"Alejandre Industries indicts former Cebu governor for graft."
"Ex-governor Niklaus Cajucom named in plunder, malversation protest."
"Top real estate company seeks suspension of Cebu City mayor over graft."
Nanlalamig ang mga kamay ko habang hawak ang cellphone. In the span of less than three hours, this was what already happened.
"The former officials of the Cebu Provincial Government are accused of plunder and malversation over alleged anomalous disbursement of funds amounting to P200 million. Largest real estate former CEO and businesswoman, Mara Alejandre named several ex-government officials Niklaus Cajucom, and Ishmael Cajucom..."
Next were the videos, one was in front of one of our on-going projects and the other one was in front of the capitol. Naroon ang mga taong galit na galit at may mga karatulang may iisang hangarin. Ang patalsikin na kaming tuluyan.
Three hours was enough for my mother to gather every single one of our enemies to tear my family apart. She did a very good job and now the media and townspeople stood with her.
"I need my men here as soon as possible. Sa Cebu ibababa. As many as we can deploy." Ram was on his phone a few meters away.
Inabutan ako ni Nanang Thelma ng maiinom ngunit umiling ako. I watched all our other house helps try to bring little comfort to my other relatives here in our mansion. Nasa hardin man ay tanaw ko pa rin iyong mga basag at sirang gamit sa living room na kasalukuyang nililinis.
"The numbers are getting larger each second. We have to close the gates now! Order the firetrucks, Alviar!"
"Hindi natin pwedeng gawin iyon dahil mas lalo lang tayong magiging masama! They have the Almendarez and the Laurels. Mara is recruiting all our rivals to her advantage. Pinagsasama-sama niyang lahat!"
"We need to get out of here soon, while our men can hold it. Call your children."
"Right now? To retreat and go in hiding? Para mo na ring sinabing totoo ang mga bintang nila! Hindi natin kailangan umalis, Bernard!"
Hinilot ko ang sentido habang nasa harapan ang pamilyang nagsasagutan. And if that wasn't enough, Arjuna came running and shouting.
"Everyone! They are calling for a press con! Damn it! A press con!"
Sunod-sunod ang mga murang aking naririnig. Mas tumaas pa lalo ang kanilang boses. Ang ilan ay napainom ng tubig nang makaramdam ng pananakit ng dibdib at ulo.
The city that we tried to rebuilt had now turned their backs on us headed by our wealthiest and most powerful rivals.
And I couldn't fucking breathe.
While I was out enjoying my vacation earlier, a call knocked the breath out of my lungs. My mother and sister stepped foot in the south and caused havoc. Unang ginambala ay ang aming mansyon na sa kaalamang walang naabutan ay nanira at nagwala na lang. The second attack was at the capitol but neither me nor my father weren't there. Sobrang pasasalamat ko na lang dahil hindi sila nag-abot ni Papa dahil may inasikaso.
Our recent project, the one lead by Arjuna, was her main target. She had papers to present and fronted the Alejandre Industries to validate everything a powerful businesswoman like her says. Napag-alaman na rin naming kinuntyaba niya pati ang mga kalaban namin at ang mga taga-suporta nito. News spread like wildfire.
Bagama't marami kaming tiga-suporta ay hindi iyon nagiging sapat dahil marami na rin ang tumalikod dahil marami na silang nahikayat. It was like overthrowing royalty and we're all at the edge of it.
Ram called his chopper at once only to deliver us in the middle of chaos.
"This is getting out of hand. We're already on the national television! This is even worse than Ishmael's shootout!"
Tiningnan ko ang kapatid na kausap na ngayon si Ram at iilan kong tito. Kanina pa niya pinadala ang mag-iina niya sa ibang lugar kasama si Papa.
"We predicted that earlier but we have a plan. We'll also release a press conference. Magsasampa na rin ng kaso tungkol ng ipinapakalat ng babaeng iyan!"
