Just A Dream : Fall for You

Chapter 19

TWO years later. . .

Sa bawat pagsubok na dumarating sa ating buhay ay may mga aral tayong natutunan. Ang bawat problema ay may solusyon, sa bawat pagkakadapa ay makakaya nating muling tumayo upang buong tapang na harapin ang panibagong araw, panibagong pagsubok at mga aral sa buhay.

“Justine!” Sigaw ng kaniyang ina mula sa kusina. “Halika ka na dito, mali-late ka na sa klase mo!”

“Opo! Ito na nga po!” Justine shouted back while she’s busy brushing her hair as fast as she could to make it presentable, after all, our hair is our crowning glory.

Justine, was already twenty-five years old, and currently a second year literature student. Sa edad niya ngayon ay dapat na nagtatrabaho na siya katulad ng mga ka-edad niya at ka-batch noong high school. Pero heto siya ngayon nag-aaral at nag-uumpisa pa lamang na tahakin ang landas na pinapangarap at ngayon ay unti-unting bumabalik sa normal ang kanyang buhay.

Naka-recover siya kahit na sobrang pinanghinaan at nadurog ang puso niya sa mga nalaman at nadatnan noong mga panahon na nagising siya. Pitong buwan mula ng madis-charge siya sa ospital at matapos ang lahat ng kanyang therapies ay nagdesisyon siyang kumuha ng entrance exam sa unibersidad na gusto niya. Dapat ay first year college pa lamang siya at sa susunod na school year pa lamang siya dapat magiging pormal na second year, pero dahil kumuha siya ng special examination at naipasa niya ‘yon ay kaagad siyang na-admit as second year. Kinukuha na lamang niya ang ilang major subjects na pang first year as additional sa subjects niya ngayong second year.

“Aalis na po ako.” Paalam ni Justine, habang nagmamadali siyang bumababa ng hagdan. She just took a slice of bread, and drink a glass of water before she finally stepped out from their house.

“Teka lang!” Maagap na pigil sa kaniya ng kaniyang ina. “Hindi ka pa kumakain, maupo ka na muna dito at kumain.”

“Pero Mama, mahuhuli  na po ako sa morning class. Kaya sige na po, aalis na po ako.” She whined as she kissed her mom’s cheeks. “Bye.”

“Ate Justine!” Sigaw ni Simone, at dumagundong sa buong bahay nila ang boses nito. “Naiwan mo itong report mo!”

“Thanks.” Nagmamadaling lumalakad-takbo si Justine, para salubungin ang kapatid na bitbit ang kanyang naiwang gamit.

“Hindi ka pa papasok?” tanong niya nang makitang hindi pa ito nakabihis ng uniporme.

“Mamaya pa ang duty ko, kaya sige na Ate. Hayan na si Papa, sumabay ka na sa kaniya.” 

At halos itulak na si Justine, ng kapatid palabas ng bahay huwag lamang siya mahuli sa klase. Mabuti na lamang at libre ang kanilang ama, dahil hindi na niya kakailanganin pa ang mag-commute. Baka mas lalo lamang siyang matuluyang ma-late kung magko-commute pa siya.

“Good morning everyone.” Their professor greeted them as they entered the lecture room.

Thus, they greeted each other before their class began. Justine chose literature as her major since she wanted to be a novelist, or, if possible an editor. She wanted to make, and write a book that can help everyone, and can make them smile, encourage and inspire others. But other than that, she also wants to be a researcher. Gusto niyang ipagpatuloy ang pangarap  na minsan ay naudlot.

“Justine, wanna grab some food at the cafeteria?” Tanong ng kanyang kaklase at kaibigan nang matapos ang klase nila para sa umaga.

“Thank you, pero kailangan ko ng umalis. May part-time job pa kasi ako.” Pagtanggi niya sa alok nito na ikalungkot naman ng kaibigan.

“Ganoon ba, sige next time na lang.” Nakangiting sabi nito.

“Okay, bye bye.” She bid her goodbye as she sprinted from their department building, and run towards their campus gate.

Kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho bilang part-timer si Justine, sa isang publishing company. But it doesn’t look like a job for her at all, because she saw it as a place to learn. Dahil alam niya na marami siyang matutunang bago sa bawat araw na nasa publishing house siya. At ang mga aral na ‘yon ay hindi niya basta makukuha at matututunan sa eskuwelahan.

Wala naman siyang masyadong trabaho sa publishing company bukod sa pagtulong at pag-assist sa mga editors. And it makes her happy to know that she was one of those people in their team who helped making one of the books that they were selling at bookstores.

“Justine, can you photocopy this? Ten copies lang.” Ada, one of the editors instructed her.

“Okay po.” Magalang niyang sagot nang abutin niya ang file na inaabot nito.

