label hub

 

LAB EL H U B A semi-fictional tale about life in a Korean ESL tutorial company in the Philippines

PART ONE

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It’ It’ss getting better already

1

I was getting quite nervous sitting in an uncomfortable chair waiting for the fat (not chubby) HR officer for my job interview. interview. They have called me the night before and I was not really optimistic optimistic about getting this job. job. I had just finished with the written exam. “You’ve “Y ou’ve done well.” said the fat girl. “Please proceed to the training room wher wheree we will collect collect P20 for the papers papers used in the test.” test.” Huh? Huh? What the hell was this? this? I thought. Anyway, Anyway, I still got some money left for lunch and a ride home so I grudgingly gave in. After the last interview (with a Schwarzenegger look-alike with bad grammar), I was told to see the Korean manager manager of the company (i (itt is Korean-run). Korean-run). He asked me a few questions questions and told me to come back on Monday for trai training. ning. Hmmm…I Hmmm…I thought. I may be able to land this job after all. Early Monday morning I was up and about. I wasn’t too pleased with that since since I usually get up around noon. Ah, a new adventure, nothing to lose I guess. The training training room was was small but comfy comfy.. Not too hot, hot, not too cold. There were were about seven people people in there, but wait…I’m wait…I’m the only guy! guy! Lemme check once again… again… Yep, females. All but me. This day is getting better already! I took a seat at the second row,, near the wall and waited anxiously for the trainer. row He finally came after forty-f forty-five ive minutes and introduced introduced himself himself as Donny. Donny. Not Sir Donny, Donny, but just Donny. Donny. He doesn’t like to be called sir. sir. I think its part of this call center crap. Okay Donny, Donny, I thought. thought. So we got to talk about ourselves just like with every other orientation thingy, me fidgeting all the while. I really don’t don’t feel at ease talking about myself. myself. Much less in front of all these strangers. During one of the activities, I was just so bored I didn’t notice that I was rocking my chair a little bit. bit. Suddenly Suddenly I slipped from my chair chair and, to break my fall, I grabbed the chair beside me (of course), but the thing is, there was a girl sitting on that chair. chair. We fell down, got up embarrassingly and tried to act as cool as we possibly could in that harrowing harrow ing situat situation. ion. I offered offered my apologie apologies. s. “No problem” problem” she said. said. “I actually actually fell from a chair a while ago also.” “That was pretty cool” I said, immediately realizing the inanity of my comment. comment. But before I could explain, explain, she chuckl chuckled ed and said “Yeah, “Yeah, it was”. Now that  that is is cool, I thought. I found out that that her name was Marny. Marny. She was wit with h two of her friends friends from school and they had just graduated from an engineering course but would just like to try this call center center thing out for a while. One of her friends I found out liv lives es a block away from my house. Her name name was Jap. Jap. Marny’s Marny’s other friend friend was named named Mary Mary. She was was quite perky and amiable, andway, she really has this Lavigne, think about she’s our  her  hero or something. By the way , she’s she’ s quite cutething too. for So Avril we talked up a Istorm 2

 

expectations of this training thing and what shit lies ahead, and what could happen to who when placed in whatever…they’re a cool bunch, I thought. This may turn out pretty well for me. me. My week is getting better better already already..

* The training training was fun and actually informati informative. ve. Some of the games were pretty pretty cheesy though. We don’t quite get the point of shouting superheroes names on top of our  lungs as as means of enhancing enhancing our our vocabulary vocabulary skills. skills. Whatever Whatever.. Other than that, that, the the activities were alright. It was also enjoyable hanging out with M Marny arny and the other girls. We would always have hav e lunch together at the nearby Robinson’ Rob inson’ss mall. After three days of training I was summoned by Mr. Jake, the Korean operations manager (they sometimes sometimes give themselves themselves English English names, long story…). story…). “You “You are recommended for on board training, please report tomorrow morning, fifteen minutes  beforee five AM”.  befor AM”. Wow, ow, me? For on board training training this soon? soon? I must be pretty good good I thought. While I was trying to convince myself that I did impres impresss them, mixed emotions came over me. What now? I’d be all alone in there. there. Just as I was gettin getting g along pretty wel welll with the other other trai trainee nees. s. Now I woul would d be the new new guy. guy. The only only new new guy. guy. I was real really ly expecting all of us trainees to be called for OJT at the same time. The manager explained that the other trainees still need a few more days. And apparently, apparently, they need somebody immediately so I was picked pick ed suddenly. And one more thing, thing, I was already already gettin getting g pretty cozy cozy with Mary. Mary. I kinda detected a little flirtation going on, well maybe maybe I’m wrong…but what if I’m right? She’s She’s really cute and sexy. sexy. Rrrrrrrrrr.

I reported reported very early the next day. day. The HR officer officer pointed me to the operations operations room and told me to look for Mary Jean. She would be my team leader. The operations room was already already teeming with people. At five in the morning, morning, I thought. Sigh. So I went to look for Mary Jean, fidgeting fidgeting once again, trying trying my best not to look like the new guy, guy, but doing a really poor poo r job of it. I approached this this sleepy looking looking guy and asked for my team leader. leader. He pointed me to the girl sitting sitting across him. Her back was turned to me, facing facing her computer, typing typing something. “Excuse me miss, I’m supposed to report to Mary Jean” I said. She slowly turned to me revealing a refreshing face that made my morning a lot  betterr. She was wearing this skimpy  bette skimpy skirt exposing exposing her finely shaped legs that would make the Dalai Lama drool. A tot total al knock out. “Hello. I’m Mary Jean” she replied smiling. She then began explaining company  policies. Her soft, dainty voice was absolutely mesmerizing. I was looking at her face as she spoke but my mind drew drew a total blank. Several fantasies clouded my hapless brain. noticed and that asked company were the least of my interests at that  point soShe she probably stopped abruptly “Didpolicies you understand?” 3

 

“Yup, sure” I said. Total lie, of course. She doubted. “Could you explain policy “Yup, number two please?” Uh oh, I’m in some kind of shit now. now. I could explain explain the perfect proportio proportions ns of  her body but…. “Were “W ere you listening or not?” she said, still with with a soft voice. I had to come clean. “Sorry ma’am, I didn’t get that” I said apologetically. She smiled smiled and told me to listen listen careful carefully ly next time. time. Then Then we had a lighte lighter  r  conversation. convers ation. We talked about experiences experiences around the workplace, workplace, her pet peeves, and trifle stuff. stuff. It was pretty obvious she was trying trying to make me feel more comfortable. And I did. She was quite a gal. Mary jean pointed to the girl in the terminal next to her and impishly asked “Guess how old old she is”. I winced. The girl was looking at Mary Jean with a look of fake annoyance annoyan ce but with a tinge of anticipation. anticipation. Now, Now, I don’t want to go guessing guessing people’s people’s ages for the simple simple fact that no good can come out of it. “C’mon, “C’mon, guess” she prodded, prodded, flashing that sweet sweet smile of hers. Alright, I thought. Hmm…she looked 27 or 28, so I’m I’m gonna say say 23 just just to flatter flatter her then then everything everything will will turn turn out fine. “23?” I said. said. The girl’ss eyes were suddenly ablaze reminding me of Sissy girl’ Sissy Spacek in that Carrie movie. She tried to force out a smile. “Get out!” she joked. Tried to smile once again. I don’t don’t think  she’s really hurt but she was definitely offended. offended. I was thinking of asking her to be my  best friend, as a joke, but that might probably merit a slap in the face. And she’s going to  be my group mate. Great. By the way, way, she was 18.