"The demolition excavators are now marching." Beth blurted out and showed us the screen of her phone.
Tatlong malalaking backhoe ang lumalakad patungong proyekto ni Arjuna. Umuusok ang paligid dahil sa protesta ng tao. Ang ilan pa'y may dalang megaphone at karatula.
Si Arjuna sa tabi ko ay nanlalaki ang mga mata. Napapikit ako nang marinig ang kaniyang mga mura.
Sa sunod-sunod nilang pag-atake, sa kanilang mga maling paratang, at sa kanilang maling hangarin ay nawalan na ako ng pasensiya. Umaatras kami at dumidipensa habang sila ay nagpapakasasa sa tagumpay.
This is my name. This is my family. I was having enough.
Tumayo ako at kinuha ang susi ng kotse sa lamesa. Halos sumigaw silang lahat habang nag-mamartsa ako palabas.
Sinenyasan ako ang dalawang guard na nasa paligid. Mabilis itong sumunod sa aking likuran.
I looked at the ring glinting on my finger. It looked so beautiful and so perfect in there. I wish everything was like that but we got a war here instead. They had turned our ground into their battlefield and cornered us in our own home.
"Cristina!" A voice came out like thunder.
Mabilis na nakahabol si Ram. Hindi ko maipinta ang kaniyang ekspresyon dahil halu-halo na ang narito. Ngunit mas mabilis pa rin akong nakasakay ng kotse at pinaharurot ito.
Hindi pwedeng nakaupo na lamang ako roon at nag-iintay ng balita. Hindi pwedeng sarili kong dugo ay dinudungisan ang pangalan namin. This could wipe us all out. This could be our downfall in their hands. Maybe, this could settle what should be years and years before finally. But like I said, the same blood runs all over our veins and I may not be as just and honorable as my father.
Tamang-tama ang aking hinala habang tinitingnan sa side mirror ang lima pang kotseng sumusunod sa akin. Ram's vehicle leaded the other cars.
Pagbaba ko pa lamang sa hotel kung saan mangyayari ang press con ay sinalubong na ako ng media. Nagtago ako sa likod ng nakataas ng braso ngunit mabilis na pumalibot sa akin ang mga bodyguards.
"Where is ex-gov Nick now? Is he in hiding now that he's acquitted in a graft case together with your brother?"
"Resources say his previous heart attack was just a fake to save his name. Is this true?"
"Are you connected to Cerina Alejandre, the new CEO of the Alejandre Industries?"
Media swarmed me again but with a little struggle, I went inside the main hall, entering from the back. Inside it was another smaller conference room where a one-way mirror stood.
Kitang-kita ko ang magaganap na press con sa labas dahil inaayos na ang malalaking tv at ilan pang videocams. Uniformed men with their large guns paraded the area, and I saw most of our rivals sitting in there like they were waiting for a feast to be served.
"Its so good to finally see you, my child. " Mara Alejandre, in her black pantsuit, black stilettos, and black Hermes Birkins, was smiling at me.
With a wave of her hand, all the other staffs went away. Mga bodyguards na lang namin ang natira, at ako, siya, at si ate.
Una ko siyang tinitigan pagkatapos ay si Yllana. Unlike her vicious lying mother, she was now wide-eyed as she stared at me. Napaawang ang kaniyang bibig.
My bodyguards moved but my mother waved her hand.
"Let us women talk in peace! Wala ba kayong mga hiya?" aniya sabay baling sa akin. "I missed you, my dear Chrissy. Its been a long time."
I looked at her, and then to Yllana again.
"Whatever you think you're doing, stop it, Mom. Leave now and I promise you I will let this pass." Hirap man mangako ay pinanindigan ko.
If its the only way.
"What a shame. You did not even greeted your own mother back. Yllana, I can't believe this is your sister-"
"Mama! I said, leave! We'll put this behind us only if you promise to never return! I swear!"
