a fellow artist of yours! And delete that post for goodness sake!" Macky almost shouted and massaged his temple."No." iling ni Austin at napasinghap."Austin..." I started. The tension in t
#CollisionKab8"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is Philippine Airlines flight PR822 bound for New York," the chief flight attendant said. "Now we request for your full attention as the flight attendants demonstrate the safety features of this aircraft."A flight attendant was speaking, directing us about the safety measures of the flight. I put my phone on airplane mode and listened to music as we took off. I listened to some of Austin's songs, which was a bit weird. He wrote these songs before I came to his life..."So take a piece of my heart,And make it all your own...So when we are apart,You'll never be alone..."Who the hell is this song about?
#CollisionKab9"Hi Rosie!" nagulat ako sa bati ng nanay ni Austin.How?...Bakit niya ang alam ang pangalan ko? Palayaw ko pa. Nonetheless, I greeted her too."Good afternoon po!" nakipagkamay ako sa magulang ni Austin.Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako kinakabahan! Nginitian ko na lang sila. "Fake it until you make it" naalala ko ang sinabi ni Austin.Damn...His mom looked very pretty. Maputi ang balat, katulad ni Austin. Her hair's cut mid-length and they're also curly. She looked like a model from a magazine! It seemed like she doesn't look a day old over 30!