SEE YOU

Chapter 17

"Good Morning Miss Meraki, I came here for the final interview." Napalingon ako sa pamilyar na tinig nang lalaki.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Gulat kong tanong. Napa ismid ako at nagtataka naman si Tina sa'kin. Nag pabalik-balik pa ang tingin ni Tina sa akin at sa lalaki.

"Ah, Tina iwan mo muna kami. Anyways great job!" Hindi ko na inulit pa ang sinabi ko dahil nagtataka man si Tina ay wala itong tinanong at tahimik lang siyang lumabas nang room.

Hinarap ko naman ang applicant.

"Baliw ka ba? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Hindi ako makapaniwalang nandito si Vin sa harap ko. Bihis na bihis siya, naka formal clothes may dala pa siyang bag at naka black shoes. Malinis rin na naka gel ang buhok niya ngayon kaya kita ko ang noo niya. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa may pintuan.

"Aray! Parang ayaw mo atang nandito ako." Pag bibiro niya sabay lakad sa harapan nang desk kung saan ako naka-upo. Ngumiti naman ako. Mula noong inalagaan niya ako no'ng may sakit ako, mula noong umiyak ako, naging malapit na kami sa isa't isa. Mas nakikilala ko na si Vin, at hindi ko inakalang mala Dalta rin pala siya kung minsan. Napailing na lang ako sa sagot niya. Hindi ko ini-expect na maga-apply si Vin sa kumpanya ko.

"Hay, nag expect pa naman ako na matino ang iinterviewhin ko pero ikaw lang pala." Medyo dismayado ang tono ko bilang pang asar sa kaniya at hindi naman siya nag pa-disappoint. He immediately reacted.

Relaxed akong sumandal sa upuan ko at siya naman ay pinanlakihan ako nang mata.

"Lang? Ang sakit mo ah." Humawak pa siya sa dibdib niya na parang pinana siya do'n. Minsan OA din nga pala siya. HAHAHAHA.

Tinuro ko ang upuan na inupuan kanina ni Tina. Lumakad naman si Vin doon sabay upo.

"Aba...may sinabi akong umupo ka?" Agad naman siyang tumayo at sumimangot. Aba aba! Pa bebe din eh.

"Hay ang higpit naman ni madame." Sabi pa niya. Napa nganga naman ako. Muli kong tiningnan ang resume niya na nakalagay sa folder na binigay ni Tina kanina. Dalawang folder ang ibinigay ni Tina at kay Cluvin ang unang folder.

I scanned through his history at na amaze ako sa records niya. He's a consistent honor student! Marami siyang awards na natanggap and what caught my attention ay yung mga awards niya sa writing and speech. He's a good communicator alright...

Alam ko naman na malinis sa gamit si Vin at very efficient din siya sa mga Gawain kaya kung iisipin ko, may possibility na maging secretary si Vin. He just needs a little more training para magamay niya ang mga usual work na handle ni Henry. But still, he has to pass the interview.

"Introduce yourself."

"It's nice to meet you, my name is Cluvin Von Quilton...but I prefer you call me Vin. 25 years old residing in Manila...I graduated University of Southern California with Music Production and Composition. To be honest, I haven't had any jobs before, this is the first time I actually applied for something. And while the position that i'm applying for is far from the course i've taken, rest assured that I'll be doing my best and be hard-working to help you and the company." Hmm...okay that should be fine. Alangan na hanapan ko siya nang other work experience kung ito ang first job niya. I mean, aside from him being a singer. Though, he didn't really became a singer, he was robbed by his mates. Kung willing siyang matuto then that's fine.

"Okay, nice meeting you too...Mr. Quilton," I awkwardly said. Nakakapanibago pala pag tinawag ko siya by his surname? This is the first time I called him that.

Honestly I don't really care about the interviews. I do it for formality. If I think na ang isang tao ay capable of doing his/her job then go. I know naman eh, kung sino ang capable at hindi. At a first glance I could already tell.

"Oh and you can sit. I apologise for making you stand." I gestured him to sit down.

"Okay lang...Basta ikaw." I heard him mumbling something to himself pero I didn't got the chance to hear it. Mukha namang wala lang 'yon kaya hindi ko na tinanong.

"Anyways, are you well aware of the position that you're applying for?" Pagtatanong ko. Tumango naman si Vin.

"Yes, i'm applying for the position of a secretary."

"And do you know the job and the responsibility that comes with it?"

"Managing files, scheduling meetings, making presentations, responding to emails and calls, coordinating with other organizations, and maintaining a filing system." Confident niyang pagsagot. I clicked my tongue, he did his research ahead of time...

"Good. Next question, why should I hire you?" He tiltled his head a little to the left before he answered.

"Do you want the professional or an honest answer?"

"Hmm...both." I answered.

"I'm good at adapting with my environment and I respond with calmness in sudden changes. You can make me work overtime and under pressure, I can handle that. In addition to that, I want more experiences and to gain those experiences you need to hire me." Medyo na bewildered ako sa last niyang sentence. Para kasing inuutusan niya akong siya na ang i-hire ko. He's confident, I can see that clearly.