Sa outburst ko ay mas lalong tumaas ang kilay ng aking ina. Tinitigan niya muli sa Yllana na para bang pinamumukha ang kaibahan ko sa kanila. Yllana just looked down in silence. I bit my lips.
"Leave? Are you hearing yourself? We're just getting started! Just look at them!" She pointed at the people unaware outside.
"Hindi pa ba sapat ang mga ginawa niyo, Mama? You already destroyed my father and my brother's name! Our name! Ano pa bang gusto mong mangyari?!"
"I did not! I simply told everyone the truth! Its up to the people whether they'll judge you all for it or not. Its not my problem if your own city crucifies you now for what your family have done." She angled her jaw.
I could feel my eyes burning in frustration but she continued.
"Now you come running to me because clearly you've lost. You have nowhere to go and you're sinking at the bottom. They will all hunt you down! Perhaps its you who need to leave and not me!"
"Our own people are all turning their backs on us because of your doing! Look at the mess you've created!"
"You all deserve it!"
"Is this your revenge from what happened to you and Papa? Is that it? Ganyan ka ba talaga magalit?"
Her smile broke a bit but she was quick to recover. She clasped her hands together.
"Oh, please! I am already over that, hija. Ilang taon nang nakalipas iyon at wala na iyon sa akin-"
"Kung ganoon, bakit mo siya tinawagan noon? Bakit kailangan mo pang sabihin na magkasama kami ni Ram? Alam mo bang ikaw ang huli niyang kausap bago siya sinugod sa ospital? Did you know that you and your selfish reasons put him in a heart attack and nearly killed him?!"
Hindi ko na iyon napigilan. Angry tears went down. That was what sometimes kept me up at time. Na kinaya niyang lamunin siya ng galit niya kay Papa at nagawa iyon.
Rage surfaced her eyes in a second. Yllana held her hand but she whisked it away. Dinuro niya ako.
"I wished nothing to do with your father! Whatever happened to him is not my fault so don't you ever put it in my shoulders!"
"But you sound so guilty! Kung hindi mo tinawagan si Papa noon ay hindi sana siya inatake sa puso. Sa sobrang kasakiman mo! Dahil sarili mo lang ang iniisip mo! My father should've never even met someone as cruel as you!"
Lumagapak ang sampal sa aking pisngi. Halos mabingi ako sa lakas nito.
"You know nothing, child. I paid my fair share of what we both did and that's including having you. You are the living proof of all my miseries. Me and him. Bata ka pa lang ay pareho nang walang may gusto sa'yo dahil hindi ka na dapat nabuhay!"
As if the slap wasn't enough, the truth that came out of her were ten times more severe and hurtful.
"Whatever misfortune that's happening now is all because of you! At kung ano man ang nangyari sa Papa mo, dahil iyon sa kalandian mo! Manang-mana ka talaga sa kaniya!"
"You're just like your father, Chrissy! You ruined us! You ruined our family!" Yllana was now crying and pointing at me.
How could she speak like that to her child? But perhaps, in her eyes, I wasn't her child. She has said it finally. Kinumpirma niya lamang na wala akong puder sa buhay niya at ni minsan ay wala na siyang pakielam sa akin. Dahil ayaw niya sa akin. Ako ang pruweba ng lahat ng kaniyang maling desisyon.
"Your family disgusts me, and I'm even disgusted that I am still a part of it." I looked at my mom then to Yllana.
"How could you do this to us? We've done nothing but to give you everything, Chrissy. What you have now, you owe it to us! Bakit mo ito nagawa?" But Yllana heard nothing and pointed at me still.
"I owe nothing to you! I owe everything to myself and to my father! My successes would never include you!"
"Ungrateful! You've hurt us! Sobrang sakit, Chrissy!"