* I spent the next three days learning how this Korean call center thing works. Apparently, our job was to teach Koreans (in Korea) how to speak English through the   phone and the computer computer. I was quite amused how the ins instructo tructors rs (that’ (that’s what we’re called) call ed) each have their their own uniq unique ue way of teaching teaching.. I was als also o gradua gradually lly gettin getting g acquainted with the other employees. Pretty cool so so far. far. On a Friday, Friday, the bosses sent for me. Mr. Mr. Jeong, the director, was there and so was Mr. Jake. Jake. “The reason why we pulled you out of training so soon is because we will open a new account” Mr. Jeong Jeong said in staggered English. “The new account is called Sisa and we want you to be on the first team to handle handle it” he continu continued. ed. Pressure Pressure immediatel immediately y   built built up within within me with with though thoughts ts of landsl landslide ides, s, upr uproot ooted ed trees, trees, and flooded flooded str street eetss mounting in my brain. I’m a new guy! What the hell do I know about this stuf stuff? f? “Don’tt worry” the director “Don’ director assured assured me “We “We would guide you all the way”. He looked pretty sincere so my apprehensions were lessened a little bit. The ‘team’ was made up of three people. Larry the head trainer trainer (I can’t can’t quite figure out if he’s gay or not… maybe it’s because of that neon green shirt he’s wearing); Daisy, a meek looking, amiable girl; and me. Intensive training on Korean culture and teaching methods followed after that. One whole week of preparation and I have learned only one phrase – ‘ta ra ha se yo’. Meaning repeat after me. I learned that th Meaning this is would be the most useful useful term we could know since our account would deal with children. 4

 

Although we were being trained for this new account, my station was still among the other guys - the Chinguri account. The boss said we (Sisa) would have a room of our  own in a month or so. To my left was Jessie, a pleasant girl who helps me a lot with technical stuff. She  probably noticed that I’m a total ignoramus when it comes to computers. On her left was Amy,, who looked snobbish yet slutty, Amy slutty, but she seemed alright too. Bernie was this richlooking matinee idol type, who I found out has his heart set on becoming a fashion designer design er (his friend friend told me). Go figure. figure. Glenda was a loud mouth funny girl, girl, who is well loved by her peers. Ally is a petite hottie hottie with a wonderfully plump plump rear end and ample bosoms. She’s got this cute face that, even when she pouts, she’d look like one of  those chicks chicks in whisky whisky calendars. calendars. Hot. Across Across my station station was Frankie, Frankie, a gay guy who who looked like a handsome Mexican prizefighter prizefighter.. “I have a song for you” he said. said. “Huh?!”  pleasee don’t be  pleas be hitting hitting on me, I thought. thought. Gay guys guys always always hit on me. Never the the girls. girls. Shit. “…love moves, in mysterious ways…” he crooned “What the hell was that?” I asked “Don’t you know that song?” Frankie asked. Nope. “Its way way popular, popular, by Kevyn Lettau, now revived revived by Nina”. Nina”. Huh? Huh? What the hell is he talking talking about? about? I don’t don’t know those  people. “Maybe you mean ‘Love Moves in Strange Ways’ Ways’ by Blue Zoo” I said. He smirked. He obviously doesn’t know about my people.

* 2

A pleasant surprise greeted me the following week, Marny was already on board! Although I was getting to know a lot of the guys here, it’s really great to have my training contemporary me. their Of course we Iexchanged about experiences here so the far  and what wentwith on with their training. found out stories Mary and Janmy were to continue w with ith training. That’s That’s too bad, I thought. It would’ve been great if all of them were were here now. now. Anyway, at least Marny’s here. She was assigned assigned to the Chinguri account and had a differ different ent team leader leader.. We  both had the same time for lunch lunch break so we often went together. together. Once there was thi thiss girl who approached us and asked if she could have lunch with us. “Marny can I go with you guys to the canteen?” “Sure” we would say. say. “Oh, c’mon please let me go with y you” ou” she followed up. What?! What?! Is her brain fried or something? something? “We “We said sure you may go with us” Marny   patiently patiently replied. replied. “Hahaha, “Hahaha, I was just joking around” she laughed, laughed, seemingly seemingly amused with her unfunny gag. “Becau “Because se I’m really that way…and way…and I’m….blah…blah… I’m….blah…blah…blah…” blah…” she continued on. I think I’m developing a migraine.

5

 

* Mary, I found out, was having a little bit of trouble with the training. I called her  Mary, up one night. “I don’t don’t think I could could go through through with this” this” she sighed. sighed. “It’s “It’s too tough. tough. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this” she continued. continued. “What are you talking talking about? You You can do this easy. easy. It’ll only be a matter of time before you’re you’re called in” I said. “I think I’ll I’ll  just you’re go back back to my fast fast to food job, jobI, I’m not “H as agood good as you’re you guys.” guy s.” SheI like said. said.her “Mayb “Maybe e not,  but cute enough pass” kidded. “Ha ha ha, crazy!” laugh. It’ It’ss youthful yet quaint. The next day I met with her at the mall. We continued to talk about her training and how Marny and I are doing on board. Then we got to talking about ffamily amily and our  apprehensions with this this kind of work. She really doubts her chances. “I know you you could do this, I’m willing to bet on it” I gave her some encouragement (and probably an impression impres sion that I’m a gambler). gambler). We then had dinner at Greenwich on a limited budget and we went home. I would meet her only a couple more times after that and then…nothing more. We just stopped communicati communicating. ng. It wasn’t wasn’t on purpose or anything but I think we both feel it just wasn’t right. Mary finished finished training training after after about two more weeks weeks (she did make it). She was assigned to the afternoon shift which made it harder for us to communicate and connect. Oh well, well, I ho hones nestl tly y didn didn’t ’t think think it was was gonna gonna work out anywa anyway y. I ju just st be be bett tter  er  concentrating on my job. I need to. to. If life life gives you you lemons, make lemonade.

* A month month had passed and the company is is growing growing in numbers. They are hiring hiring a lot of people because of the new Sisa account. Part of the operations room room was allocated for the Sisa employe employees. es. Four Four tables were were set up in the operati operations ons room for the new instru ins tructo ctors rs of the Sisa Sisa account. account. There There were around around six chairs chairs for each table, table, each each equipped with with a telephone and a headset. headset. The textbooks textbooks we would be using to teach teach our  students studen ts were laid laid out in one of the tables. tables. No computers computers would would be used by the Sisa guys. Temporarily, emporarily, that is, as assured by the manager. Anyway Anyw ay,, I didn’t didn’t really care at that time ‘cause ‘cause I was sort of an anomaly anomaly.. I was handling a Sisa account but my station station was among the Chinguri people. I was still sitting with Jessie, Frankie and my other group mates. Of course this was due to the the fact that I was the first teacher assigned to this new account and there was no Sisa section yet when I first first began to teach. So I still had my computer. computer. My surfing surfing continues. In a few weeks we would have our own own room, I was told told.. For the meantime meantime though, though, the Sisa Sisa people would occupy occupy that that small small space. Except for for me. I was with with the Chinguri Chinguri guys. guys. But I’m I’m Sisa. Sis a. A lot lot of people people were confus confused ed by this this.. I keep tellin telling g them “Just “Just don’t don’t try try to understand”. It’ll make sense sense in a few weeks or so.

6

 

