It is sunny day! Another day to fulfill your dreams and be productive to finish work. “Every day is a blessing!!” This thought is the reason why Joj is always attentive and full of productivity to accomplish her work especially she received an additional pay for her undying work and service for the company. While she is preparing her food, someone is calling. *The phone is constantly ringing*
“Joooooooj, I miss youuuuu!! How are you? It’s me Trishaaaa”
Joj is like a bombshell to burst into shock, “OMG!!! Trissssssssh! It’s really you? It’s been a very long time since we had our last conversation. Kumusta ka? Hindi ko ineexpect na magkakausap pa rin tayo kahit sa phone na laaaang”. A teary-eyed moment for high-school besties who longing their friendship for more than 8 years and counting.
They talk like no tomorrows and laughs so hard because they indeed miss each other. Joj and Trisha have been friends since high school and treat each other as own sister. Couple of years ago, Joj and Trisha became close to each other when Trisha’s adopted mother always left her to Joj’s mother in order to sell goods in the market. Joj’s mother was able to work too in nearby town as housemaid so they were left both in the house together. After weeks of not seeing Trisha, Joj’s mother was confused. When things went wrong on Trisha’s family, her adopted mother and father decided to separate ways. Trisha was being left and abandoned on their house. When Joj and her mother went to Trisha’s place to order veggies, they both surprised because they saw Trisha alone. Joj’s mother asked her and all Trisha did was waving her head and said “hindi ko po alam”. Joj’s mother already knew it because Trisha’s adopted mother did the same way to another child way back years ago. Back then, Trisha started lived in the house with Joj’s family and they accepted Trisha as a true member of the family. They became like sweet flowers who blooms with each other and treat as born sisters. After their high school journey, Trisha was decided to look her biological family. She undergone extensive research and searching until she was able to talk a man with round voice in the phone. It was her step-dad living with her biological mother in Australia. Months had been really tough for all of them because Trisha was leaving the country and decided to spend her life with her biological family. Besides, of all years she was living with Joj’s family, she saw how hard the life is. When Trisha had finally left the country, it was the day when she and Joj had to take the different paths of their lives.
The conversation continues, “Joj, I have something to tell you. Wag kang mabibigla ha?”
“Yeaaaah, sure. Kahit yan naman lagi yung sinasabi mo sakin ehhh.” Joj said while laughing.
“I am going to the Philippines!! I am going home Jooooooooj!! I am so excited to see you all and make memories again. Kahit few months lang ako jan, susulitin ko talaga para makasama kayo at makapag-enjoy jan.” Trisha said with full of excitement.
Joj is really surprise about what she heard to Trisha, “Talagaaaa Trish? I am very excited too!! Sasabihin ko kina Nanay na uuwi ka para naman makapagluto kami ng mga Filipino foods na alam kong miss na miss mo na rin. Tuyo? Galunggong? Spaghetti na parang sinigang ang sauce? Waaah, I can’t wait to be with you Trissssssh!!”
“Absolutely!! I really miss the Philippines, Joj. Besides, may kailangan din ako ayusin at siguraduhin jan. My stepdad was passed away years ago, at sa akin niya iniwan ang clothing business niya rito. May mga certain stores lang na dapat icheck for verification. So, pano ba yan? I will call you Joj kapag nasa airport na ako, gusto ko kayong lahat na pamilya ko jan ang susundo sakin. I really really really miss the bonding we had Joj. Si nanay, yung mga kapatid nating maliit noon siguro ang lalaki na nila? Hindi na ako makapaghintay na makita kayong lahat!!”
“Pinapaiyak mo naman ako Trish. Ang laki ng nagbago simula nung nawala ka. Si Nanay hindi maiwasan malungkot. Kami rin hindi maiwasan na hindi ka maalala kapag kakain na sa hapag. Kasi gusto mo nagdadasal muna bago kumain. Anyway, bilisan mo yung pag-uwi!!”
“Yeeees, Joj. I will call you again. See you soonest, my Joj!!”
“I am waiting. See you sooneeeest, my Trish!!”
________________________
The day has finally come for the big project of the team. Joj and Ziqi are both in a rush again and again because they forgot to wake up early. They run as fast as they can to go downwards when Ziqi suddenly see that Steve’s car is coming.
“Goodmorning guys. How’s your sleep? Mukang napasarap tulog niyong dalawa at hindi kayo nagising ng maaga. I called you Joj five times but you were not answering so, dumaan na ako rito. I am sure magagalit si Mr. Sye if dadating kayong late and you both are in my team. So, come in.”
“Ah Sir, sorry for seeing us like this. Pero magbabus nalang po kami.” Joj said.
“Anukaba daiii, patay tayo kay Mr. Sye kapag nalate tayo. Tara na sumabay na tayo kay Sir.”
“Ziqi is right. Diba sabi mo araw-araw kang nakikipaglaban sa traffic? What if the traffic today is worse than you’ve experienced before? We have only 20 minutes.” Steve said as he winks his eye to Joj.
Joj answered as she gasping air “Okay, okay, okay. Tara naaa. I’ll make up this.”
Everyone is focusing their time and attention to finish their assigned work. In order to avoid mistakes and misconceptions, Steve assures that everyone is well-oriented and the information is explained detail by detail. This big project of the company will aim to build and develop firm houses for the thousands homeless people and ensure them to be protected. The company is looking forward to take it for a short year because the investor who gave billions of budgets whose come up with this housing project wants to finish it as soon as possible. Joj as usual, doing and giving her 100% perseverance to work and finish it smoothly. As Joj works diligently, Steve is continuously visited her, give foods, and walking aside to give a glimpse of attention to Joj. Everybody notices Steve’s attention towards to Joj and it brings confusion and speculations to the people that constantly see how caring Steve is. However, Joj can’t break her momentum to work hardly but she feels bit uncomfortable on the things that Steve do for her.
