Let Love Happen

Chapter 7 - crazy

I fidgeted with the seashell key chain in my hand while waiting for the Editorial Assistant of Prime Publishing. She promised to give me a copy of the first write-up on the job assignment I recently accepted. Kakalabas ko lang galing sa meeting with the Editorial Board at may follow up na article silang kailangan about a secluded place somewhere in the South.

I've never heard of Sitio Lejos before, but everybody seemed very busy to do it, so I volunteered. As much as I wanted to ignore the reaction of those present in the meeting, I couldn’t help but notice how their eyes widened when I said yes. I must be crazy to explore a place I know nothing of pero naalala ko lang kasi iyong nabasa ko sa Emails from God kanina bago ako umalis ng bahay kaya ako um-oo. Sabi kasi doon...

Dear Yana,

Tired of failure? Don't be. Start again. I'll provide a better path so you could reach your dreams. Just say yes and I'll supply what you need. I'll open doors, provide you with the resources and the inspiration.

Your job is to dream and to work with whatever is in front of you at this moment. Work with what you have, use the talents that you have, under the circumstances that is at hand. And be the best that you can be.

Go,

God

P.S. Just dream and work. I'll take care of the details.

Ilang articles na nag ipinasa ko for the past six months pero so far wala pang pumapasa sa panlasa ng Magazine Editors. Kahit technique ko ng pagsusulat ay iniba ko na pero hindi pa rin umubra. So when they asked if anybody wants to take the challenge of going to Sitio Lejos , wherever that is, I said I do.

Who knows? This job assignment might just be the miracle I need.

"Nandito yung sinasabi kong article. A year ago pa ito pero I think it will be useful para at least may background ka," she said and handed me a magazine.

"Thanks. I'll read it later," I told her gratefully and headed out.

I was on my way to the stairs dahil isang floor lang naman ang pagitan ng Publishing sa Admin Office when someone grabbed me by the arm, forcing me to turn around.

"What were you thinking?!" Tristan asked in annoyance, sounding like a father whose daughter came home very late at night.

Ano na namang problema ng isang ito? I thought.

He was frowning at me na parang bang may malaki akong kasalanan sa kaniya samantalang siya itong maraming atraso sa akin.

Noong isang araw lang ay ipinahiya niya ako sa mga ka-meeting niyang suppliers. Napunit kasi accidentally ang skirt ko so I hid at the pantry, hoping no one would see me habang ipinapatahi ni Megan and palda ko sa labas. While waiting, she asked me to wear the only piece of clothing on her drawer - a bright pink and yellow polka dot balloon skirt she used during a Christmas Party presentation. I'm quite a colorful sight after I matched it with the checkered orange and beige blouse I was wearing that day.

Alangang oras iyon and I wasn't expecting anyone to take a break kaya nang pumasok si Tristan ay nagulat ako. He was about to make coffee for his visitors na nasa Conference Room pero nang makita niya ang itsura ko ay sinadya niyang tawagin ang mga iyon para sa pantry na magkape.

Imagine being introduced to the six top suppliers of the company in my hideous outfit. If the floor would only open up at that moment, I'd willingly allow it to swallow me whole. Gustong gusto ko siyang sakalin sa harap ng mga bisita niya after he referred to me as the 'very fashionable' General Accounting Supervisor pero naisip ko na mas magmumukha akong katawa-tawa kapag ginawa ko iyon kaya nagpigil ako even if I know that my fashion statement will not be forgotten for a very long time.

"Do you even know what you're getting yourself into?" he asked again when I didn't say a word.

"Excuse me?" I questioned with raised eyebrows.

"Anong pumasok sa kukote mo at nag-volunteer ka papuntang Sitio Lejos?"

His frown deepened as he mentioned the place I will go to next week.

"Eh ano naman, what's wrong with that? Ghost town ba iyon?"

"Worse," tipid pero mariin na sagot niya.

Secluded area daw iyon sabi sa meeting. Kataasan noon ay walang internet o walang kuryente. I can live with that.

"Really now. And how would you know?" I challenged.

"Sumama na ako dati sa team na unang pumunta doon. I should know."

