The First Daughter

1

It was the first day of his assignment after undergoing training, and Col. Madayag tell him a few reminders before introducing him to his assignee. Usually the older ones get assigned to the President or the VIP, while the newer ones get assigned to the family members. Not much is known about the family of President Mendoza, other than the fact that President Mary Ann Mendoza had three children. Niki, a doctor, who is now taking her fellowship in John Hopkins, then there's Coleen, a philanthropist and socialite, who is dating a son of a tycoon, and the third daughter, Maine, who no one really knows about.

"You will be assigned to the third daughter, Maine," Col. Madayag tells him.

"Sino po?"

"Si Maine. Kakauwi lang galing college. Sa abroad nag-aral yun and she's moving back here for good. Anyway, aalis ata siya after lunch for a charity sports-clinic. Her schedule needs to be approved by head of security at all times. Ikaw ang main close-in guard niya. Ikaw dapat makakaalam ng kakailangan niya. Alam mo naman sa briefing yun diba. If may nag-iba kailangan muna i-confirm as protocol for security."

Maine steps out of the living room in an all-black tight-fitted dress, black Chuck Taylors, and her hair slicked back in a tight pony. She's greeted by Col. Madayag, "Good morning, Ma'am Maine." Followed by a salute, and Alden follows suit.

"Good morning. Aalis ako. Pakihanda yung kotse, Col. Madayag."

"Saan po kayo pupunta? Di po ata approved ni Madame yung lakad niyo."

"Wala ako paki. Are you objecting to lawful orders, Colonel?"

"No, Ma'am. This is Major..." Col. Madayag wasn't able to finish his introduction and Maine already cut him off.

"I don't care. Tara na. Malalate na ako."

Alden had no choice but to follow her out of the living room, and into the car. "Ma'am, saan po tayo pupunta?"

"Loyola Cemetery. Pagbaba ko please don't follow me."

"I don't think that's possible po."

"Do what I fucking say."

Kuya Jose, their trusted driver, had no choice but to drive them to the cemetery, and Alden never bothered asking why. Maine lights up a cigarette, and puffs is out of the window. Alden just looks at Kuya Jose wondering if he was used to her being this way. She never spoke a word to either Kuya Jose nor Alden.

"Ma'am?" Alden breaks the silence.

"Ano?"

"I hope you know that I was instructed to keep you from smoking."

"Sino nagsabi?" She says in a pissed tone whilst looking out the window and still puffing that stick.

"Si Madame President po. She gave specific instructions to Col. Madayag. Asthmatic daw po kasi kayo."

"Ganon ba? Edi sabihin mo siya mismo magsabi sakin." No one was able to mutter a word after that. Maine continued to puff until her cigarette was only an inch long. "Thought so." She goes down the car, and walks to a mausoleum. When Alden was about to follow her, she gestured for him not to follow.

***

Maine starts to wear her Dior sunglasses and stares at the tomb right in front of her. She looks at it for a good five minutes until tears started rolling down her cheeks. Alden had no choice but to watch her from a good distance.

"Pag pasensyahan mo na si Maine ha. Kahit ganyan yan, minsan mabait naman yan." Kuya Jose explained as he passes some nuts to Alden from the car.

"Bakit ba ang sungit niyan?"

"Marami lang napagdaanan."

Alden saw Maine's shoulders starting to shake and he knew she was already crying. His heart softened a bit that someone with a stone-cold heart like hers still cried.

"Sino ba binibisita natin dito?" 

***

Maine couldn't control the emotion much longer, and she knew it will never be the same that's why she kept coming back to the cemetery every chance she got. No one knew she would come to this place because she was afraid to be perceived as weak. Oftentimes, she would sneak out of the house and drive here on her own, just to be alone and think for a while. When things get to hard for her, she comes to this place until she feels better. For the past six years, this has been her safe place.

"Hi daddy, I miss you. It's been six years, diba? As usual wala nanaman ako kausap, si mommy busy pa din. Di naman ako naalala nun. Ikaw lang naman kakampi ko sa bahay eh, pero wala iniwan mo naman ako. Don't worry about me though, I'm back here na for good. Who would've thought diba? I'm trying, I'm really trying, pero mahirap eh. I don't have the bond sina Ate have with mom. Now that she's president, it's even harder. Sana nandito ka para nilutuan kita ng favorite mong pasta. I love you and I miss you so, so much."

She just stands there, until she's composed herself and leaves the tomb.

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Hello, just a new story that's been bugging me for a few days now. I just needed to write it out. Honestly I don't know where the story will go. Vote, comment, and share. Tweet me your favorite lines or reactions at