* Sir Jake and sir Jeong Jeong conducted conducted an orientation orientation of the new guys. I, Larry and Daisy were were tasked to guide them and advise advise on things concerning concerning our account. account. These guys areAmong gonna the be my peers, thought. I better get to know them. new guysI of Sisa were Sharon, a bubbly and perky girl who seemed fervidly eager with her new job; Jodie, a happy looking affable blabbermouth; Karla, a snobbish looking voluptuous chick; Jane, a chain-smoking mother with the foulest mouth you will ever encounter (it’s all in good spirit anyway); Gwen, a total babe mere mortals like me can’t help but lust after; and Albert, a funny looking dude who’s audacity exceeds his common sense. Albert is a kind of guy who doesn’t really intend to hurt people but his lack of tact seems to get himself himself into the asshole asshole list of a lot of people. During During one of the meetings for new employees, he boldly approached a girl with acne problems and told her “Why does your face look like that? You You need to use papaya soap or something”. something”. Needless Needless to say,, the girl was deeply offended say offended and was close to tears. Once he told Ally “You “You walk  like a duck” to which Ally snapped back “You “You look like a duck’s asshole”, this chick ain’t taking shit from nobody. He would always hound me on account of us being the only guys in the group. “They’re all ours dude” he would say, say, referring to the Sisa girls. “Sure” I’d say, say, thinking why don’t you ask them out one by one? That would be interesting. One restless Friday when I was kind of depressed and desperate, he cornered me into having having drinks with him. him. Hell, why why not? not? I thought. thought. I really really wanted wanted a drink at that that  particular time. We drank beer at the food court of one of the malls near near our office. office. “Dude, “Dude, I’m having some cash flow problems, could you take care of these for me?” he said. said. Why am I not surprised surprised.. “Do I have any choice? choice?”” I said smiling. smiling. “Ha ha ha, you’re you’re cool dude!” dude!” he laughed like a hyena undergoing castration. We continued drinking beer. Me trying to concentrate on getting drunk to avoid listening liste ning to stories even The Twilig Twilight ht Zone would find fantastic. fantastic. “Hey dude, check her  out” he pointed at the girl working as part of the service crew of the food stall we ordered  beer from. from. “That chick has the the hots for for me” he continued continued.. “Who, her?” her?” I was making sure. “Yep, “Yep, she’s she’s always smiling smiling at me when I get beer” he said. “Albert, she’s she’s supposed to smile at everybody; everybody; it’s it’s business business.” .” “Nah, I know she likes me” he insisted. insisted. Wow, ow, I thought. This guy got his head stuck up his ass and he doesn’t even know it. “I’m gonna go over there and get her cell cell phone number” number” he bragged. He chatted with with the girl for  quite a while but by the looks of it, I surmised surmised that the girl is not keen on giving out her  number,, at least not the real one. I saw Albert number Albert typing typing something something on his cell phone as he was talking to the girl but the girl wasn’t looking at him or at his phone as he was doing that. Now, Now, if I was to give my number to somebody I’m I’m interested in, I would look at her   phone to check and make sure she got my number right. That girl doesn’t seem to care. He came back looking smug. “I got it” it” he said. Yeah right, I thought.

7

 

* 3

The two HR officer of ficerand sentSir forCharlie me lie one(the afternoon. It was my contractke). signing. signing. Inside the room were girls Char Schwarzenegge Schwarzenegger r look-alike). look-ali The girl in the front row was Amy, Amy, the other was a newbie named Heather. Sir Charlie discussed the provisions in the contract and some other boring stuff. He then told us we needed a complete medical examination. “Huh?!” Heather exclaimed. “A complete medical?” she asked. “Yes. “Y es. A complete medical examination.” said Charlie. “And I think think I know what you’re concerned with. You have to be completely naked for that, and it’s jjust ust too bad if  you’re shy” he said with a wry smile. This chick is quite prude and old-fashioned I thought. “It’ss not that sir, they might find out I’m a guy” “It’ This elicited elicited laughter laughter from from all of us, especial especially ly me. Hey, Hey, she’s she’s no prude. This girl’s got balls! Well, not literally…I hope! I found out we were from the same neighborhood and she was a good friend of  Marny’s. Marny’ s. She would start the next day and was also assigned to Sisa, Sisa, morning shift like me.

*

The manager needed a new Team leader (or Team Captain) for the Sisa account, and so he assigned Jaime. Jaime. Jaime is a young lady who who has worked in the company for for a considerable period of boss’s time salready so account. Sir Jake pulled her out the Chinguri acc ount and designated design ated her to the boss’ new pet She loved allofthings thi ngs Korean, Korean,account and it was obvious to us that her biggest goal in life was probably to go to Koreaand marry a Korean dude. Since I was, so to speak, the elder of o f the Sisa guys, I made an effort to get acquainted acquaint ed with every person person in my group. One person who I would really like like to keep track of is this Gwen chick. Once she wore this body-hugging spaghetti strapped blouse (that’s more like a big hankie) and and tight white white pants. pants. As she walked, walked, no,  glided  to the water station, we (of  course I mean the boys) observed something quite peculiar that only our sharp eyes can detect. Yep! We We knew it…she was wearing a thong! And since her blouse was hanging to high heavens, we could clearly see the t-back protruding from from her waistline. You could almost hear the collective grunt of the guys straining straining their necks to get a better angle. So every time she would get water, a lot of guys seemed thirsty all of a sudden as they troop 8

 

to the water stati station on holdin holding g whatever whatever liquid liquid vessel vessel they could could find find in a heartbe heartbeat, at, salivating all the while. That afternoon I mustered enough courage to talk to her her.. She was sitting sitting alone at her station because the others were were having lunch at that time. Her cheeks were rosy and her lips were totally seductive. “Hello” I said. “Hi” was her simple response. “So how do you find this job so far?” “Mmm, its okay, okay, but some so me of my students are difficult to deal with.” “Oh, you’ll get used to it. Some of the the guys here are difficult to deal with.” She laughed a bit and gave me this look. It’ It’ss like this look my ex girlfri girlfriend end gives me after we’ve we’ve had sex but I know were about to have more. We converse conversed d a little more about where she lives, who her friends are, her plans for the weekend…then she chuckled once again. “What’s “What’s the matter?” I asked. “Nothing” she said smiling nonchalantly. nonchalantly. I gave her a puzzled look. “Well...it’ “Well...it’ss just that you were staring at my lips the whole time we’re talking.” She said and chuckled some more. That was embarrassing, I thought. It didn’t help that I was sweating like a pig either. either. I smiled. She smiled smiled back. That’s That’s nice. “See you later.” later.” I said. I had to go back to my station. Later that day Albert told me he had gone on a date with Gwen and they were getting quite sweet with each other. other. I don’t know why but at that point I actually believed him. What the hell was wrong with me? Anyway it was all for the best I guess. A week  after that, for some reason I never got to find out, Gwen quit.

* After that week I was only looking forward to one thing – Star Wars ‘Revenge of  the Sith’. It was premiering on a Thursday so I decided that would be the day I see it. I went to Megamall with Heather and Sharon. We had about forty five minutes before the movie starts so we killed time by having snacks snacks at KFC. KFC. I had to explain explain to to them the whole saga saga because because they haven’ haven’tt seen one movie of it and this was the final installment of the prequels. We were seated at the balcony. balcony. It was kinda packed. There were a lot of people in there. I sats between betw the shown. girls. girlwn. s. WeI joked aroun d and goofed off‘cause while we the caught pre-movi pre-movie adverti advertisement sements wereeen being sho guess around we were kinda kind a loudoff the thee attention of some people. Maybe they think we’re obnoxious or something. We didn’t care. “Any of you guys got something to eat?” I asked. It didn’t didn’t matter that that we just ate. “Sharonhas “Sharonhas some some gum” said Heather Heather.. Now, Now, this gum was one of those things in small plastic tubes, which looks like toothpaste but is really hard to extract extract because because they tend to solidify solidify.. “Let me get you you some” said Sharon. Sharon. She tried tried for like five five minutes minutes but to no avail. avail. The gum was just not gonna gonna come out. “What’ss taking you so long?” I wondered out loud. “This damn thing is broke” she said. “What’ “Lemme “Le mme take take a look” look” I said. said. So I took the gum, held it between between my knees for extra extra leverage, tried to squeeze the holy hell out of it. Urrrrghhh....I grunted. “It’s “It’s hard! It’ It’ss very hard!” Sharonexclaimed. “Let me see...” said Heather impatiently. impatiently. Aurgghhhh.... I tried some more. “It doesn’t look that hard to me” Heather said while staring at tthe he gum. “It is hard, I felt it” Sharonclarified. Sharonclarified. “Let me do it...” said Heather and she lunged for it. “Shake it like this!” this!” she shook it. “More!” said Sharon. “W “Wait...” ait...” I said “...I “...I think a little 9

 

 bit came out” “I’ll lick it off...” and Sharondid. “Shake it harder so more will come out!” Heather commanded. “Don’t be too excited, I’ll give you some if more came out” I said. said. And so I was sitting there, shaking something between my legs, with the two girls   beside me trying to grab and squeeze it too, when all of a sudden we simultaneously realized...holy shit! This might look weird. As I glanced at the other people surrounding us I could almost hear their collective thoughts – perverts!

