4

It’s a long weekend so I decided to visit Nanay - my grandmother - in the province of Silang, Cavite. Life there is really nice. They don’t have much traffic, are not totally polluted, and if one likes to eat, there are many fruit-bearing trees around.

“Nanay, how did you and Lo (my grandfather) become together?”

She stopped peeling a Mexican Turnip (singkamas) and laughed. “Oh, dear. Why did you ask?”

“Nothing really. I just became curious.”

“Maybe you just miss Chris. Hahaha Oh my dear, it’s just love. It can’t be eaten.”

“What, Belinda? It’s only love? You’re saying nonsense things to our granddaughter! Nako, Nicole, don’t believe whatever your grandmother says. Just listen to me, okay?” Lo said.

I just laughed at the two of them. They are so sweet to each other after all these years of being married. I also want to be like them. Their relationship is not perfect but you can see that they are happy and their love for each other.

Nanay suddenly came up to me and hugged me. “Nako, my dear. If he is really the one for you, if he is the one that God intended for you, you will be genuinely happy. Look at us. We’re not always happy, we also have disagreements, but until now, we are still together.”

“I also want that to happen to me, Nanay. Even just a little bit, I want to have what you and Lo have.”

Going back to the city, I thought of what would happen to us if he went back from Saudi Arabia. Will our old aura, habits, and attitude towards each other come back? So many years have passed since he went abroad. We always do video calls and chats. He’s also always denied leave by his boss or there’s a problem at the embassy. I really miss him so much.

“Ma’am, may I see your ticket?”

I was taken out of my reverie and shown my bus ticket to the checker. I sighed while thinking of the possibilities that might and can happen.

“Ma’am, I’m sure that will all pass. Just don’t lose hope, and trust in the universe and in the Lord.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Even the ticket checker noticed my problem. Hahaha

When I arrived at our building, I suddenly remembered Jerk. Why do we need to live in the same building? When I went out of the cab, I frowned really deeply.

“Miss, everything will be alright with your boyfriend. Just remember the love between the two of you.” My, gosh. Even the cab driver is saying things.

I wasn’t able to greet Aldrin, the doorman of the building, because of my frustration. I was just frowning, not minding the people passing by and the people inside the elevator with me. Until I heard a laugh when people got off on a floor. I immediately turned to the person beside me.

Well, wouldn’t you know? It’s the one and only Jerk, my boss. With me. In the elevator. Again. Also, he’s laughing on his own. Maybe he’s gone crazy.

“Sir? Are you okay? Do you need to be brought to the emergency room?”

He shook his head but still continued to laugh. My gosh, why did I have to ride the elevator with this person who coincidentally turned crazy?

“You look ugly, Miss Sirencho. You shouldn’t be frowning.” He laughingly said.

My blood is boiling now! I was about to speak but the elevator bell rang and I was forced to leave the elevator without defending myself. I just muttered things to myself until Andz called me.

“Psst! Hey! Nicole! What are you doing? You just arrived from Nanay’s?” She called out to me from the kitchen.

“Ugh, Andz! I hate Jerk so much! He called me ugly! He really doesn’t have manners!”

She passed cold water to me and sat beside me at the salas. “You know, Niks, maybe he just means that you look more beautiful when you smile or laugh or just being happy. Remember? I told you to not frown because you look ugly when you do. Also, you develop many frown lines when you frown a lot.” She gently massaged my arm.

I faced Andz. Worry is very evident on her face. I just sighed loudly and smiled at her.

“There! That’s the Nicole I know! And, because of that, I want my souvenirs!”

I laughed and gave in to her request. We just spent time together until it was time to sleep.

I took a deep breath before I pressed the elevator button. All smiles, Nicole. He is still your boss. Even if he is a Jerk. Just breathe to control the anger. Remember, he is still your boss.

I repeated this mantra to myself until I heard a beep outside the condo building. It looks like it came from an expensive-looking car.

Suddenly, a window from the passenger side of the car went down and it showed my boss who was wearing shades. “Miss Sirencho! Get in!”

I was surprised at what he said. But I just decided to follow him. I will avoid traffic if I went with Jerk. I was near the passenger door when the car suddenly moved backward. It caused me to back and I looked at Jerk.

“Come on! Get in, Miss Sirencho, or you’ll make both of us late for work!”

I tried again to open the passenger door but the car moved again, forward this time. I’m starting to get really angry!

“Hey! Are you going to let me in or not? Why did you even call me to ride with you if you aren’t even going to let me in in the first place? Also, we aren’t in the office so you don’t have any right to justify things like you’re dealing in the office!”

Now, Jerk is just laughing a little harder than he would. He didn’t notice that there was a car waiting at the back of his that is just almost endlessly honking. I started to walk to the bus waiting area.

Suddenly, a car honked at my back. “Okay, Miss Sirencho. I’ll let you come in now.”

I forced myself not to pay attention when I rode the first bus I saw. I can still hear his laughter echoing.

I hastily greeted the security guard and the receptionist stationed at the lobby with a forced smile. I’m still so annoyed at Jerk. But, unfortunately, I still have to suppress my annoyance because I’m now inside the office building. I don’t want to be fired or be given a memo because of my bad behavior. Finally, I arrived at my department semi-peacefully.