The tour around the factory with Stephy continues. So ATLE Industries, Inc. is a sister company of one of the famous and largest pharmaceutical company in the Philippines. They are supplying them different bottles or containers for muriatic acid, petroleum jelly and other stuff that can be found in that pharmacy. No wonder, their products seems so familiar.

Seeing these machines producing these different bottles and containers is amusing. I never imagined I would be working in this kind of company. It’s far different from the companies that I was imagining. It may be different but I like it better than being on sales, rushing to achieve the quota or being on marketing, brainstorming how to make the product more appealing to the public. As expected, I like being on production side.

“Now were done with the factory so let’s visit the offices of other departments.” Stephy said.

“Sure.”

“Within the factory premises, you can found the Warehouse & Raw Materials Department, Quality Control Department and the Packaging Department.” Stephy discussed.

And we proceed to the Warehouse & Raw Materials Department where you can find all the materials needed in producing the plastic products. They are tons of sacks of plastic pellets stacked accordingly and there’s another small room within for colorant. It is air-conditioned unlike any other room because the powdered colorant needs to maintain low humidity to avoid them from moistening.

“Hi~ So you are the new coordinator? Nice meeting you.” A girl at her early twenties like me greeted me as if she knew me. She has nice figure and quite tall, around 5’7” I guess. But I think I’ve seen her before. I just can’t remember where.

“Good morning.” I greeted back and smiled at her.

“You two came from the same school. She also came from TUP.” Stephy said.

“Ah~~~ No wonder you look so familiar. You were at the Ms. CLA 2015.” I remember. On the talent portion, she dances a contemporary number like a mad person. She danced wearing a long golden dress with that kind of choreography. Though we beat her and got the Best in Talent. I was one of the back-up dancers of my friend who represents our class.

“Shhhh! That’s a secret!” She covered my mouth to stop me from talking about that pageant. So it was a nightmare for you ha?

“So you joined a pageant Rhia?!” Stephy said while teasing her. “If ever you have any video for that pageant or any picture of Rhia, share it with me okay?” She added and laughed out.

“Sure. I’ll ask one of my friend for the clip.” And I start joining Stephy on teasing the poor little girl. I don’t know why but I feel so relax laughing and joking around with them as if it’s not my first day today.

After the warehouse, we proceed to the Quality Control Department. It is just a small room with full of different sizes and shapes of bottles. Its kind a bit messy though.

“I’m so sorry if it looks messy. I just have to test every bottle every shift if there has been no problem with the products that runs over the night that’s why it is all over the place but once I’m done checking them after a few hours, I’ll just clean it up.” Stephy explained.

So that’s how they check and test the quality of the bottles. They put some water then lock it with plugs and caps to see if there will be any leak. They also do drop test to check the durability of the product. No wonder their company lasted for over four decades. I thought they will just gonna look at the shape if there will be some deformities or what but they are checking it that way diligently.

Then we proceed to the next area which is the Packaging Department where the bottles and other products were brought for the finishing touches and packing it by specific quantity per polybag. They are also in-charge of loading the products to the truck for delivery. While looking around, I found this petite young lady with a wavy shoulder length hair who looks so tired though it’s just 10:30am. I know that she’s just hard working but I guess it won’t take much of your time if you will tie your hair, right? At least put some powder on your face to freshen up, my dear.

“Mara, come over here for a while. We can’t go there because of your deliveries.” Stephy calling her attention.

“For a moment please.” She answered.

“Mara, she is Enzey. The new coordinator.” Stephy said as she introduces me to her.

“Hi, Mara. Nice meeting you.” I greeted.

“Hello. I heard you’re from TUP as well? Rhia and I were classmates. Actually, even Paul. Have you met him?” She asked.

“Yeah, a while ago, while touring around the factory.” I replied.

“Oh, I see. We’ll be seeing much everyday so.. welcome to ATLE! I’m sorry but I gonna go because we’re rushing to fill in three trucks for delivery.” she said.

“Yeah, sure. See you around.” I replied.

The orientation around the factory goes on. I don’t know if I can still remember all their names or all the things about the factory that Stephy has discussed but I know it will take some time. What important is I already had an overview on what are the things that I need to learn and how things will work in the factory. Its kind a bit difficult task to be a production coordinator for a fresh graduate like me but I know, eventually, I’ll work it out. Just believe in yourself Enzey!

I was busy encoding some things on the database, I didn’t notice that its 5:30pm already. Time flies so fast when you’re busy. It’s time to go home. But I don’t want to leave my table without Stephy or without any instruction from anyone that I can leave and prepare to go home. It’s not right for me to go home earlier than my superiors.

“You may go home. Do not overwork yourself for your first day. You’ll gonna miss this day that you can go home as early as today.” Stephy said while smiling as if she means something.

Nevertheless, I shut down the computer and grabbed my bag to go home. Not bad for my first day. I guess I’ll love this job. I hope.