"Hear yourself, ungrateful child! Ibinibigay ko sa iyo lahat noong bata ka pa! Kahit huwag na si Yllana para lang maibigay sa iyo! Pero ito pa ang igaganti mo? Iyan pa?!" My mom pointed at my chest then to my hand where my ring sat.
Yllana slapped my hand away as if the ring burned her. She cried hard and loud.
"Ram is my family! My husband! We were supposed to fix this but you had him propose to you! Pinikot mo siya kagaya ng ama mo!"
"Don't you dare include my father in this!"
"Its true! You've wanted everybody's attention! Inggit na inggit ka sa akin! I'm doing this for my future! I'm doing this for my family!"
"He is not even inlove with you! Delusional ka na lang, Yllana!"
"How dare you?!"
"Yes! You need to wake up from your dream! Your prince is not madly inlove with you but you know what, he is to me! That's why he fucking proposed!"
Isang sampal nanaman ang lumagapak sa aking pisngi. Napabaling ang mukha ko sa pagkakasampal ni Yllana.
All became silent except her sobs. That was all I've heard as my face remained on the other side still. I calmed myself as I faced them again. Unti-unti akong umiling.
"I love him so much. And he loves me even more. He will never love you, Yllana, no matter what do or say. Because this? This isn't love. You don't destroy families just because you're in love. Or maybe you are. But the one inside you is already evil and corrupted. What you need to do is to just let him go and accept that truth," I said slowly.
She sobbed even more. Bumaling naman ako sa aking ina na aambang sasampal ngunit sinangga ko iyon ng braso.
"And you? I love you too, still, Mama. Kahit na bata pa lang ako ay alam kong ayaw mo na sa akin. Hindi ko sinisisi sa inyo ni Papa ang mga nangyari sa akin at mahal na mahal ko pa rin kayo. Even as of now that I am so angry that you destroyed my father's name, the one that you loved so much."
I turned to face them again, tears rolling down my cheeks. Mama hugged Yllana as she too cried.
"Puros pagmamahal ang ipinaglalaban niyo but to cause this? Look at this..." I pointed at the scene before me.
Nagkakagulo na ang iilang mga tao roon dahil sa ipinapalabas sa tv. Dinedemolish na ang proyekto. I closed my eyes in silent prayer and opened them again.
"Look at me. Aren't I your family, too?" I smiled with my tears.
Hinarap ko ang dalawang taong minsang naging importante sa buhay ko. May mga alaala pa rin ako sa kanilang dalawa na masasaya, mga tawang masasaya at nagdadamayan. May mga alaalang kasama si Papa o hindi kaya'y kaming dalawa lang ni Mama.
"I am still your child, Mama. And I'm still you sister, Yllana. I'm speaking in behalf of my love for the both of you to stop this. Let me have my peace with my family. Please..."
Yllana pointed at the ring on my finger. Her sobs were now dying down. Mabilis niyang kinuha ang kamay ko.
"T-Turn him down. Break the e-engagement, then. Right, Mama?" Hopeful eyes turned to our mother.
Mara Alejandre looked at me then to her. Huminga akong malalim. Yllana's fingers were fast to remove the ring on mine.
"G-Go away. And...and don't come back! W-We'll put this behind us. Please, Mama!" Hawak sa kaniyang hinlalaki at index finger ang aking engagement ring ay humarap siya kay Mama.
Gusto kong matawa dahil ang kapalit nanaman ay si Ram. Ang kapalit nanaman ng kapayapaan ay ang puso ko. Siguro, ganoon na nga ang kapalaran ko. Hindi ko parehong makukuha ang kapayapaan at ang kasiyahan ng puso.
Kahit anong laban ko para sa aming dalawa ay pinipilit ng malupit na tadhana.
But was I ready to give him up? Again?
Hinding-hindi ko siya ibibigay sa tadhana. Gustong-gusto ko siyang ilaban at isigaw na akin lang siya, kung ako lang ang masusunod. Kami lang dalawa ang mahalaga at papatunayan ko sa kaniya na karapat-dapat ako sa pinakita niyang pagmamahal sa akin. Hindi ko siya ibibigay kahit anong mangyari.
