Start of life...
"Bye, babe!"
Ngumiti ng matamis si Celine at humalik sa pisngi ni Archer. Ngumiti rin naman pabalik si Archer sa nobya.
"I'll just call you later."
"You don't have to, babe, but alright!"
Hinarap ako ni Celine kaya naman tipid akong ngumiti.
"Bye!" paalam ko.
"Bye, Kiana! Congratulations again and don't forget my gift, okay?"
Tumango na lang ako sa kaniya bilang sagot.
Napatingala ako sa harap ng hotel na nasa harapan namin ngayon. It is owned by Celine's family.
"I'll go now..." Huling sabi ni Celine before going inside.
Hinarap naman ako ni Archer.
"Let's go..."
Tumango na lang ako. Akmang uupo na ako sa likuran kung saan ako nakaupo kanina nang tumikhim siya.
"I'm not your driver, Kiana."
"I'm sorry..."
Agad akong pumwesto sa upuan katabi ng drivers seat. Nagsimula na rin naman siyang magmaneho kaya naman wala na lang akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang tumingin sa labas.
I can't help, but to steal a glance at him. It has been four years since i met him and it's been also four years since my view of things in life have changed because of everyone around me and of course, because of him.
"So, what are your plans now?" Maya maya'y tanong niya.
"I already told you, i'm going to work."
"You know that you don't have to. At least for now..." he said while still driving.
I sighed.
"And i don't need to have a vacation either, Archer. My answer is still no, so stop trying."
Mahina naman siyang natawa dahil sa akin.
"Okay, i'm sorry. Sinasabi ko lang na it's time for you to have a little break,"
"I've had my break already. That's enough."
"You're going to take my parent's offer?"
Saglit naman akong napaisip dahil sa tanong niyang 'yon. I already knew that this would happen. I already knew that they would offer me this, but i don't want to take it. Masiyado na silang maraming naitulong sa akin and instead of taking another help from them, i want to repay them even if they don't want me to do that.
"I'm not quite sure, but maybe no."
"Why?"
"Aside from the fact na madami ng naitulong sa akin ang family mo and ayaw ko ng madagdagan pa 'yon is it's because i don't want other people to think that i got hired because i know the owner of that company."
Saglit naman niya akong nilingon. Nakakunot ang noo pero hindi maitatanggi na talagang kahit anong anggulo ay napakagwapo pa rin.
"That's not true, Kiana."
I smiled at him.
"Even if it is or it isn't, i still don't want to. Hindi mo hawak ang isip ng ibang tao at kahit ang intensyon mo lang naman ay magtrabaho, people will still make a fuss about it."
"You know that Mom and Dad will take care of it. Even i and Celine."
"Thanks, but no thanks, Archer. Sa loob ng apat na taon ay kayo ng pamilya mo at ni Celine ang tumulong sa akin para makabangon ako at utang ko sa inyo lahat ng 'to. I wouldn't make it without you guys."
"About the job, i admit that i want to get in in your company, but not because i know the owner but because i am qualified to be an employee. My pride wouldn't let me work there knowing that i just got hired because of some connections."
"You are qualified even without connections, Kiana. You know that. We all know that..."
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niyang 'yon at tipid na lang siyang nginitian. I can't blame Celine why she is so inlove with her boyfriend. She's so damn lucky to find a guy like Archer.
"Thanks, but don't worry, i'll think about it."
"You should because Mom and Dad would be very upset if you didn't take that."
Hindi ko nagawang sumagot dahil sa sinabi niya. I suddenly didn't know what to say to him.
"Besides, they will not offer you a job if they don't see potential in you even if they know you, so you see, it's not because they know you, but because they know what you can do."
Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot at itinuon ang pansin ko sa labas ng bintana.
Apat na taon na ang nakalipas simula ng lumipat ako dito but until now, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang hindi humanga sa bawat madaanan ko. It feels like i haven't seen them in like century when in fact, araw-araw, ito ang bumubungad sa akin.
"Don't forget to lock your doors. Mag-isa kang nakatira sa condo mo, so always lock it, okay?" Paalala niya nang maihatid ako sa labas ng condo.
Tumango naman ako bilang sagot.
"I will. Thank you."
Tipid niya lang akong nginitian saka tinalikuran. Napabuntong-hininga naman ako dahil panigurado ay didiretso na naman siya sa trabaho.
"Take care!" Pahabol na sigaw ko pa nang humarurot na paalis ang sasakyan niya.
Nang makarating ako sa condo ko ay agad akong nagbihis at nagpalit ng pajamas ko.
Agad kong inilagay sa lalagyanan ang mga medal na natanggap ko. Maging ang diploma ko ay inayos ko na. Sa bukana ko 'yon inilagay para tuwing papasok ako ay makikita ko ang bunga ng lahat ng paghihirap ko sa buhay.
