Prologue
"Where are you, man? Malapit na magstart yung competition!" my buddy, Jonas, said.
"I'm on my way, Jonas. My car just broke down. Magtataxi na ko." I told him.
"Bilisan mo pare."
I ended the call and walked to where I can hail a taxi. Ugh. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pang masira ng kotse ko?! Kakagaling niya lang sa Casa!
"Fucked up day." I breathe as I walked away from my car. Paparating naman na yung tow truck. I can leave it there already.
I saw a taxi approaching me so I hailed it. Huminto siya a few meters away from me kaya tumakbo na ako and was about to get near it nang may mabangga ako.
"Ay shit ka!" a girl said.
"What the fuck?! Watch where you're going naman!" I yelled. She looked up at me after she picked up the scattered files she was holding.
"Wow ka naman! Ako sure akong nakatingin ako sa dinadaanan ko ha? Pero ikaw! Shushunga-shunga kang nakatitig sa taxi. Gago ka ba?! Uso naman tumingin muna sa dinadaanan diba?!"
"Look, I have no time for this okay? I'm late for my presentation at kung papatulan pa kita, lalo lang akong malelate."
"Ewan ko sayo. Ikaw lang ba late?! Gago ako din. Interview ko sa ika-walong trabahong inaapplyan ko ngayong araw na to at nang dahil sayo nabawasan nanaman ng kinse minutos ang oras ko. Pakyu!" she yelled and walked away. I just shook my head as I watched her go. Kababaeng tao wala man lang manners.
I opened the taxi's door and was about to get in when something caught my eye. It was a picture. I picked it up and saw the girl's face again. It was actually a graduation picture. Her toga was from UP Manila. And obviously, mukhang matalino siya. At sobrang obvious din naman na taga UP siya dahil sa pagiging ugaling aktibista niya.
"San tayo boss?" the driver asked.
"Uhm... SMX Convention kuya. Please take the fastest way there." I said. Tumango na siya and nagdrive na papunta sa venue.
"What took you so long man?" Jonas asked when I finally got there.
"Sorry. Car problem."
"Masyado mo kasing mahal yang kotse mo eh pwede ka namang bumili ng bago."
"Jonas, my car was given to me by dad okay? Wag kang mag-alala. The moment we win this, bibili ako ng bago. Isasampal ko sa mukha mo."
"Fuck you, man. Ida's looking for you." he laughed.
"Yeah. I called her while I'm on my way here."
The competition started and the projects proposed by other firms were all good. Pero di ko maiwasang di mapansing may kulang dun. Or maybe I'm just a perfectionist.
"And for our last contender, Arch. Elmo Magalona for Axial Developers." the host introduced me and my firm.
I walked towards the stage and stood by the podium. Jonas and my other colleagues sat in front.
"We have proposed a hotel that is inspired by the Filipino culture yet has a modern-contemporary concept to it. So ladies and gentlemen, may I present the Casa Filipino Hotel and Suites!"
The powerpoint started and I explained everything in detail. After that, everyone gave me a round of applause and even a standing ovation.
"The result will be in an hour. Thank you everyone." the host announced.
"So ano pare? You think we'll get this project?"
"I have a feeling na oo." I replied.
"Sabagay. Ikaw may pinakamagandang presentation eh." sabi ni Jonas.
We talked about the project and how much it will help boost my firm when my phone rang.
"Excuse me." paalam ko and answered my phone. "Yes?"
"Nicholas is looking for you." mom said.
"Let me talk to him, ma." I said.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Nicholas. Why are you looking for me? I told you I have work pa diba?" I said.
"I have a question daddy..." he trailed off.
"Can't it wait until I get home?"
"Uhm..."
"Fine. What is it?" I asked and even heaved a deep sigh.
"Daddy, where's mommy?"
