Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2)

Chapter 30

I didn't waste any time getting to the human resources office where the interview would be held. I could hear the sound of my heels hitting the marble floor as I walked. Ramdam ko pa ang pagsunod ng tingin ng ibang nurses sa akin.

"Ms. Amari Mendoza?" a woman holding a clipboard asked.

Ngumiti ako. "Yes."

"Come in."

Sumunod ako sa kanya. I entered the office and was amazed by the interior design. Malawak ito at maaliwalas. There were a pair of chocolate brown couches, a glass coffee table, and a door leading to what seemed to be the main office. May mga paintings na nakasabit sa puting dingding kaya lalo itong nagmukhang elegante.

If I hadn't read on the door that this was the office of the chief human resources officer, I would have assumed that it was the office of the CEO.

"Paakyat na po si Sir," sabi ng babae. "Katatapos lang po ng meeting nila."

"Sure," I replied. "Uhm . . . he's the CHRO, right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And he still does interviews?"

As far as I know, hindi na dapat ito sakop ng trabaho niya. Among human resources officers, he held the most senior position possible. The interviews should be done by the people under him.

Ngumiti ang babae at isang beses na tumango. "Sa specific positions lang po."

I smiled back. "Okay, thank you."

She asked if I wanted a drink, but I declined. Naupo lang ako sa isang couch at tahimik na pinagmasdan ang buong silid.

Dr. Fujimoto and Mrs. Dela Paz were traveling abroad with their husbands, so it may take a while before I see them again. Hindi tuloy ako personal na makapagpasalamat sa mga tulong na ibinigay nila sa akin. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have gotten where I am now.

Tanda ko pa ang pagtatrabaho ko rito at ang paggabay nila sa akin para makapasa ako sa board exam. They believed in me and even transferred me to Italy, where I could hone my skills . . . and thankfully, I did.

"Good morning."

A raspy voice from behind me caught my attention in an instant. I smiled and stood up to face him, but my smile faded away immediately when I saw who it was.

"Good morning . . ." I muttered slowly, "Mr. Zamora."

Mula sa clipboard na binabasa ay dahan-dahan siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. Just like me, he was taken aback. His pinkish lips parted slightly, and his eyes widened a fraction.

Hindi ko alam kung pinaglalaruan kami ng tadhana dahil parang biglang sumikip ang mundo para sa aming dalawa. I knew I'd see him again, especially because we'd be working together at the university, but how come he was also here at the VDMH?! Parehas kami ng field na tinahak pero masyadong malaki ang possibility na magtrabaho kami sa iisang lugar!

And how come he's the chief human resources officer already? Ang iba ay kailangan ng halos isang dekadang experience para mailagay sa posisyong 'yon!

He licked his lower lip, taking a deep breath as he did so.

"Akala ko . . ." he whispered as confusion reflected in his eyes.

"Hindi ako tumuloy," saad ko dahil hindi naman niya maidiretso ang gustong sabihin. "I'm sorry for denying your opinion that I'll do better in Italy."

Hindi agad siya nakabawi. He stared deeply at me as if I would disappear any minute.

"Shall we start?" I asked, breaking the silence.