Chapter 4

Pagkatapos ng mahabang araw, Ashley finally finished preparing everything she needed. Napatingin siya sa wall clock sa tapat ng cubicle niya—5:55 PM. Isang mahabang buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya habang tinatapos ang huling adjustments sa report summary na ipinasa sa kanya kaninang hapon.

She stretched her arms, cracking her knuckles out of habit. Pagod na pagod na siya, pero hindi pa rin tapos ang responsibilities niya. Maya-maya pa, narinig niyang lumapit si Des, hawak ang bag nito at may bitbit pang bubble tea.

“O, o! Para sa’yo!” Des said, smiling, as she placed the cold drink beside Ashley’s keyboard.

Ashley blinked, surprised. “Ha? Sa’kin ‘to?”

“Yep. Para kahit papaano, may energy ka pa mamaya sa walwal session natin,” Des winked.

Napatawa si Ashley, and for the first time that day, she felt a bit of relief. “Grabe ka. Ang bait mo. Salamat, ha?”

Des plopped down on the chair beside her, ang expression nito ay seryosong-seryoso. “Ashley, totoo lang ha—wala ka nang dapat patunayan sa kanila. You’ve done more than enough today. That presentation? Solid. Kaya wag mong hayaang i-down ka ni Danielle.”

Ashley nodded slowly, sipping the drink. “Thanks, Des. Alam mo, kung wala ka siguro, baka sumabog na ako kanina pa.”

“Girl, that’s what friends are for,” Des said with a grin. “Now, let’s get out of here. Baka maunahan pa tayo sa favorite spot natin.”

Ashley was about to stand up when her email pinged. Reflexively, she turned to check it—isang bagong email mula kay Danielle. The subject line: "Corrections Needed – ASAP."

She opened it reluctantly, at lumaki ang mata niya sa dami ng naka-bullet point na revisions. Lahat ng napresent niya kanina, halos ginisa ng comments. Some points were valid, but most felt nitpicky—parang sinadya para hanapan siya ng butas.

“Seriously?” Ashley muttered, slumping back in her chair. “Hindi pa siya tapos?”

Des peeked at the screen and rolled her eyes. “Ugh, the nerve. Kalalabas lang natin sa meeting, ngayon gusto niya agad ng revisions? Walang pahinga?”

Ashley stared at the email, torn between staying late to start working on it or leaving it for tomorrow. Napansin ni Des ang pag-aalangan sa mukha ng kaibigan niya.

“Don’t even think about it,” Des said firmly. “It can wait. You need this break, Ash. Kung hindi mo kukunin ngayon, kelan pa?”

Ashley hesitated. Alam niyang may point si Des. Her body ached, her mind was tired, and she had skipped lunch—again. Ang totoo niyan, she was at her breaking point. But Danielle’s words echoed in her mind. “Tanga ka ba? Just make sure next time…”

She bit her lip, then slowly clicked the email closed. “Tama ka. Mag-aalboroto lang utak ko kung pipilitin ko pa ‘to ngayon.”

Des raised a triumphant brow. “Good girl. Tara na!”

Later that evening, nasa loob na sila ng paborito nilang gastropub, a cozy but lively spot tucked away sa isang quiet corner ng city. The lights were dim, the music mellow, and the air smelled of grilled meat and sweet cocktails.

They found a booth near the window and settled in. Des ordered nachos and fries, habang si Ashley naman ay pumili ng mojito. She needed something refreshing—pangtanggal stress.

“Okay,” Des said as their drinks arrived. “Spill. Ano talaga ang gusto mong gawin? I mean, kung walang Danielle, walang toxic work, walang pressure—ano ‘yung dream mo, Ash?”

Ashley blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Dream ko?”

“Yup. Wala lang, gusto ko lang marinig ‘to from you. Kasi feeling ko, lagi ka na lang nag-a-adjust sa mundo. Gusto ko marinig kung ano ‘yung world na gusto mong buuin para sa sarili mo.”

Ashley swirled her drink, staring at the mint leaves floating on top. She thought for a moment.

“Siguro... gusto kong maging team leader someday. Pero hindi ‘yung tulad ni Danielle ha—someone who actually listens. I want to create a space where people feel seen and heard. Gusto ko ng work culture na hindi ka kakainin nang buhay.”

Des smiled. “That suits you. You’re too kind for this corporate jungle. Pero alam mo, kaya mo ‘yon. You’ve got the brains, the drive, and the heart.”

Ashley laughed softly. “Ewan ko lang sa brains ngayon, parang naluto na ‘to sa stress.”

“Girl, lutong-luto ka na nga, pero andito ka pa rin. You’re still standing. That’s strength.”

Ashley looked out the window, the city lights reflecting in her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder kung worth it pa ba ‘tong ginagawa ko. Like, what’s the point kung hindi ka rin naman nakikita?”

“You’re seen. Ng mga taong mahalaga. Like me. And one day, the right people in the right places will see you too. Maraming nakakakita ng halaga mo, hindi mo lang iyon napapansin.”

Ashley smiled, genuinely this time. “You really believe that?”

“I do. One hundred percent. But until then, you need to learn how to fight smarter. Set limits. Huwag mong sagarin sarili mo para lang mapansin ng taong hindi marunong makakita ng value mo. Kulang na nga lang palitan mo yung mga taong nakaupo sa mas mataas na ranggo." 

Ashley leaned back against the booth, letting those words sink in. Des was right. She’d been playing survival for so long she forgot she had a say in her own story. Maybe it was time to change the script.

“Okay,” she said, raising her glass. “To smarter fights.”

Des clinked her glass against hers. “To your future CEO era. Charot lang."

They both laughed, and for the first time in days, Ashley felt free.

Later that night, habang naka-higa na siya sa kama, Ashley opened her planner and stared at the dates filled with tasks, deadlines, and meetings. She sighed, then started crossing out a few that could wait. She added a new entry: “Talk to HR – workload balance.”

She wasn’t just going to survive anymore. She was going to take charge—step by step.

And maybe someday soon, she wouldn't just be seen.

She’d be followed.