Not trusting what he said, I flipped over the magazine I was holding and looked for the research team. True enough, isa siya sa mga iyon.

"Even so. I refuse to be discouraged," I said firmly.

Habang nakakunot ang noo niya ay napalingon ako nang bumukas ang elevator sa likuran niya.

"O, tapos na ang meeting?" Kelsey asked aloud while walking towards us.

She was holding a take-out box in one hand and ice-cold lemonade on the other. The food smells really good at bigla kong naalala na hindi pa ako nag-aalmusal. Hindi pa rin ako nagkakape nang biglang nagpatawag ng meeting ang Publishing.

"Pagkain ba 'yan? Pahingi naman," I shamelessly asked her.

Tristan turned to Kelsey before shaking his head at me.

"Hindi pwede," masungit na saway nito.

I frowned at him. Alam kong ayaw niya akong pakainin dahil hindi pa kami tapos mag-usap pero bukod sa gutom na ako, ito na ang great escape na hinihintay ko.

"Seafood pasta. Halika sa pantry, saluhan mo ako," Kelsey offered as she stood beside me.

My shoulders slumped and my appetite disappeared when I heard that.

"See? I told you," he raised his eyebrows at me and I heaved a sigh at Kelsey.

"I can't. I'm allergic to shellfish," I reminded her.

"Ay oo nga pala! Ang sad naman nun. Tempura ang lunch ko mamaya, gusto mo?" she added insult to injury, and I pinched her arm.

"Aray naman! Joke lang. Kumusta ang meeting?" she asked and took a sip from her lemonade.

I was about to say that it was fine pero naunahan akong magsalita ng asungot na kaharap ko.

"Iyang pa-bibo mong kaibigan, nag-volunteer lang naman na i-cover iyong follow-up research article ng Sitio Lejos," he informed her.

"You what!?" Kelsey exclaimed before covering her mouth, almost choking.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang gulat na gulat si Kelsey pero mas interesado akong malaman kung bakit inis na inis si Mr. Pakialamero.

"Bakit ba mainit ang ulo mo? Gusto mo bang ikaw ang mag-cover noon? You should have said so during the meeting."

Panay ang pang-aasar niya sa akin before the meeting started pero simula nang pag-usapan ang Sitio Lejos ay nag-iba ang timpla niya.

"You're ridiculous," he told me while shaking his head.

"As far as I know, maraming natuwa when I took responsibility for that research article," I recalled.

Halos kalahating taon na ako sa Prime Publishing pero ngayon lang ako nakatanggap ng nods of approval mula sa mga kasama ko sa trabaho. That's definitely something, considering na ang impression talaga nila ay favoritism ang nagpasok sa akin sa kumpanyang ito.

"Akala mo talaga impressed sila sa iyo? For your information, natuwa sila because you took the job assignment that nobody wanted!" he stated, slightly raising his voice.

"And so? I can do it. How hard could it be?" I challenged.

Tiningnan niya ako na para bang gusto na niya akong batukan.

"From the word itself, Ms. Lazaro. Sitio Lejos. Lejos means 'far' in Spanish. Akala ko ba matalino ka? Hindi ka pa nakakuha ng clue doon?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Aba malay ko!? Hindi naman ako Espanyol!" katwiran ko. Napatawa si Kelsey pero naningkit ang mata ng katabi niya.

High School pa nang huling nakita kong ganoon ang mata niya. Madalas siyang nagagalit tuwing hindi ako gumagamit ng pedestrian lane kapag tumatawid at kapag lumalabas ako ng school na hindi nagpapaalam sa kanya. Ganoon ang mata niya sa tuwing ginagawa ko ang mga iyon dahil papatayin ko raw siya sa pag-aalala.

Ganoon rin ang mata niya noong nalaman niya na gustong manligaw sa akin ni Luke noong fourth year kami. Ang alam niya ay naging crush ko ito matapos kong interview-hin para sa Sports Feature ng school paper. Sikat na volleyball player at kilalang playboy si Luke kaya buong taon niya akong binakuran para lang hindi ako malapitan nito.

"Nakikinig ka ba?" Tristan's irritated voice pulled me out of reverie.

Focus, Yana! Focus! I scolded myself.

