Prologue
I watched as the water drowned out the fire.
Katatapos lang ng offering ceremony ng De Haro Inc. at sinisiguradong walang natitirang baga ng apoy mula sa sinilabang mga ani kanina. Binuhusan pa ulit ng tubig iyon. Tuluyang nalunod ang mga abo...
I gently sipped my wine as I surveyed the whole place. Nandoon pa rin lahat ng mga kapamilya, shareholders, board of directors, at business partners namin. Well, this is the first time in the corporation's history that all the highest positions were taken over by our whole clan.
Added that this generation of company leaders were all young.
Harana—Lolo's last child, my best friend, and at the same time "aunt" by blood, is now our newest, youngest, and first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Ang sumunod na mga posisyon ay sa 'min namang magpi-pinsan napunta: Kuya Lonzo—the first grandson, is the Chief Operating Officer (COO); Kuya Eli—the second grandson, is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO); Ako naman ang pinakabagong Chief Technology Officer (CTO); Marvee is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Kuya Mylo—Marvee's second brother, is the Chief Legal Officer (CLO).
Lolo Eloy is the proudest father and grandfather because all of us qualified and worked hard to gain the positions we are in right now. Kahit ang Board of Directors ay walang angal na in-appoint kami. Not just because our family owns the company, but they saw we all have the skill and potential to lead.
"Mga tunay na De Haro"—they all quoted.
Inubos ko na ang wine at nagtawag ng waiter. Lumapit ito agad sa 'kin para bigyan ulit ako ng bagong kopita. I surveyed the whole place, again. Mas mabagal kaysa kanina...
All of our families are here to celebrate this very grand occasion. I saw Daddy, Mommy, and Lolo happily mingling with the other shareholders. My older brother is also here with his wife and children. Magkakasama sila ng mga pinsan kong may mga kasamang partners at asawa.
Even Harana is with Aleksander—her fiancé, and their little daughter. Nakatambay sila roon sa buffet table at masayang kumakain.
Inikot ko pa ulit ang paningin ko. Umaasa... I even turned my body around just to make sure. Three times, I turned. Pero nahilo na lang ako sa ginawa ko, hindi ko pa rin siya nakita.
I drank my wine straight to lessen the pain in my chest.
My husband didn't come. Kahit ilang beses ko siyang binigyan ng invitation at nagmakaawa sa kanyang pumunta.
Natitiis na 'ko ng asawa ko ngayon. Seryoso na talaga si Magnus na hiwalayan ako!
Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko, pero agad ko 'yong pinalis. No, I can't cry here, or my family and relatives would notice that my marriage is on the rocks!
Napayuko at napatingin na lang ulit ako roon sa lilinisin na ngayong mga abo. Lunod na lunod na talaga sa tubig ang mga 'yon...
Now I remember why I'm in this situation right now. Dahil hindi ko namalayang nalunod na pala ako sa inggit.
I was born in a wealthy family. I can have everything I want and need. Pero inggitera ako mula pagkabata. What used to be a harmless envy and petty jealousy for me evolved in an unhealthy perspective and lifestyle.
Malay ko ba? I didn't know that a little bit of envy can cause pain. I just want what I think I deserve to have, too! And I can have it in a snap because I am a De Haro.