* 4

The Sisa office office was almost almost done. We often had meetings meetings on how to go about making this account a success. I was getting quite comf comfortable ortable with my Chinguri buddies here – Marny, Glenda, Jessie, Bernie, Ally and even Frankie, so I was a bit apprehensive about moving into the new office once it’s done. haveto But I am Sisa, not only that, I’m the pioneer of this account so I have to move on. Anyways, I’ll be with Heather, Sharon, Karla, Jodie and the others so I figure I’ll be alright. I’d still get to see Marny and the gang during during breaks and after office office hours. One Friday afternoon we were once again summoned for an orientation/ meeting. There was this Korean lady who seemed to come from one of those kiddie shows; you know, all smiles, pleasant disposition, real real Sesame Streetstuff. Streetstuff. We were told to sit in a circular formation. “Okay guys, now we will learn how to sing” she said. I cringed. We sat there Indian-style, Sharonon my right, Karla on my left and to her left was Jodie. I was praying praying this would would be over real real fast. I have nothing against singing, but singing to be incorporated with work just didn’t cut it for me. “Wee will sing nursery rhymes “W rh ymes for our kiddie clients” the lady continued. She then proceeded to sing kiddie songs I’ve never even heard before. She sounded like aIBC Chinese 13. Wopera eird. singer, like those you could watch every Sunday morning at RPN 9 and I was thinking nobody here is even remotely interested in what this lady is trying  to teach us...that us...that was until I saw the look on Sharonand Sharonand Jodie’ Jodie’s faces. They seemed seemed to savor every word of o f this weird lady. “Who among you guys can sing well?” asked the lady, lady, smiling harmlessly. harmlessly. “Jodie” I quipped. Meaning to embarrass embarrass her. her. Jodie gave me a look as though she hated my guts because some of the guys were chuckling. I was too. “Okay then, let’s let’s hear your wonderful voice!” said weird Korean lady.. As it turned lady turned out Jodie wasn’t wasn’t embarrass embarrassed ed at all. She didn’t didn’t need any prodding. prodding. She almost immediately busted her lungs out with her own rendition of a Broadway ditty that left a lot of people uneasy. It wasn’t that it was bad, in fact it wasn’t bad at all, but it made me cringe even more. Karla gave me a funny look as if to say this girl is out of her   freaking mind. After Jodie’s shameless performance, it was back to weird Korean lady’s lectures. It was getting quite boring. 10

 

Karla asked me if I had a jacket because her back was exposed while sitting Indian-style and she was wearing a small shirt. “Nope, but I have this hankie. You could use it.” I said. She did then she smiled. smiled. She was really pretty. pretty. But I knew then that she had a boyfriend boyfriend and I was under the impression impression that they were were already engaged. engaged. Besides, Besides, she was way out of my league. league. Cheerleader type. type. I’m the loser type. Sigh. After about thirty minutes of this excruciating ordeal (for me anyway) we were allowed to go. I hurried to the elevator because I was meeting my fr friend iend Xenon for some drinks, I really need one now, now, I thought. Inside the elevator were Jodie, Sharon, Heather  and Karla. Aside from Jodie, Sharonwas pretty perky back there so I jjoked oked “How many cups of coffee coffee do you drink everyday?” She just laughed. laughed. At the lobby, Sharon and Heather told me they were heading straight home so I went with Jodie and Karla. We were about to go when Karla shrieked “Aaaiieeee!!!” “What’s “What’s the matter?” matter?” I asked. “The book! The book!” “What book?” “Our book this one!” she fished it it out of her bag. It was the textbook we use to teach our students. Apparently, Apparently, she failed to return it to the shelf in the office. “That’ “That’s it?!” I asked “You “You forgot to return the book that’s that’s why you yelled like a serial killer was about to cut your head off?” I was sarcastic but jovial. Jodie was laughing hysterically “You ought to be locked up in a mental institution” she told Karla. Karla looked at me. “Can you please return it for me, pleeeaaassee?...” she pleaded playfully like a child begging for candy. candy. She apparently has some issues with some guys upstairs so she didn’t want to go back there alone. “Hmm...I “Hmm. ..I don’t know, know, I really really have a lot to do...” I didn’t. didn’t. I was just messi messing ng around with her. her. “Oh, please... I don’t wanna have to go back, please?...” she continued begging. “You’re “Y ou’re gonna have to do something for him first” Jodie interjected. We were really messing with her now now.. Then Jodie and I gave her a malicious look  while slowly nodding our heads. “What?!!...go to hell!” she yelled, and we all laughed out loud. “Of course I’ll I’ll return it for you, there’s there’s nothing to it.” I finally said. “Oh thank you, thank you so much” much” she said, like like I had just saved saved her life. I wanted to kid her her about kissing me as a return of the favor but I hesitated. Then I decided not to. Because it was true. I did want want to kiss her. her. Someday I will, I thought. Or I hoped. That was funny – me with this cheerleader cheerleader type? Hysterical Hysterical.. But as Wayne Wayne Campbell Campbell of ‘Wayne’ ‘Wayne’ss World’ World’ would say... I  say... I  shall  shall have her, oh yes, she shall be mine!Somebody mine! Somebody slap me now.

*

11

 

Although I was getting along well with my Sisa buddies I still hung out with the Chinguri guys often. We would usually stay at Glenda’s Glenda’s place after work. We would just slack around, cook, eat...just bum out avoiding the boiling summer sun outside. One very hot day when our brains where probably cooked, the conversations turned more frivolous frivolous than usual. usual. The gang talked about their dream weddin weddings gs and shit like that. Jessie Jessie wanted a traditional traditional weddi wedding, ng, Bernie hoped for a more exotic exotic nuptial hisdream then Frankie talked about his dream wedding. “When I get married I would probably cry as I reach rea ch the altar” he said. Glenda, Jessie and Ally laughed. “You “You have to wait for same-sex marriages to be legalized first and that could take a million million years in this country country”” Ally Ally said. Then Frankie dropped a bomb. “I’m not gonna marry a guy. I would marry a woman.” This floored them all. “What?!” they exclaimed. “Don’t tell tell me you you were just pretending to be queer just to get with us lovely ladies...” Glenda said mischievously. “No, I’m gay but when the time comes, I’d like to have children too you know. I think it’ it’ss totally different growing old with a woman, even if you’re gay. It’s more ...correct.” he explained. They continued continued on with these babblings babblings until Ally turned turned to me. “What about about you?” she asked. “What?” I said. “Wee haven’t heard a thing from you... “W ...tell us your life story” story?” I said sardonically. “My life story?” sardonically. “Yeah, you’re on the spot now and you can’t leave here without telling us something” “It’ss quite boring.” I quipped. “It’ “Oh, c’mon, I’m pretty sure you have a lot to tell.” They egged me. “What do you wanna know?” “How many girlfriends have h ave you had?” started Ally. Ally. “Seven” I said. “Serious relationships?” she continued. “Hmmm.....one and a half?” I said. They laughed. They probably sensed that I’m not too comfortable comfortable talking about stuf stufff like these the se so they shifte shifted d their their atte attenti ntion on to Ally. Ally. Sh Shee talked talked about her current current state of  confusion as to whether or not to accept her boyfriend’s marriage proposal. “Didn’t you ever wanna get married?” Ally asked me again. “Well...once” “W ell...once” I said. They eyeballed me with impatient anticipation so I was forced to continue my story. “I was in a serious relationship with this girl many years ago and we almost ended up getting married. We’ve already picked out godparents, pl planned anned the reception, church and everything...but it didn’t push through.” “Why? What happened?” asked Glenda. “Well a few weeks before our wedding...uhm...things changed” “Things changed?” Frankie wondered. “Yup” I answered. “Yeah...I “Y eah...I know what you mean” said Glenda. I think think most of them them knew knew what what I mean. mean. “Thing “Thingss change” change” echoed echoed Ally Ally,, seemin seemingly gly affected but with absolute comprehension. “Why did you decide to get married in the first place?” Ally asked. “Was “Was she - “ 12

 

“Nah” I said. “She wasn’t wasn’t knocked up” “I’m not quite sure how we decided on that... ...we were just walking along the beach one summer night, the wind and the waves were romantic or something...I don’t know...we just decided right there on the beach.” “Wow” “W ow” they said “You’re “You’re quite impulsive”. I laughed. “Life can change dramatically by decisions made at the beach” I said nonchalantly. nonchalantly. “Amen” said Frankie. “Demonic spirits abound...” he said artistically, trying to look like an evil doomsayer or  something. The girls laughed. Frankie continued with eyes wide open “Beware of what happens at the beach...its deadly dangerous” Although we were just goofing around at that time, a few months after that conversation, I would find out that nothing could be truer.