"And the honest answer?" He looked me in the eye as he sat up straight.

"You should hire me kasi hiring kayo." Napanganga ako. I mean, tama nga naman kasi siya... I didn't expect him to answer that way kaya hindi ko napigilang tumawa. He continued to answer as I was laughing.

"As you can see, i'm jobless...and only you can turn me into an employed person. Plus," napahinto siya sa pagsagot.

"Plus?"

"Plus naghihirap na ako, kailangan ko nang pera." I rolled my eyes. As if naman na naghihirap ka!

"You told me that your father is rich?"

"Exactly. He's rich but not me." Oh. Oo nga naman.

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?" I nonchalantly asked. I was just throwing him some overused questions in an interview. Medyo curious ako sa isasagot niya eh.

"My strength is you and my weakness is you." Walang ano ano niyang sagot, his blue eyes still looking in mine. Does he think that this is a joke? How can both of it be me? My brows raised in confusion.

"For one, my strength is you...after all the position that I am applying for is to be your secretary." He emphasized the word your. "I think it's my advantage that I personally know you, which means we can communicate easily." Confident niyang sagot.

"For my weakness, ikaw parin." Dugtong niya. "Since mawawalan ako nang trabaho pag hindi kita inalagaan nang maayos." At hindi ko alam kung tatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Pinagt-tripan rin ako eh.

"Well, I'm speechless." Literal na wala akong masabi. I mean he had a point. Medyo casual lang yung pagsagot sagot niya pero he has a point.

"But if you were to be in a situation where in all the staffs, me, and including you..are in danger. Like as in real danger. Who do you save first?"

"Ikaw." Dire-diretso niyang sabi. He did not blinked his eyes nor did he twitched. He straight up answered. Ngumisi ako.

"Wrong."

"But ikaw ang pinaka-importante? so---"

"May mas importante pa ba sa sarili mong buhay?" I stated, he paused.

I put down the folder and sit up straight before continuing, "I know na magkaibigan tayo, but that's not the case here. Right now, you are in my company...as an applicant, and me as your boss. The CEO of this company."

"And as your boss I think it's only right for me to care for the welfare of my employees. They can be a little selfish in times of danger."

At isa pa, honestly, I prefer my employees to be open to me, in a way na they can share their opinions and thoughts freely without some unnecessary competition with others. Mas gusto ko yung direkta sa'kin if may concern ka, ayoko nang mga sipsip na trabahador na bobola bolahin ako. I want my company to have a good foundation.

Yung may good relations ang mga may position at ang mga empleyado. I want them to feel na ang trabaho ay hindi dapat nakaka-stress or isipin na ang trabaho ay isang lugar kung saan naghihilahan sila pababa.

Though alam ko na mahirap ma achieve yung gano'n level na walang magaaway sa trabaho but still, as much as possible...I want peace in my company.

"'Yon kasi ang vision ko." I explained to him. Tumango naman siya.

"Then I will help you with that."

"We'll see about that." I browsed through his resume and I think he has the qualities naman. But I can't make a decision yet. May isa pa kasing applicant.

"Pede ka nang lumabas." I said as I closed his folder. Ito na ata ang pinakamabilis na interview na pinangunahan ko. Minasahe ko ang sentido ko dahil medyo sumakit ito.

"'Yon na 'yon?" Mukhang nabitin ata siya kasi kaonti lang ang tinanong ko.

"Bakit? Gusto mo buong araw tayong mag tanungan dito?" He blinked.

"Pwede naman." Pagsagot niya. He was smirking and I rolled my eyes. Talaga nga naman! Palaban na ang confidence ni Vin. Ever since we attended the party iba na ang confidence niya.

"I don't have a whole day for you Mister Quilton." I said. He went near the desk and puts his hands on it as he leaned.

"That's a bummer, because I can spend a whole day with you Miss Meraki." He whispers. I grinned.

"Oh really? Then that's unfortunate my time doesn't revolve around you. I have things to do." Tumayo ako at lumapit sa pinto at tumingin ako sakan'ya bago ito buksan.

"But did I passed?" Pag tatanong niya.

"We'll see after kong ma-interview yung isa pang applicant. Kaya pwede ka nang lumabas." Binuksan ko na ang pinto at sumalubong sa akin ang pagmumukha ni Tiboy. Just like Cluvin he was wearing a formal attire. Black suit, black neck tie, and black shoes.

"Good morning Miss beautiful." Sa tono palang nang pananalita niya alam ko nang wala siyang matinong gagawin sa buhay. Napabuga na lang ako nang hangin.

Binalikan ko ang isang folder na napapatungan nang folder ni Cluvin. I opened to check it and yes, si Tiboy ang isa pang applicant. Muli akong napamasahe sa sentido ko.

"What are you doing here?" Cluvin's eyes narrowed and confusion dawned his face. Pumasok si Tiboy at lumapit sa kaniya. They were facing each other, eye to eye. Now that I see them together, halos magkasing tangkad lang sila...although mas angat nang kaonti si Vin.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to beat you at your game." Ma angas na tugon ni Tiboy. He gave a half smile.