I remembered when they first offered to me this condo unit, i refused it. This was their gift for me when i finished my first year college. I don't have plans on taking it dahil bukod sa hindi naman ako madalas mag stay sa bahay dahil sa work ay sobra sobra na ito sa mga hinihiling ko.
I got kicked out from my apartment and i can't find any available space. Wala akong planong sabihin 'yon sa kanila, but they still found out and the next thing i knew, i am already moving my things in here.
Sa loob ng apat na taon ay walang ibang ipinakita ang pamilya nila sa akin kung hindi kabutihan. Tito Gab is a bit friendly, pero madalas din ay seryoso siya na talagang nakakatakot. You will always feel the authority in his every words.
Tita Frea, on the other hand, is much scary. She's not smiling often and her face kinda looks scary. She's not ugly, of course, but she looks like the typical antagonist in a story. She's so beautiful but it's always making me scared of her. Her every move shouts elegance that i always feel inferior everytime that i'm with her. A typical elite woman.
Celine Reyes, Archer's girlfriend. We've known each other for years, but i can't tell if we're friends or not. We're just casual to each other since we often see everytime that i am invited in Archer's house. Their family owns a hotel in every part of the country and even overseas kaya naman hindi na ako nagtataka na halos katulad rin siya ni Tita Frea. A walking symbol of elegance.
Sa loob ng four years ay madami rin akong natutunan sa kanila. I slowly get to know them, but not totally dahil ayaw kong isipin nila na masiyado na akong nanghihimasok sa buhay nila. It's just that they are just so generous and kind to not let me feel that i am indebted to them.
Nalaman ko na apat na taon na si Archer at Celine na magkarelasyon. First year college pa lang ako ay sila na at nasaksihan ko ang bawat pangyayari sa relationship nila, at least. I saw them laugh together, be sad together and even fight with each other.
I remembered that it is me who always gives them advice whenever that they are fighting. Wala man akong karanasan sa pakikipag relasyon ay mukhang may silbi pa rin naman ako para sa relasyon nilang dalawa.
I give advice to Celine when she's wrong and i give advice to Archer when i know that he's at fault. That's how their relationship works.
I remembered my first year in college. It was kinda hard dahil na rin sa dami ng pinapagawa. I'm just a mere first year student, but i feel like i'm already in my fourth year. I wake up every morning and go to school. Sa library ang diretso ko dahil sa rami ng mga requirements na dapat ipasa.
After school ay trabaho naman ang inaatupag ko. It was really hard dahil halos araw-araw akong pagod. I don't have any decent rest dahil kung hindi physical labor ang hinaharap ko ay nagtatrabaho naman ako mentally.
Being a working student is really hard and i can tell that because i've been there all my life. I almost gave up dahil umabot sa puntong kakayanin ko pa ba 'to? Is this really my fate or am i just pushing it even if it's not really meant for me?
Being a college student is really hard dahil dadating ka sa punto na pagdududahan mo talaga ang sarili mo that's why it is important to have someone who got your back and specially, it is important that you trust yourself more than anyone else.
Ilang minuto lang ay bigla akong may maalala. I remembered Tito Gab's offer to me. Gusto kong tumanggi dahil nakakahiya naman na sila na nga ang nagpaaral sa akin, pati sa trabaho ay sila pa rin. Also, i don't want others to think that i got hired because i know them.
It is my dream to work there. Their company is really big and it will be an honor if you got hired. I want to get hired in them because of some reasons, but i just can't. Knowing how some people think, they will make an issue regarding it. Sasabihin nila na i just got hired dahil sa connections and such and i don't want that. Malaking insulto 'yon sa akin because i strived hard to be where i am at today and not just because of connections.
I don't want to hear any issues like that kaya naman kahit na gustong gusto kong magtrabaho sa company na yon ay pipigilan ko ang sarili ko. My reasons are just personal and i feel bad about it, but it is my life. I have to live for it, but i will never forget how Archer's family help me out.
My first reason is because it is my dream. I look forward for that job for four years and i know that i will love that job and also, i want to see Archer, everyday.
Hindi ko alam kung kailan at paano nagsimula but it just happened, unexpectedly. I didn't want it, but it's just here now and i have to bear with it for i don't know how long.
I'm pretty sure naman na it's just some admiration. He's just a part of my inspiration to become like this, that's why i want to be just near him.
I am not being a plastic person. Hindi porket may 'crush' ako kay Archer ay gusto ko ng angkinin siya. I am not like that. Nabuhay ako na hindi nakukuha ang mga bagay na gusto ko kaya naman hindi ko kailangang umangkin ng hindi naman talaga para sa akin.
I truly support his relationship with Celine. As i said, i already seen them for four years and i can tell na bagay sila. I would probably offer myself as one of the bridesmaid on their wedding if its possible because i wish them all the best. Hindi naman kasi porket humahanga ka sa tao ay gugustuhin mo ng angkinin siya as yours.
