Game Over

Chapter 16

Dumiretso pa rin ako hanggang sa maka-labas na ako doon sa crowded na area. Ang dami kong naka-salubong na mga couples. I mean, good for them. Ayoko na lang maging bitter.

"What..." nakaawang ang labi na sabi ko nang finally ay matagpuan ko na iyong family ko at magkakasama sila habang may hawak na banner na naka-lagay ay 'Congratulations on finishing the BAR exam, Italia Reign Hernaez! We are so proud of you!'

I smiled at the sight of them all together para salubungin ako dito. Tapos biglang naiyak na lang ako kasi naalala ko lahat nung pagod at hirap na dinanas ko nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Ilang beses na akong na-tempt maggiveup kasi sobrang hirap saka sobrang dami kong inaaral. Madalas, binibisita ako ng doubt kasi paano ko matatandaan lahat ng binasa ko?

But every time fear and anxiety would creep in my system, I'd remind myself of my family who believes in me... And if I'd just believe in myself kahit kalahati lang sa paniniwala nila sa 'kin, then I'd be fine.

* * *

I slept the whole day. I couldn't even be bothered to wake up para kumain. Ganoon ata ako kapagod sa dami ng nangyari sa akin na kahit nung mga sumunod na araw, talagang kain-tulog lang iyong ginawa ko.

I stayed with my family for a week bago ako bumalik sa condo ko. May usapan kasi kami ni Alisha na magkikita kami. I would never ditch her again unless life or death situation.

"Bagay sa 'yo 'yang hair mo," she said nung makita niya ako. Pinaigsian ko kasi ulit iyong buhok ko hanggang tuluyan na siyang maging bob cut. Nung una kasi akong nagpagupit, long bob pa kasi hindi ako sigurado kung bagay sa akin. Then I thought I looked cute kaya pinaigsian ko pa lalo.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile. "Let's order na. I'm famished."

Alisha and I talked for a while. I really missed her. Ang tagal din naming friends—blockmate kami nung first year pa lang. Hindi na kami classmates nung second year, but we're still close since sumali kami sa iisang sorority. She's literally been there through it all. Buti okay na kami kasi if hindi, isa 'to sa mga magiging greatest regret ko.

"Magwowork ka na?" she asked me.

Umiling ako. "Nope. Will be in Japan for a month."

"What? Japan again?"

"Yes. Ang ganda-ganda kaya doon saka ang sarap ng food," I told her. "Ikaw ba? Will you work na agad?"

She shrugged. "Thinking pa... but leaning more on hindi pa. Sobra akong na-drain sa lahat ng ginawa natin. I just want to take a breather."

I nodded. "Agreed."

We talked about the places she could possibly visit ngayong pahinga niya. We didn't really discuss Lui and what happened before. It's fine with me. As far as I was concerned, that was a thing of the past. Kung criminal case siguro 'to, I'd plead temporary insanity... but I digress. I did all those things voluntarily naman.

I just didn't want to talk badly about Lui kahit na sinabi niya before sa akin na okay lang naman for him. Ayoko naman magsound vindictive. Basta lesson learned na lang talaga siya.

"Enjoy your trip," she told me nung natapos na iyong much needed catch-up sesh namin.

"Will do!" sabi ko sa kanya. "Let's meet pagbalik ko for your pasalubong," I added before I hugged her and said goodbye again.

* * *

The next day, I was just busy cleaning the entire condo. I got a huge box tapos ay nilagay ko doon lahat ng printed materials ko. Ayoko na silang makita. Saka sabi sa akin, i-dispose ko na raw iyong review materials ko para manifestation na 'di ko na ulit siya kakailanganin kasi papasa na ako ngayon.

I got everything sorted out. Natira lang iyong mga hardbound law books ko na nasa shelf. Wala naman akong balak na i-dispose sila kahit karamihan sa kanila outdated na. It's just a nice memento from my time in law school.

Grabe! Done na talaga ako sa law school! Who would've thought!

Nung sumunod na araw naman, I treated myself on a pamper day. I got hair treatment, laser appointments, new cute nails, tapos ay whole body massage. That took my whole day. Ang hirap talaga maging babae.

Then the next day, I had dinner plans with Atty. Serrano. We met at a steakhouse in BGC. I wore a tan colored high waist trouser, black corset, saka pinatong ko sa balikat ko 'yung coat ko. May suot din akong gold accessories and red stilettos. God, I missed dressing up and feeling pretty.

"Hi, Sir," bati ko nung makita ko siya. I ignored his surprised look nung nakita niya ako. I knew I probably overdressed, but it's not for him naman. Lagi naman akong naka-ayos. Naligaw lang ako nung landas for a while, but I was totally back!

"Your hair's shorter," he said.

Napa-hawak ako sa buhok ko. "Yes, Sir. Nakaka-tamad magsuklay," sagot ko na lang.

We exchanged in a few pleasantries. Atty. Serrano ordered for the both of us. Pinabayaan ko na lang siya. Free kaya si Alisha mamaya? Sayang naman iyong outfit ko.

"What's your plan?" he asked.

"Japan," I quickly replied. Hindi pa ako nakaka-book ng ticket kasi nagdedecide pa ako kung ano ang magiging game plan ko. Definitely kasama iyong Osaka but I was still deciding kung pupunta rin ako sa Hokkaido. Gusto ko rin sanang magski resort. Ang dami kong gustong puntahan. Meron din bang temple doon na pwedeng magpa-basbas? Parang need ko 'yon.

"Oh..."

"Bakit, Sir?"

"I actually wanted to offer you an underbar position in our firm," sabi niya kaya napaawang iyong labi ko sa gulat sa sinabi niya.

"Seryoso, Sir?" He nodded. "Hindi po ba for topnotchers and top ng graduate class lang don?" I asked.

"Usually," he said. "But I put in a good word for you."

Hala. Seryoso ba? Kasi never ko na-imagine iyong sarili ko na nandon sa firm na 'yon. Alam ko kasi dati pa na 'di ako makaka-pasok doon, so bakit ko pa siya iisipin?

"Gaano ka ba katagal sa Japan?"

"One month, Sir."

Pero sayang 'yon... pero gusto ko ring magpahinga... pero plan talaga na magwowork ako kasama mga Tito ko? Pero sayang 'yung chance?

Ang daming pero.

"Oh. Sayang naman."

"Di po ba pwede pagbalik ko?" nagbabaka sakaling tanong ko.

"I don't think so," he replied. "That's a highly coveted spot. For sure meron na 'yon once na sabihin ko sa kanila na nagdecline ka."

Natahimik ako.

"Once you pass this BAR, you'll be a junior associate of the firm," he continued na para bang hindi pa enticing enough na maging underbar associate ako.

Shit, ano ba 'yan? Parang naubos talaga iyong kaluluwa ko sa lahat nung nangyari sa akin nung BAR season... pero baka pagsisihan ko sa death bed ko 'to kapag pinalagpas ko lang iyong opportunity. Kasi sino ba naman ako para maka-pasok sa firm na 'yon?!

"Okay, Sir," I said, nodding. "When do I start working po?"

**

This story is already at Chapter 24 patreon.com/beeyotch. Subscription starts at 100php per month for all stories. You can also join the patreon facebook group. You can email beeyotchpatreon@gmail.com for assistance :) Thank you!