OS #2: Driven by Retribution

26th Retribution

Anniversary

"Miss Esquivel, all throughout the years, ES Med Pharmaceuticals had never reached this new record of sales." tuwang sabi ni Mrs. Hinares, isa sa mga board members ng kompanya.

Ngumiti naman ako at patuloy na nakinig.

"The company has risen over the top! Many famous hospitals had now tried to build a deal with us, due to the high quality medicines that we produce!" sabi naman ni Mr. Gontio, isa ring member ng board ng labis na natutuwa sa sinabi.

"Even the Veñiosa's, one of our greatest competitors, had tried to strike a deal! The company is really in great hands!"

Napatingin kami kay Dad ng magsimula siyang tumawa.

Takang tiningnan ko siya pero binigyan niya lang ako ng malaking ngiti.

Bumaling siya sa board, "You're flattering our President, too much. But, I also agree that the three years she had spent in this company made it prosper actively."

Uminit ang aking pisngi hindi dahil sa hiya kundi sa papuri na natanggap.

"She has shown great potential since she started working here. So, I would like to hear from the board, promoting our President as the Chief of Executive. What do you think?"

Nanlaki ang aking mata sa narinig.

What? Promote me as the CEO?

"No need to hear from us, Chairman. Surely, we want Ms. Esquivel to continue on leading the company!" sabi ni Mrs. Hinares na tinanguan naman ng ibang board members.

May masayang ngiti na pinanood ko silang nakatingin sa akin habang pumapalakpak.

Bumaling sa akin si Dad. "Congratulations for your promotion as the Chief of Executive, Ms. Esquivel." tuwang sabi niya.

Tumayo siya at inabot ang kamay para makipaghand-shake.

Tumayo ako at inabot ang kamay ni Dad. "Thank you, Chairman."

Humarap ako sa board. "Thank you for entrusting me with the company. I will try my best to not disappoint you all." pormal na sabi ko.

"Congratulations, Ms. Esquivel!"

Napuno ng pagbati ang meeting room na pinasasalamatan ko naman pag-pinupuri ako.

Lumabas na ang mga board members kaya naiwan kami ni Dad. Nakapamulsang nakatingin sa labas glass ng room ng kita ang view ng mga building sa labas.

Lumapit ako at tumabi sa kanya, tiningnan ang mga naglalakihang building.

"Do I really deserve this promotion, Dad?"

Lumingon siya sa akin. "You deserve it more than anyone else, Kreia."

Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Dad sa aking likod at mahina akong tinapik.

"Sinubsub mo ang sarili sa trabaho, minsan ay nago-overtime ka pa, nalipasan ka na rin ng oras sa pagkain dahil inuuna mo ang mga dokumento, at wala ka ng oras para sa sarili mo."

Gulat na tiningnan ko si Dad.

"Yes, I know all of it, Kreia. I've seen what you do for the company and as it grows, you also grow alone and lonely."

Humarap sa akin si Dad at hinawakan ang magkabila kong balikat.

"How about yourself? I'm not happy seeing my daughter like this," dinig ang lungkot na sabi ni Dad.

Napabuntong hininga ako. "I love working, Dad."

"I know you do, but think about your own happiness too."