"Through her scar, she wears her battles as marks of courage and triumph."
Tiffany Suzanne Holland
As we went back inside the bar, nadatnan namin ang three guests na nakaupo habang umiinom ng whiskey na animo'y walang nangyari kanina sa loob ng VVIP room.
I noticed Ms. Jane, who had been quite subdued, sat quietly on a couch, sipping a glass of water.
However, the atmosphere quickly changed when a woman with scar on her arm, addressed Ms. Jane with a firm and authoritative tone.
"Lance Corporal Jane, next time you neglect your duties, I will have no choice but to issue you a dismerit," she stated.
"Yes, Major. I apologized." Ms. Jane, replied with a meek.
It was evident that she had been reprimanded by the woman with scar, though I couldn't discern the exact reason behind it. Pero nag-aalala parin ako para kay Ms. Jane. Kaya hindi ko naiwasan ang tapikin sya sa balikat na naging dahilan kaya sya napatingin saakin.
"Are you alright, Ms. Jane?" I asked, my voice barely audible. She just nodded in response, but her troubled expression betrayed her true feelings.
"Napagalitan ka ba Ms. Jane?" Muling tanong ko, pero halos pabulong parin ang boses ko.
"Oo eh, I was supposed to be watching over you earlier, kaso nalasing ako at nabusy sa pakikipagsayaw sa mga gwapong guy. Kaya napagalitan ako ni Major Lieutenant kasi nakita mo daw yung operation nila kanina."
Napabuntong hininga ako, as I attempted to downplay the severity of the situation.
"It wasn't your fault, isa pa okay lang ako at hindi ko naman sasabihin yung mga nakita ko." saad ko, ngunit bigla kong naalala ang mga pangyayari kanina.
The truth is, I had narrowly escaped a perilous situation again. Thankfully, Aizenberg, being their superior, ensured my safety and prevented any harm from befalling me.
Sa pagitan ng katahimikan naming lahat, Aizenberg intervened, her voice carrying a sense of authority.
"That's enough, Major Lieutenant. Let's ensure that such incidents don't occur again in the future. Mag'ingat nalang tayo sa susunod." Saad ni Aizenberg, as she gently swirled the whiskey glass in her hand.
Hindi na nagsalita ang babaeng may peklat sa braso. her lips tightly pressed together. The weight of her unspoken words hung heavy as she reached for the whiskey glass na nakalapag sa table na nasa harapan nya.
With a visible air of frustration, she took a sip, the bitterness of the drink mirroring her mood. Hindi ko nalang sya pinansin pa.
Umusog ako ng pagkakaupo ko palapit kay Aizenberg saka ako bumulong sa kanya at nagpaalam na pupunta sa comfort room. Tumango naman sya kaya tumayo na ako at naglakad papunta ng CR.
Pagdating ko sa CR ay agad akong nagtungo sa sink para maghilamos. Grabe lang, this day has been so tough.
It feels like the heavens and earth have conspired against me. I think kelangan kong humingi ng kahit tatlong araw na bakasyon kay Aizenberg.
Tutal hindi ko pa nagagamit ang day off ko last month and this month siguro sa bakasyon ko nalang gagamitin. I need to go somewhere far to unwind and clear my mind.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when Ate Aira and her two friends entered the comfort room. She even stared at me for a moment, as if she surprised to saw my presence, but quickly withdrew her gaze and went into a cubicle.
Binilisan ko ang kilos ko para umalis na din dito. Ayoko na magkaroon pa kami ng pagkakataon na makapag-usap ni Ate Aira lalo na sa ganitong lugar na madaming tao.
So, after drying my face using my handkerchief, I quickly left the comfort room.
As I walked back to our table, Akira Leonardo approached me. Kaya nahintuan ako.
"Tiffany, hey, hindi mo na ako binalikan kanina." Akira said, saka ito bahagyang ngumisi.
