NOSTALGIA

“Hello, we meet again, you might want to close your mouth, don’t want you having a slack jaw” He said, making fun of her reaction.

“SAM!!! What are you doing here?” she said, completely surprised. “Well, I take it you two know each other? Devon, he’s the new head in the Human Resource Department.” Her boss said. “So you’re part of the company now? Wow! It’s been so long since we saw each other.” Devon exclaimed while hugging Sam. “Yeah, last time we saw each other was our graduation party. I’m happy to know that we’re on the same company, we can catch up too!” They heard a ‘ahem’ from the other occupant of the room, totally oblivious that they forgot they’re still in Jun’s office. “Since the introduction is done, I need to speak to Devon now, Sam got to 16th floor and someone will help you and acquaint you to your colleagues.” He left after saying goodbye to him and to Devon. “Okay, so I’m guessing you already have set a decision to the proposal?”

“Yes, and I decided that I will accept it.” “That’s good to know, I hope you do a great job for this one and if you need any advice please feel free to approach me and I’ll be willing to help.” He offered his hand and shook hers. She felt like that the deal is now already sealed and there’s no turning back now. She mentally sigh. ”Expect to have everything that you will need for this project in your desk before lunch and if you need more just ask.” She nodded and left the room, she sigh and mentally pat herself in the back. ‘This is going to be hell, great, more work!’ She thought sarcastically and went to her office to prepare for the project.

It was now after work, the girls decided to have dinner with Sam in the nearby restaurant. Devon introduced them to each other and they somehow get along, which she is grateful for. She knew Sam during her college days, they don’t have the same course but they have some similar subjects that they attend to. He’s more of an acquaintance than a friend because they only see each other twice a week and just having a casual conversation regarding the subject and sometimes the current events.

“Hey, do you remember Ivan?” Sam asked Devon, while her friends are all looking at her waiting for her reply.

“Um, Ivan? Isn’t he your friend? Yeah I remember him, why’d you ask?”

“He’s actually working nearby, we could ask him then we can all hang out together. That would be fun!”

‘Is it just me or all my friends are so friendly towards the guys that they just met.’ She just shook her head and mentally took note about the sudden friendliness of her friends towards strangers. They move to a nearby coffee shop to wait for Ivan. The conversation that they have is more like an interrogation, because her friends keeps asking him about her life during those days, things such as boys, boys, and boys, thanks to Fretzie the ever gossip girl of the group. They probably didn’t realize that there’s a guy standing in front of their table, when they heard a guy called Sam’s name. He immediately shook his hand and introduced them to the group.

“Guys, this is Ivan, Ivan, this is Fretzie, Yen and Shey, Devon’s friends, and this is Devon, you already know her but you might not recognized her.” He finished and took a seat and also ushered Ivan to his seat. Meanwhile, Ivan was left staring at Devon trying to see the difference from the last time he saw her, he thinks that she became more beautiful than what he remembered her to be, she looks mature and professional yet approachable. He thought that she already achieved her dreams and has accomplished a lot. He never said anything to anyone that she used to like her during their college days, he often steal glances whenever he got a chance, in short, he basically followed her every time he laid eyes on her. He didn’t confess his feelings to her because he knew that she doesn’t have time for a relationship because she’s so into her study and helping her mother. He always watched her from afar, but after graduation he didn’t know what happen to her until today. He’s so happy that his friend Sam actually works under the same company as Devon. Maybe now he can pursue her.

“How are you Devon? It’s been a long time since we last saw each other. You look great by the way, I guess your job suits you.”
“I’m doing good, but it’s not the job that makes me look great, I’ll be starting my new project tomorrow so you can’t say that I will look great on the next couple of months.” She laughed on her own joke, and he can’t help but laugh as well. One thing he noticed is that she still has the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

“Then, I’ll be willing to see the changes with my own eyes.”He tried to give a hint to see her more, not just tonight but for the coming days as well.