"Oo!" taas noong sagot ko kahit wala akong naintindihan sa mga sunod na sinabi niya simula nang ma-disctract sa naniningkit niyang mga mata.

"At gusto mo pa ring pumunta doon?"

"I'm so excited, I can't wait! Kung wala nga lang akong kailangang tapusin na reports this week, gusto ko bukas na pumunta roon," I bravely replied.

He heaved a sigh of frustration and shook his head at me before finally walking away. Biglang napahigop sa straw si Kelsey sa tabi ko at hindi tumigil hanggang hindi nauubos ang lemonade niya.

"Whoa, walk out ang lolo mo," she commented afterwards.

"Hayaan mo siya," pagbabale-wala ko.

"Seryoso ka? Willing ka talagang pumunta ng Sitio Lejos?"

"Oo naman, I love challenges," I told her.

Kelsey grimaced.

"Sabagay, only someone as crazy as you would take that job," she kidded.

I laughed and hit her arm.

"Only someone as brave as me would take that job," I corrected with head held up high.

"Ewan ko sa iyo! Pero teka, pupunta ka sa birthday celebration ni Seth mamaya?"

"Nag-invite siya pero pass muna ako. Sa bar daw, di naman ako mahilig sa ganoong lugar, tsaka hindi ako umiinom."

"Ang killjoy mo naman! Di naman tayo maglalasing, kakain lang, kwentuhan. Tsaka it's about time na maka-bonding mo naman ang mga tao rito outside office premises."

"Next time na lang. Tsaka naintindihan na ni Seth 'yun, alam niyang marami akong kailangang tapusin kaya okay lang sa kanya."

"Kasama rin sina Meg, sige na," pilit nito.

"Some other time na lang," I said and waved goodbye as I walked down the stairs.

I returned to my office and buried myself in work. I even ate lunch on my table dahil may dina-download akong record ng transactions na ayokong ma-disrupt. After lunch ay nakita kong pumunta si Tristan kay Ma'am Zyrene but unlike before na tumitigil siya sa table ko para mambwisit, this time ay hindi niya ako pinansin.

Na-realize ko na lang na five o'clock na nang sabay-sabay magtayuan ang mga kasama ko sa Business Office.

"Sure ka ba Ms. Audrey na di ka sasama?" Meg asked for the umpteenth time.

I smiled and shook my head.

"Have fun," I told her.

"If you change your mind, you know where to find us, okay?" Seth reminded.

"I'll keep my options open," I replied kahit wala akong balak na sumunod sa kanila.

I went back to work as they leave. Marami akong kailangang i-update para wala akong maiwang backlog kapag umalis ako ng ilang araw for the research article. Ma'am Zyrene was kind enough to allow me to go kaya ayoko ring maging hassle sa kanya na wala ako so I prepared all the reports she might need while I'm away.

I called it a day at eight o'clock. Nagugutom at inaantok na rin kasi ako. But as I searched for my keys to lock my pedestal, I gave myself a facepalm and grunted to reprimanded myself.

I remembered giving my keychain to Megan when I bought take-out lunch dahil baka kunin ni Ms. Zyrene ang ihinabilin niyang laptop. Hindi ko na naalalang kunin iyon at siguro ay nawala na rin sa isip ni Meg dahil sobra silang excited sa birthday treat ni Seth.

Okay lang sana kung susi lang ng pedestal ang nasa keychain ko dahil pwedeng bukas ko na iyon kunin pero pati susi ng apartment ay nandoon. Bumisita pa naman si Ate kay Auntie Mina at bukas pa uuwi.

I gave my head a knock for my own stupidity before picking up my bag to leave. Ayoko sanang sumunod sa bar pero I have no choice but to get the keys from Meg. Mabuti na lang at nabanggit ni Kelsey kanina kung saang bar sila pupunta.

Hindi iyon kalayuan kaya ilang minuto lang sa taxi ay nakarating ako agad. When I reached the noisy entrance ay sinimulan ko nang i-dial ang number ni Meg. Nagri-ring naman iyon pero hindi niya sinasagot. I also tried calling Kelsey but she's not picking up either.