"Oh, I'm sorry Akira... it was completely slipped in my mind. May ginawa kasi ako kanina." Pagsisinungaling ko nalang. Para matapos na ang usapan.
"Well, what about hanging out with us now? My friends just arrived, ipapakilala kita." Akira suggested, his eyes scanning the bar na tila hinahanap nya ang mga sinasabi nyang kaibigan.
"Baka nasa VIP room na sila." Dagdag nya saka sya napangiti.
Akira held my hand, kaya nagulat ako sa ginawa nya, mukang lasing na sya.
I smiled shyly dahil hindi ko akalain na hahawakan ng isang artista ang kamay ko.
"Ano Tiff? Come on join us." Pagpupumilit nya.
Gustuhin ko man kaso hindi talaga pwede kasi nandyan na sina Aizenberg. Kahit magpaalam pa ako sa kanya for sure hindi yun papayag. Kaya tumanggi ako sa invitation ni Akira Leonardo.
"I'm sorry Akira, I'm actually quite busy right now. Hinahantay na din ako ng mga kasama ko kaya, kelangan ko nang umalis. Maybe next time nalang." Pagtanggi ko.
Akira's face showed a disappointment. "Oh, I see. Where are you seated? Maybe we can join your table." He suggested, trying to salvage the situation.
Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. Dahil talagang pinipilit nya kahit na tumanggi na ako.
Ngayon ko lang nalaman na ang kulit pala ng isang Akira Leonardo in real life. Gosh! As if naman na papayag si Aizenberg sa idea nito.
"Oh, no, that won't be possible." I awkwardly replied, trying to sound casual.
"Where are you seated, though?" He persisted, his eyes darting towards the various tables in the bar.
With hesitation, sinagot ko nalang din yung tanong nya para magtigil na sya.
"We're at table 18. But really, I have to go back there now, Akira," I answered. Then nagpaalam na din ako para bumalik na sa table namin.
But before I could take a step, he quickly grabbed my arm to stop me. I glanced at his face and he look so surprise.
"Wait?... table 18? Is that Doc Aizenberg's table?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yes, it is. Why do you ask? Kilala mo ba sya?" I replied.
"Darn... Do you know Doc. Aizenberg? She's the new CEO of Kyusei Medical Hospital and the sibling of our Director Wolf Aizenberg. The founder of The Berg Entertainment." Akira said in awe.
"Okay?" Tanging salita na lumabas sa bibig ko.
Napalingon ako sa table namin napansin ko si Aizenberg na patingin-tingin sa paligid na tila may hinahanap. Kaya nagpaalam na ulit ako kay Akira Leonardo.
"Okay... well, Akira, I really have to go now. Goodbye." I said, hastily to end our conversation.
Pero ayaw talaga akong tigilan ng taong ito. He just pleaded me to have just one shot, I hesitated at first. Because I didn't really want to drink anymore, but his insistence convinced me to join him.
So, I followed him towards the VIP area. As we entered the room, I was immediately struck by the sheer beauty and elegance of the people inside the VIP room. It was like stepping into a room full of celebrities.
All eyes turned towards me as they noticed my presence. Among the group, I spotted Ate Aira sitting on the side, halatang badtrip na sya dahil nandito ako. Akira took the opportunity to introduce me to his friends.
"Guys, this is Tiffany. She's my friend." he announced, a smile playing on his lips.
The group greeted me with polite hellos, then after their attention momentarily diverted from their unfinished conversations.
Feeling a bit uneasy, I attempted to put on a smile and act cool, but it didn't seem to work, kaya nilapitan ko si Akira Leonardo at sinabihan ko sya na hindi ako pwedeng magtagal dito.
"Give me a moment, Tiff. Have a drink first, just one shot of tequila." He insisted.
Reluctantly, I allowed him to guide me to a chair at umupo nalang ako saka sila pinapanood.
The VIP room was spacious, that's why some of the them can dance freely.
