cc quickie: the Old in the New

There's something strangely familiar with this new relationship. I see, and even feel, pieces of my past relationships all coming together.  His sense of humor.  His disarming smile.  Being back in the condo after 3 years.  His kiss.  My body on his.  My own feelings of exhilaration.  I've seen this before.  I've felt this before.  And it's back.

I'm so glad it's back.

Lucas Chronicles: Roommates 5

Dumating siya sa bahay nila na tulala. Maraming iniisip ngunit walang pakiramdam. Wala na siyang trabaho. At hindi niya alam kung paano mag-uumpisa. Kakaunti lang ang kanyang naipon. Kung tatagal siya sa Manila, hanggang dalawang buwan lang siguro at mauubos na rin yun.

Alam niyang kailangan niyang isipin ang mga bagay na eto ngunit pagod ang utak niya. Kaya tumunganga na lang muna siya sa kwarto nila. At ganun siya nadatnan ni Joey. Tulala pa rin.

"Sus! Ang gulat ko. Nanjan ka pala? Oh, napano ka na?" Tinabihan niya sa kanyang kama.

"Joey, fucking bitches just fired me." Matalas ang mga salita ngunit wala pa rin emosyon na kahalo.

"What??? Terminated ka na? Mga gagong iyon!" mas malakas pa ang boses ni Joey. Gustung-gusto niyang yakapin si Lucas nung panahon na iyon. Ngunit nagpigil na naman siya. Na naman. Hindi tamang panahon.

"What will you do, bro?"

"Di pa ako sigurado. I can't stay here until I find a job."

"Huh? Ah.. " biglang naalala rin ni Joey ang bayad sa renta. Ngunit ang mas pin-roblema niya: mawawala sa piling niya si Lucas.

"Ah.. I don't know how to help.. Siguro you could stay for..."

"Bro, ok lang. Uuwi muna ako sa amin. Sorry at biglaan kang maghahanap ng kapalit."

"Wag mong isipin yun, Luc. Para ka namang iba." at tinapik niya sa tuhod si Lucas. Ngunit bigla rin niyang binawi. Nahiya sa ginawa.

"Bro, wag mo munang isipin yan. Mukhang hindi ka pa nagdinner. Tara." niyaya niya si Lucas.

"Wala akong gana. Thanks."

"Well, kung ayaw mo ng dinner, inuman lang. Friday naman ngayon. My treat."

May konting pait sa pandinig ni Lucas ang "my treat". Nag-umpisa na ang mga 'awa effect' sa kanya. Yun ang isang pakiramdam na hate niya: ang kinaawaan siya ng mga tao. Nagsumikap siya upang maka-ahon. Babalik na naman ba iyong ganun?

"Wag na, Bro. Itabi mo na lang iyan."

"Luc, I want to. Gusto ko ring uminom. Alam mo naman kaming mga nerds, minsan lang gumigimmick."

Natawa si Lucas. At napa-oo. "Sige, bro. Bahala ka. I won't be good company."

"Tara."

Napadpad sila sa isang inuman, isang beer garden kung baga. Maraming mga tao, puro mga office people. Usong-uso talaga dito sa Pinas ang mga ganito. Murang pagkain, malamig na beer, minsan may banda, minsan maingay lang na music. Ang importante, makapagsama at makapag-inuman.

Pinilit ng waitress na maglagay ng mesa sa gitna upang makaupo sila. Kaya napapaligiran sila ng mga barkadang ma-iingay. Nung umpisa, na-aburido si Lucas, kasi alam niyang hindi sila makakapag-usap. Ngunit mas maganda na rin, kasi ayaw niyang magdaldal muna.

"Bro, pinag-iisipan ko yung kaso mo. May laban ka sa kanila. Parang sobrang discriminatory yung ginawa sa iyo."

"Naiisip ko yan, Joey. Saan naman ako kukuha ng lawyer, at ng pambayad? Sus, kailangan ko pang magpadala ng sustento kay Emily."