Ayoko rin sanang pumasok sa maingay at mausok na lugar na iyon pero wala nang ibang paraan. The place was crowded, and loud music was blasting from the live band playing at the platform. No wonder my friends can't hear my call.

After a while of bumping elbows and shoulders with several drunk bar customers, I spotted my co-workers at the corner table on the far left. At the moment, Seth was animatedly telling them something and the rest of them were laughing.

I was waiting for Meg to look at me, hoping she would meet my eye from afar but she didn't even throw me a glance. And when I raised my hand to wave at her, I caught Seth's attention instead.

"Ms. Audrey! Buti naman sumunod ka! It's an honor. Halika, kumain ka. What do you want? Pasta? Pizza? Chips? Name it, io-order kita."

Seth looked genuinely delighted at nahiya naman ako nang ipaghila pa niya ako ng silya kaya naupo na rin ako. Gutom na rin talaga ako kaya hindi na ako nag-inarte.

"Pizza is fine," I told him as he immediately handed me a slice.

Meg gave me a glass of juice after that at bago ko pa malimutan ay kinuha ko na agad ang mga susi na iniwan ko sa kanya.

"Tama pala si Ms. Kelsey, these keys will lead you here," bulong nito nang iabot ang paborito kong seashell na keychain.

Regalo kasi iyon sa akin noong eighteenth birthday ko at kahit hindi ko nalaman kung kanino iyon galing, nagkaroon ng sentimental value sa akin iyon. Nakita ko na lang kasi iyon sa locker ko during that time na akala ko ay walang nakaalala sa birthday ko. Inisip ko na padala iyon ni Mama kahit wala na siya.

"Mga bruha kayo. Naalala nyo na pala kanina, di nyo pa iniwan?" I said and prodded Kelsey with my elbow.

They just responded with mischievous smiles.

Kabi-kabila ang kwentuhan nila at tawanan. Most of them ay mga kasamahan ko rin sa Business Office at may ilang taga ibang department. I have to admit na nag-enjoy rin ako sa pagkain at pagtawa. But when that guy from Marketing handed me a tiny glass obviously containing liquor, I suddenly regret coming here.

"Sorry, I don't drink," I refused politely, unable to recall his name.

"Ikaw naman, isang shot lang," he insisted.

I looked around in desperation but those closest to me are engaged in different conversations. Si Seth naman, mukhang nakikiramdam lang kung iinumin ko iyon o hindi.

Visions of being drunk came flashing in my mind as I stared at the small glass in front of me. Ang totoo, hindi ko pa naranasan malasing. But I've heard a lot of horror stories tungkol sa mga nalasing who lost control and that's why I've never dared getting drunk.

Natatandaan ko pa noong nalasing si Ate sa isang reunion at sinabi niya sa dating classmate niya na crush niya ito sa harap ng lahat, including his wife. Si Papa naman dati, nagbabasag ng mga gamit sa bahay kapag nalalasing. Iyong Papa ni Tristan, sinasaktan siya kapag nakakainom at iyong kapitbahay namin dati sa Talisay, nagiging exhibitionist kapag nalalagyan ng alak ang sikmura.

"Ms. Audrey, medyo nangangawit na ako," the guy prompted, still holding the glass.

Dala siguro ng hiya o baka dahil ayaw ko lang isipin nila na mahina ako kaya kinuha ako ang baso sa kanya. This time, everyone's attention is on me.

"Okay. Isa lang ha," I made it clear. Hindi naman siguro ako malalasing sa isang shot lang.

He smiled triumphantly at me and waited in obvious anticipation while I prepared myself for the worst.

I took a deep breath and lifted the glass with trembling hands.

After that, I winced and closed my eyes.

I was ready to drink the liquor.

But before I opened my mouth, somebody from behind grabbed the shot glass away from my grasp.

"Kailan ka pa naging lasengga?" tila may panunumbat ang tono ng taong biglang sumulpot sa likod ko.

Palagi akong naiinis kay Tristan pero this time, ikinatuwa ko na makita siya.

"Isang shot lang, lasengga na?" angal ko.

Mangangatwiran pa sana ako pero nang paningkitan niya ako ng mata ay iyong lalaking kaharap ko na ang itinuro ko.

