A Little Bit of Sunshine

40

Nagsimula na ang interview nang dumating na ang oras na inischedule namin para dito. The four other applicants also entered Ricarlo's office and they looked so nervous unlike Duke who just sat quietly but oozing with confidence on his chair.

They probably knew about Duke's application before they came kaya naman ganito ang mga reaction nila. Pero kahit na kabado sila, nagawa pa rin nilang masagot ng maayos ang mga tanong namin sa kanila.

Hindi nga lang akong masyadong satisfied pero pwede na.

"Mr. Quirante, please step forward and introduce yourself."

Natigil ako sa pagsusulat at umangat muli ang tingin ko nang marinig ko na ang pangalan ni Duke. I didn't smile at him when our eyes met so he still maintained that poker face that he's been wearing since I arrived.

"Good morning Sir and DJ Sunshine. I am Duke Lionel Quirante, 28 years old, a businessman and a law student."

I almost dropped my jaw when Duke started answering the interview questions that we prepared. He speaks English fluently at talagang puno ng sense ang bawat salitang sinasabi niya.

Grabe. Hindi lang talaga gwapo ang isang to kundi napakagaling pa talagang sumagot! Duke's really amazing and he can even climb more than just the radio scene.

"DJ Sunshine? Your question please?"

Muli nanamang binasag ni Ricarlo ang pagdedaydream ko. Natataranta ko namang hinanap ang susunod na ibabatong question para kay Duke and read it out loud.

"Du-I mean..." Muntik ko ng masampal ang noo ko. "Mr. Quirante, If you'll be given the chance to do this job, do you think your advices would really help in ending the person's conflict in life?"

Duke's lips slowly curved into a smile before nodding.

"I've been working as a business man for the past years. Taking this job might not be fitted with what my present job is but I believe that I have the skills to do this job properly. I am good with speaking and I have experienced many things, both painful and happy that might give fruitful advices to the listeners."

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba ang nakakita ng biglang paglungkot ng mga mata niya. Something painful also crept inside my heart while seeing those eyes.

Duke never let me see his vulnerable side. He was always the funny guy. That someone who cheers up my day kahit na alam kong pagod siya. Pero ano nga bang masasakit na mga alaala ang naranasan niya? Did he ever have one?

"I think that my future advices won't be able to solve the person's conflict in life completely. These are not magic spells that could easily take away their pain. It will only serve as a direction for them to take."

Napangiti naman ako this time and gave a sideward glance to Ricarlo. He gave me a secret thumbs up that made me do the same sign.

"Advices can only make a person's situation a lot more better rather than completely solving it. As a DJ and their life or love adviser, I am going to help the people see that the only answer to their conflicts in life is within themselves. They just have to keep on striving, improving, and making themselves better for their own good."

It was already 7:00 pm when we finally ended the interview. Ricarlo said that they will receive emails from the station if they will be accepted for the job. Pero kahit na hindi pa kami nag-uusap, alam ko na kung sino ang pinakadeserving sa lahat ng applicants.