Justice

20

Gab's Point of View

I am here at my father's office tonight. His cold and angry face is not scary anymore to me.

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. The next thing I knew, he just slapped my face. My cheek becomes numb for a moment before I feel how painful it is.

"How could you hire that kind of woman? You know how embarrassing this will be to the comapany! I am very disappointed in you, Gab!" he shouted.

Disappointed? Kailan ba naman hindi? He must be thankful that I am still controlling my patience and not leaving this company.

He already abandoned my brothers and I am the only one he has to manage this company with him. Kung may tiwala lang siya sa mga pinsan ko, siguradong pinalayas na rin niya ako.

I am stuck being his 'only' child ever since my brothers decided to leave him. Nakokonsensya lang talaga ako na gawin yon but if I'd been braver enough, I might had fulfilled my dream to become a pilot now.

"I'm sorry, dad." nakayuko kong sabi, but I am not sincere to what I just said.

"Sorry? I don't need it!" he angrily kicked the huge base in front oh him. "Do something, Gab! Make her quit! Fire her!" he ordered.

Hindi na ako nagsalita. Lumabas na ako sa office niya. Tinawag ko ang secretary niya at inutusan siyang ipalinis ang vase bago bumalik sa office ko.

Why can't I be free from everything? All I want is to have my own life. I am too old to be called under his wings, his puppy. I can live my own life now.

But I just respect him so much that I could not do anything against him.

I called my secretary and told him to set up a meeting with the newbies I hired. I waited for few minutes before I proceed to the meeting room where we usually meet. Nandito na ang pitong newbies. And all of them, except Malia and Aliza, are having their head held low.

"You know why I called this meeting at this hour, right?" I asked using my serious voice. No one dared to speak so I continue, "The issue about Malia Constancia spread really fast, and I called you all to give your insights about this." I said before I looked at the guy on my side.

"Ah, wala po akong masasabi, Director." sabi niya bago muling yumuko.

"Ako, Director, meron." all of us looked at Miss Aliza when she speak up. "She should be terminated." she suggested.

"Wag naman ganon, I'm sure meron pang ibang paraan." Miss Aya defended.

"I agree with Aliza. Ang work at friendship ay hindi dapat pinagsasabay. Dapat lang na maging maayos ang kompanya. I'm sure maraming maapektuhan dahil sa issue kaya mas mabuti kung aalis si Malia." Mr. Din.

"Pwede naman na hingin muna natin ang pahayag ni Malia. What if fake news lang ito? At kung totoo man, hindi naman ibig sabihin nito na magpapabaya na siya sa trabaho, diba Malia?" Red said

Nagtalo ang bawat panig, mga sumasang-ayon at tutol sa pagtanggal kay Malia sa GKN.

But the thing that really caught my interest is the silence of the subject. Nakikinig lang siya sa sinasabi ng bawat isa. Bago pa man lumaki ang gulo ng mga newbies, nagsalita na ulit ako.

"Alright, that's enough." I cut the off. "Remember your first day when I told you that there will be someone who is going to watch over for each of you?" I asked before I looked at them, "I never meant that but I am closely watching all of you. And I know that the person who reported the news article is one of you." I concluded.

I saw their reaction changed. Like they never knew that someone will be a traitor.

"And I know who is that person," I continued before I leaned on my chair. "I am going to give punishment to that person and that is a permanent termination."

"Director! You can't do that!" Aliza irritatedly said. "Kung sino man ang gumawa non, nilabas lang niya ang totoo. Wag niyong kampihan si Malia. Diba ang sabi sa amin sa interview, pantay-pantay lang kami dito? Hindi niyo siya pwedeng bigyan ng special treatment dahil lang siya ang top one sa standards niyo dahil ginagawa rin namin ang best namin sa trabaho!" she defended.

I nodded, she has a point. I am just waiting for Malia to speak and defend herself, don siya magaling. But I guess, she is just ready to accept my decision, whatever it is.

"I am not giving special treatment to anyone. And besides, I already received an order from the the head director. But first, let us all hear Miss Constancia's side." I seriously said.

My eyes never left her peaceful presence, I always watch her over others. But, just like what Aliza said, I cannot give special treatments. Though, Malia still have it on spot.

I saw her breathe deeply before she look at me.

"Thank you for your consideration about my opinion, director." she started. "Totoo ang nakasulat sa article. Mayroon nga akong anak." she bravely admit.

Something in my heart gives a quick pain about her honesty. I wish I am as brave as she is.

"And I am sorry to say, pero wala akong balak na umalis sa trabaho. Not unless tanggalin ako ni Director Gab na siyang tumanggap sa akin dito. Para sa akin, hindi naman malaking kasiraan ang issue ko na siguradong matatabunan at makakalimutan rin ng mga tao. Gaya ng balita na ibinahagi natin sa mga tao, mayroong bago araw-araw, mas malaking scoop, mas importante." she firmly stated.

I smiled before I clapped my hands. I am always impressed at her as always.

"Director Gab? Don't tell us you are going to let her stay?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Aliza.

Sigurado akong kaya niya ipinipilit na alisin si Malia sa trabaho ay dahil siya ang may pinakamalaking pakinabang dito. Siya ang top two kaya saved na ang spot kung matatanggal si Malia.

"I am not going to kick her out of the company, not unless she wont pass in the top five of your batch. Honestly," I looked at Malia who is still seriously listening to every word I say. "I am aware that she has a son." I admitted that made them all surprised.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago tumayo. Naglakad-lakad ako pabalik-balik sa harapan nila.

"Don't you think that blind interview is very favor to each and all of you?" I asked before I stopped walking. "All of you has something that can ruin the GKN news network in just a blink. Don't take this as an opportunity to be on the top five. Alam ko ang itinatago ng bawat isa sa inyo. Don't think that ruining the top one can save you from your past. Tinanggap ko kayo dahil alam kong meron kayong passion at dedikasyon sa trabahong ito."

I noticed them avoid looking at me. But Malia looked straight at me with her teary eyes. All of them are the best out of the hundred applicants. And before I decided to accept them, I did a background check to make sure that they can make it.

I believed that they can surpass their doubts and fears for doing what they love. Beyond shame, guilt and mistakes, are the good heart and desire to be here.

Yon ang hindi alam ni daddy. That I know them even before I accepted them.

"I am going to give a chance to the person who reported about Malia's personal information. Humingi ka ng tawad sa kanya at mas paghusayan mo pa sa trabaho dahil kung hindi, kahit gaano ka pa kagaling, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na alisin ka dito." I said before I stand up. "Dismissed," I called. "Come to my office Miss Constancia."

Lumabas ako sa meeting room bago ako dumiretso sa opisina. I just hope that will do their best not to be swayed by their identity or fear they kept hidden just to be accepted by the society that approves no justice to anyone.

***

resacoya

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Happy reading!