CHAPTER 3

JEWEL

Am I hallucinating? Baka namamalikmata na ako dahil sa napapadalas na pagbabalik tanaw ko sa nakaraan nitong mga huling araw. Why am I seeing Ulysses' face in front of me? Siya ba ito o kamukha lamang? Huling kita ko sa kanya ay nung araw na nagpakasal kami nang lihim. It's been ten years so I'm not really sure if his face is still the same as how I remember it.

The man in executive suit turned his back. He entered an office with glass wall and door opposite to the office of the head secretary. From his neat and expensive look, I can tell he is someone with a high rank in the company.

I looked at my co-applicant sitting beside me. "Yung dumaang lalaking nakasuit, kilala mo ba siya?" I whispered.

She gaped at me. "Hindi mo siya kilala? Siya ang CEO ng CGC, si Mr. Yul Dela Vega. Hindi ka man lang ba nagresearch tungkol CGC?"

"I did hindi ko lang napag-aralan ang mga pictures ng directors," mahinang sagot ko.

Yul Dela Vega. It's indeed the name of the CEO that I memorized. Ulysses name is Ulysses Saavedra which means they are two different people. How amazing that they look very similar! O baka mali lang ang pagkakaalala ko sa hitsura ni Ulysses?

"Ms. Jewel Gaviola!"

Alerto akong tumayo sa tawag ng isang empleyado. Sinenyasan niya akong pumasok sa silid ng head secretary. Dagli akong kinabahan, hindi ko inasahang ako ang unang tatawagin. I composed myself to refocus and entered the room in proper posture. Pinaupo ako sa harap ng mesa na may nakapatong na nameplate na ang nakasulat ay Nora Dimaandal Ocampo. A woman in her early thirties is waiting to talk to me.

"Good morning Ma'am," magalang na tono ko.

"Good morning Ms. Gaviola," she said in a friendly tone sanhi para mabawasan ang kaba ko. She isn't a fabulous looking secretary in contrast to the usual image of secretaries of multi- million companies. But I can tell she's a very hard working one and someone who will be voluntarily respected. "As I study your resume, there's one thing I'm very curios of. Why you didn't finish college? Were you kicked out in University of California?"

"Maayos naman po ang standing ko sa University of California-" Natigilan ako nang biglang tumayo si Ma'am Nora.

"Yes Sir Yul. Do you need anything?"she blurted.

Lumingon ako sa pintuan. Nanumbalik ang kaba ko nang makita si Mr. CEO na nakatayo doon. He's staring at me. Napalunok ako habang pinipilit huwag umiwas ng tingin. His face is making me feel guilty all of a sudden. "G-Good morning, s-sir," tayo ko.

Hindi niya pinansin ang pagbati ko. Tumingin siya kay Ma'am Nora nang hindi gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan. His left elbow is leaning on the door frame. "Is she the one who studied in US?"

"Yes Sir. But how did you know?" taka ni Ma'am Nora.

The man gestured his hand in front of his face.

"Ahh I see...my description," Ma'am Nora nodded.

Pinag-usapan na ba nila ako? And did they specifically talk about my face? Was it a good thing or a bad thing? Mas lalo akong kinabahan.

"Give me her resume. I want to personally interview her."

Ma'am Nora gave him the paper and then he calmly returned to his office. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo nang hindi maintindihan kung ano ang nararamdaman.

"Ano pang hinihintay mo diyan, follow him," masiglang sabi sa akin ni Ma'am Nora.

Biglang gumuho ang kumpiyansa ko. Can I bear the torture of facing him closely without getting distracted?

"Go ahead. Don't get nervous. It's a good sign na mismong siya ang mag-interview sayo," Ma'am Nora said with uplifting smile.

"Ah-eh yes Ma'am."

"Goodluck!"

"T-Thank you Ma'am."

Nanlalamig ang mga kamay na sumunod ako sa opisina ni Mr. Dela Vega. My hand is shaking while holding the door. His office is huge pero tanging ang mesa niya lamang at black office sofa set ang naroroon. Floor is carpeted and there are three paintings hanging on the top of long sofa. Behind his chair is a complete glass wall where you can have a nice view of the city.

