Starts at Ends

18 - Argon

Chapter XVIII

I’m sorry. If only I know this would happen... I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.

I grabbed her phone, turned it off and threw it at my bed when I saw her weeping in tears.

“Ako ba talaga pinunta mo dito ha?”

She beamed after she wiped her tears.

“Sorry. Pero grabe Kaaayee! That was amazing!” She humorously clapped. “Ang galing umarte ni Theya ha! I didn’t know she acts well. Sayang hindi ako nakapunta.”

Ngumiwi ako.

I was surprised, too.

"By the way, how are you?"

I smiled. "I'm fine."

"Sure?"

I chuckled as she frowned. "Oo!"

"Mabuti naman!"

It was two months ago when I was urged to perform on stage. Zeah lied to me when she said she’s gonna stay there for good if I won’t perform. It’s not really the deal actually. No one’s gonna leave, Zeah is not leaving.

The real deal was, Zeah needs me to be part of her parent’s new show. Since alam niya at ng mga magulang niya na hindi ako papayag, they set us on a game. Kapag hindi ako sasali sa musical play, Zeah will be suspended, including her allowance, freedom, photography session and all! Kaya’t ang ginawa ng bruha kong kaibigan, niloko niya ako!

“Sorry na! E alam ko naman na hindi talaga kita mapipilit e, kaya I decided to-”

“Lie to me.” I continued.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumango at ngumisi.

"Just a white little lies!"

"Kahit na! Niloko mo pa rin ako!"

She sneered. “Yun na nga! E hindi tumalab yung plan A na kunwari aalis ako kaya naman-"

“Nilason niyo ang gatas ko para makatulog ako buong araw kaya naman paggising ko, Voila! Hello Switzerland.” I sulked.

Tumawa siya ng hilaw. “Hihi. Mahal kita Shad sobra.”

I glared.

Kaya naman wala na talaga akong kawala. After the incident at the Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge, bumalik ako mag-isa sa hotel at buong gabing nagkulong sa kwarto. And the whole stay that we spent at Switzerland, I never dared to speak with anyone! Kahit kay Shine o kay Jo, hindi ko ginawa. Lalo na sa kumag! Ilang beses niyang gustong lumapit sa akin para humingi ng tawad pero ilang beses din akong lumiliko para hindi siya makausap. Gago niya kamo! Nanggigil talaga ako sa ginawa niya. Potassium niya.

That's why, I just busied myself talking and calling with Alex thru messenger. Miss ko na nga yung bakla e. Tsaka, nagsusumbong din kay Axi paminsan-minsan, kaya medyo nababawasan yung pagkabagot ko dun.

“Pero alam mo Kaye, walang tatalo sa performance mo!”

Napatingin ako kay Ate Reanly na siyang nakatayo na sa harapan ng painting ko.

“Napaka-emotional! Na-carried away talaga ako! Sa unang tipa mo pa lang ng piano, nanindig na ang balahibo ko, grabe!”

I scoffed. “Wag kang oa, wala ka naman sa mismong show.”

She laughed. “Oo nga naman. Pero hindi! Napanood ko naman sa video, damang-dama ko

As in!”

I rolled my eyes.

After how many days of practicing my piece, coincidentally, it was my mom’s fave piece of Michael Ortega. The long awaited show came. But I got lured. Again.

“Pero mas nakaka-amaze talaga yung mukha mo after you played.” Tumawa siya ng malakas.

Ngumiwi naman ako nang maalala ang pangyayaring yun.

“You’re face was funny! So epic.”

Siniko ko siya para mapansin niyang hindi ako natutuwa.

Kasi naman, Zeah knew I don’t want to perform on stage, especially not to many people watching. Kaya naman she said to me not to worry, kasi nga raw it won’t be a live show, she will gonna record it as video, kaya pumayag ako!

Kaso naloko na naman ako! Sa susunod talaga hindi na ako maniniwala sa kanya. Sa kahit sino!

Ate Reanly faced me for a second but then turned to the painting again afterwards.