I was on my way to the bus stop when I heard somebody’s calling my name.

“Enzey! Wait for me.” Shouted by whoever he is. I’m not close with anyone else who I can go home with. So I just continue walking and plugged in my earphones. I was choosing a song in my playlist when someone grabbed my shoulder. So in my shock, I suddenly grabbed my bag and strike him. Adrenaline rush, I guess.

“Woah~ kinda aggressive huh!” A man on his white polo shirt said while smiling at me. It’s Paul. You again? But wait, white polo shirt? It seems familiar. The white polo shirt and this smile seem familiar. Right! I remember now. Isn’t he the one who I asked about the direction last Monday? Oh my gally! No wonder he keeps on smiling at me when we were in the factory. He is not weird. I am the weird one for not noticing it. No wonder he is smiling that way hoping I can remember that I owe him one.

“Oh, I’m sorry sir! I thought you were some sort of snatcher or what? I didn’t know you were the one who’s behind me. I didn’t expect that someone will call me and ask me to wait for him on my first day at work.” I tried cracking joke to cover up my fault for hitting him with my bag. Really, Enzey? You called him weird before, and now a snatcher. How judgmental you are!

“It’s okay. Just don’t hit me again when I call for your attention next time.” He smiled at me. That smile again. Will you please stop smiling at me? I can’t help it when you smile at me that way. Enzey, stop. Don’t get distracted.

“I’m sorry again sir.”

“Paul.” He said.

“H-huh?”

“Just call me Paul. Besides, your position is higher than me. I am under your supervision. Production Coordinator is in-charge of handling the entire factory supervisor.” He added.

“Ah okay, sir. I mean, Paul.” And I smiled at him. Rather than being weird, he seems so… nice. I think we’ll get close eventually. And it’s not a bad idea to have someone who you can be close with, right?

The conversation goes on until we arrived at the bus stop. And for some reason, the bus is nowhere to be found. Maybe because of the traffic. Darn that rush hour. I’m pretty sure I’m going home late today.

So he was from the same university as mine. And for some coincidence, we were on the same building but different course. He was working in ATLE for four months so technically, he’s my senior at work. Though he’s one-year older than me, he doesn’t mind calling him on a first name basis. I don’t know why but I enjoyed his company while waiting for the bus until I noticed that its 6:13pm.

“Aren’t you going home? You can leave; you don’t have to wait for me.” I said while worrying that he’s staying because he feels bad to leave me alone.

“But there’s no bus yet. I’m waiting for the bus to arrive.” He answered. “Actually, we’re waiting for the same bus.” He added and smiled again at me. That beautiful smile. It’s melting me. My gally!

As we are talking, I can’t help but stare at him. The white polo shirt and those denim jeans suit him well. He looks so neat. And his sleeve is pressing his biceps as if it is asking me to touch them and see how firm they are. His smile, his smile that seems weird to me before became my weakness, it’s melting me. I can’t help but look at it over and over again. He also looks fine. I mean, he’s handsome. I guess, he’s around 5’6”. Quite small for a man’s standard height but it’s just perfect for me. For me? Hey, Enzey! Wake up! What are you saying? Perfect for you? Seriously! Fortunately the bus arrives to stop me from this craziness.

“Enzey, here!” Paul calling me while pointing to the seat for two.

“Thank you!” I replied. Oh~ gentleman. Nice.

The bus conductor comes near us to collect our payment. I was picking my wallet inside my bag when he suddenly…

“Payment for two, boss.” He said.

“I’ll give you my payment later. Wait. I’m just looking for my wallet.” I uttered.

“No need. My treat.” He said while folding our bus ticket and put it on the seat cover in front of us.

“No! I Insist. I’ll pay for the bus fare.” I said while shyly smiled at him. Why would he treat me? I know it’s not much but why would he treat someone like me.

“No! I won’t take it.” He insisted and the bus ticket fell from the seat cover. I immediately picked up the ticket when his head suddenly bumped on my head.

“Ouch!” We both shouted and laughed at our dumbness.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry.” He asked while looking at me. I don’t know but I feel something weird. I feel like I’m having a fever. My face feels so warm and my stomach is acting up. Feels like there’s something inside me that I can’t explain with words. And suddenly, it feels so hot in here. Don’t tell me.. I’M BLUSHING?!

“I-I’m okay. How about you? I have a hard head so it might hurt you more.”

I tried to pick up the bus ticket once again when his hand brushes against mine. And my little finger touches his. Again?! Is he doing this intentionally? Is he hitting on me? I don’t know why but I feel like I was electrified. So I immediately removed my hand to avoid this awkwardness. I don’t know why but my heart is acting up. It’s beating too fast as if it will burst any time soon. My gally! Don’t tell me my heart is acting up just because our hands brushed off. I can’t believe this kind of gestures will drive me crazy. Don’t tell me I’m being trapped with his flirtatious act! Oh no! NO WAY!~~