I sat there quietly, observing the lively atmosphere around me. Ate Aira, too seemed to be silently observing my every move which made me uneasy.
As the conversation flowed among the group, Akira interrupted with an announcement that caught everyone's attention.
"Guys, before we toast, I have an announcement. My friend Tiffany here, turns out Ms. Aira Holland's sister."
Ate Aira's expression shifted from surprise to disbelief. Ganon din ako dahil hindi ko talaga inaasahan na babangitin pa yun ni Akira.
Napatingin ako kay Ate Aira. Her gaze towards me intensified, halata ang gigil sa muka nya. Siguro kung nasa bahay lang kami baka sinabunutan na ako nito.
"Wait, I think I remember you. Aren't you the one who was with Ms. Kalea Lèandre in the selfie pictures she posted in her Instagram?" one of the women asked.
I didn't answer her question but instead, I stood up and approached Akira Leonardo para magpaalam na.
I knew I had to leave this VIP room now. Ayoko na mag-away kami ni Ate Aira sa lugar na ito. Hindi ko na gusto itong mga nangyayari.
"Aira, what's wrong? Are you speechless? Are you going to lie to us again? You told us that you're an only child? And now we find out you have a sister who's even more beautiful than you." someone exclaimed.
Ate Aira's lips quivered as she nervously bit her lower lip, her eyes welling up. It was a poignant sight, and I couldn't resist breaking my silence.
"No, she's not my sister. Magkaparehas lang sila ng name pero, hindi ko talaga sya kapatid, there's no familial connection between us." I clarified, causing everyone in the room to pause and direct their attention towards me.
In the midst of the situation, a beautiful woman chimed in.
"Well, regardless kung magkapatid man sila o hindi, I must say, I find Tiffany's beauty more captivating." she slurred, her words barely coherent.
Feeling a strong urge to distance myself from the situation, I firmly declared my intention to leave.
However, before I could make my exit the room, Akira handed me a shot glass, insisting to partake in the drinking festivities even just a one shot.
With hesitation, I took the glass and brought it to my lips, ready to consume the contents within, but Ate Aira intervened, her voice commanding and assertive.
"Leave now, ibigay mo saakin yang hawak mong shot. Ako na ang iinom nyan. Just leave!" she ordered.
However, I met her gaze with unwavering determination and silently downed the liquid in the shot glass, saka ako lumabas ng VIP room.
As I made my way out of the VIP room, the effects of the alcohol began to take hold.
My chest slightly tightened, and my vision gradually became hazy, leaving me disoriented.
Kakaiba ang init na binigay non sa katawan ko. Na parang gusto kong maghubad pero alam ko naman na hindi ko pwedeng gawin yun.
I navigated through the crowd with cautious steps, maingat ang bawat hakbang ko dahil pakiramdam ko ano mang sandali ay matutumba ako.
When I finally reached our table. Aizenberg, attentive stood up para alalayan ako. Mukang nahalata nya na unsteady ako.
"Tiff? What's happening to you?" She asked, her words echoing in my ears.
Gustuhin ko man na sumagot sa tanong nya ay hindi ko magawa.
So, I mustered my strength to raise my hand and point to the alcohol on our table. After that, everything went blank.
I woke up in Kyusei Medical Hospital. Muka agad ni Aizenberg ang umaninang sa paningin ko. Nang makita nya akong gising na at saka nya inutusan ang dalawang nurse na lumabas muna ng ward room before turning her attention back to me.
"What happened, Aizenberg?" I asked.
"You passed out last night." Sagot nya.
"Ano bang nangyari sayo kagabi?" Muling tanong nya, pero halata sa muka at boses nya ang pagiging kalmado.
"All I remember is Akira Leonardo invited me to their VIP room and giving me a shot of tequila. Then, I suddenly felt incredibly dizzy, and the last thing I recall is I made back to our table." Paliwanag ko sa kanya. Tumango naman si Aizenberg at saka nya tinignan ang I.V na nakaturok sa veins ko.
