Habang nakahiga pa sa kama ay biglang tumunog ‘yong cellphone ko, hindi ko siya pinansin kaya nag taklob nalang akong kumot sa ulo ko, pero hindi pa rin tumitigil ‘yong tawag kaya wala akong choice kundi kunin ‘yong cellphone ko. Hindi ko tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag pero sinagot ko pa rin naman, "Hello," Panimula ko.
"Hello, anak." sabi sa kabilang linya, na parang si Mama ‘yong tumatawag, tinignan ko 'yong harapan ng phone ko at nakasulat nga na 'Mama'
"Ma?" Hindi ko napigilang mapakamot sa ulo ko, tila ba hindi ko matanggap ang kanyang pagtawag. Naging malinaw sa akin na tunay nga itong tawag mula sa kanya.
"Kumusta ka na diyan sa apartment mo?" Ang kanyang boses ay pumukaw sa akin na parang isang yakap mula sa malayo. Naramdaman ko ang init ng pag-aalala sa bawat salitang binitiwan niya.
"Okay lang po," tugon ko. "Medyo ho-homesick din kahit papaano. Kayo, kumusta na kayo diyan?" May kasamang ngiti sa aking mukha habang tinitingnan ang mga litrato sa kwarto na nagpapakita ng aming masayang mga alaala bilang pamilya.
Napansin ko ang kaunting tigil sa kabilang linya, tila ba pinagnilayan ni Mama ang aking tanong. Sa ilalim ng kalma at pamilyar na boses, nararamdaman kong may mga bagay siyang gustong ibahagi.
"Kapag may kailangan ka, tumawag ka lang sa amin." sabi niya ng may pag-aalalang pag-aalala.
I blinked in response to her words. Despite the distance that separated us, as the days went by, I felt myself growing stronger. And whenever I heard my mother's voice, the unwavering promise of love and support from her eyes and her voice never wavered.
"Sure, Ma, thank you. Please do call me if you need anything, or kulang ‘yong napadala kong pera."
She chuckled softly on the other end of the line. "Don't worry too much, Anak. We're managing just fine. And always remember, your well-being and happiness are what matter most to us."
I smiled, feeling her warmth wrap around me even through the phone. It was a reassurance that no matter how far I was from home, their love and care were constants in my life.
"I know, Ma. I promise to take care of myself and make you proud." My voice carried my determination, a pledge to continue striving for success while holding onto the values she instilled in me. "Kayo rin po, mag-iingat kayo diyan."
"Oo, anak. We believe in you, Zaniyah. Always keep your heart open to new experiences, and never hesitate to reach for your dreams."
Her words resonated deep within me, a reminder of the lessons she had imparted throughout my life. As our conversation drew to a close, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. My mother's unwavering support was a foundation on which I could build my aspirations.
"Thank you, Ma. I love you."
"I love you too, Anak. Take care, and always remember that home is where your heart is."
After we hung up, I leaned back against my pillows, letting her words sink in. Home truly wasn't just a physical place; it was a feeling of belonging, of knowing you were loved and cherished no matter where life's journey took you.
With a sigh of contentment, I placed my phone aside and closed my eyes. In the midst of my busy life, I found solace in the connection I shared with my family. As I drifted into a peaceful slumber, I held onto that warmth, knowing that no matter where I was, their love would always be my guiding light.
fast forward…
As I settled into the office, I greeted my co-workers with a smile while walking towards my desk. Suddenly, someone called my name, and I turned to see that it was our manager, Mr. Santos.
"Zaniyah," he said, and I looked at him in surprise.
"Sir?" I responded, a hint of unease creeping in as I met his gaze.
"Could you come to my office? I have something to discuss with you," he said gently, but I felt a knot of apprehension in my stomach. I hadn't submitted any reports to him yet, so I couldn't help but wonder what this conversation was about.
"Uh-oh, Zani, you're in trouble. What did you do?" one of my co-workers teased in a mockingly dramatic tone, and I laughed nervously, trying to play off my uncertainty.
Walking towards Mr. Santos' office, my mind raced through different possibilities. I couldn't think of anything major I had done wrong, but the unknown still weighed on my mind. Knocking on his door, I heard his invitation to enter, so I took a deep breath and stepped in.
"Good morning, sir," I said politely, my heart beating a little faster.
"Good morning, Zaniyah. Please have a seat," he replied with a warm smile, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. I settled into the chair, my curiosity piqued.
"Hindi kana mag ta-trabaho dito." sabi niya
Bigla naman akong nanlumo sa narinig ko, "P-po?"
He leaned forward slightly, his expression serious yet not intimidating. "I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity that has come up."
"Opportunity, sir?" I echoed, feeling a mixture of surprise and intrigue. The apprehension began to give way to anticipation.
"Yes, you've been working hard since you joined us, and your dedication hasn't gone unnoticed," he began, his tone encouraging. "We have a project that we believe would be a great fit for your skills and potential."
I listened intently, my pulse quickening. A sense of pride swelled within me, mixed with gratitude for the recognition. "Anong project po, sir?"
"Personal Assistant." Sabi niya
My heart skipped a beat as I processed his words. Personal Assistant? It was not what I had expected, but my mind raced with the possibilities. I had the skills and organization to excel in such a role, and the idea of supporting someone in their endeavors was both exciting and challenging.
"Personal assistant?" I repeated, my voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and wonder.
"Yes," Mr. Santos affirmed. "We have a high-profile client who is in need of a personal assistant. Your attention to detail, time management skills, and ability to handle various tasks make you an ideal candidate."
The weight of the opportunity sank in. Working closely with a high-profile client meant exposure to a new world of challenges and experiences. While my initial apprehension had been centered around potential mistakes, this conversation was turning out to be a turning point in my career.
"I believe you have the right skills and mindset for this task, Zaniyah," he said with genuine encouragement. "Your fresh perspective and creativity will be valuable."
"I'm truly honored, sir," I responded, my voice reflecting my genuine enthusiasm. "Thank you for considering me for this role."
Mr. Santos nodded appreciatively. "Of course, it won't be easy, but I believe in your potential. This is a chance for growth and development."