“Sabihin mo na lang kasi na gusto mong hingin 'yan.” Usal ko nang hindi man lang niya mawala-wala ang paningin dito.

“Kapag ba sinabi kong oo, ibibigay mo?”

“Hindi.” Agaran kong sagot.

She mocked. “Where do you think he is right now?”

I frowned. “Sino?”

Ngumiwi siya. “Si Koko.”

“Koko?” I asked.

“Yung batang nag-paint nito! Jusko. Nakadisplay sa kwarto mo, di mo kilala yung nagpaint. You forgot him?”

I chuckled. “Oh! I forgot his name.”

Napakunot siya. “Nakasulat dito oh.”

I gasped. Lumapit ako sa kanya at tinignan ang direksyong tinuturo niya.

Koko - Kakay

That was written below his signature. I didn’t notice that!

“Anyways, kamusta naman ang buhay business ha?”

I sighed and seated at the sofa right next to her.

“Okay lang.”

Narinig ko siyang tumawa. “OJT niyo na next sem, right?”

I nodded when she asked.

“Sa Fer Corp. ka?”

Kumuha ako ng pagkain sa lamesa at tumingin sa kanya. Umiling ako.

“Ayoko no. People there knew me, ayoko ng special treatment. Or kung hindi man special treatment, hindi ko forte ang makipag-plastikan uy.”

Nabuga niya ang iniinom niyang juice nang hindi niya mapigilan ang matawa.

“Loka! Sabagay, sa Sa El ka na lang!” She suggested. 

I grimaced. “I don’t think so we can choose which company we want. Tsaka, Sa El? Is that’s the company of Salazar’s?”

She displayed a teasing smile.

“Potassium. Wag na lang no.”

"Why not?"

I scoffed. "Umuwi ka na nga."

"Oo na!"

Sabay kaming napatawa at napatayo. Hinatid ko siya palabas para makauwi at nagpaalam na sa isa't-isa. For sure, ilang buwan na naman ang aabutin bago kami makapag-bond ulit.

“Your internship will last for two months, class. And every after two weeks, another company na naman, palitan. So there will be four batches of schedule with different teams!”

We intently listened as what our professor instructed. Lahat ata dito sa amin ay excited about this on-the-job training e, ako lang ata ang hindi.

“The companies you will be working at are the Sa El, Carbon Corporation, Union Cc and the last on the list is the Fer Corp.”

Napabuga ako ng hangin sa narinig. It was the company of my parents and the jerks’! Pero mabuti na lang at makakahinga ako ng maluwag sa Union Cc. Kahit konti man lang.

“After you pick, you write your designated schedules and areas in this paper. And then class president, put this on my table after. Class dismissed, be good at your trainings!”

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Umupo ako sa pwesto ko pagkatapos kong makabunot sa harapan. It’s the end of the day of first semester in our third year today. Luckily, I’m still here breathing fine even though I’m dealing with my not style; business.

“Nice, we’re on the same company. I mean, same schedule oh!”

Tinago ko kaagad ang papel ko nang magsalita ang katabi ko. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang aking gamit tsaka hinarap siya.

“It’s not nice. It’s awful.” I sneered.

"Eto naman, mainit pa rin ang ulo sa'kin."

Humakbang ako paabante upang makaalis na. Ngunit hinarang niya ang paa niya kaya hindi ako makadaan. Pabibo ah.

“May susuotin ka na? Sabay tayo bumili, treat kita."

I groaned inwardly. "I don't need a company, okay? Kaya pwede ba, move the helium out of the way!"

"Ouch- hey!”

I intentionally bumped her when she blocked my way.

Pasikat talaga.

I slightly creased my forehead as I got out of our room. The sunrays is blocking my eye sight kaya napahinto ako. It’s four in the afternoon but it seems like it's twelve at noon! Ang init sa pinas. Helium!

