Chapter 5 - Not Alone

Chapter theme: Gift Of A Friend - Demi Lovato

I woke up from the loud and endless ringing on my phone. With messy hair and droopy eyes, I get up from my bed so fast that my back hurts from the sudden movement. I sat on my bed looking for my phone which was lying under my pillow. Without looking at the screen, I answered the call still in a sleepy state.

"Don't tell me you're still sleeping at this hour?"

I look at the small clock on the side table. My eyes widened for a moment when I realized that it was already 7 in the morning.

"Oh, shit!"

Shiela laughed on the other line.

"Thank me later, Jec. I just called to wake you up. Bumangon ka na at baka ma-late ka pa."

I nodded and smiled at her before she hang up the call. I'm glad she called, I forgot to set the alarm last night. What will I do without her? She's really a life saver.

I got off my bed and quickly took a shower. I don't want to be late on my first day of work. First impression matters.

I got out the shower and walked over my closet and pick a simple outfit to wear today. I opted for a pair of light-washed jeans, a grey shirt with dark-colored blazer on and a Bennett sledged pump to match with it. Once I was satisfied with my looks, I went downstair to grabbed something quick for breakfast and get in my car.

My workplace was just 10 minutes drive from my home. When I got to the building, I pulled over my car in the underground parking lot. I grabbed my bag, get out from my car and head inside the elevator.

I am excited right now but also feel nervous and tensed.

'You got this! You'll be alright.' I keep repeating those words inside my head until it became like an endless mantra to calm my senses.

"What floor, miss?" A voice pulled me out from my reverie. I turned to the source of that voice and saw a tall and skinny guy in check long sleeve and chino pants. I realized that I wasn't alone inside the elevator.

"4th floor," I answered.

"Oh, same floor. Are you working here?" He asked. Trying not to be rude, I just nod my head.

"Really? Ngayon lang ata kita nakita dito."

I turned to him. He was looking at me from head to toe. Napansin ko ang maliit na hiwa sa kaliwang kilay niya. Hindi ko alam kung natural ito o pinasadya niya.

And didn't his mother taught him not to talk to strangers? I moved a bit away from him, feeling uncomfortable with his gaze.

"Don't worry. I'm not a bad guy." He said frowning.

The elevator's door opened on the 4th floor so I dashed out towards the office of Mr. Guerrero where I went before. Siya yung nag-interview sa akin last time and also the founder and owner of the design firm kung saan ako magtatrabaho. I let out a deep sighed before knocking at the door.

"Come in." He said.

"Good morning, sir!" I greeted as soon as I entered the room. He was typing something on his laptop before his eyes landed on me.

"Oh it's you, Ms. Bradford." He glanced at his watch. "You arrived early, excited for the first day of work?" He has a warm smile plastered on his face. Maybe that's the reason why he still looked young despite his age.

"Yes, sir. And a bit nervous too." I admitted.

"You have nothing to worry about. Mababait naman mga makakasama mo. Come with me." He stood up from his swivel chair as he lead me outside his office, going to the main working area. I guess he's going to be a great boss. He seems cool, he reminds me of my dad. Who am I kidding? I can't even remember my dad's face.

We walk through the long and giant

hallway hanggang sa tumigil kami sa harap ng isang pinto. 'HOUSE OF DECORE' was written in bold capital letters on the glass door. And when we went inside, bumungad sa akin ang isang lounge area. It was a simple, chic kind of living area, couches were in dark blue with rose gold hardware. A coffee table in the middle with books and magazine on it. Dito siguro sila nagpapahinga pag breaktime. Nice!

Then the next room was a large studio painted in simply white, giving a light and airy vibe.

"This is the main office." Anunsyo ni Mr. Guerrero.

It was an open space which was separated in rows and sections for different department, I guess.

"We wanted it to be in an open space so everyone has a chance to discuss and collaborate freely but still having an individual space," he explained as I nodded.

"Okay, everyone. This is Jeacelle, she will be working with us from now on."

Mr. Guerrero glanced back at me, giving me the chance to introduced myself. Everyone in the room was now looking at me so I quickly cleared my throat.

"Good morning! I'm Jeacelle. I lived in the States for 5 years and recently got back here. I hope we get along." I smiled nervously.

"Oh, you're the girl in the elevator. Nice. Welcome to our team," someone exclaimed and I recognized him in an instant.