Iyon ang mga bagay na gustong-gusto kong itatak sa isip ko kahit na imposible na yata.
"Can you arrange your flight? Tomorrow?" Mama's eyes turned sharp and calculating. That's a good sign.
I wiped my tears away. Tumango-tango ako. Bukas. Bukas ay tapos na itong lahat.
"I can book a flight, yes. Just promise you'll leave too." Pain attacked my chest as I spoke. Halos wala na akong ibang maisip na paraan.
Nagkatinginan si Mama at si Yllana. Halos magmakaawa ang aking kapatid habang hawak pa rin ang aking singsing. Nagsimula na silang mag-usap sa panibagong plano.
I can only look back at the scene behind me. Halos puno na ang mga upuan. Naroon na ang lahat ng tao. Sean was there, too. Mukhang nakikipag-away siya sa aming mga kalaban. Napatingin naman ako sa telebisyong pinapakita pa rin ang kaguluhan. Ngayon ay nakatutok na ito sa aming mansyon na pinuntahan ng mga nagpoprotesta.
I thought of my father. I hope he's safe, wherever he is.
Papa, am I making the right decision? I can't help but think so. Look at the chaos my love brought you.
Akala ko magiging masaya na tayo, kasama ang lalaking magpapasaya sa akin sa buhay ko. Siguro ay sasanayin ko na lang ang sarili na ikaw na lang muna ang lalaki sa buhay ko. Paano ba iyan, tayo nanamang dalawa ang magkasama?
I can't help but think that I didn't even deserve someone to love me because at the moment of defeat, I'll give them up just as easily. That love for me comes second, that duty comes first. How could someone love me if they would forever be a second choice?
I looked up above. So, this is what everything is supposed to be. If its to be like this, then, I surrender everything to You now. Everything is Yours to do in Your will.
"Chrissy..." Yllana called. Tuyong luha ngunit masayang ngiti.
"Do you agree?" I asked carefully.
Yumakap siya kaagad sa akin at tumalon.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! You should leave early tomorrow morning, okay? Tomorrow! A-At wala kang pagsasabihan! O-Okay?"
I looked at Mama who just looked at me as Yllana kissed me on the cheeks. I looked at her as she looked at her children without emotion.
Kumalakas sa akin si Yllana. Ang singsing niyang hawak ay itinapon ng basta sa ere nang bumukas ang pinto.
My tears fell in an instant as if that sealed my fate. I smiled at Yllana and nodded at my mom. As I was closing my eyes for another prayer, the doors opened.
"R-Ram! You're here!" Napatalon kaagad si Yllana at nagpunas ng mukha.
"Hijo! This is a surprise! Naku, inabutan mo pa kaming nagdadrama! We're just saying our apologies to Chrissy," Mama smiled.
Napatingin ako sa kamay palad na saktong-sakto sa pagkakasapo ng aking singsing. His bloodshot eyes inspected it and snapped to look at me. Napalunok ako.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"A-Ah! Nahulog lang ni Chrissy! Yllana just heped. Right, dear?" Mama turned to me but I couldn't even move.
Tila ba nabasa ni Ram ang pahiwatig ng pagkakatapon ng singsing. He marched next to me and put to damn ring on my ring finger in front of them.
Halos mangiyak si Yllana nang namataan ko.
"Let's go now, baby..." he whispered.
Hinihila niya ako at wala akong nagawa. Malapit na kami sa pinto nang sumigaw si Yllana.
"She's leaving you, Ram! Siya na ang nagsabi! Iiwanan ka nanaman niya! She doesn't love you anymore!"
Napahinto si Ram kaya napahinto na rin ako. Ram first looked at me. I looked away. Yllana looked so scared when he turned to her.
