Chapter 2 - The Present

Sky rolled her eyes as she was exiting her car, a porsche silver taycan. Kasalukuyang nakaipit sa pagitan ng tainga at balikat niya ang cellphone. “Yes madam. Pupunta po ako later.... Yes, yes, I know... pinaghirapan mo kuno ‘yan.” 

Kausap niya sa kabilang linya ang isa sa mga barkada niyang si Chiena. She and her other friends were classmates way back in high school. At kahit pa nagkanya-kanya na sila ‘nung magcollege, they never lost contact. Naging mas close pa nga sila nang mga ito. They make it a point na magkita-kita two or three times a week. To Sky, her friends were the closest she ever got to having siblings.  

“Hoy Bruha! ‘Wag na ‘wag niyo akong iindiyanin. Alam niyo namang I went to hell and back para lang makakuha nang mga exclusive invites na ‘to noh!” Paulit-ulit pa na pagpaalala nito. 

“I know, pero kahit naman nandun’ kami, I’m sure na kay Pablo naman ang undivided attention mo.” Pagtataray pa ni Sky. 

She and all their friends knew that Chiena had always been head over heels for none other than Pablo Michael Esguerro. They knew him since high school at kahit noon pa man, deads na deads na ang kanyang kaibigan dito. And yes, he’s slowly making his name as one of the most sought-after optometrists in the Philippines. Kakabalik lang nito last month galing New York where he got his doctorate degree. Fast-forward, the guy’s friends in high school are throwing an exclusive party in a high-end bar sa Makati. Scratch that, very exclusive at invites only. Nagtataka nga silang magbabarkada kung paano nakakuha itong si Chiena nang invite.   

“I need your moral support, guys. He’s always surrounded by she-wolves na ready akong sakmalin anytime.” And oh, she forgot. Her friend was always melodramatic. 

For the fifth time, Sky rolled her eyes again. “Oo na.. I’ll be there. Ito nga at ihahatid ko na lang sa Vontillon Corp ang mga papeles for the contract. After we go over the documents at mapirmahan nila, I’ll be out of here in no time.” Mahabang paliwanag niya rito. 

Suminghot pa ito kunwari para lang konsensyahin siya. “Okay girl. Good luck! Basta mamaya ah!”  

“Kuleeeeet. Now let me concentrate.” Kasalukuyan na siyang nasa lobby nang magpaalam na ito. 

Okay, ready set, game face!

….......

Napakuyom nang palad si Sky habang naghihintay sa board room nang Vontillon Corp. Frustrated is an understatement for her right now. Ang inaakala niyang contract signing ay isang malaking miscommunication. She still needed to pass a final screening. Inexplain kanina sa kanila ni Mr. Gatchallian, a middle-aged man na siyang overseer project manager nang Vontillon Corp, na dalawa silang kompanya na pinagpipilian. Apparently, the COO was impressed with both of their presentations and is having a hard time to decide kaya naisipan nitong magconduct pa nang final screening. Madugong pag gigisa ang naghihintay sa kanya.  

It was fine with her as she was always prepared. Kahit bumaliktad pa ang mundo, hindi maalis nun’ ang kaalamang she knew the project inside and out. Pero ang ikinakaasar niya ay ang makakabangga niya. Aida Monreal was across the room, smirking at her. She had this air of haughtiness around at para bang siguradong-sigurado ito na makukuha nito ang deal. This woman used to be working for their company. Actually, sabay sila nitong nagsimulang magtrabaho sa Poderoso Design and Builders.  

When she started working for her father, she was treated like everybody else. She was interviewed, assessed, and started as a regular employee. No one knew who she was, except for her father, the board of directors, and his secretary who kept a close eye on her progress. The department heads were kept blind upang hindi siya makakuha ng special treatment.  

Naassign siya sa Research and Development Department at naging magkatabi sila nang office cubicle ni Aida. They had been friends, shared lunch breaks together, and may times pa nga na they would go out after office hours kasama ang iba nilang katrabaho. Pero sabi nga nila, you should pay close attention to the people who don’t clap when you win.  

Silang dalawa ni Aida ang itinuturing na asset nang kanilang team. They would bring fresh and unique ideas and come up with solutions to problems na madali at mabilis maintindihan. However, she got one step ahead of her, got assigned more tasks, and presented more projects that were deal breakers. Within the same year, she was offered a promotion. She didn’t know how, but somehow Aida learned she is the daughter of the company's owner. Nang i-announce ang promotion sa buong team nila, kinongratulate siya nang mga ito, except for Aida who was standing in the corner of the room. Nakangiti ito na parang nang-uuyam. 

