Letters to Cleo #Wattys2016

Chapter 7

Mabilis akong natanggap sa isang real estate company. Nasa Sales ako ng kumpanyang ito at ang projects na hahawakan ko ay 'yung mga tinatapos pa lang na mga condo buildings nila. My first few weeks on the job were spent on trainings – product knowledge and salesmanship. So far I'm enjoying it at nagkaroon na rin ako ng mga bagong kaibigan.

While I'm having fun in my new job, my excitement for my meet-up with Cleo is starting to build up as well. Sobrang excited na ako. Minsan I find myself smiling 'pag naiisip ko na umaandar ang mga araw at unti-unti ay lumalapit na ang pagkikita namin. Sometimes I even play scenes inside my head as to how we'll meet, what I'll say, what her reaction will be, if she'll like me. I think I should think of a good opening line... Dammit! I think I should start hanging out with the guys again... I feel like I'm starting to be a sissy – a whipped sissy! Paano na lang ang macho image ko? Baka isipin pa n'ya na hindi ko s'ya kayang ipagtanggol. Oh god, what's happening to me?!

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I took a leave of absence for today is my date with destiny. Whatever happens today, I think I will forever remember August 18.

Pagkagising ko ay gumawa ako ng breakfast – scrambled eggs, toasted bread at coffee lang naman. Pagkatapos ay naligo na ako. It took me a good 45 minutes to take a bath. At habang namimili ako ng polo na susuotin ko ay narinig kong nagring ang phone ko. It was Dawn.

"Hello Dawn. What's up?"

"I just wanna wish you good luck."

"Ha... ha... ha! Thank you! Bakit naalala mo?"

"Sino ba ang makakalimot? Kung ikaw hinihintay mo ang araw ng pagkikita mo ng mystery girl mo na 'yan, ako din 'no! I wanna know where this will lead to. Feeling ko kasi I've witnessed a lot and I'm excited to know how this story will unfold."

"Ha... ha... ha! Ang dami mo namang sinabi."

"Tse! Gusto ko lang makita na finally maging masaya ka. Nakita kita when you first had your heart broken by a senseless, two-timing witch...."

"O tama na. Tapos na 'yon. Nagmove on na ako, di ba? 'Wag na nating balikan ang walang kwentang bagay."

I heard her laugh on the other line, "Oo nga naman. Don't let anything ruin this day for you. Basta balitaan mo ako agad ha."

"Sure."

"O sige na, magpapogi ka ng husto ha, not that you really need it. Basta good luck. I'm so happy for you, Inigo."

"Thanks Dawn. At alam mo bang napakaswerte ng siraulo naming kaibigan sa 'yo?"

"Awwww.... alam ko na 'yun, matagal na. Di mo na ako kailangan bolahin. O s'ya, bye. Ingat."