MAUDE VALERA.
“CHEERS for the achievement of my best friend!” masayang sigaw ni Sarah sabay taas ng canned beer na hawak niya.
Kasalukuyan silang nasa rooftop ng apartment nila ngayon. Gabi na kaya kitang-kita na ang mga nag-iilawang buildings at bahay sa ‘di kalayuan, gayon din ang maniningning na bituin sa langit.
“Cheers!” Maude retaliated with full of energy as she also lifted her canned beer and bumped it with Sarah’s beer.
“Congrats, Monde! You are now an employee in RF Hotel!” magiliw na pagbati ni Sarah sa kaibigan. Kumuha ito ng dalawang piraso ng tempura sa pagkaing nakalagay sa papag bago ibinigay ang kay Maude. 
Tinanggap naman iyon ng dalaga saka kumagat. “Ano ka ba, hindi pa naman permanente iyon. Intern palang ako do’n.” A blush, however, suddenly appeared on her face. She just can’t believe that the company messaged her out of the blue with that good news. Ang alam na talaga niya ay hindi siya pasado tulad ng sabi ng CEO. Sobrang seryoso rin kasi niyang sinabi sa dalaga na hindi ito pasado. And even though he just passed her out of pity, wala nang pakialam ang dalaga. Ang mahalaga ngayon sa kanya ay ang nakapasa siya and she doesn’t want to ruin the mood right now.
“Intern or not, you’re still an employee. So, let’s just drink until we can no longer handle ourselves! Nevermind the side effect. Ang importante ay mag-enjoy tayo!” Sarah squealed and took a swig of her beer afterwards.
Napatawa naman si Maude. “Tama ka diyan!” saka uminom din.
Nang maubos nila ang beer na hawak ay kumuha silang muli sa papag. Madami kasi ang binili ni Sarah no’ng nalaman niyang pumasa ang kaibigan at sabi nito ay kailangan nilang ubusin lahat. They stood up together and squealed even more, not minding what their neighbors will think or say. It is their moment that is why they no longer care about their surroundings. Minsan lang sila magdiwang nang ganito kaya sinusulit na nila.
Kapagkuwa’y biglang napatigil si Sarah. “Kailan ka nga pala papasok?” bigla nitong tanong.
“Bukas na raw kasi kailangan na kailangan na nila ng intern,” Maude responded, taking a seat after squealing so hard. Tumikhim pa ito dahil tila sumakit na ang lalamunan kakasigaw.
“They said, it is hard to be an intern in that department. But I know that you can do it,” litanya ni Sarah.
“Siyempre. Kayang-kaya ko ‘yon. Ako pa ba?” positibong sagot ni Maude kaya tumango si Sarah bilang pagsang-ayon. She knows Maude very well. They have been friends for so long and she already saw how strong her best friend is despite all the challenges she has been through kaya naniniwala siyang kayang-kaya iyon ni Maude.
“That’s right! Bottoms-up again!” Sarah raised her beer again and so did Maude before they continued drinking like a fish. Halos nakalimutan na nilang maaga sila bukas dahil sa pag-eenjoy.
“Goodluck for tomorrow, Monde. Fighting!” Sarah encouraged and hugged her best friend afterwards.
“I owe you a lot, Sarah. Kung hindi dahil sa’yo, hindi sana ako nagsasaya ngayon.” She hugged back tightly. A feeling of gratefulness commingled with contentment was drawn onto her face. However, she can’t avoid thinking about her parents. Sana ganito din ang reaksyon ng magulang ko kapag nalaman nilang natanggap ako sa trabaho.
“Sus, wala ‘yon. That’s what friends are for, right?” Sarah said, lifting her left brows after releasing herself from the hug.
“Mm. Kaya sobrang grateful ko,” muling wika ni Maude sabay pisil ng pisngi ni Sarah.
“Omg, you’re drunk already, Monde!” untag naman ng kaibigan saka gumanting pinisil ang pisngi ni Maude. They drink and laugh together as they watch the stunning city lights in front of them, not minding if they have a work tomorrow or none. 
__
RADDIX FAJARDO.
“I’M NOW curious about her. Sino ba talaga siya?” muling usisa ni Rafael kay Raddix na abala sa pagpipirma ng mga papeles upon putting another folder on his table.
Raddix, who is sitting on his swiveling chair and signing some paper that Rafael gave him earlier, was so annoyed because of his secretary who never stop teasing him for God-knows-how-long. Iyon ay dahil ipinasa nito si Maude sa interview at binigyan ng posisyon bilang intern.
“You even told her she didn’t pass the interview, but you chased me earlier to hand over her resumé and place her as an intern. Why is it?” Rafael wiggled his brows, wearing his playful smile, still teasing his boss.
“Can you just shut your gabby mouth or else hand me your resignation letter now?” He lifted his head and gave his secretary a sullen look before turning his eyes back to the papers.
Kunwaring isinara ng secretary ang bibig nito. “Sige, tatahimik na.” Rafael said, still smiling mischievously. “But you passed her?” Tumawa ulit siya nang punong-puno ng pang-aasar ang mukha na tila aliw na aliw sa ginagawa. He just loves to tease him now. Kahit na intimidating ang awra ng CEO ay nagagawa niya paring asarin ito paminsan-minsan. Well, he became a brother to him already that was why.
Huminto ang CEO sa ginagawa at madiin na pumikit saka humugot ng malalim na buntong hininga. “Kapag hindi ka pa tumigil diyan, I will surely stitch your mouth. I swear,” gigil nitong wika nang may pagbabanta.