"That would be your working area," Mr. Guerrero informed me, pointing at the empty desk beside the guy I met in the elevator. It's near the glass window. I love it!

"Stef."

"Yes, sir?" A girl imposed with a heavy make up stood up.

"Can you give her the file for our new project?" utos nito at mabilis namang tumango sa kanya yung babae.

"Goodluck on your first day, Bradford. Give your best shot," Mr. Guerrero whispered before he left and went back to his office.

True to his words, my workmates were really nice and friendly. Mukhang wala akong magiging problema kasi ang bilis ko lang silang nakasundo. Stef, the senior designer was kind enough to give me a quick orientation about the design firm, our clients and the projects that we will be working.

It's my first day but things already got a bit hectic. Monday was full of meetings. Project management meetings, design meetings. Meetings. And more meetings. That how I spent the large amount of my time today. But I've learned to accept it, love it and enjoyed it.

"May japanese restaurant sa ground floor. Doon kami maglulunch, gusto mo sumama?" Stef invited me.

I quickly nodded. "I would love to!"

******

"So Jeca, do you have a boyfriend?" Stef suddenly asked while we were eating lunch. They ordered 2 platter of california maki sushi. Imagine having 80 pieces of sushi in front of you. Boy, tataba ata ako dito dahil kanina pa nila ko pinapakain ng madami.

"Ano ba naman yan Stef? Yan talaga tinanong?" suway naman ni Yhelle kay Stef na pabiro niya pang hinampas sa braso. Yhelle is the studio manager of our firm.

"5 years ka sa states? Saan dun?" It was the guy I met in the elevator. His name is Marius, the assistant content creator. The scowl never leaving his face, he looked grumpy. Sabi nila masanay na daw ako 'coz he doesn't really smile but he's actually nice. Gwapo sana siya kung ngingiti siya, pero mas gwapo pa din si Axian ng 10 times sa kanya. Okay, why am I even comparing?

"New York," I replied while sipping on my green tea latte.

"Wow! Doon ba nakatira parents mo?" tanong muli ni Stef.

"Yeah," pagsisinungaling ko. I really don't like talking about my family.

"You live alone here? Anong ginagawa ng mga magulang mo? I mean yung work nila? Citizen ba sila dun? And bakit ka bumalik sa Pilipinas? Ayaw mo na ba dun sa U.S?" Sunod sunod na tanong ni Stef and I feel awkward to be honest.

"Dami mong tanong, kumain ka na lang." Marius interjected sounding annoyed.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na si Stef ha? Minsan talaga walang preno bibig niyan," Yhelle whispered while wiping the lenses of her glasses. I stared at her for a moment. She looks so fine without her glasses, her natural curly hair framing her small face.

"What? May dumi ba ko sa mukha?" She looked at me confused.

"Nah! I just find you beautiful. Why don't you start wearing contact lenses instead of thick glasses?" The girl is really beautiful, sayang lang dahil hindi marunong mag-ayos at tinatago niya. One of these days, I'll do a total makeover on her.

Napaawang ang mga bibig ni Yhelle na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin. Gulat na gulat ata siya sa mga sinabi ko.

"Hindi ka naman siguro tibo, di ba?"

Parang gusto ko tuloy ibuhos sa kanya yung green tea na iniinom ko. May saltik din ata sa utak ang isang 'to. Na-appreciate ko lang yung kagandahan niya, tibo agad? Can we just be a woman who fixes another woman's crown? That's what you call empowerment, girl!

*****

"How's the first day ate?" Aciel's in my house right now cooking for dinner.

"Okay lang naman. Wala pa naman akong ibang ginawa ngayong araw. Puro meeting lang then return some calls and email the clients. But tomorrow, I will be starting making sketches and designs for our new project," I replied while watching her.

Saglit siyang tumigil sa ginagawa niya at nilingon ako. "It's good to be back right? Lalo pag mahal mo ginagawa mo. I'm happy for you ate."

I couldn't help but smile. Sweet na bata. Ang mature pa kausap.

"But seriously, Aciel. You don't have to do this. Masyado na kitang naaabala."