"Next time, don't drink alcohol given by someone you don't know."
"Oo,.." matipid na sagot ko, suddenly bigla kong naalala si Ate Aira. Kagabi pinigilan nya akong uminom ng tequila pero hindi ako nakinig sa kanya.
"Aizenberg, where is my cellphone?"
"You broke it, remember?"
"Oh my gosh! Aizenberg, kelangan kong tawagan si Ate Aira. I remembered, that she was trying to stop me na inumin yung shot ng tequila. Kelangan ko syang makausap at malamab kung ano nangyari sa kanya." May pag-aalalang saad ko.
Aizenberg remained silent. She reached her cellphone from her doctor's gown pocket and handed over me.
I immediately dialed Ate Aira's number, but I couldn't reach her.
Naalala ko na nagpalit nga pala sya ng contact number kaya sa instagram ko lang sya naka-chat noon.
Pinuntahan ko yung instagram ni Aizenberg at saka nilog-out yung account nya at nilog-in ko naman yung account ko.
To my surprise, there was trending news in the instagram. It was all about Akira Leonardo and his friends getting caught for illegal drugs.
The article even mentioned that he was high when apprehended by the Police.
Nakilala ko pa ang police na nagbigay ng pahayag sa isang news page sya si Police Captain Lèandre. Pinasara nya ang Elite bar na pinuntahan namin kagabi.
Napatingin ako kay Aizenberg, seryoso lang syang nakaupo at nakatingin saakin.
Bigla akong napaisip na hindi kaya si Aizenberg ang nagpahuli kina Akira? Hindi kaya na yung tequila shot na yun ay may halo na kung ano kaya ganon nalang ang effects sa katawan ko ng alak na yun?
"Nakausap mo na sya? If you're done... give me back my cellphone. I'll have someone take you back to the mansion since you're okay now." Saad nya.
Hindi ako nakapagsalita pa dahil nag-iisip parin ako. Ibinalik ko na din sa kanya ang cellphone nya. At agad naman yun tinignan ni Aizenberg.
"You logged out of my Instagram?" She asked in shocked.
"Yes, minessage ko si ate Aira sa instagram nya." Sagot ko.
"Tiffany...! I don't remember my password. What am I going to do now?"
"Well, you can request a new password. Alam mo naman siguro ang email na ginamit mo sa instagram mo, right?"
"No, the email I used here is still yahoo.com, and I can't access it anymore because I don't remember the password either."
"What? Hala sorry.. Sana sinabi mo agad para hindi ko nilog-out yung instagram mo."
"So kasalanan ko pa?" Naiismid na asik nya.
Naiiling si Aizenberg habang nakasimangot ito.
Lihim akong natawa dahil sa reaction nya. Pero agad ko din na binawi, dahil baka mapagalita pa nya ako ng bongga pag makita nyang pinagtatawanan ko sya.
"I'll just call the nurse so you can go home. Major Lieutenant is waiting outside to pick you up."
"Who is it? Si Ms. Jane ba yun?"
"No."
"Wait, wag mong sabihin na ang susundo saakin ay yung guest na babae na may peklat sa braso? Aizenberg, I don't want to go with her! Takot ako dun."
"Fix yourself." She ordered before she left the room.
Napabuntong hininga ako saka bumangon para magtungo sa banyo.
Sana si Ms. Jane nalang inutusan nya o kaya taxi nalang kaysa sa ipapasundo pa nya ako dun.
Gosh! Ewan ko natatakot talaga ako dun. Yung babaeng may peklat sa braso, sya kaya ang nagsabi kagabi na eliminate daw ako kasi nadiscover ko yung organization nila. Si Aizenberg naman kasi.
Nang dumating ang nurse ay dala na nito ang medicines ko. I changed my clothes too before I headed to the hospital lobby to pay my bill.
