Chapter Eleven: Part Two

Ode’s birthday was held in her house. While everyone was having fun, Leni on the other hand amused herself by trying all the food in the buffet table. She was not enjoying the party because everything that transpired for the past few weeks kept lingering in her mind.

After most of the guests left, Adam, Faith, Leni, and some of their former classmates decided to stay there overnight. Ode opened a bottle of vodka and passed it around. While others were telling about their job, Leni being quiet for the whole time got drunk after her eighth glass.

Everyone knows that Leni broke up with Red for good, most of them assumed that she drank because of him. Little did they know that it was more than that.

Faith almost panicked upon noticing that Leni’s face is turning red.

“Namumula ka na ah. Naku, tama na yan, hindi ka naman sanay uminom eh.”

She said as she grabbed the glass from her, but Leni grabbed it back and yelled.

“Pabayaan mo nga ako, hindi ako lasing!”

“Hoy! Hindi ka na nakaka-tuwa ha!” Faith yelled back.

A few minutes later, Adam came and took Leni outside. At this moment, he knew that Leni is not her normal self and that something happened.

They sat down on a bench, then Faith joined them. The three of them were silent until Faith started the conversation.

“Leni, I’m so sorry that I yelled at you. I did not intent to start a fight, I’m just worried because I sensed that there’s something wrong.”

She said as she hugged her friend.

“I really wanted to tell you everything that took place these past few weeks, but you were very busy with your work. So, I faced these on my own. Pakiramdam ko wala nang tamang nangyayari sa buhay ko, parang pinagtakluban ako ng langit at lupa. Ang panget ng feeling. Alam ko ma-drama, pero ganito talaga. Kahit lasing ako ngayon, hindi ako sinungaling. ”

Adam lent his handkerchief and said,

“We’re sorry for that Leni, but we would really like to be there for you. It’s just that our schedules don’t jive. If you work at a Call Center like us, you would understand. Eh, ano ba ang nangyari?.”



Leni told them everything from the moment she broke up with Red, her conversation with Aldo before he left., until she got fired from her job.

“You don’t want Aldo to leave, don’t you?” Faith asked.

“Yeah, you’re right. I really wanted him to stay; it’s just that I don’t want to complicate things between us.”

Adam handed her a cup of tea and said,

“Well, I can’t comment so much on that. But, I understand how you feel. It’s a good thing that you didn’t took advantage of the situation. If another girl would be on your place, they would grab the guy. Besides, you’re not like that.”

“Leni, if I were you, don’t think about him too much. I know that Aldo is a good guy, but, if he’s sincere, he’ll prove it. “

“Faith is right, let him make the first move. Even if you knew each other since childhood, even if you have feelings for him, hayaan mo lang siya.”

“Teka, how did you know that I have feelings for him?”

Faith was the first to answer,

“I saw that during his grandfather’s wake. You’re smile was different when you saw him again. Then, when we were inside the bus, you were beside Red, but your mind was somewhere else. That time, we didn’t want to assume.”

“Actually, napansin ko na rin yan nung nagbakasyon ka, palagi mo kasi siyang kinukwento sa akin eh. Sa mga blog entries mo pa nga lang dati, obvious na eh.”

“Don’t put your life on hold waiting for him. Move on with your life with or without a guy. In your case, both guys.”

“Teka, ang sakit na talaga ng ulo ko, pero na-absorb ko naman lahat ng sinabi niyo.”

“Leni, itulog mo na lang yan. Pag-usapan na lang natin yung mga nangyari ulit pag hindi ka na lasing.” Adam added as he comforted her.

Chapter Eleven: Part One

After a long day of work, Leni’s boss told her that he would discuss an important matter to her.

“Have a seat”. Her boss said. Leni, on the other hand nervously sat on the chair and gripped her handkerchief.

Her superior was currently typing in his computer.

“Leni, what can you say about your performance?”

“Well, these past few months, I’m confident that I’m doing well with my job. Most of the Australian trainers that I’ve worked with told me that the training won’t be successful without me.”
“That’s good. But from where I’m standing I don’t think that you’re not going to make it.”

“Sir, wait, what do you mean?”

Her bossed paused for a moment, closed his laptop, and faced Leni

“I’ve seen your progress; it’s just that you can’t go with the pacing. You met the eleventh hour, hindi ka na umabot. I wish I could give more time for you to improve, but I can’t. That’s why I’m asking you to resign… This will be your last week in the office. What you can do for now is to renew your contacts.”
“ How do you feel right now?”

While suppressing her tears, Leni replied

“Sir, I’m fine, I understand. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“Thanks for taking this classy.”

She picked up her bag and left the office.

Leni decided to take a long walk to the MRT station. She passed along boutiques and entered on one of the stores. To her surprise, she saw Carol, fitting one of the wedding gowns. She (Carol) and her friends beamed with excitement. When they noticed that someone is looking at them, they gave Leni a condescending look. Then, they started pointing at her and asking who she was.


In her mind, she wanted to strangle Carol, but instead, she shot them with dagger looks and left the store.


Getting fired, seeing Carol in a wedding dress, believing that Aldo fooled her made her felt devastated.

She went home, removed her shoes and locked herself in her room.