"Ah nga pala, yung anak mo. Siguro, she'll understand kung wala muna."

"Yeah, she will. Pero ako mismo, ayoko ng ganun. Paninindigan ko yung batang yun. Shit! I hate this! Fuck them." Unti-unti ng lumalabas ang galit. Ang pakiramdam. Lumilipas na pagkatulala. Ibang klase talaga ang alcohol. Mga bagay na hindi mo sana aaminin sa sarili, ilalabas at ilalabas niya.

"I can't afford a lawyer. Sinong tatanggap ng kaso ko? Shit."

"Cool, bro. Baka may mga kaibigan sila Rene, yung ibang tropa, na attorney."

"Yeah. Pero hindi ko alam kung paano ko babalikan si Carlito. Siya ang may pakana nitong lahat."

"Yung ex mo? Sigurado ka?"

"One hundred percent. Bro, sino pa ba ang tatawag sa sekretarya ng boss ko ng 530 - 6am kundi isang taga-call center? At siya lang kinuwentuhan ko tungkol dun sa tang-inang Roger na yan."

"Wow. Ganun kalala ang galit ni Carl sa iyo? Para patanggal ka sa trabaho?"

"Ano ka ba? Di ba nga may topak yun? Ang lakas ng tama nun!"

"But bro, paano ka makakaganti? You don't have contact with him na, di ba? And besides, you don't have a case against him."

"Fuck him. I know. Shit talaga."

"Look, huwag mo munang isipin si Carl. Your priority is to get a job."

"Alam ko. Tang-ina, I don't want to dip on my savings. Sayang naman. Kaso, tainted ang employment record ko dahil sa gagong Von na yun."

"I'm sure there will be a job for you, Luc. Magaling ka. Bilib ako sa iyo."

"Bro, salamat. Maski alam kong bola lang yan. Malaking tulong."

"Ano ka ba? Luc, idol kita. Alam kong malaki ang pagsisikap mo marating mo yan."

"Idol? Ang idol mo nawalan ng trabaho."

"Nun pa lang naman, marami na akong alam sa iyo na kahanga-hanga... " biglang natigilan si Joey. Bigla siyang kinabahan sa mga nabigkas niya. Muntik na siya madulas sa kanyang mga nararamdaman.

"Huh? Bro, there's nothing admirable about me. Believe me."

Hindi nakasagot agad si Joey. Alam niyang baka lalo siyang mahuli kung magsasalita pa siya. Mabuti nga at hindi pinatulan ni Lucas yung "..nun pa lang..." Naramdaman niyang bigla siyang namula. Mabuti na lang, parang tama lang ng Red Horse.

Habang tumatagal ang inuman ay naibaling na rin ang usapan sa mas magagaang na bagay. Ang kalandian ng mga barkada. Ang mga failed romances ni Rene at ng ibang mga kasama. Napagaang rin ni Joey ang nararamdaman ni Lucas. Tulong na rin ng beer.

Nakarami sila ng inom ngunit hindi naman sobrang kalasingan. Yung sakto lang. Nung nasa taxi sila, hindi na maiwasan na magkatabing-magkatabi sila. Hindi lang mga tuhod ang nagtatama. At nadiyan na rin ang paghampas-hampas ng mga hita, ang kilitian. Lahat yun ay ninanamnam ni Joey.

Pareho silang hindi na diretso maglakad papunta sa kwarto. Tawa sila ng tawa. Nagising ang iba nilang kasambahay sa ingay nila. Nadapa ng dalawang beses si Lucas. At lalo pa silang naghagikihikan hanggang makapasok sa loob.

Nakatayo pa sila ng hinarap ni Lucas si Joey.

"Bro, salamat." at niyakap niya si Joey ng mahigpit.

