Nathan's POV
"Sir, we have to close more branches if our revenue continues to drop like this for the next 6 months." Hindi ako sumagot, sa totoo lang. Nauubusan na rin ako ng options to try. The only way we can get past through this is to get a large account. But because of the the scandal, almost all of our clients backed out. Hindi ko inasahan 'to, hindi namin inasahan ni mama 'to.
"Kaya 'yan love, tutulungan ko ang sales ninyo para kumuha ng more clients. Naayos niyo naman na lahat eh, humuhupa na rin 'yung issue, makakabangon din kayo!"
"I know, but the clock is ticking. Naglalabas kami ng pera pero walang pumapasok. Thousands of jobs were already lost because of the scandal, ayoko na sanang mag-alis pa ng mga tao pero kung nagtuloy-tuloy pa 'to mukhang, kailangan na naming magsara pa ng maraming branches. Love, we tried everything already. Pero, hindi nalang kami ang distributors sa Pilipinas, everyone is being so competitive already." Hindi sumagot si Zoey.
"Love, if worse comes to worst, what if bilhin nalang namin 'yung company?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "I mean, kapag kinasal naman na tayo, ikaw din naman magma-manage. And, sabi mo nga the main issue here is the lost of trust sa management, if ever nailipat sa Mercado Group, I think we can get it back. But of course, we need to change the name."
"No.",sagot ko sakanya. Seryoso ba siya sa sinasabi niya? "Love, dugo't pawis ng pamilya ko ang nagpatayo nito. Hindi ko pwedeng ibenta lang to kung kani-kanino."
"Kani-kanino lang ba kami? Nathan, ako 'to oh? Tsaka, wala lang naman sa amin kung binili namin yung company."
"Do you think na ganoon lang 'yon? Ni wala namang connection 'Yung kumpanya namin sa kumpanya niyo, you woudn't even benefit." Nag-init ulo ko.
"Are you angry? I'm presenting a solution here!" Hindi ako sumagot. Kinuha niya ang bag niya. "I'm serious, do you want to know my real opinion Nathan? Talk to your people and ask them how they feel about all of this. Demotivated na sila because they're anxious of their jobs. They can't work well because they know the situation of the company. I know they love this company but them not having an assurance is scaring them. Give them an assurance. Think about it." Umalis siya. Ang sakit sakit na ng ulo ko sa mga nangyayari. I know she's just trying to help but she doesn't know how it feels.
"Ano? Wala pa rin bang progress?",tanong sa akin ni mama."I think we need to close down the business."
"Ma? Are you serious? You're just giving up?"
"Anak, we did our best to save the it. Unless we get a large client, who will save us, pwede tayong makabangon. Alam mo sa sarili mo na malabo na."
"Mom, I'm not giving up."
"Anak, huwag kang mayabang, you're just 25 years old. Hindi mo masasalba yan mag-isa. Your titos and titas already gave up as well. We did our best."
"Ma, habang kaya pa, subukan natin ang ibang options."
"Anak, kung papatagalin pa natin 'to na hindi tayo sure, papahirapan mo din ang mga empleyado. Habang may pera pa and we can pay for the employees separation pay. We will process it as soon as possible."
"Ma, give me one month. I'll look for another way to save this."
"Nathan, it's okay. I know why you're doing this. It's not your fault. We were all fooled by that guy, the decision to appoint him to oversee was not just your decision. So habang may maisasalba pa tayo, isalba natin. My decision is final."
"Ma, please.",sabi ko. The reason why I wanted to finish school and everything is for the company. I poured all of my dreams to this. Pero parang wala nalang sa mga tita at tito ko 'yong pinaghirapan nila noon. Pero ano pa nga ba? Kahit naman wala to, mabubuhay pa rin sila ng maayos. Kami lang naman ni mama ang maaapektuhan ng malaki dahil dito.
"Ma, are you not worried that the company you worked so hard for is now closing?"
"Nathan I'm already old and tired. I think, I just gave up. Thinking of starting it all over again is making me more tired. You're already a grown man. Financially, okay pa naman tayo and of course I know that you'll still get a decent job. I've been working since I graduated. Hindi na nga kita namalayang lumaki. Ngayon dear, I just want to rest."
