Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

**Lisa’s POV**

I had enough of crying for almost a week after Leon stood me up again. I really don’t know what has become of him or why he didn’t show up. I don’t care anymore. All I care about now is to move on and straighten my life again. Meaning, again the second time around that he has given me heartache and frustration. Why does he always hurt me? Did he really love me or was he just toying with me around, because he knows that he was my first boyfriend and I love him? Though I have given him the benefit of doubt that he truly loved me, I cannot leave the questions of WHY?

We already graduated from the military installations, and my friend Elizabeth held our celebration at the restaurant with my parents. Since her parents were not here anymore. Her parents were already in Las Vegas and were only waiting for the release of her visa so that he could fly down to Vegas. It was really a nice day for us. She told me that she already has an employer in one of the casinos in Vegas, because her parents have already looked for a job for her. She was telling me that she would convince her employer to employ me too. I am not optimistic with her idea but dreamy at the same time.

After two weeks of our graduation at the military installation, Elizabeth’s departure came. Though sad, but happy for her that she would see her parents at last. As for me, I have been sending my curriculum vitae (CV) to companies who have an opening and looking for computer related works. Lucky for me, one of the biggest companies in the city financial district of the country is hiring Programmers/Analysts. Knowing the training I had, I didn’t have a hard time passing the interview and it gave me to start immediately.

This company has an affiliation from shipping, financing, construction to recruitment abroad. This is a great way to practice what I have learned from the military installation and it does help me a lot. I am the supervisor of the electronic data processing (EDP), and almost all of the information gathered from the various affiliated companies is processed by my department. Though a very taxing job, it is worth it to forget whatever worries that still bothers me. A really fulfilling job after all that keeps me busy.

My co-employees were all friendly and I am happy with their companies whenever we had our lunch together. We never fail to laugh at jokes that they always cracked. We even have a night time every Friday whenever we have a lesser job to deal with compliments from our boss.

I have already forgotten my broken heart and I am happy with what I am having right now. Maybe this time I can say I have already moved on.

Having to do different programs to deal with different affiliations was quite a rattling job. Sometimes I experienced anxiety whenever the deadline for the program to run way beyond the requested time frame. So, most of the time I came home late to keep up with the time frame of work assigned to us. Though, I have never been late or exceeded the time frame given to us, which I can say I am proud of.

I am at peace already with what my life has now. I can already smile recalling what I have gone through. I am not at all hurting. I have already accepted the fact that Leon had left me and wherever he is now, I can wish him good not cursing him anymore. Whatever his reasoned be, it is beyond me anymore to guess or to know. I am happy with what I am now, and I wish this will be good to last.

My parents were elated that I am not only busy with my work, but also happy with what I do. Though sometimes they were worried, because it takes most of my free time to stay at work to finish the task that was given to me. I have no regrets though sometimes I was deprived of my regular rest. But it was fulfilling enough to know that my program worked perfectly as what the affiliation company required.

It’s been two months since the time I started from the company I am working now, when one of their affiliate shipping companies needed to change the payroll program. I needed to go to their office and talk to the person in-charge of the payroll of all the seafarers. The office is sprawling with male seafarers and I need to come here almost every day to gather their requirements. Once their requirements are settled, then I can create programs that are tailored to their needs.

One day, when I was going to the payroll department to discuss further their requirements, I happened to bump into this guy who smelled like a baby. Yes, like a baby, because he smells good. It is seldom for men to smell good, especially when they sweat a lot.

He was somewhat cold and seldom smiled, but I don’t feel intimidated by his facade. It feels weird though that it seems that he was hiding something from what his face shows. He dressed simply, denim pants and shirt with collar which is their dress code when reporting to their crewing manager. We just stared at each other, so I just broke the silence between us.

“I’m sorry, I was in a hurry to get to the accounting department so I never saw you coming.” I told him.

He was broken into a trance he was in and he spoke. “It was I that should say sorry because I am the one who crossed your path and I have not seen you coming from that corner.”

Oh, he has a tongue. So, he can speak. “Oh, it’s ok. I am just in a hurry to get things done in the payroll department. Ok, I need to go now.”

“Wait! I want to introduce myself, I am Richard Salas, Archie for short.” He extended his hand to me.

Likewise, I extend my hand to him. “I am Melissa Valencia, you can call me Mel or Lisa. Whichever you prefer.”

“I prefer to call you Lisa, which is more feminine.” He added.

“Well, nice meeting you Archie. I need to go now.” I told him.

“When can I see you again?” He asked me.

I was shocked to answer his question because I really don’t know how I can answer his question. I just looked at him, more like staring at him. “I don’t know.” I just answered him.

“Are you an employee here?” He asked.

“Not really, though this company is a part of the group of affiliated companies that I am serving. I worked on the sixth floor” I answered him.

“I see. By the way, I am a seafarer who is waiting for departure. Anyway, nice meeting you Lisa. Hope to see you again.” He explained.

“Same here. Bye.” Then I proceed to the payroll department.