“Congratulations, dear! Hindi talaga ako mananalo sa’yo, or anyone in this team. Afterall, you are the owner’s daughter! Malamang pinagtatawanan mo kaming mga officemate mo sa tuwing napag-uusapan ang promotion.” Binigyang-diin pa nito ang salitang ‘owner’s daughter’. Natahimik ang lahat dahil sa tinuran nito.

Si Aida naman ay lumakad palapit sa kanya. When she was at earshot, she whispered in her ear. “Savor the moment, princess. You won’t always be on top.” Sinabayan pa ito nang walkout.  

That was the last Sky heard from the woman. Hindi na rin ito pumasok kinabukasan. The last information she got was Aida applied at Mckinsey Construction.  

“How are you Sky? You look good! Long time no see by the way.” The woman was smiling sickeningly sweet at her. Ngunit hindi pa man siya nakakasagot ay bumaka na naman ang bibig nito. 

“Oh how silly! Of course, you're doing great. Alam mo naman pag mayayaman, utos dito, utos dun’.” Tumawa pa ito. 

Sky inhaled deeply. Gustong-gusto na niyang lamukusin ang pagmumukha nito. Oh you’re on woman! Ngumiti rin siya nang ubod nang tamis dito.  

“Yeah, alam mo na. Always traveling out of the country. I just came back from Paris nga eh just for this project.” And she made a point to check on her nails as if nabobored siya. She knew she was lying. Kung alam lang nitong nanganganak na ang eyebags niya just to perfect this project. 

Animo umusok ang bumbumnan nito sa tinuran ni Sky. Aida still thinks of her as a spoilt princess na nagpapanggap lang na masipag. They’d worked side by side. Hindi ba talaga nito kahit kailan nakita na lumaban siya nang patas para sa promotion na ‘yun?  

Bumukas ang adjoining door nang board room at muling iniluwa si Mr. Gatchallian. Umupo ito sa kabilang dulo nang meeting room.  

“We'll proceed with your presentations. Ms. Monreal, you’re in first.” Binuklat na nito ang files nang McKinsey Construction. 

Matalim na tumingin sa kanya si Aida. The woman mouthed ‘Watch and learn’ to her. 

…........... 

“That’s it for today. We’ll get in touch sa kompanyang mapipili namin. In the meantime, let’s give the board time to decide. Thank you for being here.” Nakipagkamay na si Mr. Gatchallian sa kanila. All the while during the presentation, nakapoker face lang ito. Minsang napapatango and jots something down sa file na pinasa nang presenter. Hindi tuloy niya mawari kung sino ang lamang. 

Maayos na siyang nagpaalam rito while Aida was still trying to lick his boot. Nakikita niyang nagpapa-impress pa ito sa project manager. Sky rolled her eyes at nauna nang lumabas. Ayaw niyang makasabay ang babae sa elevator. 

Nasa parking lot na siya nang may marinig siyang tumawag sa pangalan niya. It was the last person she wanted to see. She sighed in frustration. 

“Yes? May kailangan ka?” Naiirita niyang tanong dito. 

“No hard feelings, right?” Aida asked her. 

Nagtaka naman siya. “Hard feelings? For what?” 

Itinirik nito ang mga mata. “Oh, Sky! We both know ang project ko ang mapipili.” Tumawa pa ito. ‘Yung fake na fake, mas fake pa sa mga gold plated na alahas sa tiyangge. 

Sky smiled broadly. ‘Yung ngiti na parang wala siyang pakialam. “Aida, dear, you’re getting way over your head. Baka mamaya niyan magka-hydrocephalus ka na.” 

Namula  naman si Aida. She could almost see her veins pop. Ngunit binawi kaagad nito ang composure.  

“Let’s just see kung sino talaga sa atin ang mas magaling. I know how big of a deal this is for you.” ‘Yun lang at naglakad na ito palayo. 

Sky entered her car. Malakas ang naging pagbuga niya nang hininga. It was only past 2 PM pero sobrang drained na siya. 

‘Di niya napigilang tingalain ang building nang Vontillion Corp. It was really imposing. Kung titingnan, para itong isang kaharian. Ito na yata ang pinakamalaking building sa buong kaMaynilaan. And they make promising projects too. Kung sana lang ako ang mapili.  

Again, she sighed. Nakailang buntong-hininga na ba siya ngayong hapong ito lang? What she’s really wondering though ay kung bakit ang McKinsey Construction ang isa sa mga napili nang naturang kompanya. May mga lumalabas kasi na balita about that company. Iilang beses na ba itong naging front page nang mga tabloids. May pagkashady daw ang mga transactions nito kasama  na ang kwestiyonableng tax evasion issues. She knew Vontillon Corp did some background check on every company they do projects with, kaya nga sobrang nagtataka siya.  

