Chapter 2: Beginning and Endings
It’s Monday, first working day of the week, first working day of Ralf as the CEO of his own company at the ripe age of 31. He feels proud with his achievement pero paminsan minsan, he can’t help but doubt himself.
It is only 7am in the morning when he parked his prized BMW car. He would have not able to buy it using his own money but it was an incentive for the award winning commercial na sinalihan ng company nya before. The money goes to the company, the car goes to him.
In all honesty, he’s not really sure if dahil sa excitement or sa nerbiyos na nararamdaman nya kaya hindi sya makatulog ng maayos nung gabi. And just this morning, he was up at 4am in the morning. Kahit anong pilit niyang ipikit ulit mga mata para makatulog ulit, it’s no use. Gising na gising na diwa niya so he decided to just get up and go to the office.
As expected, he’s the first one to be there. Nakapatay pa mga ilaw and aircon nung dumating sya kaya sya na nagkusang buksan ang mga ito. When the lights flooded his office floor, he can’t help but beam with pride.
“This is it! Totoo na ito. Wala ng atrasan. Tibay ng dibdib at lakas ng loob.” Yan ang nasa isip nya.
While waiting for the others to come in, Ralf decided to start working. He went to his office and check his computer on their agenda for the day.
“Good morning Sir.” Nagulat na lng sya ng biglang may bumati sa kanya. Pagtingin nya sa kanyang pintuan, it was Sally, his executive assistant slash secretary. Napatingin siya sa kanyang relos at nagulat na 8:50am na pala. Sa sobrang engrossed nya sa kanyang ginagawa, hindi na nya napansin ang oras.
“Morning Sally” nakangiting sagot nya. Napansin rin nya na sunud sunod nang dumadating ang iba pa nilang employees. Karamihan dito bumabati rin sa kanya at kumakaway bilang pagbati. Maya maya ay nakita na rin nyang nagkanya kanyang bukas na rin ng computer ang mga ito.
For a while, pinagmasdan nya the way his team works from his office. With a smile on his face, he is starting to be confident that they’ll be ok. Bahagya pa syang nagulat nung tumunog ang kanyang cellphone, notification for a new message. Napaka kunot noo sya nang makita nyang galing kay Lexie ang message.
Lexie: Hey Ralf. I’ll be there by 1pm. I just need to meet an old friend over lunch.
Ralf: Ok. Is that an old friend or “old friend” Ralf replied while chuckling silently
Lexie: Unfortunately it’s just an old friend. But a potential client. ; )
Ralf: In that case, take your time. Let me know if you need anything. Nakangiting sagot nya.
After that brief exchange of messages, he made some few calls sa ibang mga potential clients nila. A month before they officially opened, he and Lexie have listed down their prospects. Informally, they already gave their pitch sa kanila and let them know that they’ll be in touch once they have officially launched. He’s now going to follow through and hopefully snagged some appointments with them to present their portfolio and services they can offer.
He checked their list and started dialing the first number in there.
“Hi Chris, this is Ralf. How are you doing?” Bungad niya sa nakasagot.
“So bro, our production company is now officially open, just would like to check if I can set up an appointment with you to present some of the services that we offer. No commitment, something that you may want to consider in the future.” Dagdag pa nya.
Almost the same spiel ang lumalabas sa bibig nya in the next hours. But kahit na paulit ulit, hindi nababawasan ang excitement nya everytime he explained their services. Luckily, he was able to build a decent network when we was still part of his previous employer. And since sya rin naman madalas humaharap sa mga clients before, most of them know him personally and his works.
It was already 1:30pm when Lexie knocked on his door. May kausap pa sya sa telepono pero sinenyasan na nya itong pmasok at umupo.
Lexie quietly sat down and waited for him to finished.
“Long day already?” Tanong nito pagkababa nya ng telepono.
“Is it showing on my face already?” Pabirong sagot ni Ralf
Napailing at natawa na lang si Lexie sa sagot nya.