Ang pinakatrabaho niya ay ang mag-photocopy ng mga files, mag-send ng emails at messages, and most of all, to inform the writers about their deadlines.

Abala siya sa pagpo-photocopy ng file na inutos ni Ada, nang dumating ang manager ng kanilang departamento.

“Everyone, itigil n’yo na muna ang mga trabaho n’yo.” Their manager instructed them after clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I would like to introduce to everyone, Mr. Aaron Collins.” Pagpapatuloy nito nang itinigil ng lahat ang kani-kanilang ginagawa at trabaho, kabilang na si Justine.

And then their manager signaled someone from outside the office to come in. 

“He is our new section chief editor.” Dagdag pa nito nang pumasok sa silid ang isang may katangkarang  lalaki.

“Magandang hapon sa inyo, I’m Aaron Collins. Nice to meet all of you, I hope that we can work, and get along very well.” Aaron, introduced himself, and greeted them with a smile on his face.

His smile is tantalizing, and can be compared to a toothpaste commercial that can make every girl in the room swoon, and fall for him in an instant. Aaron was tall, well-built body structure, not that thin, nor skinny, but he was not that kind of man who has well toned muscles that can be got from excessive work outs. Justine, can see and define that he’s good looking at a short glance. He looks good in his ash gray-colored long sleeved polo that he paired with black slacks, and well polished black Italian shoes.

“That’s all. Be nice to him, okay?” Maawtoridad at nakataas ang isang kilay na sambit ng kanilang manager. “Sige na, bumalik na kayo sa trabaho n’yo. . . Aaron, dito ang opisina mo.” pagpapatuloy nito nang ituro nito ang silid kung saan may nakapaskil na ‘Section Chief Editor’ sa gitnang bahagi ng pinto na siyang magsisilbing opisina ng binata.

“For now, you can look around, and see how our books are done. Although alam kong alam mo na kung ano ang work process at flow ng isang publishing house.”

“Okay po.” Nakangiti at magalang na tugon ng binata. And with that their manager left, habang ang mga kababaihang kasamahan naman ni Justine, ay halos magkanda-haba na ang mga leeg sa pagsulyap sa bago nilang chief editor.

“Aaron? . . . Why does his name sounds so familiar to me? Kakilala ko ba siya? Nagkakilala na ba kami noon?” tanong ni Justine, sa sarili habang inaalala ang pamilyar sa pandinig na pangalan.

“What are you doing Justine?” Tanong ni Ada, na nasa kanya ng tabi.

“Huh? Po!” Gulat at wala sa sariling usal ni Justine.

“What are you reading?” Ada asked her curiously while pointing her finger at the monitor of the computer they assigned for her.

“Ito ba? Ito ang bagong approved na manuscript ng isa sa mga published authors last month. Dahil wala pa naman akong ginagawa I thought that, maybe I can read it, and somehow get new ideas, and knowledge from it.”

“Ganoon ba? So, ano sa tingin mo? What’s your critique, and verdict about that manuscript? Did it pass our requirements, and expectations? Can we publish it?” Seryosong tanong ni Ada, na para bang kay Justine, nakasalalay ang magiging resulta kung sakali.

“Sa tingin ko? . . .” Justine paused for a second as she searched for the right words to say. “This is quite interesting, and unique. The plot was interesting, and the story flowed smoothly even with the twist. It can get your attention from the very first paragraph. I think the author can add a little more ” Justine answered shyly while her fingers are pinching her own chin.

“Talagang natututo ka na dito, ah. Mukhang marami ka ng natututunan at napupulot na kaalaman.” Masayang sambit ni Ada. “Ay siya nga pala, ‘di ba literature student ka? And you said that you want to write, and publish your own novel, right?” Ada asked when she remembered one of their previous conversations outside their office.

“Oo?” Nag-aalangang tugon ni Justine.

“Have you ever wrote one?” Puno ng antisipasiyong tanong ni Ada.

“About that. . . I wrote a few, but I'm not that confident with it.” Nahihiyang pag-amin ni Justine.

“Justine naman!” Tila frustrated na sambit naman ni Ada, habang pinisil ang kanyang nose line. “Ganito na lang, pabasa ako ng mga naisulat at natapos mo na. And then, I’ll tell you my review about it. I can even give you some pointers too. Para saan pa at naging kaibigan mo ang isang editor na tulad ko, ‘di ba?” 

Tipid lamang na ngumiti si Justine sa kaibigan.

“Diyan ka na, tatapusin ko na muna iyong ginagawa ko.” Ada excused herself while she taps Justine’s shoulder. “Oo nga pala, puwede ka ng umuwi kapag natapos mo ng i-sort out ‘yong mga libro na iri-release natin next week.” Pahabol pang bilin ni Ada, bago bumalik sa kaniyang puwesto.

“Okay.” 