But when I got there, I didn't have to pay anything because Aizenberg had taken care of everything.
"Butler."
I turned to someone's calling me. As expected, it was the woman with the scar on her arm.
Ang serious talaga nya kahit kelan. Ni kahit isang beses hindi ko nakita ang genuine smile nya. Ngumiti man sya, ngisi lang, a sarcastic smirked na sobrang nakakapikon.
Inutusan nya ako na sundan sya. So, I followed her and got into the car. Sya ang nagdidrive at habang nasa biyahe kami ay tahimik lang kami parehas. But after a while, she spoke.
"I just need to make a quick stop somewhere, okay lang ba?" she asked.
"Yes, sure..." I replied. She turned the steering wheel of the car to the right and took the road straight.
After a few minutes, the car stopped in a subdivision where it seemed like only wealthy people lived.
"Excuse me, just going to the Anderson residence." said the woman with the scar.
"Do you have an ID, Ma'am?" asked the security guard of the subdivision.
She took out her wallet and showed her driver's license to the security guard. The security guard also asked for my ID, so I gave him my high school ID.
"You're still in high school?" the woman with the scar asked. Halatang gulat sya.
"I've graduated, that's just the only ID I have with me now." Sagot ko naman.
"I see..." she replied and redirected her attention to the security guard.
Once we entered the subdivision, I was amazed by the beauty of the houses here.
Mukang totoo ang hinala ko na mayayaman ang mga nakatira dito, obvious naman kasi sa mga bahay.
Napaisip tuloy ako kung ano bang gagawin namin dito? Sana lang hindi ako saktan ng babae na ito.
I snapped out of my thoughts when she stopped the car on the side of the road. Inaasahan ko na lalabas sya ng car para puntahan yung pakay nya, but she stayed inside and remained silent, as if observing the surrounding.
She was staring at a gate that had "Villamor Residence" written on it.
"Um...are we just waiting here?" I asked her, nang maka-limang minuto na kaming nagka-stop dito.
"Last three minutes and then we'll return to the Aizenberg mansion," she said.
I just nodded and stayed quiet. Her voice and eyes were gloomy. Halata sa mata nya ang lungkot, at parang pati ako nahahawaan ng kalungkutan nya dahil sa katahimikan na bumabalot sa atmospera sa loob ng sasakyan.
Makalipas ang ilang sandali, bumukas ang gate ng bahay na tinititigan nya. Gosh! I know that woman. It was Doc. Violet! Attorney Montemayor's wife.
"Si Doc Violet yun." Saad ko, saka ko tinignan ang babaeng may peklat sa braso.
"Kilala mo sya?"
Tumango ako bilang sagot, pero hindi na umimik pa ang babaeng may peklat sa braso. She just abruptly started the car engine and drove away.
I raised my eyebrow as I found her behavior peculiar. It seemed odd that she would leave porke nakita nya si Doc. Violet. Frustrated, I muttered to myself, labeling her as a weirdo.
Habang nasa biyahe na kami pabalik ng Aizenberg Mansion. She unexpectedly suggested grabbing some coffee.
However, I declined her offer, gusto ko na rin kasi bumalik sa Aizenberg mansion para makapag-rest.
Despite my denial, the woman with the scar insisted on stopping the car at a coffee shop left me with no choice but to accompany her inside for coffee.
"What kind of coffee would you like Ms. Butler?" she asked formally.
"Just a Frappuccino po." I replied.
"Very well, Miss. Please have a seat and wait for me there." She ordered, her formal tone and commanding voice causing me to raise my eyebrow in annoyance. Urgh.
As I sat in a corner, patiently awaiting for her. Hindi ko maiwasan ang maisip at magsisi na binasag-basag ko pa ang cellphone ko. Now I found myself looking foolish with nothing to occupy my time.
Eventually, dumating na sya. she placed my Frappuccino in front of me.
