Kon'nichiwa! Let's fly to Japan, are you ready?

***

Prologue

New year, new life. New country.

That's what I told to myself pagkasapit ng bagong taon. Ready na ang lahat. Wala nang urungan. If this could be my way to get away with all these craps and responsibilities, gagawin ko 'yon. I just couldn't bear a life na maraming boses ang nakapaligid sa akin at inuutos ang dapat kong gawin. Our family is privileged enough pero sobrang nasusuka ako kapag dinuduro sa akin ang mga bagay na dapat gawin ko—kahit hindi ko priority sa buhay.

But here I am now, on my way to Tokyo. I've settled everything two months ago. I didn't waste a single penny and time.

I just knew my misery ended when I left my home country. Pakshet. I'm free!

Nagsimula nang magbigay ng announcement ang flight crew. I sit steadily on my seat. I felt so at ease ngayong tahimik ang paligid ko at magaan sa damdamin ang paglipad ng eroplano. Kanina pa ako aburido sa toddler na nakaupo sa likod ng seat ko. It looks like my burden has been gone nang matulog at manahimik siya. I just hate when there are too much noise and trouble around me, nakakapeste ng buhay.

Good thing, Tokyo is a refresher for me.

After a few announcements and safety procedures, and four long hours of flight, lumapag din ang eroplano sa Haneda Aiport o mas kilala bilang Tokyo International Airport. This wasn't my first time to be here but it was a long time ago since I went here. Sa tingin ko ay nasa seven to ten years old pa lang ako no'n. I couldn't remember dahil madalas ang vacation ng family namin ay either pumunta kami sa New York o kaya naman sa London. 

When it's time to leave the aircraft, hinanda ko na ang sarili ko. I wouldn't be here for no reason. Hindi lang dahil gusto ko. Hindi lang din dahil para magbakasyon. I have other purposes which don't rely sa mga ginagawa ko sa Pinas. This is a different thing na halos wala akong alam kung anong daratnan ko. But I have expectations and hopefully, this won't be a bugger to my stay here in Tokyo.

Nang makalabas ako ng aircraft ay dumaan ako sa immigration para ayusin ang papeles ko. A quick interview and validation happened at nakalusot naman kaagad ako. Kahit pag-alis ko ng bansa, people are wondering why would I be working as a nanny. They judged me based on what I'm wearing. Napaka-sosyal naman daw kasi for a girl who will work for a nanny to dress in Chanel with accessories and stuff from Louis Vuitton. Pero hindi ko kailangan mag-kwento sa buong mundo how did I get this stuff.

Should they just mind their own fucking business? That's why I left the country because of those hypocritic people around me. Nakakasuka. Para akong sinasabuyan ng asin at bumabaluktot kapag nakikita ko sila.

But I need to left those things back home, hindi ko rapat sila dalhin dito. This is a new life for me.

 Before I left the airport ay nagpapalit muna ako ng pera. I use my own money for this. Walang galing sa parents ko o donasyon kahit kaninoman. I've worked hard for this so deserve kong maranasan ang buhay na ganito. Except for my job.

 I don't even know what my employer looks like. Ang alam ko lang ang pangalan niya because we've already been sending emails to each other just to give me some details and then for my job description. He's the one who handles everything, even my ticket to fly here. Mukhang mabait naman. I bet this old man wouldn't stress me out. Kailangan ko lang nang mapaglilibangan ang sarili ko na malayo sa stress sa buhay sa Pinas.

As I went out of the airport, kumuha na ako ng taxi. May huminto naman sa akin at agad kong sinabi kung saan ako pupunta. Though the driver barely understood me, nakuha naman niya kung anong lugar ang pupuntahan namin.

One of the good things I got lucky to this job ay hindi ko kinailangan mag-aral ng Nihongo or the Japanese language to be accepted for the role. Nagulat pa ako dahil hindi siya required or maybe because of my credentials he thought I was too good enough kaya kinuha agad ako. But if people want to work in Japan, learning the language is necessary. But I grew up watching anime so I know some words... like Nani?!

It took only roughly eighteen to twenty-five minutes nang marating namin ang Toranomon Hills. It is one of the skyscrapers that stood in the district of Minato in Tokyo. Namangha ako dahil sa sobrang taas nito. Based on my findings, this building goes up to 52 floors and my employer lives on the 46th floor. He must be crazy for picking a unit to the top floors, paano na lang kaya kung walang electricity ang building? Siguro may hagdan pero pucha, hindi 'ko papagurin ang sarili ko!

"The total is 7,000 yen," the driver said.

Lumuwa ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "No. That's too pricey."

"It is the price," pagpupumilit pa nito.

"How so?"

"You rode on a regular taxi and we took some turns because some of the roads are blocked. You just need to pay me and you can go now."

"Fuck," I grunted. "Niloloko lang ata ako nito e."

