Amidst The Vying Psyches

Kabanata 38

Real sweet, but I wish you were sober

Because of that, it fueled a confidence in my chest. This time, I want to be the one to pursue him.

We ate brunch in silence. I decided not to make a move yet, hindi ko naman kailangang magmadali. I want to take everything slow.

Mabuti na lang ay natuyo sa drier ang dress ko at may nasuot ako. I just booked a grab since I don't know how to go back to the hotel I booked.

I got busy a week after that. I finished the articles that I would be publishing online on my personal blog while waiting for the status of my job application. I was still adjusting, that's why my progress was slow—pero at least, may progress pa rin.

Then, I received a call saying that I passed the screening and the next step was an interview. I was ecstatic about it to the point that I was already looking for an outfit to wear two days before my interview.

Habang naghihintay ako sa labas ng HR office ay may napadaan na dalawang babaeng nag-uusap.

"Attorney, nag-resign po kasi si Ma'am Angie kaya po delayed tayo sa isang article. 'Yung mga bago po ngayon ay for interview pa lang."

"And ngayon mo lang sinabi sa akin? It's been two days, Diana. Bakit wala kang paabiso sa akin?" Masungit na tanong nito sa akin.

"Kasi may na-hired naman po two days ago kaso hindi na po pumasok... kaya po nag-open po ulit ng hiring."

Pagdaan nila sa harap ko ay nagulat ako nang makilala ko ang isang babae. Gaya ng huling kita ko sa kanya ay pormal pa rin ang kanyang suot. Puting coat at skirt na umaabot sa kanyang tuhod. Ang buhok ay nakatali nang maayos at wala ni animong tikwas.

When she glanced at my side, shock was also written on her face.

"Hiraya!" She exclaimed. "You're back, anak!"

After all these years, she still calls me that. Sobrang desidido siyang maging anak ako and she does not have to worry because I planned to make it happen.

She quickly embraced me for a hug.

"Kailan ka pa dumating?" She asked excitedly.

"Last week po, tita..." nakasama ko pa nga po ang anak niyo.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" Nagtatampong sabi niya bago inikot ang kanyang kamay sa braso ko. "And what are you doing here?"

"I'm applying po, tita," I answered happily. Natutuwa ako sa isiping makakasama ko siya rito.

"Oh, perfect! Sana matanggap ka, alright?! Ah, I'm so excited to work with my daughter..."

Natawa ako sa lintaya niya... well, gusto ko rin naman. Gusto ko ring maging daughter-in-law niya.

"Meet me after your interview, okay? I need to talk to you." Kumindat siya sa akin, "I've read your latest piece, so good, anak."

"Okay po," I smiled. "Thank you po, tita. It's so nice to see you again."

Pagkatapos ng interview ko ay malaking ngiti ang nasa mukha ko dahil officially hired na ako. Isa na akong ganap na writer dito at magsisimula na agad na ako bukas.

Masaya ako dahil dumaan sa tamang proseso ang application ko—kahit pa nalaman kong si tita ang may-ari ng branch ng publishing company na ito. Kung tutuusin nga ay pwedeng-pwede akong ipasok ni tita nang walang application pero mas pinili niyang maging patas. Perks of being a writer and a lawyer at the same time.

Naabutan ko si tita na nasa isang nearby café. When she saw me, she immediately invited me to have a coffee with her.

We talked about random things—she asked me how I was when I was in Australia. Siya naman ay nagkwento rin kung bakit mas pinili niya ang publishing company instead of making her own law firm.