Bumitaw ng sandali at nagkatinginan sila. At hinawakan ni Joey ang mukha ni Lucas. At hinalikan niya sa labi. Tulak na rin ng ilang linggong pagnanasa, nahumalo sa kalasingan. Ngunit sandali lang. At bumitaw na ng bigla si Joey mismo, nahiya sa sarili.

Nagulat si Lucas, hindi inaakalaing magkakaroon ng ganoong eksena. Naiwan siyang nakatayo habang biglang tumalikod si Joey. "Shit, I'm sorry." ang masasabi lang niya habang paupo sa sariling kama.

Nilapitan siya ni Lucas at lumuhod sa harap niya. Tinignan siya ngunit hindi siya makatingin. "Bro?" tanong ni Lucas.

"I'm sorry, Bro. I don't know what came over me. Shit." nakayuko pa rinat ayaw tumingin.

Tinaas ni Lucas ang mukha ni Joey upang tignan siya. Pinag-aralan ang mga mata, tinignan kung ano ang nilalaman ng kaluluwa. At hinalikan na rin niya sa labi ng dahan-dahan.

Biglang nadilat si Joey sa nangyari. At hindi na niya pinigilang ang sarili at hinalikan na si Lucas ng husto na halos mahulog sila sa sahig ng kuwarto. Naghahalo na lahat ng damdamin sa kanya nun, ang hiya, gulat, saya, takot. Ngunit lalo't lalo na ang pagmamahal na pinamalas niya sa halik na yun.

Tinignan niya ng sandali si Lucas habang nakahiga. Tinignan niya ang kanyang matagal ng minamahal, nakapikit. At dahan-dahan na niyang tinanggal ang mga butones ng shirt niya.



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Their Story: The Sign

At the age of two, she was stricken with polio, one of the thousands of children who caught the disfiguring virus during the epidemic. The indomitable faith of her mom and the entire family, made sure that despite this, she would be able to walk. And she was,with the hobble typical of such victims.

She grew up to be a chinita beauty, always smiling, never insecure of the deformity of her left hand and leg. But she also knew that she was never going to be like other girls, with their strong legs that could dance the ballet or, at least, hop and skip merrily along the way.

She would attract the interest of some of the boys at the parties...when she would be seated, with her legs covered by the delightful balloon skirts of that time. But the interest would quickly dissipate when she would decline the offer of a dance, and unapologetically show her left leg. The boys then were polite. They would just fade into the dancefloor with other girls.

But not him. He was so stricken by her beauty that first time he saw her at the campus. He saw the polio, but it never bothered him one bit. He was too enamored. Maybe it was because of his true romantic nature. He had an artist's hand. He could make sketches with his pen with just a few strokes, with amazing likeness. And he also had the gift of a poetry, schooled in Shakespeare. He had an amazing command of the English language.

This was how he, perhaps, tried to stand out in the family, a typical middle child. He was the middle son, sandwiched between a smart, charming Kuya and a handsome Bunso. So he was always immersed in the arts at a tender age. He was into theatre, music, sketching. And he developed his confidence that way.

But the arts was not what his parents planned for him. He was a Junior to a doctor-father. Being a doctor was imprinted on him, as much as he resisted. So he ended up in that UST Campus, intent on making his parents proud of him, finally.

Then he saw her, an interior design student, a friend of a friend. And he just had to meet her.

She definitely did not take him seriously, as he started the formal courtship procedure (visiting her at the house). Well, he wasn't as gwapo as her actor-crushes. Even a bit too scrawny. Besides, all of those guys get turned off by her polio anyway. Why would he be any different?

Oh but he was. He was persistent. And he just charmed the pants of her mom, who loved conversing with him in their native Capampangan. He really had a way with words. So she melted and had her first boyfriend, ever. And she felt how he truly loved her and cared for her.

He was deeply religious, another trait that endeared her mother to him. And even just a few months of going 'steady', he wanted some divine symbol to tell him that she is THE one. So he prayed that novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus. He asked for a flower as a sign. Yes, that would be enough. A flower from her, incredulous during those times. Why on earth would she, the girl, give him, the guy, flowers? But it seemed the right sign to ask.