Naglabas ako ng pera sa wallet ko inabot sa driver na mabilis naman niyang tinanggap. I grabbed my things out of the taxi at tumayo ako sa tapat ng building. Hindi agad naalis ang inis ko sa driver na 'yon dahil parang penerahan ako. Siguro akala niya turista ako at walang alam pero dahil ayoko namang makipagtalo, binigay ko na lang. Ayokong mag-iskandalo.

I checked the information once again on my notes to make sure na tama ang lugar na pinuntahan ko. Nang masigurado ko naman ay saka ako tumungo sa loob ng residential tower. Napauwang ang bibig ko nang makapasok ako. It's sophisticated and elegant how it looks from pictures ay gano'n din sa personal. How prominent and huge this building is can't be described.

Dumiretsyo ako sa front desk to announce my presence to my employer.

"Ohayou gozaimasu! How may I help you?" the clerk greeted. Good thing she speaks English as well.

"I'm Seilaverne Mercondia and I'm here for Trent Hu. He's my employer and I will be will his contracted employee."

"Okay. Please can I get some identification? Any valid ID."

Mabilis ko namang kinuha ang ID at inabot sa kanya iyon. I even prepared my documents para lang mapatunayan ko sa kanya na hindi lang isang intruder o kung ano man ang iniisip niya. She started checking and encoding it on the computer. Binalik niya rin naman ang IDs ko saka niya kinuha ang telepono para siguro tawagan ang  employer ko. She speaks in her local language kaya hindi ko naintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya. Mga ilang minuto lang din nang binaba niya ang tawag. She slips something out of her desk and then she gave it to me.

"Here's your key card," she said. Kinuha ko naman iyon sa kanya. "That's only exclusive for 46th floor where you will meet Mr. Hu. He's already waiting for you so please, you can find your way to the elevator."

"So that's all?"

She nodded. "Hai."

I smiled. "Sure, thanks!"

"Dou itashimashite," she said and bowed her head.

Hataka-hatak ang maleta ay tumungo ako sa elevator. Isang malaking maleta lang naman ang dala ko. Pinagsiksikan ko na talaga ang mga kakailanganin kong gamit. I didn't bring all the unnecessary stuff dahil karamihan naman ng gamit ay mabibili ko rin dito. And I'll be paid for doing this job kaya naman luho is life.

My family isn't dependent on me and they have other things important things to do other than minding my own business. Mabuti nga ay hindi nila ako pinigilan sa pag-alis ko—ooops, wala nga pala silang alam. But anyway, do they even care?

Pagkapasok ko sa elevator, pindinot ko ang 46th button. Magara ang building na ito. Smooth lamang ang pagtaas at halos hindi ko maramdam. No aching feeling o bigat ng ulo. Mabilis din naman akong nakalapag sa 46th floor. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga para sa lakas ng loob. 

I never thought I would work for someone. Iba ang gusto kong gawin sa buhay ko. Maging carefree lang. As in, walang ginagawa sa buhay but on the other hand, I'm still getting all the things I want. Masyadong imposible but I can still work it out.

There's nothing a Mercondia can't do.

When the elevator opens, bumungad sa akin ang entrance ng floor. Kaunting espasyo lamang ay sang pinto na ang kaharap ko. Nag-aalinlangan pa ako kung tama ba ang ginagawa ko. I put the key card on the card slot at ilang segundo lang ay tumunog na ito at senyales na bukas na ang pinto.

Dahan-dahan kong tinula ang pinto. It doesn't made a creaking sound, ang smooth nito at biglang lumusot ang lamig ng aircon palabas ng pinto. I pulled my maleta inside at inilagay ko sa isang tabi para hanapin ang magiging boss ko. Hindi ko alam ang hitsura nitong si Trent Hu but I am hoping na hindi siya terror o kung ano man. From what I've heard, mukhang mababait naman ang ilang employer ng mga DH sa Japan... but I'm not a DH... could a nanny be also called like that? Nako. Bahala na sa buhay.

Nangangatog ang buo kong katawan. It is winter here in Japan pero bakit nakukuha pa nilang gumamit ng airconditioner? Walang laban ang manipis kong dress. Ayoko nang halughugin ang jacket ko sa maleta ko.

Sinimulan ko namang hanapin si Trent and the place seems quiet. Mukhang walang taio. I could be called as an intruder kung hindi ako nanggaling sa front desk. This room is big as hell. Nagtuloy-tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad ako at idinala ako sa living room area. Kasunod lang din nito ang dining area at tanaw ko na sa kinatatayuan ko ang kitchen area. Bukas ang ilaw sa ceiling pero mas nanliliwanag ang buong silid dahil nakabukas ang kurtina na dumadaloy patungong balcony area.

All the furniture and stuff ay mukhang elegante sa mata. Malinis at mabango. It smells like lavender dahil parang nakakaantok ang simoy ng hangin. The entrance's floor are tiles pero pagdating sa living room, dining at iba pang area ay gray carpeted floor na. The room's accent of gray, burgundy, and white screams luxury to my eyes. I wonder how this residence floor cost? Yayamanin ba ang may-ari nito?