Hindi rin porket lumalapit sila sa akin every time na may misunderstanding sila ay sinisiraan ko na ang relasyon nila. I just tell them what i think is right and wrong. It's still up to them if they would follow my advice. Never did i thought na magsalita ng mali to ruin their relationship. I would never let myself to be the reason for them to broke up.
"So, should i just accept it or decline it?" Tanong ko sa sarili.
Ilang minuto lang ay nagulat ako nang biglang magring ang cellphone ko. Agad ko 'yong kinuha at sinagot ang tawag.
"Hello?"
"Hey there, Kiana!" Masiglang bati ng nasa kabilang linya.
"Symon..."
"Congratulations! Finally, naka graduate ka na!"
"Thank you. Mabuti na lang talaga at naka graduate na ako!"
Bigla naman siyang napabuntong hininga kaya kumunot ang noo ko.
"What happened?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko.
"I'm sorry that i can't go to your graduation ceremony. Importanteng araw mo 'yon, but i wasn't there to support you."
I smiled.
"You don't have to be sorry, Sy and besides, abot naman ang suporta mo sa stage kanina,"
"Hmm, really?"Tatawa tawang tanong niya mula sa kabilang linya kaya naman tumango ako kahit na hindi naman niya yon nakikita.
"I guess, malakas talaga ang charisma ko and oh, correction, it is not a guess, but a fact."
"Stop it, Symon. Nagbubuhat ka na naman ng sarili mong bangko!" naiiling na sabi ko.
"Batak eh, kaya ang muscles ko, lumalaki rin."
"Muscles ng kahambogan kamo!"
Parehas kaming natawa na dalawa. Yeah, typical me and Symon.
Symon Reyes. Celine's younger brother, but much more older than me. We met, of course, through Celine and Archer. At first, hindi talaga kami magkasundo.
Kung gaano kaganda ang ate niya ay 'yun naman ang kinagwapo niya. We're just casual with each other tuwing aksidente kaming nagkikita, but as time goes by, we got to get along pretty well and eventually became friends.
He always supports me in everything. He even helped me with my studies dahil matalino rin ang isang 'to. He was my best buddy and i can tell that whoever will be his girlfriend, that girl would be so lucky.
"So, any plans? A vacation? A trip?" Tanong niya.
"My plan is to find a work first thing in the morning tomorrow."
"Kiana! Come on, you should take a break even for at least two weeks. Give yourself a break!"
"Today is my break, Sy and tomorrow will be my first day."
"But you don't have to work that fast! Apat na taon kang naghirap, no, wait, more than that kaya dapat lang na magpahinga ka naman! You should go on a trip or anything na makakapag relax sayo!"
Kinuha ko ang box sa tabi ko. It was the gift from Celine. I opened it and my eyes widened. It is a brand new phone at kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay halos isan taon na bayarin ko na ang halaga nito!
"No way!" Wala sa sariling sabi ko.
"Anong no way ka riyan?! Are you worried about the expenses? Don't worry about that because i will take care of it for you!"
"Symon, it is not about the expenses, okay? Stop over reacting, will you?"
"Then, are you afraid to go alone? You don't have to worry about that because i can always go with you anytime, you know that."
Napabuntong-hininga ako dahil sa kaniya. Yep, that's him. Kahit kailan ay hindi rin talaga siya nagpatalo sa pakikipag argumento sa akin.
"You're the fifth person who offered me that and my answer is still no. No one can make me change my mind, so stop trying, Sy."
"I'm just worried about you, okay? Wala namang masama kung kahit ngayon lang ay pagbigyan mong magrelax ang sarili mo."
"I know and thank you for the concern, but i really want to work. Not because someone pushed me to work right away, but because i love working and it is already a part of me, but don't worry dahil kung maisipan ko man na magkaroon ng vacation, e, i will, of course, let you know."
"Are you sure? You don't have to overwork yourself, Kiana."
Napangiti na lang ako dahil kahit kailan ay napaka thoughtful niya lalo na sa akin. He always worry about me and because of that, i always feel that i am not alone anymore. I have someone to lean on.
"I am not overworking myself, Sy, so don't worry, okay? You should worry about yourself more."
"Oh, about that! Since it's your graduation day? then of course, i have a gift for you!"
Napairap naman ako dahil ayan nanaman siya sa pakulo niya.
"You know that you don't have to, but let's see what it is."
"Are you excited for my gift?!"
"Not much. Medyo lang." nakangising sagot ko.
"Tsk."
"So, ano nga 'yon?" Tanong ko.
"Me..."
"Huh?" Takang tanong ko.
"It's me! I am the gift!"
Natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi niyang 'yon. Saglit na nag lag ang utak ko dahil parang namali yata ang pandinig ko bigla.
"I will go home, Kiana, so you just have to wait for me, okay? You should wait for me to come back there..."