"Ang bango naman dito, Em," pansin ko sa loob ng office ng kuya niya.

"Bet na bet ni Kuya 'yang ganyang amoy."

Empi and I were sitting side by side on the black tufted leather couch in the room's waiting area. Hindi naman sobrang laki ng room, but it was comfortable to stay in.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ako sanay na naka-formal si Empi. Hindi rin ako sanay na naka-formal ako. He wore an olive green dress shirt underneath his beige suit and slacks. Suot niya ang silver wristwatch niya, which was not his common watch. Lagi kasi siyang naka-smart watch. His wavy hair was neatly combed back, and no earrings. Sobrang neat.

He asked me na mag-formal na lang din, and I wore my knee-length purple slip dress and a white formal coat. My dress was camisole style, slim fit, and with a cowl neck, something na magiging laman ng sermon ni Empi, so I had to wear a coat bago pa niya ako pagalitan.

Empi was proudly telling me na sa eldest niya kami papasok as trainees. Iniwan na niya ang mga résumé namin sa office table ng kuya niya. I wasn't expecting anything at all since wala pa 'kong plan after graduation. I was considering a clerk job or any office job after my bachelor's.

We were still waiting on the couch when a man in a formal suit walked in. Sabay pa kaming tumayo ni Empi.

"Good morning, Kuya. Nasa table na ang résumé namin ni Thea," sabi agad ni Empi.

We stood in front of the office table. Nakatingin lang ako sa kuya ni Empi at hindi ko na naiwasang mamilog ang mga labi dahil mukha siyang mayaman talaga. He looked like a rich Spanish man with his clean stubble and strong aura.

First time ko lang na makikilala ang ibang mga kapatid ni Empi, hindi ko ine-expect na ang guguwapo pala talaga nilang magkakapatid.

"Good morning," Empi's brother greeted, so we greeted back.

"Good morning, Attorney," I even said, and that gained a raised head from Em's kuya.

"I'm Archie. No attorney, no sir, no kuya, no manong, no buts. Archie. Clear? Ayoko ng paulit-ulit ako," sabi niya sa 'kin.

I slightly pressed my lips together before nodding. "Okay po."

No attorney.

No sir.

No kuya.

No manong.

No buts.

Para siyang si Harlene. Ayaw patawag ng ma'am kahit 45 years old na. Sabi rin naman ni Empi na may ganitong disclaimer ang kuya niya, abangan ko na lang. Ito na pala 'yon.

Archie checked our résumés. Inuna niya ang kay Empi.

Empi's résumé is undoubtedly well-prepared. Light blue rose-printed scented paper with dark purple fonts. I got mine in an A4 digital-friendly smooth bond paper.

Archie's brows furrowed, and he smelled Em's résumé. Takang-taka pa yata siya kung bakit mabango ang papel.

"I know, Kuya. It's giving alta," sagot agad ni Empi. "I'm prepared."

"Pang-wedding invitation naman 'tong papel mo."

"It's special!"

Em wanted his stuff to be elegant, so wala nang shocking sa reaction niya.

Ang weird siguro na hindi ako kinakabahan. More like excited ako nang kunin na ni Archie ang resume ko.

"So, you're Thea," he said.

"Yes, sir—Archie," I corrected.

One page lang ang résumé ko at inilagay ko lang doon kung ano lang ang seminars and trainings na attended ko apart from educational attainment. Wala pa naman akong work experience na ilalagay roon.

"Thea . . ." he said, checking my paper. "Marami nang tao rito sa office ko, so I'll assign you sa office ni Attorney Nicholas sa kabilang pinto lang."

"Okay po—"

"Kuya, are you serious?" kontra agad ni Em, kaya napatingala ako sa kanya.

"Yes. Puwede ka ring magpa-endorse sa ibang office. Gusto mo sa kuya Nick mo?" Archie offered.

"No way. I'm good. Pero si Thea talaga? Sure ka na?" sabi na naman ni Empi kaya nagwa-wonder na 'ko sa reaction niya.

"Ayaw mo sa office ni kuya mo Nick? Ayaw rin doon ni Zacharias. Doon si Thea."

"Oh come on!" Empi exclaimed.

Then it dawned on me.

Mapupunta ako sa ibang office because of Zach?

Tama ba ako ng intindi?