Hell I don't even know who's I'm gonna work for. Sana hindi part ng isang mafia or gang ito.

I walked towards the glass boundary window from the balcony. Susubukan ko pa sanang sumilip doon nang maagaw ng table sa isang corner ang atensyon ko. There were two bottles of whiskey and wine. Tahimik pa akong naglakad papunta sa table at kinuha ko ang isang nakataob na baso. I took the bottle of whiskey at sinalinan ko ang baso ko. I poured only a few at isang mabilis na tunagga ang ginawa ko. I was about to taste the wine because it looks good, hindi pa ako nakakatikim ng brand na gano'n pero nakarinig ako ng bukas ng pinto.

I thought that I should follow where it is coming from kaya nakarating ako sa isang hallway. Tatlong pinto ang nasa left side at tatlo rin naman sa right side at nasa dulo ng hallway ang pinto nito.

BIgla rin namang natahimik pero may ilang kaluskos pa rin akong naririnig.

Imposible namang magkaroon ng akyat0bahay dito sa kwarto na 'to. Mahigpit ang security so it's impossible that someone would break in. Kung meron man, nakasabay ko dapat sa pag-akyat ng pinto. Of if this is just another maid, maybe I should introduce myself.

Sinilip ko ang bawat pinto at halos nakapatay ang lahat ng ilaw. Habang papalapit ako ng papalapit sa ldulo kung nasaan ata ang master's bedroom, mas lalong lumalalim ang bawat paghinga at hindi ko alam kung bakit. Excited or kabado lang talaga? Baka kasi kung ano pang isipin nito sa akin.

When I finally reached the master's bedroom, tuluyan kong binuksan ang pinto nang walang katok-katok. I was stunned that the lights are open and it lightened up the whole room. There's just the huge king size bed and I think a hundred inches flast screen TV. There so so expensive stuff in the room. Hindi makalat. Sobrang neat and tidy ng  mga bagay-bagay. This is really where I want to live. Wala na dapat pang ayusin. It looks like this Trent is very perfectionist na halos mawalang kalat na makikita. Maybe his maids have done all the work but this place seems pretty for me.

Magandang desisyson nga talaga ang mangibang bansa.  At least on that part, I did a pretty great job.

But something happened that took my breath away. 

"Nani?!"

From the corner, a figure of a man who stood over six foot and butt naked shows up. I can see his glory all the way from his head to toe. Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa. He doesn't seem excited pero may dinampot siyang robe saka niya iyon sinusot habang ppalapit sa akin. Napansin kong salubong ang kilay nito at halatang binabalalan niya ako sa mga titig niya.

What the fuck? Siya ba ang boss ko?!

As he get a hold of the door. Ibinitaw ko ang kamay ko. I stepped backward at hindi naman siya susunod. His oval eyes and tiger look made me anxious. Bakit ganito siya makatitig sa akin? I was just hoping to see another maid pero hindi makakita ng hubo't hubad na lalaki.

"Are you the nanny?" he asked, his deep voice made my body shivered. Pakshet. Bakit ako kinilabutan ng ganito?!

I nodded timidly. Kabang-kaba ang gaga. "Y-Yes..."

"You don't speak Japanese right?"

Umiling muli ako. "No... sir."

"That's fine," he said but no smile. Mukhang terror nga ang isang ito. But I could smell his strong male scent from his after shave. Pero nanatili akong behave dahil ayokong magmukhang tanga sa mata ng lalaking ito. "I'll meet you in a second. Just give me some time to wear some clothes..."

I don't mind naman.... nakita ko na naman e.

"Sure sir! No sweats here. Just... temptations..." bulong ko pa at sana hindi niya iyon narinig. Iniwas ko na lang din naman ang tanong.

"Okay," he said and was about to shut the door in front of my face nang bigla akong may pahabol sa kanya. Sinilip niya muli ako sa pint. He still doesn't show so much expression except to his lazy, tiger look. "What is it?"

"This might be rude and a personal question... are all Japanese uncut?"

He smirked. "You see it, right? You've got the answer."

Pisti. Ano bang lasa ng Japanese sausage?!

Saka nito sinara ang pinto sa mukha ko. My whole body startled. Hindi rin agad ako nakahinga ng maluwag dahil maling-mali ang unang pagkikita naming dalawa. Nagmadali akong tumungo sa living area at mabilis na lumagok ng red wine. And it's taste good. UUlit pa sana ako pero hindi na lang. Umayos naman ako sa pagkakaupo sa couch saka humugot ng malalim na hininga.

This is it. Walang inuurungan ang isang Mercondia. I would totally aced this up. For sure.

But if I'm a nanny and completely there's no one around here, sinong aalagan ko?!

Oh, shit. Everything just got a real. Good thing, he wasn't an old man. And that's a relief but for who he needs the nanny?!

***

Hi guys! We're now in Tokyo! Anong say niyo sa prologue? Please don't be shy na mag-comment haha! Let me know! Thank you rin!

#NightLifeInTokyoPrologue #NILTPrologue #WoldTripSeries3 #WT3

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