Have You Ever

Driving Me Crazy

I can't help but feel awkward about what happened. But he seems okay as if it was nothing. There's no big deal with that. So what if his hand brushed off against mine? And there's nothing wrong if his little finger touches mine. Do not overact Enzey. It's nothing, okay? Just shake it off.

But I can't help it, seriously. I can't even look on his side. I still feel awkward. I'm trying hard to act cool but I can't. What should I do? It's suffocating. Uhm~ right! Earphones! Let's plugged in my earphones and listen to music to avoid this awkward atmosphere. The best escape is to use my earphones. Yeah, right. What a brilliant idea, Enzey! I was browsing my playlist to choose what song should I listen to when...

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked. Will you please stop talking to me? My cheeks are starting to blush again. I can feel the blood rushing through my face.

"Y-yeah. I'm okay." I shyly replied. What's with the stuttering Enzey! You're being way too obvious. Stop it, okay?!

"Are you sure? Your face has been reddish since a while ago. Are you sure you're feeling okay?" He was about to put his palm on my forehead so I automatically dodge it. But unfortunately, I...

Duug!

"Ouch!" I uttered while scratching the back of my head. Oh my gally Enzey! What are you doing? What an epic fail. Why do you have to bump your head on the window while looking at him? Will you please save your face against this man?

"Hey~ What's wrong? Why are you hurting yourself?" And he started showing his eye smile and his entire front teeth as he laughs at what happened. I never thought that a guy laughing like a retard seal can be as handsome as him.

"Y-yeah... I'm okay. Don't mind me." What an embarrassment.

Then he stopped laughing. I'm acting this way because you keep on hitting on me, okay? So will you please stop it? How I wish this bus could fly away so we can go home already.

Finally, I'm home. I feel so drained. Not because of my first day at work but because of all the embarrassments I had in front of Paul. Why am I acting that way? Such an i***t.

It's 9 pm but I don't feel hungry. Maybe because I'm so full of all the embarrassment I had a while ago. How I can face him tomorrow? How could I act naturally in front of him? And why I do have to feel this way about someone like him? My gally, Enzey! I didn't imagine I could easily like someone like him. Or maybe I'm just infatuated because of his smile. Yeah, right. It's just an infatuation. It will eventually fade away if you won't mind it. Just forget about it. But how can I forget about it if the first person I need to talk to as I arrive at the factory is him? How? Tell me how?!?

Anyway, Enzey just eats and gets ready to sleep. You have to wake up early tomorrow or you'll be late for work. Just shut your eyes off and you'll forget about it.

=============

Fortunately, I timed in at 7:59 am. Not bad. I thought I will be late because of the long queue in the terminal. Nevertheless, I shall start the day right and do rounds in the factory. But while I’m doing my rounds, I can see from afar that someone's smiling at me while he's walking towards me. Okay, Enzey. Act naturally. Be professional okay? He won't notice anything unless you'll act so obvious that you have a crush on him.

"Good morning, ma'am." he greeted as he smiles so brightly at me. Okay, heart... behave. Keep it cool. Please.

"Good morning." And I smiled back. Trying so hard to keep my cool.

"Are you feeling okay now?" Why do you keep asking if I'm okay, huh? Stop acting that way and I'll be okay.

"Yeah," I answered coldly. Or else, I'll start stuttering again. "Anyway, do you have any machine breakdown in your shift?" I asked, changing the topic. Nice one, Enzey! That was smooth~

"Ah, yeah. I wrote it on the DPR." He started walking towards the supervisor's table and I followed him.

"I hope you don't mind but.. what does DPR stands for?" I asked.

"Oh, I forgot that yesterday was just your first day. We've talked comfortably while we were at the bus stop that's why I thought we were colleagues for a long time." He laughed. "By the way, DPR stands for Daily Production Report. The supervisors must submit this to you as a report for the quantity that has been produced in their shift. This reflects if we are meeting the quota or not." He added.

"Oh, I see. Thanks for that." I uttered.

"No worries." He said. "On this part, you can see the remarks of every supervisor to see what could be the problems that their shift has encountered. As well as the machine breakdowns." He continued.

"Ah~ Okay. Thank you, Paul." Then I smiled. Having Paul in the morning shift while I'm in the process of learning the job is not bad at all. All I have to do is to set aside this childish feeling of mine and everything will be okay.

I was about to leave and go to my table in Production to check their reports when he suddenly calls out my name...

"Ma'am Enzey!" He called while walking hurriedly. Feels like a déjà vu, though~

"Yes?"

