A Step Closer #Wattys2020Winner

Prologue

"Aeyzha, what's with that sharp glare and fake smile?"

Pinigilan ko ang sarili na umirap sa tanong niya. The eye of the hurricane is only intended for one specific area. And it's within the proximity of the real target.

"You don't seem happy for Heiro and his family. You know, wala tayong dahilan para hindi maging masaya para sa kanila, sa kaibigan natin. Let's enjoy the event. C'mon," dagdag pa ni Lexie.

Sinubukan niya akong hilahin papunta sa iba pa naming mga kaibigan.

Umiling lang ako. "Aren't you even thinking about their means on how they were able to get to the top? Success doesn't happen in just a few glimpse," I said, loud and clear. Yes, it was supposed to be just in my head. But it's better if she'd know it herself.

Bumaling sa 'kin si Lexie. Her forehead creased, implying an evident objection on what I had said. "What are you trying to imply?"

"Hindi mo ba makuha o mahalata man lang?" I crossed my arms near my chest as I hunched over our table. One hand hardly pressed on the table covered with a satin cloth. It feels smooth. . . and expensive. "Lexie, biglaan na lang silang umangat kahit na nagsisimula pa lang ang negosyo nila!"

"Tita Eli already said their success came from dedication, deligence, and hardwork. Oh, come on, Aeyz. I think you don't have to question that."

"I have to," I hissed. "Kasi, Lexie hindi ako naniniwala na nagawa nilang umangat nang walang tinatapakang iba."

"You don't sound sane in my ears."

"I don't need to sound sane." Padabog kong hinampas ang mesa. "You can call me whatever you want. Pero hindi ko masikmura ang mga nangyayari ngayon. Argh! I'm trying my heck best to not show it but shit, I just don't know how to!"

"I think what you're feeling now is envy, Aeyz. And not anger," seryoso niyang saad. She's straightforward, as always.

I rolled my eyes.

"Naiinggit ka ba sa narating ng pamilya ni Heiro? 'Di mo kailangang maramdaman 'yan, okay? Makakabangon rin ang kompanya niyo. 'Wag mo lang siraan ang pamilya nila."

God, she basically doesn't know what I'm feeling at this moment.

"Hindi ko sinisiraan ang pamilya nila. You don't get it." Nagtagis ang mga ngipin ko. Umiling-iling ako at tumalim ang titig sa kanya. "May dahilan kung bakit ko 'to nararamdaman. Galit ako dahil sila mismo ang may pakana ng lahat para bumagsak ang kompanya namin!"

There, I said it. But my voice wasn't loud enough to 'cause some stir in the crowd. Sana pala nilakasan ko ang boses ko. "Now, masasabi mo pa ba na nagawa nilang umangat agad-agad nang walang tinapakang ibang tao? Hindi 'di ba?"

Natigilan siya. "P-pero kaibigan ka ni Heiro. At magkaibigan ang mga pamilya niyo."

"Yeah, that was what I also thought. Kaibigan niya ako pero bakit niya 'yon nagawa? Simple. 'Di niya ako itinuring na kaibigan. Ginamit lang niya ako."

Friendship. A single word yet to me it means alot. Totoo. Sa isang katulad ko na napatunayan na 'yon, friendship isn't merely a word.

Mahalaga 'yon para sa akin, noon, but not this time.

That word isn't just a mere companionship. It is beyond that term and other people's definition. I've got my own description of that word in my mind anyway.

Pagkakaibigan - isang paraan para magawa ng ibang taong mapalapit sa 'yo. Para magawa ka nilang dikitan, gamitin, paiyakin, saktan, at paniwalain na hindi ka mag-iisa dahil mananatili sila sa tabi mo.