The Manila Charmers : TROY

4

Months have passed and the sales of Battens went from 75% to 90% making it one of the top ten corporations in the Philippines. Again.

Agad akong nagpakain sa buong Battens na kinagulat naman ng staff ko at ni Dad. Hindi daw sila makapaniwala na ito pala ang makakapagpalibre sa akin. I just laughed it off at binigyan sila isa-isa ng mate-take home nila sa mga pamilya nila. I also let them have a half day today bilang pagpapasalamat saga efforts nila para sa kumpanyang ito.

I sat on the swivel chair and sighed heavily. " Finally.", I said while looking my half-filled glass of Jack Daniel's. Pumasok si Dad sa office at nakipag-toast sa akin ng shot glass.

" Wala na talaga akong masasabi sayo, Troy. You make me proud,son. If only your mother is here to witness what you are doing for Battens. Paniguradong masayang masaya si Aurora nito.", sabi niya habang naluluha pa. I hugged him tightly and smiled.

" She is proud of us, Dad. Don't you worry about that. Mom is always proud of our achievements here in Battens."

Umupo siya sa katapat na upuan ko at ngumiti. " At dahil na-achieve mo na ang isa sa mga dreams mo, let me give you a reward."

" A reward? What is it?"

May kinuha siyang kapirasong papel sa briefcase niya at inilagay sa tapat ko.

" Ano ito? Ticket? For what and where?"

" For you. This is a ticket to Boracay."

" Pero Dad..."

" Wag mo akong tanggihan. This is the only way to get you out of this office,anak. Alam kong marami ka ng naisakripisyo para sa kumpanyang ito, this is just my way of saying thank you and well done. You need a break, Troy. You have a life. Please live it,son." , inilagay niya sa kamay ko ang ticket at mga papeles na may bookings na ng tutuluyan ko sa Boracay.

Wala na ngang urungan ito.

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4:00 ng hapon na nang makarating ako sa Shangri-La's Hotel and Spa Boracay. Agad akong sinalubong na nakangiting receptionist at pinadala sa bellman ang isang maleta ko.

Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa suite ko, agad akong humiga at sinapo ng kamay ko ang noo ko.

Nakakahilo ang byahe. Kahit na ilang beses na akong nakakalayo ng Pilipinas para sa mga international business meetings ng Battens, hindi talaga nawawala sa akin ang pagkahilo pagkatapos makasakay ng eroplano.

Tumunog ang telepono na nasa tabi ng kama ko.

" Hello Mr. Herrera. Welcome to Shangri-La's Resort and Spa Boracay. I'm Charmaine, your personal assistant and guide here in Boracay. In your stay here, I will let you know the activities and places you will be going to for you to enjoy your vacation here. I will also send you the itinerary in your room as soon as possible. Please press number 2 in your phone in the room if you need anything. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here with us. Have a nice day, Sir. Goodbye."

I said Thank you and ended the call. Humiga ulit ako sa kama at nagcover ng comforter sa buong katawan.

I didn't even know how many hours I slept. When I woke up, the phone was ringing non-stop. I grabbed the phone and looked at the drawer, may papel na katabi ng telepono.

" Hello?"

" Good morning Mr. Herrera, this is Charmaine again. I believe that you have slept for too long kaya po ipinalagay ko na lang po ang itinerary sa tabi ng phone incase you were wondering why there is a paper beside it."

" Yep, saw it."

" First, let take you to the island itself, where all the party and sunbathing is happening. Please be ready in the reception area after 15 minutes."

" Sure."

" Uhm, Sir?"

" Yes?"

" Are you afraid of heights or do you love extreme activities?"

" Why?"

" Your first activity is taking the Zorb ball and Zipline in the island."

" The what?!" Sino naman may pakana nito? Oh I know!!

" Zorb ball and Zipline, Sir. You will enjoy it, promise.", she said with a girly laugh on the other line.

Pagkababa ko ng telepono agad kong tinawagan si Dad.

" YOU KNOW THAT I AM AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!!!!"

" Well.. Not anymore. Hahaha! Kaya mo yan, Troy Luis.", he chuckled. I ended up the call and threw it on the bed.

This will be the death of me, I swear!