* By this time, the Sisa office was already functional so I didn’t get to be with my Chingurii buddies as frequently Chingur frequently as I did before. I was hanging around Heather Heather,, Sharon and lot. W e had thistofamily of atmosphere at Si Sisa sa itbut of pretty course, there someMarny peoplea who can’t seem stand type one another; but generally was oka okay y. were Aside from Heather, Heather, Sharonand Sharonand Marny I was also getting comfortable comfortable with the group of Jodie, Karla, Jane and their new buddies Monty and Kristine. I was really doing the rounds. I would usually hang out with them after work in the Korean cafeteria at the lobby. This peeved my Chinguri guys a little and they were constantly teasing me about it. Hey, Hey, I like being with Jodie and Karla, they’re a lot of fun too. We would look like a bunch of idiots in that cafeteria laughing loudly all the time. “I’m so depressed” Karla would say, say, then burst out laughing. Of course me and Jodie would laugh too at the obvious silliness. “I don’t think I’ll ever get married” sai said d Karla “Maybe I’ll just become a nun” she continued. “You “Y ou can’t be a nun” said Jodie “And why not???” “Because you’re not a virgin!” blurted Jodie. We laughed loud enough to turn a few heads. “What about you?” Karla pointed to Jodie “You’re “Y ou’re just saying that because bec ause you joined a born again group!” “That’s why I joined the born again, ‘cause they won’t let me be a nun!” More laughter. laughter. Karla turned pensive pensive again. “When can I meet the man of my dreams...” she sighed. “Maybe “Maybe he’s just just here...” said Jodie “...right “...right in front of you and you don’t don’t even know know it”. it”. Huh?! Huh?! Wait Wait a second second.. Was she talki talking ng about about me? This This is kind of  awkward. I’d say the chances of that happening are slim to none.

* 5 13

 

One Tuesday Tuesday night night before quitting quitting time I was talking talking with Karla. She said she wanted to have drinks tonight so I said I know a place which is quite near where she lives. I thought she was kidding about having drinks with me, but it turned out she wasn’t. “Alright then, it’s it’s settled” we agreed. We were going to meet at around seven. After work, Heather, Heather, Sharonand Sharonand Marny suddenly had this urge to go to the mall. They persuaded me to come with them. Alright I thought; I have nothing tto o do between now and seven anyway. I didn’t tell them I was meeting Karla Karla that night. So we hanged out, and window shopped ‘til we were quite tired. Then we ate at a Kenny Rogers around six. “I’ll just have a cup of rice with this chicken” I said. “What?!” they wondered aloud. “Well I’m still full from the snacks I had earlier.” They were used to me devouring large large quantities of carbohy carbohydrates drates every meal. The truth is I can’t drink too much beer on a full stomach, and I intend to drink a lot tonight! I didn’t know if they noticed my constant fidgeting and glancing at my watch every two minutes or so...well, I’m pretty sure they didn’ didn’tt suspect anything. We goofed around a lot in that restaurant so I’m sure I’m  surethey they didn’t didn’t notice. notice. They made me answer answer the Kenny Rogers survey sheet they had at the table, it was about ambiance and service, stuff  like that. So in the comments box I wrote – ‘finger lickin’ good, and ‘sarap to the bones!’ My friends all laughed. I’m pretty sure the Kenny Rogers people won’t ffind ind that funny funny.. I looked at my watch again and it was already seven thirty. thirty. Oh shit! I thought, our  first ‘date’ and I’m late. Marny said they were gonna stroll stroll around some more and look  for shoes or something. “I really have to go guys; I have this thing to do...” I said. “Oh sure, no problem” “...you probably have a date” Marny said teasingly “Yeah, “Y eah, right” I said, neither confirming nor denying. I’m quite sure they think that I don’t have have a date because because if I do, I’d tell tell them already already.. I really don’t know why I didn’t tell them. I told them about Mary before...maybe it’s it’s just that I don’t really consider this one a date ‘cause I know there is no chance in hell Karla would even consider having me as her boyfriend. I hurried hurried out of the mall. It was quite a long walk from the mal malll to the waiting shed where I’ll catch a bus bu s so I walked as quickly as I co could. uld. I arrived huffing and puffing at Karla’s Karla’s dorm at nearly eight. “You’re “You’re late!” she said smiling “I hate you!” that was her favorite expression. We We both laughed. “Now where are you planning to take me?” “There’ss this bar about ten minutes from here, it’ “There’ it’ss quite nice, not too expensive too” As we were walking walking to the place it started to rain. “Oh shit” shit” we sighed. “How long do we still have to walk?” she asked, a little bit annoyed. “A few few more kilometers” I   jok joked. ed. She She ga gave ve me a da dagge ggerr look look and sa said id “What’ “What’ss your full full name? name?”” “Why “Why?” ?” I questioned. questi oned. “So I’d never forget forget the name of the guy who put me through all this shi shit” t” she was kidding kidding,, but I wonder wondered. ed. As we neared the placed placed she saw a giant giant sign and stopped. “What the hell is this?!” she exclaimed. 14

 

“Huh?! What?” there?!” “You’re planning on taking me there ?!” she was pointing somewhere I didn’t quite get at firstt because there were a few lighted signboards firs signboards out there. “So, what’s what’s the matter?” I said, thinking she was pointing at the neon sign of the bar we’re about to go and maybe she thinks it’s cheap or something. “What do you mean what’s what’s the matter? Are you a pervert or something?” “Huh?” I was confused. I looked again to where she was pointing to and realized it was the sign of a famous motel motel in our city. city. “Oh, that! No, no, no...of course w we’re e’re not going there; …over …over there to that bar” I pointed to the neon sign of the bar bar.. “Ha, ha, ha!” she  burst out laughing “I was only kidding, I wouldn’t have come with you if I didn’t trust you” she said smiling. So we ha had d some some be beer er,, then then a lot lot more more be beer er.. .... She She ta talk lked ed ab abou outt he herr pa past st relationships with guys who were either abusive or perverted. I told her I was both. She laughed. I found out she had gone through a lot and she she was only twenty three. I told her  how I got employed at our company and my other sucky experiences with my previous work. Before calling it a night we both had a shot of tequila. tequila. I brought her home at around one in the morning. She was worried no one would still be up at the dorm as we knocked on the door. door. We waited about fifteen more minutes  before somebody mercifully unlocked the door. It was Kristine Kristine (she was Karla’s Karla’s dormmate). mat e). She was was obvious obviously ly interr interrupt upted ed with with whateve whateverr dream she she was having having.. “Hi Kristine” Krist ine” I hollered hollered smiling. smiling. She was really really nice for getting getting up and doing Karla this favor. “Hey” Kristine replied. We said our goodbyes and goodnights and we realized we had to get up before four. four. It was gonna be one hell of a morning!

* My next few weeks were an alcoholic blur. blur. Me, Karla, Kristine and Jodie would   be binge-drinking binge-drinking three three or four times a week. It’ It’ss like we were on this weird, ins insane ane mission to get inebriated at every bar in our city. city. Well, this was partly because Kristine was having troubles with her boyfriend and we were there to comfort her, beer in hand of  course. We became closer as a group, me and Karla became cozier with each other other.. I was also getting kinda guilty since I was spending less time with Marny, Heather and Sharon. I was worried they’d get upset with me. I was developing this infatuation infatuation with Karla that seemed to impair logic (whatever little I have left). She was very caring and sweet to me me  but I really couldn’t be sure ‘cause she seems that way to everybody. We would text and call each other often, I would hang out at her dorm frequently, and we liked being with each other all the the time. I was starting starting to think this this meant something something but I was in deep doubt. One day I had a brilliant idea (or so I thought). I started calling calling her ‘baby’. I was trying to find out how she would react. “What time are y you ou going home baby?” or “How are you doing today baby?” or when we were instant messaging privately, I would often   plague her her with with my term of endearment. endearment. She didn’t didn’t seem seem to mind. mind. She didn’t didn’t seem seem happy either. either. Hmm...still couldn’t tell for sure. I had to ask. 15

 

“Do you mind when I call you baby?” bab y?” “Not really. really. Why do you call me baby anyway?” Uh oh, I wasn’t wasn’t expecting expecting that one. Gotta think think of something something fast. fast. “Well, “Well, you’re you’re the youngest in our gang, you’re the youngest in your family...so you’re the baby” I said. That was so stupid stupid and freakin’ freakin’ pathetic pathetic I thought. thought. “Oh” she said said nonchalantly nonchalantly.. Did I sense a tinge tinge of disappoint disappointment? ment? Maybe I was was hoping tto o sense disappointment. ‘I want you to call me baby because I wanna be your baby!’ that was was what I was hoping to hear.