She was about to start her car’s ignition nang mag ring naman ang kanyang cellphone. When she checked who it was, ‘di niya napigilang mapangiti. Charlie is just the person she needed to talk to. 

“Sky I need you!” Urgent nitong saad.  

Nagulat naman si Sky sa pambungad nito. Charlie was usually calm and collected. Sa kanilang magbabarkada, ito ang parating chill lang at go with the flow. Not to mention that this chick is always supportive sa lahat nang bagay. Sa lahat means kahit sa mga katangahan. But Charlie gives the best advice all the time. ‘Yung tipong hahayaan ka niyang gumawa ng pagkakamali at matuto on your own rather than smother you with do’s and don’ts.  How unsual. Kanina it was Chiena, ngayon naman si Charlie.

“Nasaan ka ba? Tell me what’s wrong?” 

Madrama pa itong humugot nang hininga. “Robinson’s Galleria. Outfit.” 

It was all Charlie needed to say for her to understand. Bigla naman siyang napatawa. Oh, right! T-shirt, shorts, at maong lang pala ang alam na suotin nang isang ‘to.

“Okay, give me an hour and I’ll be there.” ‘Yun lang at nagdrive na siya. 

…...... 

Kasalukuyan silang nasa isang coffee shop nang mga oras na iyon. Napagod sila pareho kakahanap nang pwedeng masuot mamaya para sa party. Or more like, napagod siya kakareto nang pwedeng masuot ni Charlie. Parang gusto yata nitong magsuot nang abito sa bar. Sa tuwina ay napapasimangot ito sa mga gusto niyang ipa-fit dito. After a millenia, may nagustuhan rin ito at sa wakas ay heto sila, kasalukuyang nagchichill. 

“Saan nga ulit ‘yung venue?” Tanong pa ni Sky. 

“The Delirium.” Nilalaro nito ang straw sa inuming frappe.  

“Oh...parang bago ‘yung place ah.” Pero saglit siyang natigilan. It sounded familiar. Saan nga ba niya narinig ang pangalan na ‘yun? 

Napabuntong-hininga ang kaibigan niya. And then it clicked! O to the M to the G! ‘Di nga!

Excited siyang napatingin rito. “Seriously?! Sa bar na pag-aari ni Chase?!”  

“Lakasan mo pa para marinig nang madla.” Napapailing naman na turan ni Charlie. Tila balewala rito iyon. What the hell am I missing here?

“Oh eh ba’t parang ‘di ka excited? I’m sure Chase will be there. Malalaking bisita ang nandun’. He has to be there to make connections.” 

“He’s going to be there, alright. He’s the host.” Malamya at walang ganang tugon nito. 

“Host?! That means nasa circle of friends siya ni Pablo? What? How come?”  

Charlie sighed. “He’s that opto who operated on Chase nang nasa US pa siya. They met there and became good friends. Like really good friends.”  

“So, friends si BFF mo sa hardcore crush nitong si Chiena? Does she know? Oh...Oh...Oh! Is it what I think it is?” Mulagat na napatingin si Sky sa kaibigan. Realization dawned upon her. 

“Chiena knows. Si Chase pa mismo ang nagbigay sa kanya nang ticket. And the catch is, I should be there with you guys.” Nakasimangot na ito ngayon.  

Napapalatak siya. It confirmed her thoughts. Wow! Way to go Chase! OMGeeee! Kilig ako! Chase knows na hindi makakatanggi si Charlie kapag ang matalik na kaibigan na nito ang humingi nang pabor. It’s one of Charlie’s weaknesses.  

Pakiramdam ni Sky ay tila umuusbong na ang mga lovelife nang dalawa niyang kaibigan. And to think na magkakaibigan lang ang mga lalaki sa buhay nang mga ito. Small world indeed! Samantalang siya ay mananatiling malamig na unan pa rin ang kayakap sa mga susunod na taon. Insert sad face.  

Uungkatin pa sana niya ang mga detalye nang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. It was a message from her assistant. May mga gusto raw itong papirmahan sa kanya regarding another project. Mabilis siyang nagreply na on the way na siya pabalik.  

“As much as I want to drill you with questions, kailangan ko nang bumalik sa office. They need me there.” Pinulot na niya ang kanyang phone at wallet. 

Niyakap naman siya ni Charlie. She knew something was up pero mamayang gabi na lang sila magchichika. Excited na siyang gisahin ito. “Ingat ka Sky. See you later!” 

“Yeah, you too. See you!” Iniwan na niya ito sa coffee shop at nagmamadali tinungo ang parking area.