Juan, My Commander

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Remember that today, our first settlement is in Kathmandu Valley, known as Durbar Square. That would be 230 square miles away from Bagmati. Since we are currently in the Central of Nepal, it will take us four hours to arrive with our current vehicle. Tandaan, kailangan nating mag doble ingat dahil ang Valley ay isa sa prone ng napakalaking lindol noong mga nakaraang taon.”

Mahabang litanya ko sa harapan ng aking mga kasama. Alas otso na ng umaga’t maaga kaming nag-ayos upang magsimula na sa unang araw ng aming trabaho. Sa Kathmandu Valley ang aming ruta ngayong araw kung saan ay prone ito sa lindol.

“It was the Gorkha Earthquake right, Madam? Way back six years ago, in the month of April?” I nodded to Tin’s question. She’s in charge on content writing and she maybe recalled about the news from six years ago.

“Yes. According to UNESCO, more than 30 monuments in the Kathmandu Valley collapsed because of the unsettling behavior of the strongest earthquake in 2015 with incurred partial damages. We still don’t know about its actual damage to the lives of people and our job today is to dig about it.”

“India, China, and several other countries quickly responded by sending in aid to Nepal six years ago but it wasn’t enough to help the Nepalese’s residents that time because of the sudden shortage of vehicles. The earthquake was really disrupting with the magnitude of 7.8,” said by Andy while looking at the corporate folder she was holding.

“Affirmative. It was still the unshaken record of the most destructive earthquake in the history of Nepal. Now, let’s set our feet on the Valley to the best that we can and start on extending our field into the Nepal’s history,” tumingin ako kay Carter na naghahanda sa mga electronics, “Carter,” tawag ko sa kaniya at agad naman itong lumingon sa akin, “Check some of the Nepal’s advertising channels regarding to the Valley when we get there.”

Mabilis itong tumango. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa aking harapan. Tin and Andy are also tidying their things up. I clap my hands for them to stop from their movements. Sabay silang tatlong lumingon sa akin at agad ko silang binigyan ng matamis na ngiti.

“Let’s do our best and start this project with wisdom in our hearts. Remember our objectives. What is it?” Pagtatanong ko. Sabay silang tatlo na humugot ng hininga bago isinigaw ang mga salitang ibinigay ko sa kanila bilang isang team leader.

“Build a good content that will break those ruthless tragedies!” They said in unison. I can’t help but form a sweetest smile on my lips as I stared firmly on them. It’s been four years since they become an intern on our Department. Now, they are already an official part of the Company.

Sobrang pinagpala ako dahil sa kanila at napaka-suwerte kong team leader dahil may ganitong klaseng mga miyembro ako. They are reliable, responsible, committed, and engaged. Most of all, they respect me as a senior when it comes to our profession.

“Troubles won’t shake us off. We are inspired to write others lives with our heart’s content. Untold stories will prevail. It’s our investment towards their better future and for us to give hands to those people who seeks for guidance and assistance. We will help them get into the surface using our profession.”

Matapos kong sabihin ang mga katagang iyon ay mabilis naming inayos ang aming mga kinakailangang mga gamit. Napatingin ako sa suot na relo, “Come on. Let’s get on moving,” sabi ko ng makitang mag alas-nuwebe na pala ng umaga.

Isinakbit ko ang hawak na bag sa aking likuran at nauna ng maglakad palabas ng kuwarto. Naramdaman ko naman ang kanilang pagsunod.

“Kinakabahan ako, Madam,” nanginginig na usal ni Andy ng makapasok na kami sa elevator. Tumingin ako sa kaniya kasabay ng pagsara ng pintuan sa aming harapan. Nasa likuran naming tatlo si Carter habang bitbit ang iba pang electronics.

“Bakit naman?”

“This is our first time doing a project in a foreign country. Hindi ko alam kung makakaya ba nating abutin ang expectations ng kompanya. Lalo na ang Director.”

“Ano ka ba, Andy. Kaya natin ito. Huwag kang kabahan. Well, normal lang naman ang kabahan pero isipin mong kaya natin kaya nga ibinigay sa atin ng kompanya ang proyektong ito dahil nakikita nila ang potential na hawak natin. Isa pa, nandito naman si Madam Anita.”