*

There was trouble brewing in the company and the employees are on the edge. Management seemed in disarray and there were frequent internal squabbles among the  big bosses. bosses. Talks of mass resignation resignation were floating floating around mostly mostly because of the fact that the agency we were under was screwing us financially. Karla la that was she caught some e in middle middle ofMr. this mess. mess.Now, YouMr. see,Jeong very isfew  people Kar knew is a somewher good where friend of the the director, Jeong. at odds with the new president of the company, we could tell that they really hate each other’ oth er’ss guts. The new president president is coming coming up with with so many changes, changes, which which a lot of   people (including me) think isn’t isn’t any good for the employees. employees. In other words, I’m quite  partial to the director. director. Not just because of Karla but also because I could see how good a leader he is and how concerned he is for the people. people. Afte Afterr a couple of weeks of heated disputes, Mr. Jeong left the company. company. By this time also, a lot of the Sisa people were not getting along with our team captain, Jaime. She was getting exceedingly bossy and many of the S Sisa isa girls won’t take this lying down. Karla in particular, particular, is starting to get annoyed with with Jaime, and when she gets annoyed, you can spell that with a B-I-T B-I-T-C-H. -C-H. Despite all these distractions, I wasn’t really affected. To hell with that I thought. Me and Karla were getting quite sweet already. already. That’s That’s all that mattered to me. One night as I was about to sleep I received an urgent urgent message from Karla. It said that Mr. Mr. Jeong wanted to meet us in Nipa Hut, a restaurant-bar restaurant-bar in Pasi Pasig, g, right now. now. I called her up. “He wants to meet us? Maybe you mean you; you’re you;  you’re his friend” “No, no. He said us.” “Why would he want to talk with me?” “I don’t know. know. He just told me he wants us us”” After Aft er some convinc convincing ing I gave in to Karla. Karla. I changed changed clothes clothes and met them them in the restaurant at around eleven. Mr.. Jeong seemed quite happy to see me there Mr there and it felt nice seeing him too. He was the one who guided me early on and I have always always admired him. him. But of course, course, I was happier to see Karla Karla once again. She really looked looked good in those baby t-shirt t-shirt and  jeans.. Mr.  jeans Mr. Jeong ordered ordered a couple rounds rounds of beer for all of us while talking talking about what really transpired within the past weeks. 16

 

It turned out that he was being used by the president as a scapegoat for the company’’s troubles and he was even accused of corruption company corruption.. And then a proposal that changed my career; or even my life –  “I’m putting up a small company in two weeks; I want you guys to come work for me” Whoa, this is heavy I thought. “Don’t decide at once, think iitt over, it’s it’s all up to you” he continued. We said we’ll think about it but I knew Karla has pretty much made up her mind. She was always loyal to him and I know she wouldn’t llet et him down. I, on the other hand, was quite quite confused. confused. I couldn’t couldn’t just leave. leave. What about about my friends, friends, Heather Heather,, Marny, Marny, Sharon and my Chinguri buddies...I also liked the proximity of our building which is just ten minutes away from home. I wouldn’t want to work far. far. Also, I am the pioneer of our  account so I feel obliged to take care of it as much as I could. I really would like to see it grow, the the way we envisioned it from the start. start. But I also really wanted to be wi with th Karla! I was really confused. That night, after the meeting with Mr. Jeong, we talked about this predicament at a burger burger stand stand outside outside her dorm. We sat on the cold bench as I ordere ordered d burgers burgers and drinks.. I decided I wouldn’t drinks wouldn’t go to work the next day because it was gettin getting g kind of late already and I wasn’t feeling fine from the start. “So have you decided yet?” yet?” Karla asked. Her tone was if she was convincing me. “I really want to be with you” I said. Her face lit up. “Me too!” she said said playfully. playfully. We discussed the what ifs ifs that are involved in a move move like like this this,, the the co comp mpen ensa sati tion on pa pack ckag age, e, th thee di dist stan ance ce to ou ourr re resp spec ecti tive ve homes...when suddenly she jerked up. “I think something bit me!” she said. “Huh?! Where?” “At my back! Look at my shirt! It might still be there!” I looked at the back of her shirt. shirt. Her baby t-shirt t-shirt showed showed her form like like a glove to a hand. “Scratch “Scratch it!” it!” she command commanded. ed. I did. “Some more...” more...” alright... alright... “Don’ “Don’tt stop ’ti ’till I say so” she was smiling playfully playfully.. I felt the smooth cotton fabric kiss delicately with her  fair skin. skin. I scratched scratched softly a few more times times then she smiled again again and said “Okay “Okay,, that’ss enough, what that’ wha t a relief” “Hey, our burgers are ready” she continued, waiting for me to stand up and get it. “Uhm, could you get it?” I asked. She was perplexed. “You “You want me to get it?” “Yeah, “Y eah, just this once, okay?” oka y?” She was really confused as to why I wouldn’t get it. “Are you okay? What’ What’ss the matter?” she said. “I really couldn’t tell tell you, could you just get it please?” I pleaded. She rolled her eyes and said “And I thought you are a gentleman!” “Hey c’mon now, you know I would do it if I could” “So why don’t you wanna tell me why you couldn’t?” I stared at her contemplating. I really, really, really couldn’t, I thought. You see, when I caressed her back I felt something quite familiar brewing in my  pants.. Uhm, how should  pants should I put it in a politically politically correct correct way? – I have a hard on. I was wearing wearin g shorts and if got up, I’m afraid she might not notice. ice. “What “What the hell is the matter  with you?” she persisted. persisted. “Could “Could you please just get the burgers? burgers? I’ll explain later” later” I finally finall y said. She still still wouldn’t wouldn’t stop nagging so I said “Look, you’re you’re a sexy girl, and I touched your sexy back, figure it out”. She was laughing quite hard but she still pestered me for a straight answer. answer. I suspected she knew it alr already eady but she wouldn’t let it go. I was 17

 

laughing too so I just told her “You can’t get a straight answer from me, ask Jodie tomorrow”. We laughed again.

* End of Part 1

I used to be on an endless run Believe in miracles ‘cause I’m one. I have been blessed with the power to survive After all these years I’m still alive. I believe in miracles. I believe in a better world for me and you -‘I Believe in Miracles’ The Ramones

PART TWO

Do the Right Thing, Buddy

1

The affectionate messages messages on the cell phone kept coming. The actions in and out of the office are undeniable. undeniable. Yep, Karla and I were really comfortable comfortable with each other  now.. Our friends now friends noticed noticed it. The team captain captain was was bugging bugging us about it it (I don’t don’t know why). But somehow somehow,, Karla Karla and I were oblivious oblivious to it. I myself myself was not not sure if we’re  becoming  becomi ng a couple or not. Should Should I tell her how I feel? What What if she doesn’t doesn’t like like me? I don’t want to hear the immortal ‘Let’s ‘Let’s just be friends’ friends’ speech. speech. Being this unsure unsure was giving me anxiety fits. One night I got really really drunk. A lot could could be said and done when one is drunk  which probably one would regret the next day. day. But I wanna find out the the real score damn it! So I did what a lot of drunken drunken guys guys would do. A mortal mortal sin, sin, when one has imbibed copious amounts of alcohol, one thing we never, never must do when drunk – I called her up. “Hi baby, you still up?” “Yup, preparing my clothes for tomorrow, what’s up?” “Nothhinn much...I wash just thinkin’ ‘bout ‘bout you” “Ha, ha, ha! You’re You’re drunk aren’t you?” 18

 

“Yep, but I’m thinkin’ very clearly” I, of course, was doing the exact opposite of thinking clearly. clearly. I left it all out to luck. “I really care about you, you know” I said. There was a pause for a few seconds. A few seconds sec onds at this moment moment seemed seemed more like thirty thirty minutes. minutes. What’ What’ss she gonna say? I  became nervous despite the alcohol in my veins. “I really care about you too” she finally said. “What are you trying to say?” she continued. I usually am pretty chatty when I’m intoxicated but at that moment I seem to transform into a bumbling retard. “Uhm, err...aaa...” “What?!” “Uhm, what I’m trying to say is that I like you very much and I care for you a lot” I said. “I know that. You said that already” she said impatiently. impatiently. I couldn’t find the words words to what I really wanted to say... say... or maybe what I couldn’t find is the guts. “Uhm, I’ll just tell you tomorrow” tomorrow” I said, defeated. defeated. “Okay, “Okay, I’ll bug you if you don’t. You You know that!” she chuckled a bit.