"Can I get your number?" Whaaat? Did I hear it right? He's asking for my number? Out loud? In front of other factory workers? Seriously? Ah.. heart? Still there? Do not jump out, okay? He's just asking for my number. It can happen. There's nothing special with that. Calm down, okay?

"My number? What for?" I asked nonchalantly. Act like a pro Enzey.

"So I can text you early in the morning." And he flashes that deadly smile of him once again. Who are you to shake up my inner peace within? Why do you keep on shaking my heart up? Don't you see we are at work right now?!

"And why do you need to text me early in the morning? No need to do that." I answered while trying my best to keep my calm.

"Uhm, I'm sorry if I offended you. I don't mean anything about that. I just want to text you first thing in the morning so that you already know the remarks on every shift's DPR before you arrive here. I didn't mean to offend you or what. I just thought it could help you somehow that way." He uttered.

Look what you've done Enzey! I said act like a pro but you keep on giving malice to whatever he does for you. Now fix this or else you'll keep on embarrassing yourself in front of him.

"I-I'm sorry. I never thought you had that intention. Anyway, I don't feel offended by asking for my number. It's just that, I don't easily give them out unless it’s important. I'm sorry if I overlooked your good intention." I explained. I guess that would suffice to appease his feelings, right?

"No, it's okay." Then he smiled. I guess we're okay.

"Can I have your phone? I'll give you my number." I smiled back at him. He handed me his phone and I typed in my number.

"Thanks, Ma'am Enzey!" His bright smile came back to life. I guess we're good. "I'll text you tomorrow morning." He added.

I went up to the Production office and do my paperwork. It's just my second day at work but I learned most of the paperwork. I guess clerical task is one of my strengths. I went down to the factory from time to time to do rounds but I have a lot of reports for encoding. There was a one-month backlog due to the previous coordinator's sudden resignation. But I know I can do this. All I need is to focus and I'll make it.

========

Due to my extent of concentration in catching up to the one-month backlog, I didn't notice that it's 5:30 pm already. Time to go home. This time, I don't need to wait for anyone before I go home. Stephy said I can go home without her permission unless I was asked to do overtime.

I cleaned up my area and turned off my computer. Picked up my bag then timed out on the biometric. I was looking around before I went out of the building.

"Bye, ma'am. Be safe on your way home." One of the factory workers said.

"Thanks. You, too." I replied as I continue looking around.

"Are you looking for Sir Paul, ma'am?" She smirked as if she knew who I was looking for.

"N-no. Why would I look for Paul?! I was just looking around." I strongly denied it as if I was caught in the act. How did she know that I was looking for him? Am I being way too obvious that I have a crush on Paul?

"He left early a while ago ma'am. He seems to be in rush. He left when I was on a break, around 3 pm I guess." She explained. Oh, I forgot that Paul is on the second shift which is from 6 am to 2 pm. But why did he go home with me yesterday? Isn't it too late for him?

I was walking when that factory worker walks beside me. Then she started chatting with me while walking towards the bus stop. Her name is Esmee.

"So what makes you think that I am looking for Paul?" I asked out of curiosity.

"So you're indeed looking Sir Paul, Ma'am?" And she starts teasing me.

"N-no. It's just that I'm curious what makes you think that it’s him. Of all people, why him?" I explained.

"To be honest ma'am, unintentionally, I saw you yesterday together with Sir Paul at the bus stop. You were chatting and laughing together. That's why." She elaborated.

"Oh, I see."

We bid goodbye to each other and parted on our separate ways. Esmee is kinda bit boyish on the outside but so feminine on the inside. Her girl's instinct is so sharp for noticing things like that. I should be careful with my actions, especially when Paul is around. I don't want to cause any rumors at work.

Luckily, I arrived home early today. It's 8 pm and I have enough time to eat and do my "night-time ritual". The smoke and dirt through traveling from Cavite to Makati and vice versa are damaging my skin. I have to be more diligent in taking care of my skin or else my acne will act up again.

It's time to lay on my bed when my phone suddenly vibrated and received a text message.

"Hi! This is Paul. I hope you arrived at your home safely. Kindly save my number. Thanks. Good night. Sleep tight."

I don't know why but it feels like my heart was about burst. Maybe because of what I have read? Perhaps. I can't help but hug my pillow and cover my mouth up with it as I shouted out of excitement. Why am I feeling this way with just one text message from him? My gally Enzey! You are crazy! No-- he is driving me crazy.