It was by far the most problematic press conference I had ever been on. Habang nagsasalita sina Mama sa harapan ng madla at sa national television ay siyang pagdating ng mga pinsan at iba ko pang relatives. Things got pretty heated again so we had to take a break. Ipinuwesto na kami ng tama at bagama't tensyunado pa rin ay naging mas maayos na.
The damages were irreversible but they did tried to fix it. From public apology and the fundings down to labor work. Mahirap pa rin suyuin ang mga tao sa nangyari and what happened will surely reflect on the next election. My family could never ever let it go and charges were filed immediately.
"Let this be a lesson for us all. Power is more than what we think it is. It can ruin many lives especially the innocent ones without the proper hand to guide it. Power needs true and just leaders but more importantly, it is a commitment. Our country needs these true leaders as much as power requires it to do so," I said in front of the national television.
I hope that doesn't just go through my mother and sister, but also, to those who needs it. To those who have the immense power for they could wield the most honorable soldiers to become killers and turn the government into a laughing stock.
Kahit tapos na ang conference ay panay pa rin ang kanilang mga interview habang nasa lobby ng hotel. My family only answered the relevant ones and how they plan to sue the entire Alejandre Industries. Si Ram ang halos pinamugaran ng media ngunit kagaya ko ay hindi rin siya nagbigay ng pahayag.
"Is that an engagement ring? What brand and how much?"
That question raised a lot more but it may be the only one that Ram answered properly.
Noong palabas na rin sina Mama at Yllana ay siyang pagpasok ni Papa. I side-eyed the bodyguards and they immediately flocked him. Muli ay buhay na buhay nanaman ang mga reporters. Halos sabay kami ng kapatid kong si Ishmael na pumunta sa kaniyang parehong gilid.
"Mara..." My father spoke so softly.
"Tito Nick, we are so sorry..." Bumuhos nanaman ang mga luha ni Yllana.
My mother in the other hand only looked at Papa for a second before looking away. Hinila na nito si Yllana na hindi na matapos-tapos sa paghingi ng tawad sa aking ama. They shared one last glance before their own men encircled them.
Nagkatinginan na lang kami ni Kuya.
Marami pang kinailangang ayusin pagkatapos ng conference. Inaayos pa rin ang ibang mga kalsada pati na iyong gate ng kapitolyo na nasira. Siniguro na rin na sinisimulan na ang pag-aayos sa project naming nasira. Still, the accounts and lawsuits needed to be settled before we called it a day.
It was by far the most exhausting day on my life. Buong linggo ko iyong dinala kahit na nakabalik na ako sa pag-aaral ko sa med school. I juggled a scandal, a family feud, and a bunch of cases filed while studying medicine but on top of it all, my own wedding for an entire month or two.
"Magandang umaga po. Ang ganda po rito sa inyo, 'tay." Ngumiti ako sa trabahanteng kaharap.
"Naku, mas maganda ka pa sa umaga, hija! Ang galing talagang pipili ng mga senyorito!" The older man then clasped Ram's hand.
"Bumisita po kayo mamaya sa bahay. May kaunting salu-salo po roon." Ram nodded lightly.
Tumingin ako sa iba pang mga trabahante na masayang nagbulungan nang marinig iyon. Halatang excited sila kaya naman tumango rin ako at ngumiti. Sila ang mga bumungad kaagad sa entrada ng hacienda. Ang sabi ni Ram ay malayo-layo pa raw iyong sa bahay nila.
I waved at the little girls who were curiously looking at me. Mabilis silang nagtago sa palda ng mga nanay nila.
Nagtagal din ng kaunti ang pag-uusap nila. Ram looked so carefree and light compared to his people back in the city. I haven't seen this side of him yet and I was very intrigued. Bago kami pinaalis ay pinabaunan muna kami ng kung anu-anong mga prutas kaya kotse pa lang ay parang nabubusog na ako.
