I did my job when I went inside the conference room after I talked to the executive director, Mr. Ford Montenegro. Cups of coffee were served to every board member as I alternately looked at the representative in front of everyone who is doing her best to practice her report for her presentation today in the meeting. “Excuse me, miss,” one of the board caught my eyes when he was seemingly calling for me, so I regarded the gentleman immediately. “May I know if the chairman is also joining us today in the conference?” I politely smiled and nodded for the confirmation. “Well, yes, sir. Fortunately, the chairman will be joining the meeting since today’s agenda is important.” “Oh, okay. What about the vice chairman?” he added. It was part of the job -- to accommodate who are included to every appointment of Mr. Darwin Montenegro. Speaking of my boss who has been grumpy to me this morning, he has still not yet arrived. I just entertained the board members with answers that are needed for

SHANELLEHindi ako makapaniwala sa mismong sarili ko. Hinayaan kong mahulog kay Steven nang tuluyan at pinanalo ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.We dated secretly without everyone knowing. I thought at first that this was a bad idea. Dawn will be furious, and this is not okay. I don't know what to even call this: stealth? a betrayal? Pero ang sabi ni Steven ay tumigil na siya sa panliligaw kay Dawn. It turns out that we like each other. It's just that a part of me is afraid to what will happen if everyone finds out about us. Ang sabi ni Steven ay siya na ang bahala. At naniwala ako dahil lagi niya akong kinukumbinsi na kung handa na akong sabihin sa lahat at kung makakita siya ng tiyempo na magsabi ay hindi na namin ililihim.This is a thing that is difficult to believe. An obscurity. Noong una ay hindi ako mapaniwala na gustong makipagkaibigan sina Dawn sa akin, at ngayon naman ay malalaman ko pang gusto rin ako ni Steven? Hindi naman ako gano'n kaimportante. Hindi rin ako sikat,

SHANELLEGabi ng Linggo ay titig na titig ako sa isang blangkong puting canvas sa balkonahe ng condo. Nakalatag sa marble table na nasa harapan ko ang mga coloring at painting materials. Naisipan kong magpinta para mawala ang mga iniisip ko.Whenever I paint, I would always think of colorful things --- like happiness and a beautiful world. But for the first time in my life, holding a paintbrush right now, dark pain and drab loneliness are my inspirations to do art.Nasaktan ako sa pakikipagkaibigan. Nasaktan ako sa eskwelahan. Nasaktan ako sa mismong sarili ko. Nasaktan ako sa pag-ibig. Nasaktan ako sa mga salitang binitawan ng mga tao sa paligid ko. Nasasaktan ako sa lahat, pero hindi ko magawang magreklamo. Para akong nakakulong sa kulungan ng kalungkutan. Para akong nakakadena sa sakit na walang hanggan.Isang ngiti ang dumating sa labi ko. Sa pagkakataong ito, isang malungkot na ngiti at walang buhay.Sinimulan kong kuhanin ang painting brush at nilunod ito sa black acrylic color

I could see through his eyes that he was being affected, especially when he slightly flinched the moment I slid my hand down to his necktie. Without further ado, I grabbed the paper he signed and stood up straightly. He was still motionless while I was flipping my hair, his gaze being serious at the moment and the playfulness has been eradicated after I played with him.“I am sorry to disturb your consciousness, Mr. Montenegro, and take that as a lesson to never mess with me,” I said firmly and turned my back on him, not regretting every word I said.Does he think that I forgot that he insulted me in their first and second dinner in their mansion? If he just knows me, he would know that I don’t easily forgive and I also do not know how to forget. Duh!I rolled my eyes while walking throughout the busy hallways that contained employees who greeted me. I rode an elevator to go to my boss’ office where I know that is having his work time in his office.“Good afternoon, sir,” I greeted wh

Just like I've said, Viramos is a small town. There was clearly no doubt that what transpired last night outside our boarding house scattered around our batch. "Talagang sinugod si Melanie kagabi?""Naglasing ba naman sa boarding House no'ng Oscar."Nag-igting ang panga ko nang marining ang dalawang classmates ko na nag-uusap sa aking likod. I pretended to be listening to the discussion of our instructor, but the topic behind me is ringing in my ears, distorting my focus on the class. "Absent pa nga siya ngayon, oh? Siguro nahiya.""As in nakita mo talaga kagabi?""Oo naman! Magkatabi lang kaya kami ng boarding house nila Melanie. Nagce-cellphone kasi ako no'n sa terasa, tapos nakarinig ako ng ingay. Sina Melanie na pala-""Excuse me. Pwede bang pakihina ng mga boses niyo? Medyo hindi ko kasi marinig si miss dahil sa inyo."I immediately gazed at Irise who seemingly is now irritated. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pang tingnan ang dalawang kaklaseng sinaway niya at hinintay na lang ang pin