"Pinapainom niya ako eh!" tila nagsusumbong na sabi ko.

Sinimangutan niya ako bago ininom ang alak na dapat ay para sa akin. As far as I remember, hindi rin siya sanay uminom. And I think that fact hasn’t changed when he made a face as the liquor passed through his throat, clearly not pleased with its taste.

"Next time, Frank, huwag kang mamimilit ng ayaw uminom," he sternly told the guy who handed me the drink.

Ah oo, Frank nga pala ang pangalan noon, I said in my mind bago muling bumaling sa akin.

"At ikaw naman, since when did you have trouble saying no?"

Para na namang ama na nagagalit sa anak ang tono niya so instead of arguing, I shrugged my shoulders.

With a frown, he took the empty seat beside me.

"Ano kasing ginagawa mo rito? This place isn't for you," he told me pagkaupo niya.

"I was invited," mayabang na sagot ko.

"Ikaw ang anong ginagawa rito?" pabalik na tanong ko pa sa kanya before realizing na mali iyon. Close sila ni Seth kaya natural lang na nandito siya.

I was expecting him to be annoyed but a little smile crossed his face.

"Wala akong maalalang signage sa labas na bawal ang mga gwapo rito," he responded, slightly getting back in character.

Mas gusto ko yata na mapang-asar siya kesa protective. Mas mabuti nang kontrabida ang papel niya sa buhay ko kesa Knight in Shining Armor.

"Sabagay," I muttered, deciding to play along.

His face lit up at my response. Ibang iba sa masungit na aura niya kaninang umaga sa opisina at nang datnan niya akong may hawak na baso ng alak.

"So, you're finally ready to admit na gwapo ako?" he asked as his lips curled up in amusement.

I furrowed my brows and acted clueless.

"Gwapo ba ang sinabi mo? Akala ko g*go," I told him.

I didn't realize that everybody was listening until raucous laughter followed my joke. Feeling perked up, I beamed at him victoriously and his smile turned into a frown. Pagkatapos noon ay tinalikuran na niya ako at lumipat ng upuan para sumali sa usapan nina Seth.

"Naiba yata ang ihip ng hangin, friend. Bakit parang mas pikon si Matt ngayon kesa sa iyo?" Kelsey asked me as Tristan left.

"Mabuti nga iyon, kapag asar talo siya, kusa siyang lumalayo. Let's just accept the fact na hindi mo kami pwedeng pagsamahin. We can't stand each other."

Kelsey giggled at that.

"Speak for yourself. I don't think Matt agrees with you," she told me.

Bigla akong naguluhan sa isinagot niya.

"What do you mean?"

"If what you were saying is true, hindi siya dapat nagprisinta na maging photographer mo sa Sitio Lejos."

Halos maibuga ko ang juice na inuubos ko.

"What?!" I blurted out.

"He volunteered. Bumalik siya noong tanghali to confirm na sasama siya sa iyo."

"Nag-volunteer siya?" parang t*nga lang na ulit ko.

"Better believe it. Ang nakakatawa pa doon, sabi niya the first time he went there, he will never set foot again on that place. I guess willing siyang kainin ang sinabi niya para samahan ka. Honestly, I think your old friend will jump off a cliff kung nalaman niyang tatalon ka."

I highly doubt it.

"Baka malaki ang ipinangakong allowance sa kanya para tanggapin niya ang assignment. Dapat pala nagpakipot rin muna ako bago ako um-oo."

May isasagot pa sana si Kelsey but Megan called us so we could sing a Happy Birthday song for Seth before he blows the cake. After that ay nagpaalam na ako.

It took a while bago ako nakalabas sa masikip na bar na iyon. Hindi ko napansin na sumunod pala si Tristan until he spoke behind me while I was waiting for a cab.

"I still can't believe you accepted the job assignment in Sitio Lejos.

I rolled my eyes before turning to look at him.

"You're crazy, Ms. Lazaro," he added when I met his eye.

His comment could have easily pissed me off. But this time, I smiled at him wickedly.

"Crazy? You volunteered to come with me, Mr. Lorenzo. I guess that makes us two."