She was going off on a trip to Corregidor Island for the weekend. And she casually asked him what he wanted as pasalubong. He asked for a flower as a souvenir. She found it weird of him. But then again, he was always artisty-quirky that way. She shrugged and just nodded.

Her girl friends were teasing her about what pasalubong she'll bring back from Corregidor. She mentioned the flower request, which seemed even weirder now that they were on the island. Not fruits, not even seashells. But a flower. As she was carefully going down the steps from the beach house, she noticed a shrub in full bloom. The gardener allowed her to pick a few flowers, and told her they were Vietnamese roses. Odd-looking roses, they were, she thought.

She gave him the roses during his visit. He was flabbergasted, but didn't show it. He graciously accepted the gift and acted like all was normal. He went home that night whistling his favorite classical piece, a Rachmaninoff. He was ecstatic! He couldn't believe that his prayer would be answered so directly, Even though he asked for a flower as a sign, he was surprised that she gave him roses, the very flower associated with St. Therese. The symbolism was unmistakable. He knew then that this was the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

That was fifty three years ago. And they are still together, both in their mid-seventies.

With parents like that, how could you not believe in love that lasts a lifetime? cc


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cc on c5

Wow! Very pleasant surprise on the comments on that "blog death" post. Thanks for the encouraging words! I believe the majority sentiment is that blogging will continue, in one form or the other. And I am so gratified by the support for the blog (and the different effects it has had on raiders). I (as a blogger) am not going away. Not anytime soon, anyway. And may I extend this heartwarming sentiment to other bloggers? Why not drop a line (comment) on those blogs you still follow to just say that you still read and find it worth your while? It's Valentine's anyway. Let's spread the luv! :)


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Blogging is Dying!

Is it? Mcvie has been asking that question for quite some time now. He has noticed how the social networks, Facebook and Twitter, have "accommodated" the idea of blogging. And because of sheer convenience, these have actually replaced blogging: the ‘timeline or wall post’ or the ‘tweet’. He cites Miggs, who lately has been posting on FB what seems like blogposts related to his advocacy.

Dear raiders, how have your blog-reading and posting habits changed lately?

Well, I definitely still blog. Although, I admit that I blog much less than before. Work has been getting in the way of blogging. LOL. And of course, a new love life. LOLer (?). Sometimes, it's really just a dearth of new things to write. But Lucas has given me a new direction, a new outlet and it has been quite gratifying.

But my blog reading has dropped drastically. I do not follow any blogs regularly anymore. I visit only when I have some spare time, and I want to just find out what they are up to. I must say, however, that I was never really a big blog reader in the first place. I don't even post a blogroll in my blog. Schedule just constrains me.

I suspect that my blog has become victim to raidership drop, too. Regular raiders have become occasional raiders, or has even dropped my blog altogether.

Am I spending more time on the social networks? Well, yes, but not because of the same motivation as blogreading. I follow people on the networks because I am interested in them as people. And should they be bloggers, too, well, that is purely incidental. I enjoy reading what they share as people I know.

Will I ever stop blogging? I really don't see myself stopping, maybe just slowing down. The blog has become an extension of my self, despite the few posts. My mind still processes my thoughts and experiences using the blog as filter: "could i blog about this?" I am still motivated to post, and looking at some blogstats encourages me. But the best motivation of all happens when one of you tweets, pm's, messages, emails me as cc. Either to react to a post, or to simply tell me that you read the blog.

So maybe, even if I will end up with one raider, I would still blog.

Because I Blog Therefore I Am.



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YOF Updates 2

Sometimes, I have this quirky way of making decisions. I let the Fates decide. Well, not that I actually believe in the Fates. hehe But I allow chance or, the faithful way of looking at it, allow Him, to make the decision for me. Show me a sign which decision I must make, I ask Him.