And while she’s doing what Ada, asked her to do, she can’t help but, contetemplate, and think about it. She knew that it would be better to let Ada, read her manuscripts so that she will knew where her flaws are, and to improve her skills. Natatakot kasi siyang marinig ang magiging criticism nito sa kanyang akda, lalo pa at wala pa siyang sapat na lakas ng loob upang ipabasa sa iba ang mga nobelang nabuo mula sa kaniyang isipan.

After an hour, she finally finished what they asked her to do, kaya naman inayos at nilinis ko niya ang kanyang lamesa upang maka-uwi na. Lagpas alas-siyete na ng gabi at may school report pa siya na dapat gawin at asikasuhin.

“Sa wakas! Makaka-uwi na rin.” She mumbled as soon as she hop in the elevator before she let out a deep sigh.

“Mukhang pagod ka, ah?” A man with sweet voice behind her said.

And because of shock she immediately turned around to see who’s the owner of that voice. And to her surprise, it was Aaron. Their new chief editor. 

“Ano ba ‘yan! Bakit ba hindi ko siya napansin? Nakakahiya ka, Justine. Hindi rin naman obvious na gusto mo ng umuwi.” She silently scolded herself with full of sarcasm.

“Kayo po pala, Sir Aaron.” Nahihiyang sambit ni Justine, habang pilit na itinatago ang kaniyang mukha sa binata sa pamamagitan ng pagyuko.

“Yeah it’s me. By the way, what’s your name?” He asked while smiling at her.

Justine lift her head up, and there she saw how good looking he is. Mas naging guwapo pa ito sa paningin ni Justine, nang ngumiti ito.

“Justine po, Justine Aisha Green.” She answered without looking directly at him, but, through his reflection at the glass-metal walls of the elevator.

“Justine.” Sambit ni Aaron sa pangalan niya, habang nakatingin din sa repleksyon ng dalaga sa metal na pader ng elevator.

And for a second their gaze met, kaya naman ganoon na lamang kabilis na umiwas ng tingin si Justine.

“What a cool name, nice meeting you.” He added as he put out his hand from his pocket, gesturing a hand shake that she awkwardly accepted.

“Nice to meet you too, Sir Aaron.” Magalang na sambit ni Justine, na bahagya lamang na tumagilid upang makipagkamay.

“Gaano ka na katagal na nagtatrabaho dito?” Tanong namang muli ni Aaron, matapos makipagkamay sa dalaga.

“Less than a year pa lang po.” Magalang pa rin niyang tugon sa binata.

“Bakit ba ang tagal bumaba ng elevator sa lobby? Nasa tenth floor lang naman ang office namin.” Piping reklamo ni Justine.

“Ano ka ba naman, huwag mo na nga akong i-po, feeling ko ang tanda-tanda ko na.” Nakangiti at natatawang sambit ni Aaron, habang ang isang kamay ay nasa batok at marahan itong minamasahe.

“Nahihiya ba sya sa akin? Imposible!” Palatak ni Justine sa isip.

“Okay po. Ay! Ibig ko pong sabihin ay okay.” Nahihiyang tugon niya.

“Sabing huwag mo na akong i-po.” Natatawang sambit ni Aaron, habang diretsyong pinagmamasdan si Justine.

Justine was about to open her mouth to answer back, pero napatigil siya nang marinig  na tumunog na ang eleveator, hudyat na nasa ibabang palapag na sila.

“Buti naman, nasa first floor na kami.” Lihim niyang usal sa sarili. 

As soon as the elevator opened, Justine, immediately stepped out. And for an unknown reason, she felt awkward towards Aaron. Whatever reason it may be, Aaron, was her boss kahit na mukhang magkasing edad lamang sila. Kaya na siguro ganoon na lamang ang pagkailang niya. It maybe because she could feel insecurity towards him.

“Sige po, Sir Aaron. Mauna na po ako.” Nagmamadaling paalam niya, before she walk towards the main door without looking back at him.

“Sabi nang huwag mo na akong i-po. Hoy! Justine. Teka lang naman, hintayin mo naman ako!” Aaron shouted habang binibilisan ang lakad palabas ng building.

“Hintayin? Bakit close ba kami para hintayin ko siya? At saka ano ba naman siya. . . Boss ko siya at ako ay part-time worker lang.” Mataray na usal ni Justine, sa sarili habang ang bawat hakbang ay mabilis pa rin patungo sa terminal na malapit sa kanilang opisina.

“Sabi ko hintayin mo ako.” Aaron said as he grabbed Justine’s left arm when he finally caught up her pace.