“Alright, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”
“It’s a deal then.” He said feeling triumphant.

They exchanged stories and didn’t notice that it’s getting late, so they decided to call it a night and if they ever want to hang out again after work they agreed to let them know. They all part ways, going in different directions towards their home. But Ivan’s eyes never left to a particular person, it lingers till she’s out of his sight. He thought that it really is nice seeing her again and his heart swell with the growing affection he has for her.

The next morning was hectic for Devon, she’s all over the place trying to come up a plan for the project, she’s also busy calling some departments for some much needed information when suddenly, Fretzie came in her office telling her that Jun wants her in his office. She didn’t know why would he be needing her for, and her friend also didn’t know what’s it about. She went to his office and saw Jun talking in the phone but he ushered her to take a seat before he hung up the phone. She waited until he’s done with writing something, and then he finally looked up at her. “I know your already busy right now but this is important, and I’ll make it real quick.” She just sat there quietly, waiting for him to finish. “You will be working with someone, different company, same project, same goal.” He finished. She tried to sink in every detail to her brain, or the lack of thereof. “Ok, so we’re gonna be a team then for this project?” “Basically, yes, and I’m expecting that both of you will do good in this project, knowing that you both have the same situation right now, I meant about the promotion.” “Oh!” That’s what she just said, finally realizing the pros and the cons, she thought that two minds is better than one. “Actually, you’re about to meet him right know, we were informed that he will be here so that the two of you can meet up and start from there.” He gave her an impish smile and then told her to wait so that he can let the reception know to let him in.

She doesn’t need to wait long enough when she heard a knock on the door. Her eyes still on her lap with her hand folded on top, when he heard a man talked and thought that it sounded familiar. She then looked up to see the man who entered the room and was surprised to see a familiar face. Then their eyes met, she was suddenly mesmerized with his eyes again, she doesn’t when can she stop doing it every time she see him. Jun noticed the stare that they’ve been given each other the moment the guy went in, he started talking, breaking the unknown spell that they were currently in under. “So, I take it that you two know each other?” he said and then turned to look at Devon “again?” She tried so hard to not show the rising blush that’s probably shown in her face right now, she cleared her throat and stand to shook his hands. “Hi James, we meet again, and now a team for a project.” James shook her hand firmly and nods his head. “Likewise” that’s all he said to her. “I think both of you can discuss about the project in Devon’s office, Devon why don’t you let him in you r office?” He said, giving her a look that he want them out of his office now and she willingly obliged, not wanting him to think any further things about men she’s associated with.

They walk silently until they got into her office, she closed the door and told him to have a seat. She was staring at him, again, he was checking her office room. “You have a nice office, a little bigger than mine” he ended his sentence with a smirk that she secretly liked. “I really can’t believe that we will be working together in this project, is that why you guys are celebrating the other night?” He looked at her, seeing her smile that lit up her eyes before he respond to her. “Yeah me too, it was totally unexpected, I guess we’ll be seeing each other quite often now.” Then she finally saw his smile, not just a smirk, but a full blown smile, she find it fascinating that only one smile from him yet her heart can’t stop beating so fast. “You smiled! It’s beautiful.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she silently berated herself from having it said out loud, and now sporting a blush all over her face. “I’m sorry, it’s just that, um...I...I haven’t seen you smile, well it’s not like we often see each other but-“ Her blabbering stops when James cut her off. “It’s okay, I understand, but it’s really easy to smile when I’m around you.” He then let out a small laugh, he somewhat find something funny on her reaction and her blush was pretty cute. He doesn’t know the effect of the words he just said to her, a while ago her heart beats faster when he smile, and now she thinks it’s an understatement. The moment she heard him say those words with a small laugh made her heart went crazy, it feels like it’s coming out of her ribcage from the pounding it’s making. She tried to compose herself, clearing her throat to say something to redeem her composure.

They went immediately into planning the project, exchange ideas, having side comments every now and then. James couldn’t help but admire her intellect; she’s really organized and plans a head of time, and can’t help but smile with her when she says something out of the ordinary.