Umupo ako sa wooden bench malapit sa volleyball court upang makapagpahinga. The cafeteria was crowded kaya dito na lang ako dumiretso. I smiled and made myself comfortable. Pinunasan ko muna ang noo kong pawisan bago bumuklat ng isang libro upang makapag-aral. Mamaya na ako kakain, hindi pa naman kasi ako ginugutom.

"Ani-!"

“Puting atom!”

Napabalikwas ako nang may sumigaw sa tenga ko.

“Kape pa.” Tawa niya ng malakas sabay upo sa tabi ko.

Hinampas ko siya ng librong dala ko na siyang tumama sa may dibdib niya.

"Hoy wag diyan! Nasasaktan yung puso ko.”

Padabog akong sumandal sa inuupuan ko habang minumura siya sa isipan ko.

“Oh? Nagsasanib pwersa na naman yang kilay mo.”

I felt nervous when his skin touched my forehead to stretched it separately to my creasing brows . Mabilis ko namang hinawi ang malikot niyang kamay dahil sa naramdaman ko.

He just chuckled with my aggresive move. “Saang company ka?”

I stared at him. “Chismoso.”

“Saan nga? Pakipot pa e- oh!”

Mabilis niyang nasangga ang kamao ko.

“I told you not to hurt my heart!”

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginaya pababa.

“Gusto mong manakit? Dito sa baba, okay lang.”

“Yak!”

Agad kong kinuha ang kamay ko at tumayo palayo sa kanya.

“Iwww! Tungsten! Ugh! You're so gross!”

Kinuha ko ang alcohol sa bag ko at nag-spray sa kamay ko, pati na rin sa gawi niya nang mawala ang kamanyakan niya!

“Wow. The virgin shadow!”

Sumandal siya sa inuupuan niya habang tumatawa.

“Aish! Itigil mo na nga yan! Masakit sa ilong at mata.” Reklamo niya pa.

Pero hindi ako nakuntento kaya’t gigil akong kumuha ng bato sa may gilid at humarap sa kanya.

“Ikaw! Hindi ka titigil sa kakatawa?”

“Hoy hoy hoy, anino bad yan!”

He raised his arms trying to cover his head, marahan ding nakataas ang dalawang paa. Mas naiirita lamang ako dahil dun.

“Sige ka, mabibisita mo talaga si Dean ng wala sa oras.”

"I don't care!"

Itinaas niya ang dalawa niyang paa nang ibato ko ng malakas ang hawak kong armas sa harapan niya.

“Aish!” He yelped.

Hinawi ko ang buhok na humarang sa mukha ko at niyakap ang librong hawak ko.

“I’m just kidding!” He defended.

I remained standing, two meter away from him still.

“Well, I’m not fond with your trip!”

“Fine, sorry.” He paused. “Pikon masyado e.” He mumbled.

“Are you saying something?”

He quickly shook and smiled naughtily. Instead, he tap the spaces beside him and called me to sit with him.

After what he did to me at Switzerland, after what they did to me, I’ve already learned my lesson!

Trusting people’s word easily is not a good thing to make. Because even your closest friends can deceive you, paano na lang yung mga gago diyan sa kanto? Katulad na lang ng isang to.

"Seriously? That hard? Wala bang easy tutorial niyan?"

"Wala. But I can teach naman. Madali lang yan, ako bahala!"

Napalingon ako sa dalawang magkaibang boses na bumalot sa tenga ko. Napakunot ang noo nang mapansin kung sino ang may-ari ng mga tinig.

“Helium.”

Napamura ako nang dinaanan at hindi man lang ako pinansin ni Axi. Tumawa tuloy ang kumag at lumapit sa akin.

“See how you’re friends slowly betraying you.”

Siniko ko siya sa tagiliran nang bumulong siya sa akin.

“Nakakatakot kang kasama, alam mo ba yun? Puro pasa ang abot ko sayo e.”

Inirapan ko ang kaartehan ng lalaki sa tabi ko. I keenly looked at my friend who passed us by and who's currently talking with Theya. I frowned.

“What’s with them?” Confused, I asked.