I went on leave from the lector service during that time I was in my faith-crisis mode. The main thing that bothered me then was that I might be putting the Parish in a bad light, knowing that I am gay, sexually active, yet I read His Word during mass service.

I asked my priest-friend about that. His response: that is a very personal question I should ask myself (mala-Anne Hathaway ang peg ni Fr!). I would have to determine whether what I do outside the Church is visibly ‘gay’ and ‘provocative‘ to a point where I might be compromising the Parish.

That got me thinking. Well, I don’t cross-dress. But I do hang-out in gay areas with gay friends. Though I hardly go out these days. I don’t really do PDA. (Maybe once or twice hehe) So I don’t really know if my ‘practice’ of being gay is offensive or not. I just asked for a sign. Show me that You want me to continue to serve You that way.

On New Year’s Day, I heard Mass at a nearby chapel. This chapel is inside a home for the aged (mainly women), cared for by nuns from Spain. My parents do volunteer work there so the nuns know the family pretty much. They have a nice chapel there. The few times I have heard Mass there, the Scriptures would be read by the young Filipinas who are to become future nuns. They don’t read too well.

That Mass was going to be celebrated by my priest-friend. And since it was right after our enlightening discourse, I was elated to go to Mass and receive communion. Out of the blue, one of the senior nuns approached me and asked me to read the 2nd reading. I was totally surprised. And honored. And I took that as my sign that I should go back to serving.

I sincerely believe now that I have been conducting myself worthy enough to read His Word during the Mass. I try to be very good at it. And I now believe that is what He wants me to do.


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Turn RED for a cause

Join the RED Party on February 16, 2013 Saturday at 9pm at Orosa corner Nakpil Streets, Malate, Manila!  Tickets at only P150!

Lucas Chronicles: Roommates 4

Ka-chat ni Joey ang matalik niyang kaibigan, si Trojan24.

"Uy, Naabutan rin kita dito."

"hey! musta? lagi kaya ako dito. ikaw ang hindi ko madalas makita."

"Weh! lulusot pa? LOL Anong balita?"

"Ok naman. work pa rin. same-same. kaw?"

"Eh kamusta na yung roomy mo? Yung delish?"

"Lol Delish talaga? Ok lang naman."

"Ano? may nangyari na sa inyo?"

"Gaga! ano naman ang tingin mo sa akin? rapist? Wala no!"

"Asus! eh sobra kayang watir-watir ang pekpek mo diyan!"

Natawa bigla si Joey habang nag-type sa keyboard. Naalala nga niya ang kilig niya nung una niyang na-confirm na magiging room mate niya si Lucas.

"Ang over mo! hindi naman. Saktong kilig lang."

"Ay sus! I-rape mo na kasi. Itali mo at ihampas mo yung ga-higante mong nota sa kanya! Wahahaha!"

"Gaga ka talaga! Ang gulo mo. Friends kami. Hanggang dun lang yun."

"Teh, ang loser mo. Do something."

"Loser talaga ako, no? Alam ko naman iyun. Puro mga borta at gwapo ang mga nagiging jowa ni Luc. Paano naman ako lalagay sa mga yun?"

"Bakit? Malaki naman ang nota mo! LOL"

"Gaga ka talaga! walang ibang laman ang isip mo kung di yun."

"Weh? ano naman mali kung ganun? Im just saying na gamitin mo asset mo!"

"Stop it. Magtigil ka na. May tinatapos pa ako para sa opisina."

"Weh! naglalaro ka lang jan no?"

"Ok fine. Buking. Oh sige na. next time, chat uli."

Napatingin siya sa kanyang sarili at biglang tumayo. Humarap sa salamin at tinanggal ang shirt niya. Hindi naman masama hugis ng katawan niya. Hindi lang siya mahilig kasi magworkout. Pero at least, hindi siya mataba.