"Thank you." Saad ko.
She nodded and took a seat to the vacant chair across from me.
We sipped our coffees in silence, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Gosh! Hindi talaga ako comfortable sa kanya.
"What is your relationship with Doc Aizenberg?" Tanong nya, naubo ako bigla dahil nagulat ako nang bigla syang nagtanong ng ganyan.
"Huh? wala. She is my boss, and I work as a butler at the Aizenberg mansion." I replied, taking a sip of my Frappuccino.
She simply nodded and remained silent again. Nang maubos na namin ang coffee namin ay bumalik na kami sa Aizenberg mansion.
When we arrived at the mansion. I swiftly got off the car and made my way inside the mansion. Si Sage ang una kong nakita. Busy sya sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit at paglilinis.
"Sage, is Aizenberg here?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Nakita ko kasi yung car ni Aizenberg sa labas ng mansion eh nasa ospital lang sya kanina.
Sage pointed Aizenberg's office, prompting me to head straight there.
I knocked on the door at nang marinig ko ang boses ni Aizenberg ay saka ako pumasok sa office nya.
"Aizenberg, kanina ka pa ba nandito?"
"I arrived home before you. Where did you and Major Lieutenant go?" She asked, her tone serious as she stood up and handed me a paper bag.
"Um..May dinaanan kasi kaming subdivision, kung hindi ako nagkakamali sa bahay nila Doc. Violet, dahil nakita ko sya." Sagot ko sabay yuko.
Aizenberg paused in her stride, kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.
"Is that so? And it took you over an hour?" Tanong nya.
"We also had coffee at a nearby coffee shop." Pag-amin ko.
Aizenberg's brow furrowed, and she returned to her swivel chair, taking a seat.
"Next time, when I tell you to go home, go straight home. Don't wander around." Nakasimangot na saad nya.
I pouted my lips dahil sa sinabi ni Aizenberg. Grabe naman sya, mahigit isang oras lang akong na-late galit na agad?
Ayoko din naman kasama magkape yung babaeng may peklat sa braso kaso dinerecho lang nya dun yung car kaya wala na akong choice.
Seizing the opportunity, kinausap ko na rin si Aizenberg para humingi sa kanya ng three-day vacation. Initially ayaw pa nya pumayag, pero nang pinaliwanag ko sa kanya na madami akong pinagdaanan ng nagdaang mga araw at gusto ko din magtanggal ang stress ko ay na convinced ko din sya.
"Thank you, Aizenberg. I will leave early tomorrow." Nakangiting saad ko.
"Alright," She agreed.
Palabas na sana ako nang office ni Aizenberg nang tinawag nya ulit ako.
"Bring Coline with you," She added.
"Oh, okay. That would be even better, para naman maka-bonding ko sya." I replied enthusiastically.
Paglabas ko sa office ni Aizenberg. I wore a wide smile, I couldn't hide it.
Tinawag ko na din si Coline dahil pinapatawag sya ni Aizenberg sa office nya para kausapin.
Nagtungo na ako sa room ko dahil sabi ni Aizenberg na kelangan ko daw magpahinga dahil kalalabas ko lang ng ospital. Buti nalang talaga walang malala na nangyari saakin na mas malala.
Hindi na talaga ako iinom ng alak na galing sa taong hindi ko kilala. Napatingin ako sa paper bag na binigay saakin ni Aizenberg.
Binuksan ko yun para tignan kung ano ang nasa loob.
And I was surprised to find a new cellphone inside the paper bag. I was so overjoyed that I jumped out of joy and ran out of my room to go back to her office.
Sa sobrang excited ko hindi ko na naalala ang kumatok sa punto, kaya nagulat si Coline nang bigla akong sumulpot dun, magugulatin pa naman sya.
Nilapitan ko si Aizenberg and without saying a words, I just hugged her tightly that made her cheeks turned blush in a rosy shade.