The jerk at my side shrugged. “C’mon, anino, stop asking the obvious.” Irita niyang sagot kaya napadako ang mata ko sa kanya.

“Pinagsasabi mo?”

“They’re obviously dating!” Turo niya sa dalawang pigura na dahan-dahang lumalayo sa amin.

I almost yelped in disbelief as what I heard from him.

“No way.”

“Ano ba naman yan, anino. Ang careless mo ha!”

Yumuko siya at pinulot ang nahulog kong mga libro.

“No way, that can’t be!”

He frowned as I gasped. He then stood up after he got my books and faced me. Umiling ako ng paulit-ulit.

"Anong, 'that can't be?' Anong masama dun?"

Namilog ang mata ko. “That’s obviously cheating!”

"Ha?"

"Tungstenamo, Axiell."

I automatically run off towards Axi without minding my books left at the jerk’s arms.

“Hoy, anino!”

“Oh hey, what’s the rush?”

I glared at Theya when she asked.

“Shut up.”

Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko pero hindi ko na siya inintindi. I dragged Axi away from her. Away from them!

“Ano ba, Shad! Ano bang trip mo? May problema ka ba?” Hinihingal niyang tanong nang huminto kami sa pagtakbo.

I annoyingly wiped my sweats around my forehead and neck and madly faced him.

“Nadadaan naman ako sa usapan ah, ba't kailangang manghila?”

Isinakbit niya ng mabuti ang bag niya sa braso at pinunasan ang pawis sa kanyang noo. I unbelievably stared at him.

“Ano?” Bulyaw niya.

Sinundot ko ang noo niya ng mainis ako.

“What the helium are you thinking!?”

“Aray, yati!”

Hinimas niya ang parteng pinitikan ko. Kumunot naman ang noo niya pagkatapos.

“What!? Are you out of your mind ha?” I yelled.

Napakamot siya sa ulo. “Ano ba kasi yun? Hindi kita maintindihan e. Peste, ang sakit nun, Shad!”

I sighed trying to calm down. “What are you two doing?” Kalmado kong tanong.

"Ang alin ba?"

I sneered. Nang mapansing hindi niya pa rin ako maunawaan ay hindi ko na talaga napigilan.

“Hey- ouch! Aray! Hey, Shad, ano ba!?"

Marahas kong binitiwan ang tenga niya na kulay pula na dahil sa pagkakapingot ko.

“Theya!” Gigil kong sambit. “What are you doing with her? Bakit kayo magkasama ha? Hindi mo man lang ako pinansin kanina- but then that b***h!?” I exclaimed.

Sumandal siya sa may puno at umarteng nag-iisip habanh hinihimas ang tenga niyang naging pula na.

“I’m not doing anything.” He innocently said.

“Don’t you dare lie to me! Not again, Axiell.” I scowled.

“Damn, Kayeth. I swear! What the hell are you talking about?” Tumawa siya. “Bagong salta si Theya sa banda. Naka-assign siya sa akin kaya kami magkasama. Tito assigned her to me actually.”

Umupo siya sa may damuhan at inilapag ang bag niya sa gilid niya.

“Talaga lang ha.” Tumabi ako sa kanya.

“Seryoso nga! Tsaka wow, Shad, alam mo ang type ko. Hindi pasado yung babaeng yun! Sino ba naglason ng mga braincells mo ha?”

Umilag ako nang susundutin niya ang noo ko.

“W-wala!” I fixed my hair and wiped my bullets of sweats.

“Talaga lang.”

I gulped. Tinikom ng pagod ang aming mga bibig kalaunan. Nakatingin lang kami sa mga estudyanteng lakad-takbo sa school field habang nagpapalipas ng oras. Actually I dragged him here at the mini-forest. Dito ako dinala ng mga paa ko e.

And honestly, I miss him. I haven’t seen him for days. Puro bunganga ni Zeah yung nakakasama ko e, pero madalang lang rin. On the other hand, we can’t reach Jo, she’s busy dating at the hospital. Kaya itong tupaking mag-pinsan ang nakakasama ko lately. Nakakasawa.