Binalik niya ang shirt niya. At naupo. Napag-isipan na naman niya ang nakaraan. Lalo na nung una niyang nakilala si Lucas sa isang party. May mga common friends sila na nagcelebrate ng birthday sa isang condo. Late na nga siya nakarating. Akala niya, mga usual na bading ang mga bisita. Nagulat siya na marami na ang nasa loob ng condo unit ni Gani, yung host at isang birthday celebrant.

Tipikal na mahigain, bumati lang siya kay Gani at hinanap na ang mga ibang kakilala. Kaso mukhang naka-alis na sila Tito at Sonny, ang mga katulad niyang gamer. Naupo muna siya sa isang sulok ng sofa, at pinagmasdan ang mga masayang nagkukuwentuhan at nag-iinuman. Masaya rin manuod ng mga bakla in action, ika nga. Nasa isang tabi may seryosong nag-uusap. Dun naman sa isang banda, pinaliligiran ang isang gwapong hunk, lahat parang gusto siyang lapain mula ulo hanggang paa. Natawa siya sa mga pinapanuod niya.

Bigla na lang may tumabi sa kanya. Napatingin siya dahil may biceps. Yun kasi ang una niyang tinitignan sa lalaki, yung braso. Kailangan malaki. Hindi siya pinansin ng katabi at inabot na lang ang potato chips sa may mesa sa tapat nila.

Tinuloy niya ang pag-inom ng San Mig light nang inalok siya ng katabi.

“You want?” tanong ni Lucas sa kanya.

“Ok lang. Ok na ako dito.” sabay turo sa beer.

“Kaninong friend ka?”

“Kay Gani. Ikaw?”

“Yung jowa ko, friend niya si Rene.” Naiwan sa isipan niya ang salitang ‘jowa.’

“Ah yeah, si Mama Rene.” sang-ayon ni Joey sa kausap.

“I’m Luc. You are..?”

“Joey.” at nagkamayan sila.

“So wala kang ka-tropa dito?”

“Wala eh. Mukhang nag-alisan na. Paalis na rin ako.”

“O, ba’t ka naman nagmamadali? Unang beer mo pa lang ‘ata yan.”

“Hindi naman ako malakas uminom. At may pasok pa bukas.” nagpalusot lang siya.

“What do you do?”

“Sa IT ako, sa Makati. Kaw?”

“Sales. Pero Cebu-based ako. Nataon lang na bumisita ako muna. IT ka pala. Cool yun.”

“Ok lang. Tahimik. Computer lang katapat buong araw.”

“Haha yeah. Ako puro tao. Puro bola.” Napansin ni Joey na mukhang marami ng nainom si Lucas.

Bigla na lang may lumapit sa kanila.

“Babe, kuha mo ako isa pang beer.” utos sa kanya ng nakatayo, lalaking malaki ang panga.

“Yes, Babe.” At tumayo si Lucas. “Nga pala, this is Joey. Joey, si Carl, jowa ko.” Nagkamayan lang sila. At lumayo si Lucas, patungo sa kusina.

“Sinong friend mo dito?” tanong rin ni Carlito sa kanya.

“Si Gani.”

“Ah. Yeah, mga friends ni Mama Rene mula sa nerdy world. HAHAHA” sabay tawa ng malakas si Carlito. Halatang marami na ring nainom.

Nakitawa lang siya. Kahit hindi nakakatawa. At nakaka-insulto pa nga.

Bumalik na si Lucas, dala ang beer ni Carlito. “Here, Babe.”

Kinuha niya ang beer. “Tara, Babe, kausapin natin si Ryan, yung hunk!” at hinila na si Lucas palayo. Kumaway na lang si Lucas kay Joey.