They fell into a deep conversation without noticing the time; it was now close to the end of the office hour. They exchange business cards to get in touch, which they probably would due to this project. “Would you like to have coffee with me? Just to forget about this whole project so that we can unwind and talk.” He asked, he’s so into their conversation that he wanted more of her time to get to know her better, she really fascinates him and he was somewhat drawn to her smile. Devon was caught off guard of what he said, trying to think if it’s a good idea, because all throughout their conversation she was trying really hard to tame her heart from pounding out of her ribcage. It took all her will not to breaking a sweat during the time that their together in the office, what will happen when she spend more time with him? But she really know deep down inside that she wants to spend more time with him, she just need not to blush every time he smiles or smirk or manage a small laugh at her. She thought that this will be a good practice knowing that they will meet more and it will help her heart from being immune with his smiles. “Um, s sure I really don’t have anything to do anyways.” She said finally but inwardly winced when she stutter. “Great!” he exclaimed, and smile a boyish smile. Her heart flutter again with that, she was now having doubts if she’ll ever get used to it. Her last thoughts before they went out the building, was if she’ll survive this night. But she knows she will, she’s just being dramatic and she loved it!


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Hazel Eyes

She’s independent, strong, modest, bubbly and a very straight forward person. At the age of 23 she experienced a lot from life. Being the breadwinner for her family, she learned to be strong, that’s because she has to be. During high school days, the turning point of her life, having their father abandoned them for another woman, feeling helpless just to save their family from being broken, she vows to herself to do everything she can just to make everyone happy and to avoid separation.

She concentrates on her study to get the scholarship she needed, and knows that her family can’t afford to pay for her tuition. She graduated with flying marks, and as soon as she finished high school she went to a prestigious university and bagged the scholarship program. During her university days, she tried to work part time to help her mother with their finance. Even though she had a rough time during those days never did she cursed someone for having a difficult life, instead she welcomes every trial with a smile. You may ought to think that she’s just being a happy go lucky person, but she’s not, people say knowing her situation in life that she’s a tough one, strong, who never shows any kind of weaknesses, but behind all those facade she can still feel pain. One of the traits that she’s hiding is to never let anyone see her cry or burdened them with her problem. There’s enough problem with a person can take and she’s not about to add on to their problems.

Devon May Seron, now working on one of the top competitive company of the Philippines as a Market Analyst. Getting to where she’s at now is not easy. The incentives of having graduated to a prominent university did help a lot plus a great recommendation from the dean of the school helped her to achieve what she has now. Being the easy-to-get-along-with person in the company, she managed to have some close friends that she can open up to. Her life is getting easier day by day, she’d already helped her mother from their debts, got them a house, helped her mother to start her mini business just to allow her to do something (cause her mom doesn’t just want to sit around and do nothing) and now she’s living with her condominium near her workplace fully furnished and a second hand car (she’s not that rich....yet).

“DEVON!! I NEED YOU IN MY OFFICE!! NOOW!!!” , well that makes her mind snapped from her reverie. ‘oh, boy what could it be this time, from the tone of his voice I can’t put my finger on it if it’s an excited but somewhat angry or angry but somewhat happy kind of tone?’. She walked out from her office and slowly walks towards her boss’ room.

“What is it this time?” that’s her colleague and her closest friend, Fretzie, being ever the nosy friend from their circle.
“Well, time for me to find out.” She squeezed her hand before pulling away when she was near her boss’ office.