"Come in."

Saka pa lang ako pumasok. I walk without making any noise.

"Sit down."

"Thank you Sir." Para akong matutunaw sa hiya lalo na pag tumitingin siya sa mukha ko.

He silently read my resume. Hinintay ko siyang matapos sa pagbabasa nang maya't maya kong kinakagat ang labi ko. Kahit sobrang lamig ng aircon ay parang pinagpapawisan pa rin ako. I noticed the name plate on his table. Ang nakasulat na pangalan ay YUL S. DELA VEGA. Lakas loob akong nagnakaw ng tingin sa mukha niya habang nagbabasa pa rin siya. He has thick eyebrows, warm eyes, pointed nose, full bottom lips and a clean shaved face with defined cheekbones and jawlines. Kamukha-kamukha niya talaga si Ulysses. Ang pagkakaiba lang ay masyadong neat at executive ang dating niya samantalang si Ulysses ay sporty. But it was a long time ago and he was just a teenager then so baka nagbago na rin ang pananamit ng taong yun ngayon.

Posible ba sa mundong ito na magkaroon ka ng kaparehas na mukha kahit hindi naman kayo kambal? My instinct is telling me they are the same person but how can I confirm it kung ang kaharap ko ay wala man lang senyales na kilala niya ako. They have different names. Isa pa, ang Ulysses na kilala ko ay low profile lamang. Aside from being a basketball player, I never heard that he came from a very rich family. CGC was founded in 1956. Nung college days pa lang namin ay kilalang-kilala na ang CGC. Kung apo siya ng may-ari tiyak na alam dapat yun ng buong campus.

"Jewel Jacinto Gaviola."

"Yes Sir!" napaiktad ako sa bigla niyang pagsalita at napalakas ang aking boses.

"Are you uncomfortable with me?" diretsong tanong niya habang ang mga mata ay tila binabasa ang laman ng isip ko.

"N-No sir. M-Medyo kinakabahan lang po. I-I guess it's normal sir. To be honest hindi ko po iniexpect na mismong CEO ang mag-iinterview sa akin," kunway napapangiting sabi ko pero kung wala akong lipstick tiyak na kitang-kita na ang pamumutla ko.

He cleared his throat, he leaned his back comfortably on the chair and crossed his legs. "So you didn't finish college despite being accepted in a good university in America."

"Yes sir," I took a deep breath. Wala akong magagawa kundi magkwento na naman ng malungkot na bahagi ng buhay ko. "My father died when I was in fourth year college. Bumalik ako ng Pilipinas dahil dito. At sa pagkawala ng Daddy ko nakaranas kami ng matinding financial crisis kaya dahil diyan hindi na ako nakabalik ng America," malumanay na pahayag ko.

He stared at me for few seconds. Naasiwa na naman ako. Nais kong iwasan ang mga mata niya pero kabastusan yun sa employer na nag-iinterview ng isang aplikante. I am trying my best to appear unemotional. "Your father died? When was that?" he uttered.

"Eight years ago sir."

He straightened his posture, loosened his tie and bent his neck. Tiningnan niya ulit ang aking resume.

"You studied until second year in Hillcrest University here in Philippines."

"Yes sir."

Tumingin siya sa akin ng diretso. "I graduated in this University. It's an excellent school too but why did you still transfer to America?"

My heart began pounding. I guess the affirmation that I'm seeking is starting to surface. Hindi ko malaman kung ayaw o gusto ko na magkatotoo ang aking kutob.

"I'm sorry sir but I'm afraid I can't answer your question. It's something very personal for me," I answered cautiously.

He shrugged. "Okay. No problem. But I'm afraid that I'll still ask you something personal."

"Okay lang po I'll answer as long as it's not too sensitive on my part."

"It says here that you're single. No partner or whatsoever at all like boyfriend, fiancee or live-in partner."

"Wala po."

"Anak?"

"Wala rin po.

"I hope you're aware that the work of a secretary has no flexible time that's why we prefer those who have less commitment outside work."

"Maasahan niyo po ako sa ganyang bagay sir. Kaya kong magtrabaho kahit walang tulugan," siguradong sagot ko.