“Wait.”

He faced me and held my both right and left shoulders. His stunned face turned to a grin as he stared at me suspiciously.

“Jelly ka?”

I gasped. “Selos your atom!” Hawi ko sa kamay niya.

“Sus, kunwari pa! Don’t lie to me, Shad. Don’t me!”

Inilagay niya sa likod ng ulo niya ang kanyang kamay at sumandal sa punong sinisilungan namin.

“Aminin mo na kasi para come back agad. Hindi naman ako choosy e.” 

I looked away when he winked.

“Uyy kinilig siya.” Sundot niya sa tagiliran ko.

“Hindi ah! Kadiri ka. Ano ba tama na! Potassium ka.”

Huminto siya sa pagkiliti sa akin tsaka ngumiti ng nakakaloko. Nagkatinginan kami at sabay na napatawa.

“Tara na nga, pinapaasa mo ko e.” Usal niya sabay tayo.

Kinuha ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay nang tumayo siya. Nilakasan niya ang paghila kaya’t na out of balance kami.

“Ang bobo mo talagang bakla ka!” Asar kong usal.

Kaso nadatnan ko ang sarili ko na nakapatong sa kanya kaya naman agad akong tumayo. But Axi enveloped his arms around my waist as I was about to stand up. My gaze stuck at his blue eyes as my breath stopped for the meantime.

“Ano, come back na ba?” He whispered playfully.

My system halted for a moment as our heartbeats resonated and replaced the defeaning silence coming from the nature. I gradually leaned towards him and stopped when my nose tip touched his snout.

I grinned as I saw his reaction. “Ayoko sa bakla.”

"Ugh, shuta! Peste ka, Shad!"

I chuckled loudly. Tinulak niya kaagad ako nang madama niya ang sakit nang pagbungguin ko ang ulo namin.

“s**t, Shad! Ugh.”

Mas lumakas ang tawa ko. He rolled left and right at the ground while holding his head that was hurt.

“Amazona ka talagang bruha ka! Animal kaaaa!”

Naka-upo akong nakamasid sa kanya habang patuloy siya sa pagrolyo sa damuhan. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang matawa. Parang siyang tae sa damuhan!

“Ugh! You better hide from me, Kayeth!” He yelped miserably.

Pero dahil mabait akong kaibigan at dahil mahal ko siya, iniwanan ko siya sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga at mabilisang nilisan ang lugar. May dugong kabayo pa naman yun, baka mapatay ako pagnahabol ako.

“Kaayeeeeth!”

Takteng argon. Takbo!

I fixed my blouse and put my earphone at my bag when I arrived at Union Cc. It’s the first day of our internship kaya hindi pwedeng ma-late. Bukas at sa makalawa, pwede na.

“Good morning maam!”

I greeted back the guard and entered their place. Napahinto lang ako nang dumating si Theya.

“Ang gara ng ayos mo ha!” She beamed.

I looked at my outfit at the big glass right in front of us. It reflected my one-inch heels, fitted black slacks and white long-sleeve blouse I wore.

Actually, I spend my sem-break preparing for my internship.

“Mas magara yung sayo.” I surveyed my eyes at her whole body. Umikot naman siya at nag-pose.

“Thanks.”

Ngumiwi naman ako nang nagpa-uto siya.

“A six inch heels, seriously?” I frowned.

Pero ngumiti lang siya at iniakla ang braso niya sa akin.

“Goodluck sa atin!”

Hinawi ko ang kamay niya nang makapasok na kami ng tuluyan sa finance department office. Dito kami naka-assign. And yes, I have no choice but to deal with this b***h for two long weeks. Worse, for the whole internship period.

“You can now start analyzing the data. The presentation will be on Thursday. I’m hoping for a great production.” The company’s secretary smiled to us impishly.

We are all four students from our school na naka-assign sa finance team. Two from our sections, and the other, from section B.