Madalas kasi nandito siya sa bahay. I'm not complaining 'coz I really enjoyed her company. Nakakahiya nga lang dahil pag nandito siya, lagi niya akong pinagluluto. Akala mo naman hindi din pagod. She's a chief MedTech, alam kong madami din siyang ginagawa bukod sa mga lab test. Lagi niya kasing nirereklamo sa akin mga tambak niyang paperworks related to DOH. Pero kahit ganun mukha naman din siyang masaya sa trabaho niya.

"Okay lang ate. Drew said, you can't cook. Hindi naman pwedeng magcup noodles ka araw-araw." She added.

"Drew? Bakit walang kuya?" I asked in a teasing manner, wiggling my eyebrows up and down. Pansin ko madalas silang mag-usap ni Drew sa phone since he got back to Manila.

"Hindi kasi dapat ginagalang yung kumag na yun!"

"Ano dapat? Minamahal?" biro ko pa.

"Yuck! Kadiri ka! Saan mo naman nakukuha yan ate?" tanong niya na parang diring-diri.

Napapakagat ako sa labi ko dahil pinipigilan kong tumawa dahil sa reaksyon niya. Cute niya.

"Ang dami namang pwedeng i-link sa akin doon pa talaga sa loko-loko. Pwede namang kay Kuya Tyrone na lang. Kung wala nga lang din asawa si Kuya Neil baka naging crush ko na din yun."

Aba! Choosy ang bata. But she has a point there. Hanap na lang akong ibang ibubugaw sa kanya. Bumalik na lang siya sa pagluluto niya. Nakaramdam tuloy ako bigla ng gutom dahil ang bango ng niluluto niyang adobo.

Narinig naming may nagdoorbell kaya dali-dali akong lumabas ng bahay at binuksan yung gate.

"Hi!" Bati agad ni Axian sabay ngiti. Gwapo talaga ng nilalang na ito. Mas lalo pa nga ata siyang gumagwapo sa paglipas ng araw. Nasanay na ko sa presence niya dahil lagi silang dito nagdidinner ng kapatid niya. Naging close na din tuloy kami.

"Wala ka bang balak papasukin ako? Malamig dito sa labas." He complained breaking me from my daze. Pinapasok ko naman siya agad sa loob. Alam na ngang malamig ang panahon, hindi nagsuot ng jacket. Pagdating sa kusina, saktong tapos na magluto si Aciel.

Panay kwentuhan namin habang naghahapunan. Ilang linggo palang kami magkakilala pero parang ang tagal na naming magkakaibigan. Hindi rin naman kasi nila pinaparamdam na parang iba ako sa kanila. Sobrang maalaga ng magkapatid.

Napatingin ako kay Axian na sarap na sarap na kumakain. Ganadong ganado ito tapos nakakamay pa. Ang sarap naman kasi talaga magluto ng kapatid niya. Swerte niya sa kapatid niya. Swerte sila sa isa't isa, rather. Nakakainggit, sana may kapatid din ako.

"Oo nga pala ate? Do you have any plan for Christmas?" Aciel asked suddenly.

"Wala pa eh," I smiled trying not to ruin the atmosphere. I don't really celebrate Christmas. Baka nga itulog ko na lang ang pasko at bagong taon tutal wala naman akong pamilyang kasama magcelebrate.

"You can celebrate with us if you want," Axian offered, sincerely.

"Oo nga ate. Kaming dalawa lang din naman ni kuya," pagkumbinsi pa ni Aciel.

Wala na rin pala silang magulang, they both died in a car accident nung 18 palang si Axian kaya siya na rin ang tumayong nanay at tatay kay Aciel. Mag-isang tinaguyod niya ang kapatid ayon sa kwento ni Aciel. Because of that, I admire him even more. Hindi biro na maaga siyang namulat sa responsibilidad at tumayo sa sarili niyang paa habang mag-isang pinapalaki ang kapatid.

"Bakit hindi na lang tayo dito sa bahay magcelebrate? Kung gusto niyo lang naman," I suggested.

A wide grinned appeared on Aciel's face as her eyes sparkle with excitement.

"Really? Can we start decorating your house too?"

"Oo naman. Ikaw bahala, feel at home." I replied happily as I watched Axian smiling too while looking tenderly at his sister. I guess Aciel's happiness is his happiness too.

I'm glad I met them. Gustong lumundag ng puso ko sa saya habang nakikita ko ang mga ngiti sa labi nila. Finally, I won't be alone for Christmas.