"Nabusog ka ba? Parang konti lang ang kinain mo," puna ni Jeremiah nang makabalik kami sa sasakyan niya.It was past twelve in the morning when we decided to go home. Mabuti nalang wala akong pasok bukas dahil sobra 'yong pagod ng katawan ko ngayon. Binugbog ko talaga ang sarili sa trabaho plus 'yong pag-commute ko pa ay mahirap. From Pampanga to Quezon. Next time magpapalipat na ako o lilipat ako."Nabusog naman ako kahit papaano," sagot ko. "Ikaw ba?""I guess so. Iba pa rin ang lutong ulam sa bahay.""True," humalakhak ako. "Tara na uwi na tayo. Inaantok na ako.""All right," he responsed and we drove away.The following morning, alas dies na ako nagising at bumangon. I checked my atm card kung may pumasok na bang pera mula sa tinatrabahuan ko. Napangiti akong makitang nakakuha na ako ng sahod.I took a quick bath and changed into pink shirt and short s

Thank you for your time.Eh? Was that a compliment?It was past six in the evening when Jeremiah and I bid our goodbyes to the sisters and children. I fought the urge to stay and spend more time with Israel because I could not do it. May trabaho pa ako bukas."You okay? You seem silent," aniya."I'm fine. Ikaw ba?"I was fine now that I left Israel knowing she would be safe there. Hindi ko pa alam kung kailan ulit kami magkikita but surely we would."I'm more concerned of you. You talked to Hans, didn't you?""Paano mo nalaman?""I was watching you the whole time.""You're being creepy again." I rolled my eyes."Ganu'n? 'Di ba pwedeng curious lang ako sa pinag-usapan niyo? Who knows Hans might have bad intention?""He wants to offer me a job.""What job?"

Nag-resign ako sa dati kong trabaho tulad ng gustong mangyari ni Hans. I underwent training before he charged me as the new chef to his new restaurant in Manila.Sobrang bilis ng pangyayari. Parang kahapon lang nagtatrabaho pa ako sa isang fast food chain, ngayon nasa restaurant na talaga. Malakihan pa!"I'm Sheika Fernando. Nice to meet you all," pakilala ko sa lahat bilang isa sa mga chefs dito sa resto ni Hans. "I hope we can get along well. Our mission is to give our customers the service they can't find from other restaurants."Mabuti nalang maraming option ang kursong kinuha ko. It was helpful. I was an instant chef in this restaurant.Nagsimula na kaming magtrabaho. This wasn't the usual job I got used to but somehow it didn't give me any regret. Mas malaki ang sahod dito. Sobra pa sa perang kailangan ko.My goal was to buy a land property first before I would design my own house. B

Sheika's POVNight shift ako ngayon so I decided to visit Israel and spend my day with her. Noong huli kong bisita 'di kami masyadong nagkakasama kasi nandoon si Jeremiah. Mother Superior adviced me na huwag akong masyadong maglapit lapit kay Israel kapag may kasama ako para 'di nila maisipang magkamukha kami ng anak ko. Sumunod naman ako kasi para lang din 'yon sa bata."Nay, kailan niyo po ako iuuwi sa atin?" Tanong ni Israel nang nagkaroon kami ng private time para sa isa't isa."Ayaw mo na ba dito, 'nak?" Tanong ko at hinawi ang buhok niya."Gusto ko po dito, Nay, pero gusto ko pong kasama ka."Malungkot akong ngumiti. I also wanted to be with her. Kung kaya ko lang. Kung puwede lang. Kaso hindi pa ako handa. "Tiis ka nalang muna dito, 'nak ha? Sorry if I have to leave you here."Nagbaba siya ng tingin. I felt a pang in my chest. Niyakap ko si Israel habang pinipigilan ang sariling umiyak.The truth was I was scared o

"How long have you been donating in St. Claire?" Hans suddenly asked me.Nakaupo kami sa magkabilaang pinto sa backseat. I still wanted to give ourselves space as a sign of respect for him. Boss ko pa rin siya."For about three years," sabi ko.Magtatatlong taon na si Israel. Simula noong inuwi ko siya roon, tuloy tuloy ang bigayan ko. Even in those times I didn't have a job yet."You said you don't have a business. Is there any reason why you are supporting that orphanage financially?"I looked outside the window and watched the people patiently waiting for a bus or a cab to ride on. The night was dark yet the street was still busy.Gusto ko sanang i-dismiss ang topic na 'yon. Palagi nilang tinatanong kung bakit ako nagdo-donate sa bahay-ampunan gayong wala naman akong kinalaman doon. Napaisip ako. Did businessmen only donate to the orphanage because it was their obligation? Hindi ba sila nagdo-donate kasi may malasakit sila and not because