“Just ask your head if you have questions, okay?”

"Salamat po." We bowed down as she left.

“Kinakabahan ako.” Theya exclaimed.

Napakunot naman ako. May kinakabahan bang tumatawa?

I pinned my plate tag at the left side of my blouse as she handed it.

“Laurent?” Theya asked when she saw it.

But instead of answering, I pointed her tag.

“Mind your own business, Miss Gomez.”

Ngumiti siya ng malawak. “Sabi ko nga.”

I didn’t use my surname because I don’t want to be acknowledge. No trouble, no hassle. I guess it goes the same with Theya.

"Work, work, work!"

Lumapit ako sa cubicle na para sa akin at inilapag ang mga papel na kakailanganin kong pag-aralan. I started flipping the pages when I saw my other colleagues doing their duties already.

Mabuti na lang talaga at nakapag-review ako kahapon after we went to church. I searched the history, mission and vision, rules and regulations of this company. Everything about it! Including the constitutional rights of every employees and employers. I read it all. 

Kasi diba, it’s very essential to know the background of your workplace? Mas mapapabilis ang pag-aadjust mo, at mas maiintidihan mo pa ang paligid mo. In short, hindi ka magmumukhang-tanga o ignorante.

I continued reading but got distracted when my phone beeped. I thought it was important kaya sinilip ko kung ano. Pero sana pala hindi ko na lang binuksan.

Kumag d' gago: Wag kang magkalat diyan. Maawa ka sa kanila, anino.

I tsked. Pero para naman hindi niya masabi na snobber ako o pikon, I typed my reply.

Don’t worry too much jerk. Asikasuhin mo na lang yang buhok mong parang pugad ng ibon.

"Ano yan?"

“Helium!"

Theya teased me when I dropped my phone.

“Wag kang nanggugulat!” I glared.

“Wag kang cellphone ng cellphone!” She teased.

Potassium!

She wiggled her left brow at me. “Saang buhok yan, Shad?”

Nairapan ko siya dahil sa pangungulit niya.

“Shut up.”

“Ikaw ha.”

Ugh!

Bumalik siya sa ginagawa niya at piniling wag akong isturbohin. And I was glad she did that, mapapadali ang trabaho namin kung hindi kami magbabangayan.

"Tsk, bad trip. Sino ba yang babaeng yan ha?"

I frowned when I heard a loud murmurs coming from the other colleagues of Finance Department.

"Intern from CED. Kahapon pa yan napapagalitan! Tatanga-tanga kasi."

"Panigurado damay na naman tayo nito."

I stopped typing when I heard them gossiping over someone. Kung sino pa yung mas nakakatanda, sila pa yung malakas mag-chismisan.

I looked at my left side, pero hindi ko mahagilap si Theya, may tatanungin sana ako.

Siya lang naman yung nakaka-usap ko dito e. It’s our third day here pero ni isa wala akong kaibigan, even the other girls from CIT, hindi ko kilala. Hindi naman kasi ako nandito para maghanap ng kaibigan. Like I care, e andami ko ng kaibigan.

“Ano bang nasa kukote mo ha!?”

Nakita kong napa-atras ang babae nang tinulak siya ni Mrs. Fe; the supervisor of Finance Department.

“So-sorry po.” Maiyak-iyak niyang usal.

“You clean your mess! Anong klaseng estudyante ka? Hindi makakapasa sakin yang ganyang ugali mo, kaya umayos ka!”

Napa-iling na lamang ako sa nasaksihan. I stared at the girl when Mrs. Fe left her with misery. Napaiwas lang ako ng tingin nang makitang nasa tabi ko na si Theya.

“Anong nangyari?” Bulong niya.

I was about to answer her but then Mrs. Fe interfered.

“At conference hall! Now!”

Napa-igtad ako nang sumigaw siya.

“Interns! Prepare your reports!”

I sighed when she turned back for a bad news.

Potassium, anong report? Akala ko ba bukas pa?

