Just A Healer

Chapter 40: His New Job

January 11, 2049
8:34 AM

Status: Offline

[Lucas Galileo]

"You know, hindi mo naman ako kailangan ihatid, eh. I'm not a kid, bro." singkit mata at sarkastiko kong saad sa kanya.

My brother closed the door on the driver's seat, as he placed his hands on the steering wheel and looked at me. "But it's your first day in school."

"Kuya. First day of school as a teacher, hindi estudyante." diin ko sa kanya.

"'Wag ka na mahiya Galio, alam kong excited ka."

"Baka ikaw 'yong excited. Ikaw pa nga gumising sa'kin." sumandal ako sa backrest ng car seat. My brother only laughed hard as he started the car engines and drove out of the subdivision.

It has been a week since we won in the Tournament and it seems like Christmas vacation didn't last that long. Parang kailan lang, nasisante ako sa dati kong trabaho, at ito ako ngayon; papasok sa Alma Mater ko no'ng highschool at college, bilang isang teacher.

Hindi ko na rin hinabol 'yong application ko para sa isang Publishing company na naghahanap ng illustrator. Di hamak na mas mataas ang sweldo ko sa pagtuturo.

"Kidding aside," my brother broke the minute of silence. "buti na lang din at BS Education kinuha mo, 'no? At talagang buti na lang din na Graphic Design ang major mo. Kung hindi, kahit ako siguro mahihirapang hanapan ka ng trabaho."

Humikab ako at inayos ang sling bag sa ibabaw ng hita ko. "You're making it look like na wala talaga akong alam kundi mag-drawing lang."

"Baliw, hindi." my brother laughed and sighed. "What I'm trying to say is that it's too easy to find you a job since in-demand ang teachers. O tapos sumakto ka pa last week na nag-hiring sa Damian Torres. Talk about good timing, 'di ba?"

Damian Torres Memorial Institute. My brother and I both studied highschool and college, and graduated from there. Hindi ko talaga balak magturo roon. Pero simula nang mag-usap kami ni Papa, the day after nang manalo kami sa Tournament, kinailangan ko nang gamitin ang course na pinag-graduate-an ko at ang lisensya ko.

"What? You were fired? Fired as in kicked out of your job?" medyo nagulat na saad ni Papa at binaba sa study table niya ang ininuman niyang tasa ng kape.

"Hai. [Yes.]" I answered blankly while standing in front of him. My monotonous voice echoed still, even in his home office.

My father laced his fingers on top of his table and leaned a little bit forward. "Why? Why were you fired?"

"They don't like what I'm doing anymore and are not satisfied with my work output. So they kicked me out." saad ko ng nakayuko.

Hindi umimik si Papa ng ilang segundo, at hindi rin ako nagsalita. Silence ensued between the two of us and it was sort of deafening. He was only staring blankly at the floor, staying still, while seated in front of his study table. I bit my lip in disappointment to myself. If only I did better, I would have never been fired in the first place.

"Then..." my father broke the silence. "why didn't you tell us a bit sooner?"

Yumuko ako bilang tanda ng pag-hingi ng tawad kay Papa. "Gomenasai, Otou-san. I really didn't want to ruin our Clan's Christmas and New Year Celebration by saying it to you that time. I was afraid you'd be infur-"

"You were afraid that I'd be infuriated?" putol ni Papa sa akin na may tono ng patataka. "Why would I? You were fired on a Christmas Eve. Hindi ako magagalit sa'yo. Magagalit ako sa employer mo. I mean- who, in his right mind would fire an employee on Christmas Eve? That's nuts."