"You heard my daughter right, hijo. My Chrissy doesn't love you. Bakit hindi niyo na lang totohanin ni Yllana ang kasal niyo para maging panatag na ang lahat?" Mama offered an eager smile.
"Y-Yes! She won't come back again! She promised me that, Ram!"
Napapikit ako. I couldn't deny any of it. Nang bumukas ang mga mata ay nabigla ako sa malungkot na titig ni Ram. It was wiped out in an instant as he turned to the both of them.
"She wouldn't' do that. We're having a wedding soon." He showed them my hand. "And if she'll leave me, I'll come running back to her. And no, madame, I will not marry Yllana."
I looked at Yllana who was now starting to cry again. Unti-unting namumula ang kaniyang pisngi habang tinuturo ako at si Ram.
"Shhhh! Let me handle this!" Mama said to her and turned to me.
Napabasa ako ng mga labi. Humigpit ang hawak ni Ram sa aking kamay.
"Then, the press conference will continue to take place. Chrissy already chose to dispose you earlier. Hindi ka raw niya mahal at hindi ka naman kawalan, Ram. Its a shame for the both of you..." Her eyes were turning into fury soon. "Tuloy ang kaso namin sa Papa mo at sa kapatid mo."
"Yes. A press conference will take place. You will both address what you did and also a public apology. If her family isn't satisfied with it, they will press charges along with anyone who supported you." Ram carefully threaded.
"Apology? Nababaliw ka na ba? Sila ang may mali at hindi kami." Mama laughed out loud.
"Madame, we already have proof of your defamation and also trespassing. It goes beyond that. We have witnesses and aid in our side."
"Ram..." I pulled his hand a bit. Sinundan iyon ng tingin ni Yllana.
"Yes, baby?" He turned to me.
Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi habang tinitingnan sina Mama at Yllana na dinuduro-duro ako. Gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya na sila ang may hawak ng control dito ngunit umiling lamang siya.
"Oh! S-So you picked a side! At hindi sa asawa mo! Isn't that right, Ram?"
"Yes, I chose her side. Afterall, Chrissy will be my wife soon. I'm just supporting her family because it will be mine, too, in due time..."
"A-Ako ang asawa mo, Ram! I'm your wife! Please, stop this!"
"No. You are not my wife, Yllana. Hindi kita kailanman pinakasalan..." Unti-unting umiling si Ram.
Yllana cried hard again. Inalo niya ang sarili habang nanginginig sa kakaiyak. Ram stared at her without mercy. Gusto ko na itong patahimikin dahil nasasaktan na si Yllana ngunit mas nilapit lamang niya ang katawan sa akin.
"How dare you?! After all that we've been through! She's to be your wife as you got the company!"
"She was, but I politely declined, and helped your company even without the promise of a marriage. Nakalubog na iyon ngayon kung hindi ko kinuha. Nobody would dare risk anything for it but I did out of respect for my mother and father. Now..."
Nakita ko ang pamumutla ng aking ina, hindi na kaya pang aluin ang hagulgol ng aking kapatid. Ram looked at me again before turning to them.
"Now, I'm doing this out of respect again but for my wife to be. You are her family, still. Go out there and face the consequences of your actions. Fix the damages, and apologize."
"N-No! Hijo, hindi ko gagawin iyan! K-Kilala mo ako! Mapapahiya ako!"
"I am asking politely. Or I'm gonna have to terminate all our transactions and let your company die in debt. Ako mismo ang gagawa noon. And I'm gonna make sure nobody could ever rebuild it again." He declared ruthlessly.
"Ram!" I pulled his arm again but he just looked at me.
"Also...my wife will have to claim her shares in your company. She is now named the highest share holder and should hold a position at the board members. She is after all an Alejandre still." His word was already final.
More people came in the room. Our bodyguards swarmed the area, outnumbering them. Two lawyers too came in, and police officers. Inilayo na ako ni Ram sa silid na iyon.