Nagsikilos ang lahat dahil sa utos ng matanda. I felt relief nang natapos ko ang power-point ko kagabi, mabuti na lang talaga. No to procrastination mga atoms para iwas problem!

“Diba sa thursday pa dapat? Thursday, hmm bukas!”

Tumango ako sa tanong ni Theya. Kinuha ko ang notes and flash drive ko.

“Why?” I faced her. “Don’t tell me you’re not prepared?”

Umiling siya. “Not me, girl.”

She pointed at our back. I turned to that direction and saw the other girl from our school.

“Bakit hindi mo dinala!?”

Bulyaw ng kasama niya. Probably, kaklase niya at kasamahan sa klase.

“Lintik naman, Ann e! Pag tayo bumagsak dito, malalagot ka sakin.”

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang babaeng sumigaw nang pumasok siya sa conference hall nang hindi man lang tinutulungan tong kasama niya. Another bad element.

Theya tapped me kaya sabay kaming lumapit sa kinaroroonan ng naturang babae.

“I’m sorry.” She sobs.

“Wala kang extra copy?” Theya asked.

The girl shook her head as an answer. She looks pity on her state. Kabadong tumingin sa akin si Theya.

“Anong gagawin natin?”

I scowled. “Bakit ako tinatanong mo?”

“Shad, naman!”

I laughed when she rattled.

“Sorry talaga.” Pagpapatuloy ni Ann sa pag-iyak nang mapansing pati si Theya ay naiiyak na rin.

“Shaddowe Kayeth, tulungan mo ako!”

I sighed at Theya's reaction.

"Kumalma ka nga. Hindi naman natin yan ikakamatay ah?"

She glared. "Ikakabagsak, oo."

Napakamot ako sa ulo. I turned my gaze at Ann when she sob more. For sure she’s crying not because she’s worried for herself. She’s worried for our grade. We will be rated by group kase. Kung may isang papalpak sa amin, damay kaming lahat. Maapektuhan ang tatlong matino sa grupo kapag nagloko ang isa kaya dapat talagang umakto kaming lahat ng maayos. Kung hindi, bagsak ang aabutan naming lahat.

But that’s not gonna happened.

"Ano, may naisip ka na?"

I smiled at them. “Gusto mo, palit tayo?”

“As expected.” Mrs. Fe commented after we presented. “Good job interns, I was amazed!”

I secretly sneered when she wildly smiled. Parang kanina lang mala-tigre yung aura niya. Anyare te?

“You can have your early out today. Congratulations!”

I proudly smiled and excused myself after she left us. I thanked all the co-workers when they praised and congratulated us. Theya shouted yes right after we went out of the hall.

“Whoa! Early out, yeesss!” She danced like crazy.

Lumapit naman sa akin ang traydor na kaibigan ni Ann kaya napaangat ako ng tingin sa babae.

“Congrats sa atin. Pero anong nangyari?” She looked at Ann. “Akala ko ba hindi mo dala flash drive mo?”

Sumingit si Theya sa usapan at inirapan si Bianca.

“So what? Wala ka na dun! Shooo! We don’t need you here.”

Nabigla ng konti ang malditang babae dahil sa inasal ni Theya. Akala ko aamo siya pero hindi pala.

“Tsk. Akala mo naman kagandahan yung performance mo hindi naman.” She crossed her arms. “If I know, ako yung naging dahilan kaya sila na impress!”

Theya mimicked her when she left.

“Etchusera! Akala mo naman kagandahan,  hindi naman marunong mag-english.”

I packed up and ignored them.

“Thank you.” Ann approached me so I smiled at her.

“Don’t mention it.” I tapped her and left the office.

“Hoy, hindi ka man lang magpapaalam sa akin!?” Sigaw ni Theya nang lumabas ka'gad ako.

“Hoy!”

I just raised my right hand and waved.

I’m tired and worn out.

But before I departed the company, I left a letter from the main office that will surely explode Mrs. Fe’s face.

Sorry, Madame, but I’m not sorry.