Hues After The Rivalry (Achievers Series #1)

Kabanata 37

Hues After The Rivalry

Kabanata 37

"You are loved. You are you. A beautiful hue in the rainbow of life. Love the authenticity of your existence. Live according to your own truth."

I breathed.

"If you think that being homosexual is unacceptable, remember that God never rejects anyone. He doesn't reject. He embraces every soul without reservation. Don't you ever think that you're unacceptable, for, in truth, you are more than accepted. Live the way you want."

I live the way I want.

"Thank you, Chef!"

I became an advocate at the age of 23 when I finished culinary school. Pinaghirapan ko lahat. Napakarami kong pinagdaanan maabot sila. I did everything to achieve my dreams.

Now, I'm 25, I am now an executive chef and restaurateur.

I am also an advocate of legal empowerment programs advocacy, medical empowerment campaigns and health promotion initiatives, emergency intervention, trauma support, and assistance and aid advocacy.

"Thank you for advocating awareness. Thank you for working on legal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. You're such a great advocator. Sana matuloy din natin 'tong Education and Awareness for our new advocacy. We still have a lot more awareness to raise in schools and other communities."

"Matutuloy 'to, attorney," positibo kong sabi. "Itutuloy ko."

Atty. Lastimosa is my friend who's an advocate too. We're both bisexuals. Mas matanda lang siya ng tatlong taon sa akin.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya na aalis na. Nagkaroon kasi kami ng program para sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQ+ na nakaranas ng pananakit at diskriminasyon.

Marami akong sinama na matagal ko nang kasamahang mga volunteers noong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa adbokasiya ko. And those volunteers were now gossiping behind me.

"Sabi nila, single raw 'yan si Chef Rai. Walang boyfriend. Pwedeng ligawan."

"I don't think so. Maganda e. Imposibleng wala."

"Si Ion na nagsabi, Cresio. Single 'yan. Pero may boyfriend daw 'yan dati na doktor ata? Kaso hiwalay na nga raw, matagal na."

Nang matapatan ko ang sasakyan ko, humarap ako sa mga kasama.

"Guys, thank you for today. You can now go." Ngiti ko sa kanila.

"Ingat, Chef!" saludo sa akin ng isa. "Sa susunod po ulit!"

The others waved at me and said goodbyes enthusiastically. Pare-pareho kaming masaya dahil ang laki ng nagawa namin ngayong araw.

"Thank you, Chef Rai," Cresio smiled at me.

"Salamat din, Cresio. Mag-iingat kayo. Drive safely."

I went to my car after that. Kabibili ko lang ng sasakyan noong isang taon galing sa ipon ko. Ngayon naman, ang pagtatayo ng isa pang restaurant ang tinututukan ko.

I will be conducting counseling later this afternoon for those who are experiencing harassment and mental health issues. May dadaluhan din akong community building bukas. Sobrang busy ko na talaga.

"Mas maganda ka pa sa hapon, Chef!" Sabi ni Chef Mikael. He's a transgender.

All of my chefs and staffs in restaurant are part of LGBTQ+. Ang iba sa kanila, hindi nakapagtapos, pero nang makitaan ko ng galing sa pagluluto, kinuha ko. Ang iba naman, nakaranas ng pang-aalipusta, tinaguyod mag-isa ang sarili matapos hindi tanggapin ng pamilya, at meron ding tulad ko na advocate.