“Did you even eat lunch?” Tanong nito.
“Well, nagpabili ako kay Sally ng sandwich sa Subway nung nag lunchbreak sila. Nabusog naman ako kahit paano.” Kaswal na sagot ni Ralf sabay sandal sa kanyang upuan.
“Ok, and how was your day so far?” Lexie curiously asked.
“I got us a couple of appointments with potential clients for presentation. And we got couple of small projects already. Most are for digital media marketing. Na endorse ko na kina Gerald so sila na bahala mag follow through sa clients to inquire on their requirements. But I have closed the deal already.” Masayang sagot ni Ralf
“Not bad on our first day.” Nakangiti and sincere na sagot ni Lexie.
“So, care to share what your lunch meeting is all about?” Interesadong tanong nya.
“Hahaha excited much?” Nakataas kilay at nakangising sagot ni Lexie.
Ralf shot her a disapproving look for making fun of him, so she decided to share the good news.
“Hmmm you remember Candice? The one from CLM Apparels.”
“Yes, they are the one who have those annual fashion show and may pa-contest lagi for new designers. What about them?”
“Well, they are branching out to kids fashion. Since this is the first time that they gonna try that, I made some proposal with them.”
“Ok?” He curiously said.
“And they freakingly gave us the project!” Lexie excitedly said eyes shining brightly because of the news.
“No?! Really? Please tell me you’re not joking.” Ralf asked unbelievingly.
“Nope.” nilabas nito ang isang folder and nilapag sa ibabaw ng table. “Sign, sealed and delivered.” She proudly said.
“Oh my God! Lexie… I.. I don’t…” Ralf doesn’t know what to say. He was so overwhelmed with her news.
“I know, I know. I am the best!” Masayang sagot ni Lexie.
“Alright, so the details of the project are here in this folder. I took the liberty in giving my inputs on the direction of the project. Now there are some information that we need to get from their representatives. I suggest we start putting up a team to handle this one but I need you to personally lead this. We cannot afford to fail on this.” Seryosong dagdag nito.
“Of course, I can take the lead on this. It’s our first major project. I’ll be honored to do this.” As he jokingly bowed to her.
Lexie rolled her eyes in jest with Ralf’s response but smiled nonetheless. She watched him as he read through the contract she gave him.
They have brainstormed on some ideas on how to go about their plan and later that day, they met with the members who will be part of the team. They shared the good news to the entire team and everyones is so pumped to hear that good news on their first day. They are off to a good start.
The rest of the day was spent making plans and scheduling their meetings in the next couple of weeks. They have 6 weeks to come up with a solid business strategy from costing, to production, logistics and marketing. Ralf delegated some tasks to his team members while Sally have ensure that everyone has a copy of their timeline and assigned activities. Though they are anticipating that it will not be an easy job, but everyone is up for the challenge.
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“Andy, meeting na. Let’s go, andun na sila sa room.” Pabiglang tumayo si Andy from her workdesk nung narinig nyang tnatwag na kaibigang si Sam. She knows that today they’ll know what will be their new assignment since kakatapos lng nung recent project nila related sa new hotel and resort in Palawan. She was in charge with digital creatives. She always have a creative mind, kaya minsan, mabilis lng sa kanya makagawa ng digital concept for their clients. Dahil dito, madalas siya ang kinukuha ng kanilang manager pag kelangan ng digital graphic artist.
She’s been working at VeeJay Creatives simula nung grumaduate sya from college 3 years ago. She started as an intern and now, she is a junior graphic artist, a quiet and timid one. Andy prefers to work sa background. Ayaw nya na nasa limelight, she feels uncomfortable. But she managed to have a good friend kay Sam, a co worker. Nauna lng si Sam ng 1 year sa company. She’s in marketing, kaya nung first day nya, si Sam ang unang unang kumausap sa kanya. From then on, they were inseparable. She trusted Sam and Sam trusted her.