“Pray for me.” She whispered to Fretzie, ”AMEN” she gave her a supporting hand gesture before she entered the room.
“Have a seat, Devon.”’ Oh no he never addressed me with my name if he wants me to sit down, this means it’s serious.’ She thought to herself. Jun, her boss, clasped his hand on the table while looking at her straight in the eyes. Her palms starts to sweat from the growing tension in the room, she gulped audibly.”I want you to know that the higher ups have been very happy about your performance during the time you have started in this company, and they think that you already learned a lot on how this company runs.” He paused. ”Their offering you a promotion.” She let a breath out she didn’t thought she’d been holding and smiled upon hearing the news. “BUT!” ‘of course there’s a BUT in everything, why did I get my hopes up?’ “You will be given a major project from one of our BIGGEST clients.” ‘okay, does he have to emphasize biggest?’ She rolled her eyes mentally. “If you pull through this project and the client is happy, not just happy but VERY happy, you might get promoted within the year.” He then smiled at her. Knowing that this might be the very difficult and crucial part on her entire working career she paused and try to sink every details that enclose in this dilemma. “I will give you time for you to decide about this. You can come to me and tell me what your decision is, you may go!”

She walked out of the room and find Fretzie waiting for her to get out. Knowing what she needs, she gave her the details while walking toward her own office. “OHMIGOD! DEVON! Take it! Omigod I’m so happy for you!” She can tell she’s happy for her but still it’s a big step. “I’m just considering the consequences if I fail this one, you know I can’t afford failures when dealing with our BIGGEST client.” “You know what, you’re just lacking confidence right now but I know you can do it. You, Devon May Seron, failure? I can’t even put them in the same sentence knowing that you won’t fail. Oh, wait I just did!” That made her laugh, and they both burst into laughter. “Thanks Fretz, you’re a true friend, how about lunch? It’s lunch time, I’m hungry, and it’s my treat! Let’s go tell the rest of our friends about this over lunch, what do you think?” “Yes, Yay! and definitely!”
They shared their opinions during lunch time with their two other friends, Yen and Shey, both we’re very excited for Devon. Yen and Shey are in a different department so they can only meet during breaks and of course after work, where they all hang out together to release stress from work. And they all have decided that after work they will go out to celebrate, Devon berates them that she hasn’t been promoted yet but they still want to celebrate because ever the kind friends they are they know that she’ll get it no matter what. She decided that she will accept the project and she’ll go first thing in the morning to Jun’s office to accept the offer.

Getting ready to go to their usual hang out place, she heard her phone rings, its Fretzie which means that she’s already outside. They decided that Fretzie will be their designated driver for the night ‘cause she really is difficult when she’s drunk. She gets in the car with all of them and started singing on the top of their lungs with the music ‘Girls just wanna have fun’. They arrived at the venue and we’re shocked that the place was a full house tonight. She and Fretzie went to get them a table while Yen and Shey went to the bar to get them drinks. They started drinking when the two arrived and let loose. Shey and Yen are now having a heated conversation on whose the one that will go hit on the guy on the dance floor, while Devon and Fretzie just exchange look and decided to get them some more drinks.

The bar is especially crowded tonight and makes it more difficult for both of them since they are both petite. Devon and Fretzie tried to get to the front to order their drinks and have to wait for the bartender to attend to them since he’s really busy trying to get all the drinks done before taking another order. While waiting, someone bumped Devon’s rib on her left side and jerk her head to the culprit. “Ow!” she glared to the person. “I’m sorry miss, are you ok? My friend is fooling around when he knows it’s too crowded here.” The guy explained. “ I’m ok, it just kinda hurt.” “I’m sorry again, by the way I’m Bret and this” he point his hand to his other friends “this is Ryan, he’s the one fooling around, and this guy” he point to the person sitting on the stool “ is James, we’re celebrating something tonight because James will have a big project coming up and he might get promoted.” ‘How ironic is that?’ she thought. “Oh Wow! We were also celebrating for Devon too. By the way, I’m Fretzie and this is Devon” she shook his hand. “We we’re just ordering some more drinks for us, our other friends are there in the table” she points where they were seated, Devon just gave her an exasperated look. “If you guys don’t have a table you can share it with us, I’m sure our friends won’t mind right, Devon?” She gave her an innocent look, but Devon knows that look, she likes that guy Bret. “Of course not.” “Great!” Bret exclaimed turning to his friends. Their drinks are ready they grabbed it and make a bee line to their table with the guys just behind them. Fretzie’s the one who introduced all of them to each other and how uncanny their situation is.

