Days in Makati

January and February always remind me of Makati days. Bare with my nostalgia, I can still recall details of it.

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The place was filled with strangers packed into a mildly heated catacomb. Ironically, that to get far at a short span of time, you get not to move a single muscle at the longest time possible.

The sliding door was greeted by mobs at both sides with opposing thoughts, like a roman battlefield waiting for a signal to launch: The signal was a beeping sound followed by the slow opening of the door.

Immobile yet wanting to get away from porgatory, I joined the flow of people trying to get out while pushing those who want to get in. I pitied the ladies properly dressed for work, there was no glimmer of chivalry in the men's faces. All are equal in love and war; I think it was the later this time.

It was tiny peep hole for a contortionist, but miraculously I survived in one piece. BEEP! A few survivors were left waiting for the next joyride.

I walked away taking out a card carrying the president's ID; with her photo smiling back at me. Gladly I got rid of her, inserting the piece to exit the station.

AYALA LOOP

The line of people late for work are looping in the parking lot. Reconditioned and Airconditioned jeepney waited to be filled by the well-suited employees. The jeep reminds me of the old love bus in the Martial Law era; too large to be a jeepney and too small to be a bus.

We drove from one mall to another, then we sink in with the drowning traffic. I was late for work. I always was.

I got off at the enterprise building. The tower protected me from the blinding sunlight
as I went inside and out in just barely seconds.

I went to the underpass, took the escalator ride, and was in Paseo walking fast. A man greeted me with an ink cartridge, I did't know what the offer was for; everyone has got to make a living, I guess, and I was late to make one.

OFFICE

I went inside the building. The guards knew me too well and didn't bother to ask for my ID. Painted in their smiles are the words "Late again".

39th floor, the horizontal motion turned into a vertical vertigo. I pretended not minding the time as I entered the office. "Ryan!". I jumped nearly dropping my bag. It was from the HR manager. I'm in trouble. She motioned me to enter her office. Gulp, was all I did. I walked while the rest of the personnel eyed me as I turned out of sight.

She was holding a pen and paper grinning at me. It wasn't a reprimand, It was a promotion.

"You've been with the company for a month, but we would like you to become a regular employee," It was a surprise since I signed a contract for 3 months under a probationary status. I still have 2 months to spare before deciding on pursuing a career with the company or finding a different one.

"I'm still finishing my thesis Ma'am. Is the company willing to accept an undergrad for regular employment?" My plan was just to find a job to support my family while finishing my thesis. She said that the company is willing to take the risk; I wasn't. I declined and decided to finish the remaining 2 months first. She consulted my project manager who fortunately agreed.

I sat back in front of my PC thinking two months ahead. It was either finishing my thesis or taking a good job offer with a bulky sum of payment. Somone interrupted my thoughts by shouldering me. Ariel, a good friend, knew my problem. "Thesis ka na ser! Pagsisihan mo yan sige ka." I smiled in agreement and was in deep thoughts of months ahead.

A few weeks after, I informed them my decision not to continue with the company. It was my last day of work. My project manager enraged with my thinking, decided that I take the leave indefinitely. I gladly responded by taking the rest of my payment home.

A year later, I finished my thesis, got a good offer in Subic and have learned that the company I used to work with closed from bankruptcy.