As we headed home, the night was filled with a mix of emotions and thoughts. With the experience of the fan meeting still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but replay the events of the day. The atmosphere inside the venue, the anticipation, the genuine connection Jackson had with his fans—it was all so overwhelming yet fulfilling.
As I settled into my apartment, I took a deep breath and let the experience sink in. I felt a sense of gratitude for being part of something bigger than myself—a community of passionate fans who found solace, inspiration, and joy in Jackson's artistry.
Just as I was about to unwind, my phone buzzed with a text message from Athena. "Ano, Zaniyah? Nag-enjoy ka ba?" it read.
A smile tugged at my lips as I read her message. Athena was always so attentive and caring. I quickly typed my response, "Oo, sobra! Hindi ko akalain na gano’n kaganda ang magiging experience ko."
Moments later, my phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Alex. "How was it? Kinilig ka ba nang makita mo si Jackson?"
I chuckled to myself and replied, "Magkasama ba kayo ni Athena? HAHAHA anyway. Hindi ko naman ma-deny, kinilig talaga ako. Pero masaya rin kasi parang mas naging personal 'yung connection ko as fans."
As I waited for their responses, I found myself lost in thought. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, from nervousness to awe to pure happiness. Being part of the fan meeting had given me a new perspective on Jackson and his music. It was more than just being a spectator; it was about feeling the heartbeat behind the lyrics and sharing in the journey he was on.
Athena's response came in first, filled with enthusiasm. "Sabi na nga ba, eh! Excited ako marinig 'yung mga kwento mo bukas sa mga ka office mo."
I laughed, imagining how Athena would react to my animated storytelling. It was true; I was eager to share every detail with her and Alex. They were like my partners in this adventure—the ones who understood the significance of the experience.
Alex's message followed suit, carrying a mix of curiosity and camaraderie. "Pag ako, ikaw. Parang kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko talaga mapipigilan kiligin sa gano'ng moment."
I chuckled as I read his message, his playful tone evident. "Baliw ka, Alex," I replied, my heart warmed by our lighthearted banter. "Masyado na yata tayong assumera, mamaya iniisip mo, gusto mo ng jowain si Jackson, HAHAHHA."
A few seconds later, his reply came in, filled with laughter. "Hala, Zaniyah! Nahuli mo 'ko. Siguro nga, kung biglang magkakaroon ng chance, sasabihin ko agad sa kanya na may friend ako na sobrang obsessed sa kanya."
I laughed out loud, imagining the scene he described. "Hay naku, Alex, dinamay mo pa ako sa kalokohan mo. Bagong fans palang ako ni Jackson. Huwag ka nga!"
I rolled my eyes, chuckling at his persistence. "Alex, 'wag mong ituro sa'kin 'yung mga kilig techniques mo! Baka masira pa 'yung credibility ko as his new fan."
Alex's response was quick and playful. "Eh di mas madali kang turuan ng proper way to fangirl!"
He replied with a string of laughing emojis. "Hala, okay, okay, tatahimik na. Pero teka, bago tayo matapos, sino'ng favorite song mo sa kanya?"
I leaned back against my pillows, pondering his question. "Hmm, favorite song... Siguro 'yung 'Stars Aligned.' Ang ganda kasi ng lyrics niya, parang may magic talaga 'yung melody."
"Nice choice!" he replied. "Ako naman, 'Blue Skies.' Kasi may positive vibes and parang nakakagaan ng pakiramdam."
I smiled at his choice, glad that we could have this kind of conversation. "Oo nga, 'Blue Skies' is a mood booster, talaga."
With a final exchange of goodnight wishes, I placed my phone down and closed my eyes, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment. The day had been filled with memorable experiences and conversations, and I looked forward to what the future held—a future that included both my journey with Jackson and the wonderful connections I had made along the way.
Kinaumagahan na gising ako, humaharap sa bintana, at namamahinga pa ang mga mata mula sa magandang pagtulog. Hinawakan ko ang phone ko at napatingin sa messages ni Alex at Athena, na mga kaibigan ko na naging malalapit ko na dahil sa shared interest namin kay Jackson.
Nagreply si Alex muna, "Good morning, Zaniyah! How's your morning? Hindi ka ba masyadong napuyat kagabi?"
I chuckled at his concern, muling nagpakita ng kanyang pagiging matulungin. "Good morning, Alex! Actually, hindi naman masyado. Sobrang saya kasi ng experience kahapon kaya worth it ang pagpupuyat."
Athena's message followed: "Hi Zaniyah! I can't wait to hear all about it! Kwento mo mamaya sa office ha?"
I smiled at her eagerness. "Of course, Athena! Basta promise, sa office kita bubulabugin ng mga kwento ko."
Creative ZiZone Marketing Department
Magkakaiba kami ng department ako ay sa Customer Support Office: at sila Alexa at Athena naman ay Supply Chain Department Office, pero kahit na magkakaiba kami ay nakakapag-usap pa rin naman kami.
Pagdating ko sa office agad na lumapit 'yong officemate ko para ipaalala ang mga gagawin sa customer inquiries.
"Good morning, Zaniyah!" bati niya, ngumiti ng malumanay. "May mga pending inquiries pa tayo galing sa customers. Kailangan natin tapusin today para smooth ang process."
I nodded, appreciating her efficiency and the reminder. "Good morning, din! Oo nga, balak ko na talaga itong tapusin ngayong araw. Thanks, sa reminder!"
Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa desks namin, hindi ko napigilan ang pagngiti. Iba talaga ang ambiance sa office pagdating sa mga ganitong aspeto. Napapansin ko na sa kabila ng mga trabaho at deadlines, may mga kasamahan ako na handang magtulungan para mas maging efficient ang aming process.
"Grabe, Zaniyah, na-miss ka ng mga inquiries. Bawal ka na yatang um-absent!" biro niya, ngunit may halong pampakilig.
Tumawa ako at pumutok ang ngiti sa aking labi. "Naku, oo nga eh! Sabi siguro ng mga customers, 'Nasaan na 'yung PA niyo sa Marketing? Dapat nandito na 'yan sa inquiries natin!'"
Napatawa siya sa aking biro, at ngumiti sa akin. "Oo, baka nga. Pero seriously, thankful ako at nandito ka para tumulong sa team."
"Thanks din sa'yo," sagot ko, ngiting puspos ng pasasalamat. "Hindi lang naman sa inquiries, kundi sa mabuting vibes mo rin."
Sa gitna ng aming banter, nare-realize ko kung gaano kahalaga ang pagtutulungan sa paligid at mga kasamahan sa buhay ko. Sa trabaho, may mga moments na kailangan naming maging seryoso at focused, pero mas magaan ang proseso kapag may mga tao kang kasama na nagpapalakas sa'yo.
Habang nagbabalik-tanaw ako sa mga interactions ko sa mga kaibigan ko at mga kasamahan sa opisina, naisip ko kung paano naging mas buhay at mas masaya ang mga araw ko dahil sa kanila. Kaya naman, sa kabila ng mga challenges at trabaho, masasabi ko na may mga espesyal na tao akong nakakasama sa pagtahak sa araw-araw na paglalakbay.
At habang pinapanatili ko ang positibong mindset na ito, naglakad kami patungo sa aming desks, handa nang harapin ang mga challenges at tasks na naghihintay sa amin sa araw na ito.