Devon was just quiet in the corner and just drinking her beer, while all her friends are laughing and having a conversation with Bret and Ryan. She noticed that their other friend, James, is quiet sitting opposite to her, she takes this chance to look into his face, she failed to notice earlier that his eyes are somehow sad. ‘Are they sure that they are celebrating? Looks like he’s mourning than celebrating to me.’ She thought. “Hi! I’m Devon, James right?” she extends her hand towards him for a handshake and he shook it. “yeah”. “So what do you do? What company are you working for?” She’s trying to have a conversation with him. “I’m working in an advertisement company.” ‘So much for a conversation’ she thought sarcastically. “oh Devon pardon our friend James, he’s always like that he’s kinda crazy but he’s a good person.” Ryan said trying to pull a joke, which earned a glare from James, and she smiled. “Cheers?” she raise her bottle of beer to make a toast with James since her friends are busy mingling with the guys. “Cheers and congratulations to you” James said showing a crooked smile. “Thank you and congratulations to you too.” They we’re having little conversations and she can’t help but notice how beautiful his eyes are, a beautiful pair of hazel eyes. She wonders how it looked sad, why does it feel like she wants to wash away those sadness in his eyes, It’s like gravity is pulling her to the depths of his soul. She must have been staring at him for a while when she heard James called her name. She gave him a sheepish smile “I’m sorry, what were you saying?” He smiled, “Do you always stares at people?” he asked with a smile, teasing her. “I’m sorry” she blushed a little and rubs the back of her neck. “That’s ok, I get that a lot.” “Cocky are you?” she said with her brow raised. “I get that a lot too.” And they laugh together.

It was getting kind of late so they decided to go home, they exchange their goodbyes to the other group. With the little time they spend together with the guys it feels like they’ve been friends for a long time. They exchange phone numbers for future references, and she knows that Fretzie has other motives towards Bret. She smiled at the thought, “It was nice meeting you guys we had a great time” Bret said to everyone. “We also had a great time, we’re looking forward to meeting you guys again, we can all hang out together if you guys like.” Fretzie said, earning a nod to everyone. She then looked at James and was surprised that he was also looking at her, those hazel eyes it’s like boring holes inside her whenever he looks at her and she can’t help but feel conscious under his ministrations. She gave a genuine smile at him trying to hide her consciousness, he went stiff for a moment but returned a smile as well, his crooked smile that she finds very pleasant to look at. They never took each other’s phone number, and said their goodbyes.
At home, she was left wondering about James, about his mysterious side that envelops his personality, she was curious. She wanted to find out more about him, it feels like those hazel eyes had enticed her. But she was not complaining, the more she thinks about him the more she gets curious, she wanted to know everything about him, why he was carrying those sadness in his eyes. Then it struck her that she’d been thinking about him after they parted, ‘does it mean I like him?’ she asked herself. ‘No, I’m just curious that’s it!’ trying to sound more realistic but she can’t fool herself and she knows it. While trying to convince herself about her feelings, she was already drifting to sleep with James on her thoughts.
Next day, she woke up with a little hungover, so she grabbed some coffee on the way to work. The moment she stepped in the building, she’s already listing her things to do on her mind. After she dropped her things in her office, she went to Jun’s office to tell him her decision. She saw Fretzie wave at her and smile, giving her encouragement and support. She then knock on the door, and heard Jun’s ‘come in’, she open the door and let herself in, when she stepped inside she noticed that there’s another person inside the room. She greets Jun first and asked if she was interrupting something. Her boss just wave his hand motioning her to sit down, and the person opposite her turned to her and smile. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped upon seeing the other person. “Hello, we meet again, you might want to close your mouth, don’t want you having a slack jaw” He said, making fun of her reaction.


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