“Fine, fine. Titigil na.” Rafael zipped his mouth as though it has a zipper. However, he’s still suppressing himself to smile and tease him.
“Anyways, I have a dinner with my parents today. Just give me the key and go home.” Isinarado na ni Raddix ang mga folder saka iniabot kay Rafael ang mga ito. Tumango naman ang secretary bago inilapag ang susi ng kotse sa mesa ng CEO. Kinuha na nito ang mga folder saka nagpaalam at tinahak ang daan papuntang pintuan. “Just message me if you’re ready to tell me who’s Ms. Valera,” muli nitong pang-aasar saka kumindat bago dahan-dahang isinarado ang pintuan ng opisina ni Raddix.
Inirapan na lang siya ni Raddix at inayos na lang ang sarili pagkatapos ay lumabas na rin ng opisina upang mabilis na makarating sa bahay nila.
They’ll be having a family dinner. Though he’s not used to it dahil hindi sila magkasundo ng kanyang daddy kaya bihira lang ito pumunta. Kung hindi lang dahil sa mommy niya ay hindi na siya pupunta sa bahay nila.
“YOU’RE here, son,” his mom welcomed him pleasantly while pushing his dad’s wheelchair when he entered the house. His mother is as radiant as ever which was opposite to his father.
His dad was paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident past three years and never be able to walk again that’s why his mom is always beside him. That’s also the reason why Raddix became the CEO of their company. However, his dad is still the chairman of RF Hotel.
“I thought you won’t come,” his father asked. There’s a complete seriousness in his voice. Well, kailan pa ba siya hindi gano’n tuwing kausap ang nag-iisang anak? Whenever Raddix visits his mother, there’s always tense between them.
“If it is not for mom,” he replied coldly, passing beside them towards the dinning. Ramdam naman nito ang pagtulak ng mommy niya sa wheelchair ng chairman kaya alam niyang sumunod na sila sa kanya.
Different dishes were placed on the table. Puro ito Filipino cuisine because that’s what her mommy wants him to eat. Throughout his three years in Philippines, bihira lang kasi itong kumain ng Filipino foods. He’s more on American foods dahil iyon ang nakasanayan niya. His mother doesn’t want him to forget their country’s cuisines because she values so much their culture that is why whenever she asks him to have dinner with them, puro Filipino foods ang hinahanda nito. His mom always reminds him that not just because he enjoys American foods means he will stop eating their country’s cuisine. Pilipino parin siya kahit papaano.
“Is she the only one that matters to you?” his father questioned as his jaw clenched. He hates it whenever his son treats him cold. 
“Yes, if my answer makes you in peace,” Raddix retaliated deadpanly, making his way on the chair he usually sits and then seated.
“Enough that, guys. Sige na at kakain na tayo,” his mom interjected, for them to stop arguing. Itinulak na ni Mrs. Fajardo ang wheelchair ng kanyang asawa sa dulong parte ng mesa bago pumanhik na rin. Hindi na rin umimik ang mag-ama.
“Did you cook all this, mom?” tanong ng binata habang tinignan isa-isa ang mga pagkaing nasa hapag. Halo-halong ulam ang mga naroon. Mayroong adobo, pinakbet, sinigang na sugpo, sinangag, tortang talong, pancit at meron ding kakanin tulad ng biko at panghimagas tulad ng binignit.
“No.” His mother chuckled. “Pinaluto ko ang mga ito sa kaibigan ng maid natin. She mentioned to me about her friend before, e. That’s why I tried to order some,” paliwanag ng ina sabay lagay ng adobong baboy sa plato ng anak.
“What’s the sense of having cooks here?” He asked and started eating the pork adobo. Just as he bites the pork, bigla na lang itong napahinto. 
The taste seemed to be so familiar to him. He feels as though he already tasted it before which caused him to puckered his brows and intently staring at the food, hoping he could remember where he had tasted it. 
“What happened, sweetie? Hindi ba masarap?” Ikiniling ng mommy niya ang ulo para tignan si Raddix na seryosong nakatitig sa kanyang plato.
“Yes, it’s not delicious. I don’t like it, mom. Next time, huwag na kayong magpapaluto sa taong hindi natin kilala. Who knows they put something to it?” dahilan nito saka tumayo.
“I’m sorry, I thought you would like it.” His mother frowned, looking gloomily at his son who’s now ready to leave. Wala pa kasing isang oras ay aalis na naman ito. It’s always like this. Titikim lang siya sandali sa mga pagkain pagkatapos ay aalis na.
“If you don’t like the dishes, then don’t eat,” sumbat naman ng daddy niya, patuloy sa kinakain nito. “Just don’t mind your stubborn son,” dagdag pa nito na bilin sa asawa.
“I’m really sorry, mom. I can’t eat these. Kakain na lang ako sa dorm ko,” paalam nito saka umalis. Pipigilan pa sana siya ng mommy niya pero pinigilan naman ito ng kanyang daddy. “Let him. Hindi na matuto-tuto ang anak mo,” malamig nitong wika. 
Sumakay na sa kotse si Raddix bago madiing isinandal ang sarili sa sandalan at ipinikit ang mga mata. Naisip nito kung saan niya natikman ang pagkaing iyon kaya gayon nalang ang pagdiin niya ng hawak sa manubela.
After a few seconds, nagmulat na ito saka umiling bago tuluyang pinaandar ang sasakyan at mabilis na pinatakbo.