Hindi nakalimutan ni Joey ang kagandahang-loob ni Lucas na kausapin siya nung gabing yun. Kaya rin naman naging crush na niya si Lucas, nuon pa lang. Pa-minsan-minsan, nagkikita sila sa chatroom online, kaya nagkakakwentuhan. Dun niya nakikilalang mabait si Lucas. Kahit sa chatroom ay bumabati at nakikipagchat kahit sandali.

Si Gani ang unang balita sa kanya sa gulong nangyari kay Lucas at Carlito. Nagulat siya kasi hindi aakalaing mangyayari ang ganun, sa Metro Walk pa. At tamang-tama naman, nung naghahanap na siya ng room mate, ay naghahanap rin ng matutuluyan si Lucas.

Alam niyang sandali lang ang magiging pagsasama nila ni Lucas. Ngunit hindi niya mapigilan ang saya niyang makapiling kahit bilang room mate at kaibigan si Lucas. Hindi naman siyang umaasang may mangyayari sa kanila. Malinaw naman si Lucas na friends lang sila, kahit sa chatroom. Nagkukusa lang naman siyang tumulong kay Lucas.

Kaya hindi rin naman siya gumagawa ng paraan upang mapalapit kay Lucas. Minsan nga, iniwasan pa niya. Siya ang nahihiya kapag pumapasok si Lucas sa kwarto naka-tapis lang. Ni silipin kung may kargada si Lucas ay hindi niya magawa. Nandidiri siya sa sarili niya pag naiisip niya yun. 

‘Tahimik na paghanga’ yun ang tawag niya sa nararamdaman niya kay Lucas. Hanggang dun lang yun. Walang ibang papupuntahan. Ngunit pag-sumasagi sa isip niya ang nangyari nung gabing lasing si Lucas, umiinit pa rin ang damdamin niya. Minsan, naiisip niya na sana, sinamantala na niya ang pagkakataon. Hinupuan man lang. O hinalikan. Ngunit sinasampal rin niya ang sarili niya pag naiisip niya yun. Hindi dapat mabahiran ng kabastusan ang ‘tahimik na paghanga’ niya kay Lucas.


Parang zombie si Lucas na pumapasok sa opisina nung sumunod na linggo. Bigla na lang siyang naka preventive suspension habang tinutuloy ang imbestigasyon. At ang kaibigang si Tere ay hindi na niya pinapansin. Para siyang may ketong kung iwasan ng mga tao.

Dumating ang panel investigation sa kaso niya. Mabilis. May mga tanong tungkol sa naging relasyon nila ng mga kliyente. Pilit niyang i-deny na may naganap sa kanila. Ngunit nakakuha sila ng mga testigo. Kahit ata yung hayop na si Roger Garcia ay nagpadala ng statement sa naganap sa kanila.

Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, natapos ang imbestigasyon at ang hatol. Kinausap siya ni Von nung Biyernes.

“Lucas, I am holding here the results of the investigation. And I think you already know what this says.”

Tahimik lang si Lucas. Walang imik.

“You can make it easier if you...”

Sumabat si Lucas. “Sir, mawalang-galang na po. Hindi po ako mag-re-resign. Kung ang hatol po ay termination, yun po ang ibigay niyo.”

“Fine. You know the consequences and implications. Your career will be blemished by this. Sayang ka, Lucas.”

“I am fully aware of this, Sir.”

“I am serving your termination notice, effective immediately. Please clear the desk of all your belongings. You will surrender the keys to the car, the cellphone and the laptop to HR as you exit.”

Tumayo si Lucas at kinuha ang sulat. Lumabas siya sa opisina ni Von at nakita niya si Tere. Wala siyang galit na naramdaman sa kanya. Hindi na lamang niya kinibo at dumiretso siya sa kanyang desk. Humingi siya ng kahon sa janitor at nilagay niya ang mga gamit dun. Sumaglit siya sa parking upang kunin ang mga gamit sa loob ng kotse.

At nang matapos na lahat, dumaan siya sa HR upang ibigay ang mga kinakailangan. Lumabas na siya ng building at tumawag ng taxi.



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