Tinitingnan ko lang silang dalawa as I sit on my chair. I may have a whole day to watch them bicker.

"Bro wake up, you can't beat the beater." Pananagot din ni Vin in a monotonous tone. Sabay tapik pa sa balikat ni Tiboy. Hindi na hinayaan ni Vin na makasagot pa si Tiboy dahil kusa na siyang lumabas sa room kaya naiwan ako kasama si Tiboy.

It has been a while since I last saw him. Busy rin ata sa sarili niyang buhay pero heto at nagawa pa niyang mag apply. Rinig ko ang pagsara nang pinto meaning Vin already left. Sayang, I was expecting them to have a longer interaction pa naman.

"Ano naman ang nakain mo at bigla kang mag a-apply?" Diretso kong tanong. Tinuro naman niya ang upuan.

"Can I sit first?" He asks. I nodded.

"Hmm...medyo bored kasi ako sa trabaho ko. Pati, I was curious kung magkano ang magiging sweldo ko sa'yo." Tumaas ang kilay ko.

"I'm pretty sure na mas may kikitain ka sa pagiging architect mo kaysa ang maging secretary ko." He gave a lopsided grin. At speaking of, I snapped my fingers in his face. "Hoy yung utang mo!"

"Anong utang?" Pag mamaang-maangan pa niya. I stared at him with a pair of my most intimidating eyes. He then forced a smile.

"Ito na nga," he took out his phone and tampered with it for a few seconds. He then shoved his phone in my face. "Anong gcash mo?"

I tilted my head to see him, "Cash kong binigay kaya cash mo ring ibalik." I demanded.

"Wala akong cash Jubilyn sorry ka na lang. Babayadan ka na nga ayaw mo pa." Automatic na umikot ang mata ko sabay hablot ng cellphone niya.

"Pati interest bayadan mo ah." I said habang nag tatype doon sa phone.

"Oo na, kala mo naman tatakasan eh." Ibinalik ko sakaniya ang phone at nag ta-type siya doon, maya maya pa ay kusang umilaw ang screen ng phone ko.

"Fully paid na ang atraso ko Jubilyn, baka pwede na tayong mag start sa interview?" Ngumiti pa siya, nagpakita tuloy ang dimples niya.

Sumandal naman ako sa upuan at saka binuksan ang folder niya.

"So ba't ka nga mag a-apply?" Pag tatanong ko.

Agad na kuminang ang mga mata niya. "Ang astig mo naman mag interview diretso sa punto."

"Pinapaiisip mo kasi ako Tiboy, may trabaho ka naman na matino, isa kang architect tapos ngayon mag a-apply ka sa'kin? Hindi ko alam kung anong pumapasok d'yan sa utak mo." Napahalakhak naman siya kaya nag tataka ko siyang tiningnan.

"Sure I have a job, pero my career as an architect is no fun. Mas masaya pag kasama kita. I can quit my job and be yours." Kumindat pa siya sa'kin kaya lalo akong napabuga nang hangin. Magiging dragon ako eh pag nandito si Tiboy. Hindi na ako magugulat kung hindi lang hangin ang maibubuga ko mamaya.

"You know what? Let's get this over with. First of all, I am not accepting people who clearly has a job and is still freaking employed and is just here to joke around." Ngumuso siya. Napangiwi naman ako.

"But since you're here I have to interview you too." I'm giving him a chance since I don't want to pick any bias. I believe in fair play. Kahit maikli ang pasensiya ko kay Tiboy.

"Introduce yourself." I was also looking at his folder and as expected he has a good record too.

"Thank you for that wonderful question..."

"That wasn't a question." I stated. Napatigil naman siya at nag-isip.

"I mean, ehem- I am Timothee Aubine, 26 years old. I am a curious man, the kind that pursues challenges head on and is open for changes. Some usually perceive me as someone who's carefree but I get the job done. I will make mistakes, but I can learn so i'll be a fitting secretary just for you."

"What do you plan to do here in my company?"

"I, Timothee will contribute for as much as I can to make this company bloom in success. Because your success is also my success." He is doing much better than I imagined.

"Strength and weakness?"

"I am very much capable of providing you the best in everything, my strength lies in you cause you serve as my inspiration...Hmm, though I do have a weakness..you make me weak when you lay your darting eyes on me and I can't stand it when I see you with other men, lalo na si Cluvin." He even pouted!

"Mister Aubine, let me clear it for you...I am hiring people that exhibits professionalism. Don't include your personal feelings with your job."

"Sure thing. But you asked me my strength and weakness...I simply answered truthfully." Ipinatong niya ang siko niya sa desk at diretsong tumingin sa'kin.

"Ikaw ba? Alam mo ba 'yung nararamdaman ko?"

"Mukha bang alam ko?" Pamimilosopo ko sakan'ya. He grinned and leaned on his chair comfortably. Biglang nag iba ang aura niya pati na rin ang pagtingin niya.

"Mismo! So wag mo'ng sabihin na hindi ikaw ang kalakasan at kahinaan ko, kasi 'yon ang totoo." Sumandal siya sa upuan, hindi parin inaalis ang tingin sa'kin.