Nginitian ko si Tin at agad na hinawakan ang balikat ni Andy. Sa aming grupo, siya talaga ang napaka nerbiyosa sa lahat. Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko naman siya nakikitang nagkakape.

“As what Tin said, we have the potential, Andy. Huwag mong isipin na gagawin mo ang lahat dahil sa expectations ng kompanya. Just be natural and aim for perfections. ‘Yan lagi ang sinasabi ko. Always aim for the highest without flaws dahil kung dedicated tayo sa isang bagay, there’s no reason for the world to cast that thing out from our hands.”

“Sorry for letting the nervousness eat me, Madam. I promised that I will aim for perfection on everything but here I am, feeling anxious. Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasang hindi kabahan. Huhu, ito ang unang pagkakataon sa aking buhay na makipag-interact sa mga foreign culture.”

“Naiintindihan kita Andy. Ganiyan din ang experience natin noon lalo na roon sa mga panahong intern pa tayo. Baka nakakalimutan mong pinaharap tayo online ni Madam sa isang Italiano at nag conduct ng interview bilang bahagi ng ating report? Nakaya naman natin noon lalo na ngayon.”

Nabaling ang tingin namin kay Carter. Nakangiti ito habang nagsasalita. Hindi ko maiwasang mapabilib sa lalaking ito. Being our Copywriter, he really has a good memories even at the smallest things.

He reminds me of someone I know from the past. I miss her. So bad.

“Salamat Carter, Tin, and Madam.” Andy said as she looked at us, “Ayos na ako. Nawala na ang kaba sa aking dibdib dahil sa inyo. Alam ko namang magagawa natin ito ng maayos. We are under the care of Madam Anita Javier. When things that are within her hands, nothing is impossible. Thank you so much again, Madam.”

I just nodded ang give her a stingy smile. Wala nga bang imposible pagdating sa mga kamay ko? Nagkakamali ka Andy. Nagkakamali.

Nag-uusap kami tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay habang nakasakay sa loob ng elevator. Ilang minuto lang ay agad itong huminto.

“Remember what I said everytime we starts our job okay? Don’t forget to act professional in f--” napahinto ako mula sa pagsasalita ng bumukas ang pintuan ng elevator at bumungad dito si Commander Shamer kasama ang ibang miyembro ng Alphageus.

“Good morning ladies and the gentleman. How’s your first night in Bagmati?” bungad na tanong ng nakangiting mukha ni Commander Shamer habang nakalagay ang mga kamay sa magkabilang gilid ng pintuan ng elevator.

“It’s good. Thank you for asking, Commander,” sagot ni Tin.

“The room is perfect for welcoming and giving a good impression for the guests,” usal ni Carter sa likuran.

“And the place also has a good services of food,” pahabol naman ni Andy. Tumaas naman ang aking kanang kilay ng dumapo sa akin ang mga kulay kapeng mata ng Commander.

“What?” I muttered while crossing my arms.

“Any feedbacks about the place? How’s your sleep?” seryosong tanong nito habang direktang nakatitig sa akin. Tinanggal ni Commander ang kaniyang mga kamay sa gilid ng pintuan at pinag-krus din ang mga ito sa harapan ng kaniyang matikas na dibdib.

He was like mimicking my stance. I stared back at him. Gusto niya ng feedback? Well, mabait naman ako. Pasalamat ang Commander na ito’t guwapo siya. May natitira pa akong gana sa katawang pumatol sa kaniya.

“Well maganda naman ang lugar. Kumusta ang tulog ko? Ayon, pumikit akong maganda at gumising habang nadagdagan ang aking kagandahan.”

I boldly answered and take my steps out from his sight. Nakasunod naman sa akin ang tatlo kong kasama habang dinaanan ang Alphageus. Narinig ko ang malakas na pagtawa ni Commander Shamer dahilan para makuha niya ang atensiyon ng mga tao. Napatingin din sa kaniya ang mga receptionist.

“It’s already clear as crystal, Miss leader. You are resplendent as iris. No need to tell me that in a bold way. You’re just sinking my walls deeply that I can’t get myself out to the surface.”

Hindi ko alam ngunit dahil sa mga salita nito’y para akong tinamaan ng kidlat sa aking kinatatayuan.

Is this veteran Commander Juan flirting with me?