In Between Us

"Time doesn’t heal anything, it just teaches us how to live with the pain” - Itachi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Cara, please come with me in board’s meeting later. Please note down all the important points. The new President will be introduced today so for sure the meeting will take longer than usual. Might as well take a heavy breakfast if you want.” Victor told him  while standing beside her desk while hands on his pocket.   Victor is her boss for almost 9 months. He is the Vice President of the company. She doesn’t know his age but she think he’s already at his 50’s. Victor is a father figure and that’s enough reason why she is so comfortable working with him. She is quite intimidated because he really looks authoritative at first but when I got to know him, he is actually a very nice person. He treats her like a kid giving her chocolates and lollies. Lol.   She lost her own father at a very young age and grown up with her mom only. Having a father at work is something that she is thankful for.   She’s been in the company for 3 years as an Admin Assistant. This is her first job right after she finished college. Every year, they move to different department, some sort of continuous learning program by the company. She is currently the Admin Assistant to the Vice President of the company which is to be Victor. It’s fun but sometimes scary especially if the bosses are in a hot discussion.   I pressed the elevator going up. I decided to have a proper breakfast since as per Victor, it will be a long meeting. I walk towards the canteen and headed to the food stall.    ‘Nothing new.' It was one of the reason why I seldom come here. There’s nothing wrong with repeating the menu but what I just don’t like is they don’t have something new to offer. It really sucks.    I’m a hearty eater and my food to go is rice plus any fried dish for breakfast. Yeah, typical Filipino. So I decided to get chao fan/ fried rice, tocino (Filipino bacon) and itlog (sunny side-up), in short tosilog in Filipino, a short term for fried rice, bacon and sunny side up combo.   I turned my back right after I paid my food. I roam my eyes around hoping to see my friends.   ‘There.' I saw Mae and Janice at the far right corner of the canteen. These two are my closest friends here in Delta Tech and these 2 are as well my source of gossip. As she is approaching, she saw Janice wave her hand, gesturing her to come over.   I smiled and put my tray on the table.   “If I don’t know you, I might be laughing so hard right now.” Mae in a high pitch tone. I really found her voice really funny.    “Yeah, if I also don’t know you, I might think that you’re mad.” I responded nonchalant. Mae is referring to my plate of rice. Yeah, as what I’ve said, I can eat so much during breakfast and eating in a public where somebody can see me is not a concern. I don’t care as much as my tummy is happy.   I heard Mae’s laughter.   “I’m jealous you know. You can eat a lot while I cannot. I need to watch my diet!” Janice blurted. “ How to be you? Prayer reveal please?” Janice continued in a soft tone.   I  unconsciously shake my head and slowly move my gaze towards my food. It’s not new, right? But is it really too much? Do I need to be worried? I smiled a little. Well at least I can eat without thinking if I will gain weight!   “How’s work by the way? I heard the new President is coming today.” Mae suddenly asked.   “Yeah, that’s why I need to prepare my stomach for a long meeting later.” I laugh right after I said those words.   “Oh yeah else they can hear your loud roar.” Mae added while laughing too.   “I heard he is an old man, is that right?” Janine told us.   “Let’s see. We will be meeting him later. I’ll tell you then.” I answer while chewing the food inside my mouth.   “But what if  he’s not! I mean he is the total opposite? Gorgeous f*****g hot young man! My God Janine! I will be first to queue.” Mae with sparkling eyes.   I smiled while shaking my head. Yeah, the perks of having some gossip / crazy girlfriends.   We kept on talking while having our breakfast until my phone alarms. It’s 15 mins before our meeting.   It’s already 9:50 and she’s on her way to the board room. One of the things that she learned working in this company is to be on time, not Filipino time, if you know what I mean. I smiled with that thought. The door is open when she arrive. She slowly walk inside the room. She quickly scan the room and check who’s already inside. There are already 7 of them inside.   “Hi!” she greeted them.   “Hello”. Marvin greeted him back, the Director of QE.   “Where’s Victor”. Marvin asked.   “He must be on his way. I came straight from the canteen.” I told him.   She suddenly move her gaze towards her phone as it is ringing. Victor is calling.   “Sir, I’m here.” I told him quickly after pressing the answer button.   “Ok.” then he hang up the phone.   The board room is starting to be filled with managers and big bosses. She saw her boss is also approaching. He looked tense. He smiled when he saw me and sits beside me.   She heard him sigh deeply.   “Nervous? Why?” she asked.   “I also don’t know.” yeah, this is not actually him. Knowing Victor, he is not the kind of man who will be terrified by anyone, he is always the one that intimidates.    She checked her watch, it’s 1 minute left before 10. She raised her head and saw the people around her are looking at her back, where the door is. She turned around to check who’s there.    Their gaze immediately met. All of a sudden, she froze. She can’t move. She suddenly felt of running but she can’t move. She started catching her breath and with all her might, she turned around. She’s trembling. She started sweating. She tried to control herself but she couldn't help it.   She immediately stood up to leave the room. It’s suffocating.    She is about to move away from her chair when she felt someone hold her.   She move her gaze towards the direction of the person holding her.   “Are you ok? You look…pale.” it’s Victor.   “Excuse me Sir, my stomach suddenly hurts.” I told him while getting away from him.   “Do you need anything?” his boss asked her again.   She didn't bother to answer him and immediately move towards the door. She didn't even bother if she could bump someone. All she’s thinking is to get away in this room as quickly as she could.   She instantly went to the toilet and locked herself inside. She suddenly burst into tears. She can’t help it. She thought she already forgot about it. She thought she already moved on. But suddenly, seeing the person again that  caused her so much pain in the past will bring back this overwhelming emotion.   A memory flashed. It was draining. A memory that she thought will not break her again. She's starting to feel tightness on her chest. She couldn't believe it. Why is it still hurts? I just realized, the pain is just there, it didn’t go away, I have used to it that I didn’t realized that I just live with it.    In one glance, seeing him again after what, 5 years? The pain that I thought was gone was suddenly blown up right at that moment.    It's really true, the world is so small. There are lots of companies exists, but why is it that he needs to be where I am today?   It’s past 10:30 and she’s still inside the toilet. She already texted Victor and told him that she’s not feeling well. She wants to go home. She can’t work anyway. She needs to think. She cannot decide and her mind is clouded with too much emotion.   She faced again the mirror and examined herself. There's a hint of crying on her eyes and it was too obvious not to be noticed. She wash her face not just to hopefully remove the swelling but more on waking herself up. A new life has just begun.