After a few minutes she sent sent me a text message. ‘ Wat r u trying 2 say? Pls tel me. U know im gullible, whatever it is, I’ll believe u’ it says. Now I’m really at my wits’ end. I wanted so badly to tell her ‘I want you to be my girlfriend’, girlfriend’, but those words words seem like light light years years away. away. I was falling falling in love love with her her but there there was absolutely no way I could tell her. Because I’m chickenshit. I was deathly afraid I would get rejected. And it might ruin ruin our friendship. Yeah, I know, know, its so cliché cliché but so freaking apt at this this point point for me. me. I texted texted back ‘Ur pretty, charming, sweet and smart. U’ll figure it out’. I was hoping she would. We really didn’t talk about it the followin following g day. She probably thought thought I would initiate a conversation but again, I was held back. I just told her I meant what I said and left it at that. It wasn’t wasn’t that awkward awkward ‘cause we were among friends friends again but it felt felt incomplete. We were kind of engrossed engrossed with the corporate turmoil going on anyway so we didn’t really really have a chance to clear everything everything up. I continued sending sending her signals signals throughout the week; she was responding in positive ways too but still...can’t know for  sure.

*

It was Friday Friday.. Karla’s Karla’s birthday was coming up on Sunday. Sunday. Although I wanted to  be with her that day, I knew she had to take a trip back home to the province after work. I asked Jodie to cover for me during lunch break so I could go to the mall and get Karla a gift. I was walking in the mall for about half an hour already with still no clue what to get her. her. I chanced upon upon this shop shop called called Keith Collecti Collection on and I went in. in. I remembered remembered 19

 

she loved those things. things. I was kind of embarrassed embarrassed ‘cause I don’t don’t know anything anything about these girly girly stuff stuff.. I saw some some silver silver bracelets bracelets and anklets anklets that that looked looked really really nice so so I asked the sales lady “If I were to give this to someone special, do you think she’d like it?” “Oh, yes. Definitely. Definitely. These are adorable” a dorable” she replied. “Of course you’re just saying that right?” I said smiling. “No sir, honestly, I wanted my boyfriend to give me these but the bastard is way too cheap” she said. I laughed. “Your “Your girlfriend will surely love that” that” she she continued. “Oh, she’s not my girlfriend” girlfriend” I said and looked looke d at the pretty bracelet and ank anklet... let... “Not yet”.

*

After Aft er work, work, I approa approached ched Karla. Karla.

“Hey “Hey, it’ it’ss your your birthd birthday ay on Sunday Sunday,, let’ let’s

celebrate!” I kidded.“Okay, She smiled. sheathought about it. and me” let’s goThen out for few drinks. You “Hey, I was just kidding” I said “I don’t want you missing your bus or something” “Hey, I really didn’t want her delayed in going home ho me on my account. “Nah, I’m serious. I want to have fun before I go home” “You “Y ou sure about that? What about the bus?” “There’ll be a bus before midnight” “Okay then, let’s let’s go!” I exclaimed. I took her to this place that serves great Chinese food. The place used to be a garden so the owners thought of continuing with their garden theme. There were animatronic dwarves and gnomes that moved creepily creepily,, and there were also concrete mushrooms that looked a lot lot like phallic symbols. Very interesting place. We had a few beers, ate several dumplings and had a lot of laughs. We still didn’t talk about our status status as ‘reluctant ‘reluctant lovers’. I just wanted her to enjoy this. It was like like her   pre-birthday celebration. I was also quite flattered that she chose to be with with me and only me during this occasion. We didn’t notice the time time whiz by and suddenly it was near midnight already. already. “Uh, oh. Gotta go now” she said “I might miss the last bus; I’ll be in big trouble”. “Alright, I have to take you home ho me I guess” I said. “Ha, ha, ha. Sure c’mon go with me” she laughed fully knowing that I wouldn’t possibly accompany her on a three hour ride to the province and then go back home on the same night. “I will go go with with you. I’m I’m serious” serious” I was. was. She was dumbfounded. dumbfounded. “Oh, no, no, no... I couldn’t let you you do that” she said. “Nah, I’d be worried worried if I let you go alone at this time” I insisted. We arrived at the bus termina terminall at nearly one in the morning. The bus wouldn’t wouldn’t take off until it was fully occupied so we waited for a ffew ew more minutes. We were both tipsy and tired tired at the same same time. time. She leaned leaned her head head against against my shoulder shoulder.. Hmm, I thought. This could be good, this could be very good. 20

 

“You’re so nice to me” she said. “You’re  Nice? I don’t know if that’s good or bad. I mean, is that ‘Y ‘You’re ou’re such a good friend’ nice or ‘I could fall in love with you’ nice? “You “Y ou could sleep on my shoulder” I offered. She leaned more and placed her arms across my chest. chest. I put my arms around her as sshe he went to sleep. sleep. Then I gently gently caresse caressed d her hair hair and kissed kissed her forehea forehead. d. “Goodnight “Goodnight  baby” I whispered. whispered. She was already asleep. I stared out the window and silently wished she’d be in my arms forever. We were nearing her hom hometown etown when she woke woke up. “My head hurts” hurts” she said smiling.. I smiled back. “Hey, it’s Saturday smiling Saturda y already alread y. Tomorrow’s your birthday” I said. “Yeah, “Y eah, it’s just one of those days...nothing da ys...nothing special” she sighed. “Of course it is; you’re special” “That’ss nice, but I’m not expecting anything “That’ a nything great tomorrow” I looked at her lovingly then took out my gift and simply said “Happy birthday baby”. She was was surpris surprised ed again. again. Shocked Shocked was was more like like it. She looked looked at me blankl blankly y but gratefully gratef ully and didn’t didn’t say anything for a couple of seconds. I smiled and looked into her  eyes, she tried to look away. away. “I don’t know what to do in rreturn...you’re eturn...you’re so nice to me” she said, genuinely genuinely touched. “What are you talking talking about? It’s It’s your birthday and I got you a gift; it’ it’ss no big deal” I explained. “It is to me” she she said. She kissed my cheek. For  a very long time, I truly felt happy again.

* On Monday morning as soon as I entered the office, Karla approached me like I’ve been gone for a month. month. “Hi” she said said smiling smiling enthusiastic enthusiastically ally.. “I’ve “I’ve got a present for you” she continued. “It’s “It’s not my birthday” I said wryly. wryly. “I don’t care” she responded  playfully.. She handed me a Sacramento Kings pin.  playfully “Uh, you do know that I’m a die-hard Lakers Lake rs fan right?” “Yeah, “Y eah, I know. I couldn’t find any an y. So I got you this instead” she smiled. I don’t know if it was just me but the atmosphere seemed somewhat different today.. Much...sweeter. today Much...sweeter. A few moments later I knew what it was. Karla. Of course. She was extra sweet to me, and I to her. her. But this time, we were not oblivious to it. We were not holding back on body languages languages anymore. anymore. We didn’t care if the others others noticed. We were constantly Instant Instant Messaging each other (with cutesy emoticons); we would eat lunch together and we’d go home together. together. I would often bring her breakfast, vitamins and her daily dose of C2 iced tea, which I sometimes took from Jodie’s station ( I just love the comic consternation on Jodie’s face as soon as she finds out her precious C2 is gone). One morning, I was chatting casually on the MSN messenger with Jodie and Jane (the foul-mouth mother), when Karla joined in.

