"Ma'am Angel?"
Napalingon ako agad sa boses na 'yon—Secretary pala ng agency na ina-applyan ko. She smiled at me so I smiled back, stood up from the bench like a primadonna, and fixed my blazer. She gave me a nod—signal na ako na ang next for the interview sa loob ng conference room.
Okay, Angel, this is it. Final battle na. Konting charm pa, girl.
Kakagraduate ko lang ng Tourism and honestly, I'm manifesting a job na either Dining Supervisor or kahit anong managerial position sa isang legit na resto. As in, I'm so ready to work again. Kaya nga sumali ako sa iba't ibang manpower agencies para mas madali makahanap ng work. Girl, ayoko ng petiks sa life.
Fast forward to my third interview of the day—yes, third, kasi super sipag yarn—diretso uwi na ako sa apartment ko sa Taguig. Past 5PM na and legit pagod na pagod na ako, like, I could literally melt sa pagod. Gutom na rin ako and antok na parang hangover vibes kahit wala namang inuman.
Pagpasok ko sa apartment, nakita ko si bestie kong si Aly na naka-pambahay na and naka-tambay lang sa living room.
"Natanggap ka na ba?"
Humilata agad ako sa sofa like a dead fish and mariing pumikit. "Tawagan daw ako within 3 to 5 days," sabi ko in my most exhausted voice.
Umupo siya sa paanan ko habang nagbubukas ng Netflix. "Girl, for sure may tatawag diyan. Hellooo? College graduate ka kaya."
"Meron naman siguro, pero sana soon na. Nakakabaliw na walang ginagawa. Hindi ako sanay ng ganito, swear," sagot ko habang nilalamas ko 'yung sintido ko.
As a hardcore hardworking girly, I swear I can't survive na walang ginagawa. I need money. I need my own car. I need purpose, you know? Ayoko umaasa lang sa ibang tao. I want something na ako ang nagpagod para makuha.
Since 16 ako, girl, I've been working na. Working student me, tapos halos lahat na ata ng trabaho nasubukan ko na—Mcdonald's crew, The Nest Hotel, barista sa coffee shop, girl sa talyer (yes, I survived), nag-live selling, nag-call center, naging VA, tapos nag-F&B din. Grabe, sobrang rollercoaster but so far, I think I belong talaga sa Food and Beverages world. Like, I love talking to people and managing people. It's my thing.
Hindi ko namalayan, naka-knockout na pala ako sa sofa. Si Aly? Deadma na lang kasi alam niyang bawal akong gisingin pag sobrang pagod ako. That's real bestie behavior.
Nagising ako ng around 9PM. Ugh, gutom na ako ng sobra.
"Grabe, ang haba ng idlip ko. Halos 4 hours na 'yon, girl," bulong ko sa sarili ko while stretching like a princess in a romcom. Tahimik na rin sa unit—Aly's room light is off, so I guess she's in dreamland.
So I opened my phone, tapos nagpa-Grab ako—pizza and pasta combo kasi 'yon 'yung random cravings ko. As in, hindi ko na kinaya magluto. Pagdating ng food, kain agad habang naka-laptop.
Habang nagsusubo ako ng penne, nag-notif 'yung Gmail ko. Napatingin ako...
"From: JH Manpower Agency PH"
Girl. Kinabahan ako. As in natigilan ako sa pagnguya. Binuksan ko agad and then...
"Hi Ms. Angel,
We're happy to inform you that you have been accepted for the Dining Supervisor position at BBQ Chicken Okada Manila. Your qualifications, experience, and passion for the food and beverage industry stood out among other candidates.
You are scheduled to start your training this Monday at BBQ Chicken BGC branch. Please wear business casual attire and bring a copy of your valid ID and this email printed or ready on your phone.