Pagpasok nya sa meeting room, nakita nyang kinakawayan sya ni Sam at tinuro ang upuan sa tabi nito. Nakayukong naglakad sya papunta sa pwesto ni Sam.
“Hey, how’s your weekend date with Gavin?” Tanong agad nito pagkaupong pagkaupo nya.
“Ok naman, umattend lng kami sa engagement party nung isang friend nya. After nun, hinatid na rin nya ako agad since may mga early meetings pa sya the next day.” Pabulong nyang sagot.
Gavin is her boyfriend of 3 years. Na-meet nya ito sa isang event na inattendan ng company nila. He was nice and he was the only one who continued talking to her. Others, na bore dahil sa mga one liner na sagot nya. But Gavin keeps on asking questions, some are just funny ones. At the end of the party, he asked for her number. And that’s how he started courting her. They have gone on several dates for almost 3 months when she said yes na maging girlfriend nya.
“Hmmmm.. Ok…” Sam replied but obviously a bit indifferent.
Napabuntung hininga na lng si Andy. “Sam…”
“I’m not saying anything Andy.” Depensa nito.
“You don’t have too. It’s pretty obvious how much you dislike him. It’s been 3 years Sam.”
“I know, it’s been too long already and it’s time for you to stop settling.” Diretsahang sagot nito.
Andy didn’t say anything. Tahimik na sumandal na lamang ito sa upuan.
“Sorry, I am out of line.” Sam sighed as she looked at Andy.
Andy just gave her a kind smiled and reached for her hand. Marahan nya itong pinisil letting her know that it’s ok. At that time, dumating na ang kanilang team lead to discuss their new assignment. Both of their attention are drawn to him.
The meeting took longer than expected. Sam and her were not able to catch up as they are both exhausted. Instead, they agreed to have a girl weekend to catch up and relax. When she got home, she was surprised to see Gavin waiting for her. Nakaupo ito sa knilang sala at tahimik na nanonood ng news sa tv.
“Hey babe, kanina ka pa ba dito?” Bungad na tanong nya while trying to remember if she forgot na may usapan sila.
“Uhmmm nope, not really. I’m around the area kaya I decided to drop by and wait for you. Kakapasok lng nila tita sa room nila at inaantok na daw sila. Told them I’ll just wait for you.” Paliwanag nito.
“Sorry kung ginabi na ko and napaghintay kita.” Sabay upo sa tabi nito and she sweetly put her head on his shoulder.
Andy is enjoying the simple and quiet moment nang maramdaman nya ang malalim na buntung hininga ni Gavin. Napatingin sya dito, her eyes asking the silent question. Maya maya, tumayo na ito and started pacing in front of her. She just watched him do that and waited for him to say something. Maya maya lamang, he looked at her and said.
“This is not working anymore”
“What do you mean” nakakunot noong tanong nya.
“Us, it’s not working anymore.” Ulit na sinabi ng boyfriend nya
Hindi makapasalita si Andy sa sinabi ni Gavin. Her mind just automatically shut off as she processed what he said.
“That is exactly why.” He frustratingly said. “You just sit and wait for me to tell you what to do.” Patuloy nito.
“Look, I need someone who can be my partner in life and not some dead weight that I need to carry.” Paliwanag ni Gavin.
Andy is beyond shocked on the turn of events. She wasn’t able to utter any response but she feels her tears running on her face.
“Damn it Andy, can you stop crying and say something.” Gigil na sabi nito.
Napatingin sya dito pero agad din syang yumuko and continued crying. Napasabunot na lng si Gavin sa buhok nya at inis na umalis ng bahay nila.
Gavin left. He just left her. Andy stood up, turned off the tv, locked the door and went to her room. She doesn’t know paano pa sya nakakilos, it seems she’s on autopilot. When she was on her bed, dun sya nakaramdam ng pagod. She fell asleep crying.
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