Sigara

Chapter 1

Solar

Alas-dose kapin na ko sa gabi-e niabot sa akong apartment building after a long traffic. Good Evening ma'am, ni-greet na ko si Manong Roni among security guard this night.

Usually whenever it's his shift I would sat by him, with beer cans on our hands and talk until I get sleepy and go home.

72 na'y edad ni Manong Roni, ug pamilyahan na sad ang iyang mga anak, 2 years na sad na sumakabilang buhay ang iyang asawa ug maskin wa siya'y gi-suportahan

He continued to work to prevent himself from being stuck in the house and drown in depression. 

We shared a lot of conversations and stories and eventually got closer, but this night instead nga mu-tambay ko sa iyang security stand I only decided to reply with a nod.

Usually mga 8 in the evening ko mu-abot maong naa pa ko'y time mu-tambay. Pero I had a lot of projects to fulfill that's why I decided na mag-overtime, basin ugma mag-overtime na sad ko.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not procrastinating in my work. Actually ang due date ani kay 6 months pa, pero I'm that type of person na i-set iyang ground works daan aron di na ko mag-kapakapa ug ma-rattle kung duol na ang deadline.

But procrastinating? I have some fair share with it as well.

Once I entered my door's passcode I quickly throw my handbag at the side, reached behind my back and unclasped my bra, and throw it to heaven's above.

Ni-hapla dayon ko sa akong bed and closed my eyes only to open them again, realizing na kailangan pa na ko mang-limpyo sa akong nawng.

Coming out fresh and clean, wearing my pajamas I doze off to sleep.

Phones ringing and my co-workers chatting, it was yet again another day in the office. With an Americano at hand and a cardboard full of paper I went inside Mr. Vergarra's office.

With him only glancing towards my entrance, nibalik dayon siya ug tan-aw sa iyang computer.

"Good Morning Sir, mao diay ning mga papeles na gihatag ni Sir Arnold. Pa-proofread na lang daw balik ug sign na lang nimo ang kuwang"

Gibutang ra na ko iyang coffee beside sa iyang pencil can ug mga papeles tunga sa iyang table, I read him his schedule for this day and his upcoming appointments, after that I see myself out.

4 years na sad ko ga-trabaho as a secretary ni Mr. Vergarra. I didn't expect to be in this kind of work position, but the pay is good man sad and in this society na lisod mangita ug trabaho, mu-reklamo pa ba ko?

Naglakaw na ko pabalik sa akong table niya nakit-an na ko si Cho, akong officemate/coffee buddy, sitting prettily on my chair.

"Di gyud ka mapuyo sa imong lugar noh? Ari gyud ka pirme sa akong workspace noh? Sige imuha na lang ni, mulayas na lang ko"

"Haha over ra kaayo ka. Dali coffee ra'y katapat ana tsk tsk"

"Add-i ug macarons, and I'll ignore what you just said"

"Hala sigeee... librehan nako among Solar ug macaronnnss... ayaw na'g hilak bataaaa..."

"Nangilsulto ka? -_-"

"Pagdali na-aaa-aa.. dugaya gyud ani niya mulakaw uy"

We went down to the lobby at our office building, and went to our regular coffee shop. I order 2 Latte Macchiatos for the both of us, and she ordered the Macarons.

Syempre since libre man niya ga-order sad ko'g extra chocolate cookie. Before handing her card to the cashier, she glared on me first.

I gazed my eyes at the ceiling hopefully maka-kita ko'g tuko aron naa ko'y i-change topic unya. Then we sat down at one of the available seats and eat.