KARLA: hey guys wassup? 21

 

JODIE: we r talking bout sex  JANE: not just about sex …about f@%$#ng! KARLA: how rude!  ME: hahaha! KARLA: (to me) r u included included in this discussion discussion of pervs? JODIE: included??? He’s He’s the Instigator!!!! Instigator! !!! ;) JANE: hahahahaha KARLA: ahahahaha JANE: karla, u don’t think he’s he’s innocent do you? JODIE: he’s dirtier than a pig in shit! ME: …as happy too… JANE: JAN E: so karla karla wat do u think think about about shaved shaved pubes pubes?? U shud shud try it u know… JODIE: hahahaha KARLA: hmmm…I don’t know, know, wat are da benefits? ME: KARLA!!! Don’t indulge indulge jane!! jane!! JANE: hey, hey, she’s a big girl; she can speak her mind…hahaha JODIE: u guys are pervs… KARLA: alright..i better better stay out of dis dis x-rated group…ahahaha! group…ahahaha! JANE: hmmm…why do do u hav to to follow him?… do I smell love? KARLA: I’m outta here….ahahaha  (KARLA has signed out) JODIE: (to me) IS THAT THAT TRUE??? Uuuhhhhh….(exaggerated Uuuhhhhh….(exag gerated shock) JANE: of course course its true!!! true!!! Hahahah Hahahah ME: hahahaha ur crazy!!! Later! (I signed out)

*

Rain started to fall that sultry night in May. May. I was in my room watching the news when the phone rang. It was Karla. Somehow I knew it was her even before I answered it, most people have this intuition intuition I guess. I brightened up. “Hi baby” I said. “Hey, “Hey, Sir Jeong called me up; he wants to meet with us again” “At Nipa Hut again?” a gain?” I inquired playfully playfully.. “No, he wants to talk to us in his new office in Ortigas” She sounded quite serious. serious. Hmm, this is probably probably about the offe offerr we talked about last time. “Alright sure” I said. I went to Karla’s Karla’s dorm to pick her up and we proceeded to Sir Jeong’ Jeong’ss office. He told us to wait at the lobby of this certain building in San Miguel Avenue. Avenue. We waited for  about five minutes when he showed up. His appearance took us aback. He looked like shit! ((or or at least a homeless Korean guy…) He was wearing pajamas and a loose t-shirt, his hair was a mess and his face was so pale and insipid. “What happened to you?!” Karla Karla couldn’t help asking out loud. 22

 

“Oh, I just got out the hospital hospital two hours ago” he said. Apparently Apparently he came down with intestinal flu the day before. We were really quite shocked he’s back at his office two hours after leaving the hospital, I thought this was quite a testament to the kind of   businessma  busin essman n this guy is. “Are you you alright sir?” sir?” I inquired. inquired. “Oh, I’m fine fine don’t don’t worry; let’ss go up to the office”. let’ We were told to remove our shoes as we entered the small office (I don’t really know if the thismiddle is a Korean tradit or .just oneWof the eccentrici eccentricities ties of the boss). boss) . Sitt Sitting alone at of the tradition officeion iiss Mr. Mr Jake. e weren’t surprised. These two were like liing ke  brothers, where one goes, the other goes as well. We exchanged pleasantries and stories about wor work. k. They told us how the current  president of Sisa screwed them over and how they went about establishing this new office. Then the offer came. “We know our company is new and still unstable, but I need you to be with us because we trust you” said Mr. Mr. Jeong. Wow, quite fflattering, lattering, I thought. Karla asked questions about what kind of work would we be doing and stuff stuff like like that. I wasn’t listening. I was deep in thought about only one thing – Jerry McGuire McGuire and ‘show me the money’. money’. I wasn’t concerned about what kind of   job or who we’ll be working for, for, I trusted them about that. Especially Especially Karla, Karla, she trusts Jeong Jeo ng so I will too. The fact that that Karla would would still still be my colleag colleague ue made me more more inclined to take the offer, whatever it may be. “We’ll give you a couple thousand more than what you were previously getting” said Mr. Jeong in a rather apologetic manner. Karla continued to ask more more questions about the job  but that’s that’s it for me. New Company, Company, better pay and Karla Karla with me. Don’t need any more convincing. “I’m in.” in.” I interrupte interrupted. d. “Ha ha ha! That’ That’ss good!” laughed laughed Jake. “That’ “That’s why I like you!” he kidded. Mr. Mr. Jeong looked quite surprised surprised but he was smiling, smiling, seemingly seemingly  pleased. Karla looked at me with an expression of surprised doubt. She probably thinks that I was only kidding about my sudden confirmation, but I wasn’t. A couple of minutes after that, Karla also affirmed her intent to join join Mr. Jeong’s Jeong’s new company. company. “Great!” he said. “So when can you you start with us? us? When will you resign from Sisa?” he asked. We explained that we would need probably a week or so to go through the whole resignation  processs and that we would join him as soon as possibl  proces possible. e. We didn’t have an idea at that time that it would be much sooner that we anticipated.

After the meeting Karla and I decided to head to one of our favorite watering holes hol es to further further discus discusss this thing. thing. Of course, course, beer beer would would have to be involved. involved. We surmised that moving moving on would bring more more advantages than disadvantages. The pay was  better, the people we’d be working with are cool, and being pioneers in that office would  boost our chances chanc es of career growth immensely. immensely. We were so excited we decided to inform our friends immediately immediately.. Kristine was out on a date with her sucky boyfriend and Jane lived furthest away from us so we knew she wouldn’t be able to come at this hour (which is about ten in the evening). The other  guys all had their things. This leaves us to Jodie, our affable blabbermouth friend. Karla called her up. “Hey Jodie! Jodie! We’re We’re here at the Circle. Circle. Come over here as quick as you can, we’ve got something important to tell you!” Of course Jodie pestered her to blurt out the news but Karla wanted her here personally. personally. 23

 

“Alright…as long as you buy me drinks!” Jodie said.

Jodie arrived arrived after an hour, hour, wet but smiling smiling.. “What the hell hell happened to you?” asked asked Karla. “And why are you you wearing that that stupid grin?” I added. She animatedly described how she was get a cabpulled for quite time any luck thisher dashing young man intrying a new to Mercedes up tosome where shewithout was standing andwhen offered a ride to wherever she is headed. “Maybe he’s he’s a pervert” Karla suggested. suggested. I was chuckling. “No way! He was such a gentleman and he’s so handsome!” Jodie swooned. “So you got in her car soaking wet?” Karla was doubtful. “Yes. “Y es. And he even offered to pat me dry” Jodie responded without batting an eyelash. “Did he ask you how much?” I said with a grin, implying that she might’ve been mistaken mista ken for a hooker hooker.. She hurled hurled invectives invectives at me me which made made me laugh harder harder.. I’m quite qui te sure sure Karla Karla didn’ didn’tt believ believee Jodie’ Jodie’ss knight knight-i -in-s n-shini hining ng armor armor tale, tale, she’ she’s quite quite the skeptic, especially when it comes to Jodie. “Anyway,, we’ve got some good news!” Karla said excitedly. “Anyway “I know I know…” interrupted Jodie. “Huh, how would you know?” “You two are a couple now, right?” “What?!” Karla glanced at me. I don’t know if she she felt awkward or what. I just sat sat there and continued to drink d rink my beer, feigning coolness all the way way.. “No, no, no…” Karla continued. “The news is…we’ve been offered good positions by Mr. Jeong and we’ve accepted!” We’ve told Jodie before that Mr. Jeong was opening a new company in Ortigas but we didn’tt tell her about our business didn’ business rendezvous rendezvous with the boss a couple of weeks ago. She seemed pleased for us but then she said the guys would miss us and what about our gang, and… “Don’t “Don’t worry” Karla Karla said. “As soon as the boss starts hiring hiring more people, we’d take you all” “Really?!! That’s That’s great!” Jodie almost yelled. The prospect of all of us friends working in a new office by ourselves is really very exciting; I hoped it would be realized.

(to be continued)

 

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