Fast-forwarding, the months for their project went well and each stage in their plan worked steadily. As day by day, Steve became more interested and attentive to work with Joj because he really admires how diligent and persevere Joj is. Besides, he found Joj beautiful and excellent as an ideal woman fits to her. All of them including Mr. Sye notices the admiration of Steve to Joj. As the days passed by, out of nowhere, Joj has a gradual feeling of interest to Steve as he always make her laughs and feel safe. Joj feels the work became easier because of Steve. She became comfortably talking Steve. But Joj has confusions if she feels the same so she talked Ziqi to clear her mind,
“Ziq, I have something to tell yoou and it bothers me these past few days.”
“Hmm, Joj. Alam ko na yang mga tingin na ganyan. Sa pagkakakilala ko sayo, bihira ka magkaroon ng mga matang may emosyon na ganyan. So, why do you feel like that?”
“Ziqqq, I don’t know but I am feeling good when I am with Steve. I feel secured, enough and loved. Maybe I am starting to have interest to know him? Pero..”
“Pero ano, nangangamba ka? Natatakot ka? Na baka maulit ulit yung nakaraan mo? Na maiwan ka ulit kapag nagmahal ka na naman? Na masaktan ka na naman? You are afraid to fall inlove again, to Steve?”
“Yes. You are definitely correct Ziq. That’s why I am telling you kasi alam kong ikaw lang makakaintindi sa akin. Nasa isip ko pa lang, alam mo na. I tried many times to avoid him, convincing myself that I do not want to see him, but he makes my mind running all through day. Haaay”
To ease the tiredness caused by workloads, Mr. Sye decided to pause and have a short rest for all of them. He hosted a short celebration for giving thanks to everyone for their hard works. Everyone is excited because after many months, they are going to taste the sweetness of breathing space from work.
All of the workers are snipping out a toast for their good connection and work towards each other. Mr. Sye walks going to Steve,
“Congrats, Steve! Half of the project works better. Thanks for being an excellent man at all times and also for your team. Magagaling at masisipag silang lahat.”
“It’s my pleasure Mr. Sye. Also, big thanks to Mr. Williamford. He is the reason why this project became a reality and he inspires me most. Kung sana nabubuhay pa siya ngayon, he definitely happy dahil unti-unti ng natutupad yung pinangarap naming dalawa.”
“I know he is happy right now dahil kinaya mong maitayo ang pangarap niyong dalawa. Anyway, how’s your condition right now? Is there a progress?
“Yup. I still reconnecting into my mind. But honestly, I want to take it slowly and naturally that is why I work hard and go to the places where I can recover pieces of memories that had been lost.”
“I support you man. By the way, you seem really interested to Ms. Castillo? Is she your type?
Steve suddenly makes a short smile, “Actually, I really admire her. I probably started liking her before she entered in the company. Her personality makes her even more beautiful inside and out. I always try to tell her but hindi ko alam kapag kaharap ko siya nawawala na ako sa sarili ko”
“You gotta falling Steve, Wow. Gusto mo naman pala siya, bakit hindi mo pa ligawan? Tell her what you really feel. You will never know unless you try. Express your emotions, I support you. Be a man bro.” Mr. Sye said while teasing Steve.
“Can I ask for a favor, Mr. Sye?” Steve said.
As the celebration goes happier, Joj is starting to mingle to other people around her. She finally opens the door to come out from her comfort zone, thanks to her friend, Ziqi who always support and guide her when it comes on socializing to other people. While Joj is enjoying the night, Mr. Sye called her,
“May I have a short minutes with you Ms. Castillo?” Joj immediately stand and go with Mr. Sye as she feels bit nervous because Mr. Sye does not usually talk like that.
“Ms. Castillo, do you remember the documents you passed in my table for signing? Yung mga docs for our projects in Thailand? Pwedeng pakikuha mo sa cabinet ko then pakibigay kay Mr. Steve for revising. By the way, nasa conference hall si Steve. Thank you.”
“Sure, Sir.” Joj walks straight way to get the documents when she suddenly feels uneasy. Looking a folder to unfamiliar environment is challenging because this is the first time that Joj entered in Mr. Sye’s room. She continues to walk directly and finally arrive in conference hall and she sees Steve standing with a coffee.
Joj uttered words slowly “Sir, Steve. Here are the documents. Pinapabigay ni Mr. Sye”
Steve is still standing and just looking directly to Joj. Joj feels uncomfortable because of the strong glances from Steve’s eyes. She put the folder on the table and when she is about to leave, Steve raises his words,
“Joj, can we talk? I already said if we are not in work, just call me Steve”
“About saan, Steve? " Joj is still in nervous and Steve goes to her closely.
Steve holds her hands and say “I think, I am falling in love with you Joj. It’s been 3 years since I started liking you, looking for you, and thinking of you. Now, I can’t even sleep without seeing you in a day. I always worried when I see you mad and I know your past could have been the reason why you always choose to be alone. Gusto kita, Joj. Will you let me be your source of happiness?” Steve continuously expressing her emotions until he can’t stop himself and kiss Joj desperately.
As the moment romanticizes them, Joj can’t stop herself too in kissing Steve until she opens her eyes and stop frightfully. “Sorry, this shouldn’t be happened. Sorry, sorry, sorry, Steve”. Joj instantly walking away to Steve and crying at one corner of the room. She is crying because she finally got the answer and realize that she is also starting to fall in love to Steve and can’t fight over her feelings and self-doubts.
Note:
Hmmmm, the world becomes smaller between Steve and Joj and their feelings to each other are growing. Will Joj allow herself to love again?
Stay tuned, readers! 😉
