My return to the office was hell. We interviewed a score of applicants. Most of them, or rather all of them has 'MBA' (May Backer Ako). As the senior HR Manager, I have to filter them down and hire the best.
Some of them was feeling close pa sa mga co-panel ko. I don't know if they really know the aspirants. Maybe they kind of concealing it pa in front of me. We only need five.
In the end kasi, I have the last word kaya I find it hard to decide. What with all those buzzing pa after every final interview to the applicants. I cannot concentrate. Sumasakit pa ang ulo ko dahil sa mga naganap kagabi.
Flashback
January 20, 2022
5:30 am Philippine time
Jema called. She waited siguro for my usual waking time even though di pa normal ang body clock ko because of jetlag.
Upon seeing my phone, nagtaka na ako agad kasi phone call lang. We are used kasi sa video call ever since. We make lambing at pacute kasi pag di kami magkasama. That's how we used to talk over the phone.
"Good morning Love! How's your flight po?" extra cheerful, Jema?
"Ok naman. I sleep lang naman the entire time sa plane. Kamusta diyan?"
"Ok lang Love. Dito lang ako sa bahay. Sinusunod ko po lahat ng bilin mo." she said.
"How's your day?" I asked her.
"Ok lang naman..." pabitin niya.
"You know that I hate cliffhangers Love." medyo iritableng sagot ko.
I clicked the button for video call. She wasn't facing the camera kaya I can't see her.
I was about to complain when
"Bulaga!!!" sabay tawa ng bonggang-bongga. Damn Jema!
Yung nagiisip ako tapos manggugulat siya bigla.
Nakaheadset pa ko kaya sumakit yung tenga ko.
Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago magsalita.
Siya? Tawa ng tawa. Buset.
"Seryoso mo kasi masyado Wong!"
Ok laugh hard.
"Ano nangyari diyan?" I asked her again.
"I love you Love! I miss you!" then all I can see is her lips smooching the camera. Parang gusto ko magselos sa camera ng phone niya ah.
I frowned.
"I will ask for the last time. If you don't answer correctly I will end this call, book a ticket and I will be there after 23 hours." nagagalit na ko talaga. Kunyari lang.
She knows that I will really do that. Kung may reason. She already witnessed the "angry Deanna" kasi years ago. And after that incident during her PVL days, iniiwasan niya na ang magalit ako ng todo.
Hindi naman ako as in galit. Ayoko lang kasi nung bitinan. In all its sense ha. Medyo nagpaOA lang ako ng konti para sabihin niya na. Ang tagal kasi!
"Magpromise ka muna na di ka magagalit agad..." nakapout na ang lips nya. Naku Jema, if I were there kinagat ko na yan.
"Ok spill it."
Huminga muna siya ng malalim.
"Pagkaalis mo kasi pumunta si Vince."
I said nothing. I am waiting sa kasunod ng sinabi niya.