He leaned closer to my face and gazed at me. "I'll ask you one more time. Are you really single?"

Hindi ko natagalan ang titig niya kaya umiwas ako ng tingin.

"Y-Yes sir," napapalunok na sagot ko.

"Never been married at all?"

I looked at the floor. "N-No sir." My hands are trembling and sweating.

"Sigurado ka?" he smirked. "Not even once?"

His tone, stares and smirks are torturing me. Lalong lumakas ang kutob ko na tama ako. Siya nga ang taong nasa isip ko.

Lakas loob akong nag-angat ng mukha at hinarap ang nanghuhusgang mga titig niya. Now that the situation is clearer to me. I lost all the hope that I will get the job. "Yes. I got married once out of impulse when I was 18 years old. It was also the reason why my father sent me to America. I knew what I did was totally immature. Pumayag ako sa kagustuhan niyang lumayo because he promised to fix the the mess I created. I totally regretted dragging an innocent guy to my complicated situation so when he told me he could void the marriage, I didn't hesitate obeying his order to leave the country," pangangatwiran ko nang may marepestong boses pa rin.

He laughed. "Void the marriage? You think he really did it?"

"I know my father's character. Wala siyang sinabi na hindi niya ginawa."

"So until now you're thinking that you are no longer married?"

"Yes sir," siguradong sagot ko.

"Did you check it in our statistic office?"

Hindi ako nakasagot. Bigla kung napagtanto na ni minsan hindi ko nga naman na double check kung burado nga ba talaga ang record ng kasal ko.

"You're Ulysses right?" diretso nang tanong ko kahit pakiramdam ko ay mahihimatay ako sa kaba.

He laughed briefly. "Well, let's just say that I am someone who is keeping the same secret as yours."

"S-So, are you him?"

He sighed. "Yes I am him. And it's nice meeting you again Jewel."

Ilang segundo akong di nakagalaw. Namula ang aking mga pisngi at biglang nanuyo ang aking lalamunan. "H-Hi." I replied unknowingly.

"How's your life after the marriage?" he asked casually but I am not dumb not to sense the sarcasm.

"I lost my father so life's been hard for me and my mom," mapagkumbaba pa ring tono ko. "How about you?"

Huminga siya nang malalim at muling inayos ang kurbata niya. "Fine. Nothing's wrong." he said while looking around. Indirectly showing off his huge office. "Tatlong taon na rin akong may karelasyon and we both love each other dearly."

"I am glad to hear that," mapaklang ngiti ko.

"Ikaw have you been in a serious relationship?"

Nangingiting umiling ako. "Never had a time for that."

"Even in America?"

Muli akong umiling.

"That's good to hear at least you spared other guys from your selfishness."

Medyo masakit ang sinabi niya sanhi para mangilid ang luha ko pero wala akong karapatang masaktan dahil may katotohanan naman talaga yun.

"You hate me, don't you?" anas ko.

"No I don't because it was all in the past but I think I am still entitled to say something."

"Yes of course you are," I chuckled bitterly. "Tapos na ho ba ang interview ko?"

"Yes we're done."

Tumayo ako at yumukod. "Thank you sir."

Naglakad ako patungo sa pintuan nang may nanghihinang mga tuhod hanggang sa naisip ko na ito na marahil ang hinihintay kong pagkakataon na mawala ang anumang natitira pang nagpapabigat sa aking kalooban at konsensiya. Muli akong naglakas loob na harapin siya. I smiled sincerely.

"Ulysses, I am actually keep thinking about you lately. That's why I am glad that we meet even if its in unlikely situation. I might not see you again kaya tatapangan ko na ang loob ko ngayon. I'll take this rare chance to apologize. I am really really sorry for what I've done. I was young, selfish and stupid back then. Forgive me if I hurt and use you," I humbly said with teary eyes. "I am happy to know now that you're living a good life. Live well and please be happy because you deserve it."

Tumalikod agad ako. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya. Patawarin niya man ako ngayon o sa mga darating pang araw ay hindi na importante. Ang mahalaga ay personal na akong nakahingi ng tawad. I'm free at last from my biggest burden.