They all gave up. "And besides, if you marry Gen Mercado-"
"Ma-"
"Okay, fine. I'll give you a month, but I tell you after a month and we already finished what we need to finish we will process it already."
"Okay, thank you."
Wala akong plano, wala akong kahit ano. Gusto ko lang ng oras mag-isip. Kahit saglit lang, kung wala na talagang paraan susuko na ako.
Hindi sumasagot si Zoey sa mga tawag ko. Kung ayaw niyang makipag-usap, ayaw ko rin. Masyado siyang simplistic mag-isip palibhasa hindi naman niya nararanasan kung ano ang sitwasyon ko. Kung binili nila 'yon, parang binili na rin nila kami.
Pumunta ako sa katabing bar sa office para magpakalma ng utak.
"Bad day?",tanong sa akin ng isang matandang lalake na naka hawaiian polo. May mamahalin siyang relo. Nag order siya ng beer at umupo sa tabi ko.
"Sir, para po ba ito sainyo?" Tumawa siya.
"Beer, inumin ng mga bata lalo na ng mga college students kasi ito ang pinakamura.",sabi niya at tumawa ulit. Okay lang ba 'to?
"Ah.",sabi ko lang at uminom. Inilapag ang beer sa harap niya pero hindi niya ininom. Ganito pala ang bar sa umaga, maraming weirdo.
"Sa buhay, hindi ka laging nasa itaas, may mga pagkakataong kailangan mong bumaba para makita ang realidad. Pero minsan, may mga ibang paraan naman." Tumingin siya sa akin. Hindi na ako magb-bar ng ganito ka aga. "Mr. Nathan Reyes."
"Kilala niyo ho ako?" Ngumisi siya.
"Hindi mo ako kilala?" Umiling ako. "Sabagay, most of you young gals don't bother to search for old people. I'm Arnold Carenas, of Care Industries." Napalunok ako, siya?!
Siya lang naman ang Chairman ng pinakamalaking Construction Company sa Pilipinas. Siya ba talaga? Bakit siya nandito?
"I purposely came here for you, of course these kinds of places are not my style. But, I need to talk to you about something."
"Anything, sir." Biglang nag-iba ang aura niya sa paningin ko. Bakit ba kasi siya naka hawaiian polo?
"Are you wondering why I'm wearing this? I'm going to a party later, pool party.",sabi niya at tumawa. Ang tanda niya na pumupunta pa rin siya sa ganoon?! "Anyway, the reason I want to talk to you is because I want to get you as our official supplier.",sabi niya nang diretso.
"Us? Why?"
"Why not? Diba kailangan niyo ng accounts ngayon?"
"I mean, with all the scandals, why us?" Ngumisi ulit siya.
"Nathan, you know, there are all kinds of wrong things in this world, some are exposed some are not. Unfortunately, yours ended tragically. What happened to your company was not an isolated case, similar thing happened to me back then."
"What happened?"
"Long story, let's not mention it. The important thing here is to show you that I have overcome those setbacks. Look at me now, do you need any proof?"
"Thank you, for trusting us.",sabi ko. Tumawa siya, pero parang kinabahan ako. "Is there anything funny sir?"
"Nothing, I just need a small favor from you."
"Anything sir."
"Marry my grand daughter.",sabi niya. Nawala bigla ang ngiti niya at napalitan ng seryosong mukha.
"Sir, I have someone I love."
"People like us doesn't have the luxury to prioritize our own feelings."
"Sir, I'm sorry, if this is the price I have to pay for the account, I will gladly decline.",sabi ko. Tumawa ulit siya. This is crazy.
"Do you know how I came this far after that setback? It was because I did everything I can to get everything back because thousands of people rely on me. Do you know why you're still not progressing? It's because of you, Nathan."
"With all due respect, I know what happened better than you do. I don't need this kind of insult." Tumayo ako at palabas na sana ng bar nang nagsalita siya.
"Nathan, you're not a kid anymore. Stop being deluded that love makes the world go round. Be responsible for once. I'll meet you here same day, same time next week if you're interested." Tuluyan akong lumabas ng bar.
Nahihibang na ba yung matandang yon? Arranged Marriage? Hindi ba napaka dramatic naman ng gusto niya? Tsaka hindi ko magagawa kay Zoey yon. She is the love of my life.