“Mr. Aaron Collins, I’m sorry if I may be rude to you-” Panimula ni Justine, habang marahang inaalis ang kamay ng binata na nakahawak sa kaniyang braso. “Pero hindi naman po tayo friends, o close sa isa’t isa para po hintayin kita. At saka po, boss po kita. Hindi magandang tingnan sa mata ng iba na ang boss at ang isang  part-time worker na katulad ko ay magkasama. So kung pwede lang po, Sir, mauuna na po ako dahil po may reports pa ako na gagawin at may pasok pa po ako sa school bukas ng umaga. Sige po.” Magalang at malumanay na sabi ni Justine, bago niya talikuran ang binata upang maglakad papunta sa terminal dahil wala namang taxi na dumadaan. Kung mayroon man ay may mga sakay na itong pasahero, at saka mahal ang taxi.

“Sorry. . . But, Justine, can’t we be friends?” Aaron said as he continued following her.

“Bakit niya naman ako gustong maging kaibigan? Ang weird niya naman.” tanong niya sa sarili.

“Alam mo bago lang ako sa lugar na ‘to at kakalipat ko pa lang dito noong isang araw. At isa pa wala pa akong kakilala dito kaya, kung okay lang, can we be friends? Promise I won’t act the way I acted a moment ago, and I will also kept in mind whenever we are in office that I am your boss, and I should act professionally.” Pagpapatuloy ni Aaron, nang nasa tabi na siya ni Justine. 

Walang kahirap-hirap na naabutan niya ang dalaga palibhasa matangkad, mahaba ang biyas at malaki ang bawat hakbang.

“Then we can be friends, and act as we’re not related at work when we are outside our company premises?” He added as he tried to catch a glimpse of her eyes, and look at her intently na para bang nasa mga mata ni Justine, ang susi upang mapapayag ang dalaga na maging kaibigan nito.

“Okay.” Justine said, but she didn't know why she said it. Why does she agree? Maybe because he was her superior, and it was just an impulse.

“Talaga? Thanks, Justine.” Halos umabot sa tainga ang ngiti ni Aaron, at kulang na lamang ay tumalon-talon siya sa sobrang tuwa. Daig niya pa ang nanalo sa raffle sa lawak ng ngiti niya sa labi.

“Then, is it alright if I walk home with you? Since mukha namang same direction lang ang daan natin pauwi.”

“Okay.” Walang ganang sambit ni Justine, dahil nauubos na ang lakas niya para sabayan pa ang kakulitan ng superior niya. 

“By the way, ilang taon ka na ba? Ako kasi twenty-six na. And is it true na part time worker ka lang? I thought that you are a regular employer there.” Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Aaron sa dalaga.

“Twenty-five na ako, and yes part timer lang ako. Since estudyante pa lang ako.” She answered directly. Dahil baka kapag hindi niya pa dinertso ang sagot ay baka mas lalo lang dumami at humaba ang mga tanong nito. 

“Estudyante? But, you’re twenty-five already? Did you study again?” Magkahalong gulat at curious niyang tanong sa dalaga.

“No.” She answered immediately. “I’ve been comatose for five years, and it’s been almost three years since I regained consciousness, that’s why I’m still a student at my age.” She explained, not even minding that they just met a few hours ago, and here she is telling him a part from her past, a big part of her past.

“I’m sorry, tinanong ko pa sa ‘yo.” Nakayukong sambit ni Aaron, habang hindi niya malaman kung ano ang dapat na maging reaksyon sa nalaman tungkol sa dalaga.

“Okay lang ‘yon, ilang taon na rin naman na ang lumipas. Sige po, Sir, mauna na ako.” Walang emosyon na sambit ni Justine, nang makita ang bus na paparating.

“Okay, ingat ka pauwi.” Aaron answered, still contemplating what he should say.

Justine was about to enter and hop in at the bus when Aaron grabbed her once again.

“Justine, nagkita na ba tayo dati?” Seryoso niyang tanong, ang mga mata ay seryosong nakatingin sa mga mata ni Justine, tila pilit na ginagalugad ang kaloob-looban niyon upang makakuha ng sagot.

“H-ha? H-hindi pa?” Nauutal na sagot ni Justine. 

Dahil maging siya ay hindi sigurado kung nagkakilala na ba sila ng binata noon. Her memories from her elementary days up to middle school was still hazy. She can’t really recall, and remember what happened for those span of years, kahit pa na ilang taon na ang naka lipas. Iyon ang isa sa naging epekto ng aksidente at operasyon, maging ang mahabang panahon na wala siyang malay. Ngunit ayon sa kaniyang doktor, maaari at may posibilidad pa rin na bumalik ang mga alaala niya mula pagkabata kung may magti-trigger lamang dito, maaaring isang bagay, tao, pangyayari, o lugar.

“Ano na! Aasakay ba kayo, o hindi!” The bus driver shouted at them in irritation.

“Sige na, mauna na ako.” She said in haste as she hopped in at the bus, leaving Aaron behind

“Did we meet before? Is he part of my past? My childhood.”