The Thorn-filled Beauty

Taking over

Monica pov

It was early spring time. Nasa gym ako kasama ang personal trainer kong si Jerry when I received a phone call from Alicia Winters, dad's personal assistant.

"Yes Alicia?" Paunang bati ko. Marami akong itinerary nitong araw na ito at wala talaga akong panahon para magpunta sa office ni dad tovtalk about his restaurant.

Matagal na rin si Alicia sa daddy ko kaya pati ang mga ugali naming mga anak niya ay saulado niya rin. Me, being the eldest and bastard child niya from a pretty waitress from the Philippines is non-bullshit type na babae. When I say and do anything, I really mean it. Kaya ayaw ko rin ng maraming pasakalye kasi nga waste of time para sa akin yun.

"Miss Larson, your dad is at the hospital. He was seen unconscious back at the kitchen this morning."

"What? Which hospital? I'll be there"

Kinausap ko si Jerry to reschedule ang sparring namin. I really have to go to the hospital. Kahit na maraming pagkukulang ang ama ko sa akin. Siya na lang at si Aunt Grace ang itinuturing ko magulang. My mama died when I was 16 years old leaving me penniless and homeless. Salamat lang talaga at nahanap ako ng ama ko. Pasalamat din ako dahil mabait at understanding ang asawa niyang si Grace Larson. She accepted me like I was her own. At may instant little brother pa ako na si Jason. He's 2 years younger than me. Pero masyado siyang cool at nagclick din kami kaagad.

I stayed sa Philippines until college but when I turned 21 ay napetition na nila ako sa states and eventually naging green card holder na rin. Life in the states is very different sa life ko sa pinas. Pero kung may isa manv naituro ang kahirapan sa Pilipinas sa akin, ito ay ang pagiging matibay at maabilidad. Mayaman si dad pero ayokong maging pabigat sa kanya. Kaya nga nagtrabaho ako sa restaurant niya kahit pa na anak niya ako. Hanggang may isang scout na nakakita sa akin at tinanong ako kung interesado akong magmodelo. At first natawa ako kasi nga hindi naman sumagi sa isipan ko ang magmodel. Pero tinanggap ko ang trabaho and the rest is history.

I reached the hospital in record time at nagmadali na akong pumasok sa loob ng hospital. I went directly to the hospital reception at tinunton ang kwarto ni dad.

Pagpasok ko ay nandoon na si Aunt Grace at Jason.

"Sis, glad you're here." Sinalubong ako ni Jason ng mahigpit na yakap.
Sunod kong nilapitab si Aunt Grace at niyakap.

"How is he?" Tanong ko kay Aunt Grace.

"He had a mild stroke my dear Monica. I was so worried. I thought he was gonner" at nagsimula nang maluha si Aunt Grace. Niyakap siyang muli. "Auntie, it's going to be okay. Dad's going to be okay." Tiningnan ko ang ama kong tahimik na natutulog sa kama. Binigyan siya siguro ng mild sedatives para makatulog siya.

Nakailang oras din ako sa tabi ni dad bago siya nagising. Naramdaman ko ang paggalaw niya na akmang tatayo. "No dad. You can't stand yet. What do you want? Water?" Isang tango ang isinagot niya sa akin.

"Monica..."

Napalingon ako kay dad ng tinawag niya ang pangalan ko. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanya dala ang baso ng tubig.

"I'm happy you're awake dad. Please dont push yourself. The doctor said that you still have to go to therapy to improve your movements." Sabi jo sa kanya. Tumango naman siya bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Monica thank you for being here. I know that you have many commitments." Saad niya sa akin.

I kissed his forehead. "You're my only father. And of course I love you. I will leave everything behind if it's you were talking about."

"Thank you my darling Monica. Anita did raised you well. I still regret that I was not able to see you grow up to this beautiful and wonderful lady that I'm seeing now."

Isang luha ang tumulo mula sa mga mata ko. Hindi naman talaga ako nagtanim ng galit sa ama ko. Biktima lang sila ng pagkakataon. Kailangang bumalik ni dad dito sa US. Kaya lang his father died and he was forced to take over their restaurant. He can't leave his family alone. Nawalan din sila ng koneksyon ni mama at wala rin siyang alam tungkol sa pagdadalantao nito. He met Auntie Grace a year after and fell in love. But he never forgot about mama. But he would always cherish it as a precious first love. First loves that always bound to end..

"Darling, I dont know what you would think of this but I need you to take over the restaurant in Italy."

What?! Take over the management of the restaurant?

"Dad you know that I'm never cut out for culinary right? How could you think that I can run that restaurant in Italy?"

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tumingin na parang nakikiusap. Alam ko naman na one way or another ay magkakaroon ako ng partisipasyon sa negosyo namin. Kung negosyo lang, sure kaya ko but it would never be the  same with dad. He have a relationship with food and that made him successful in this line of business. But I can't let him down. 

"I'm already old my dear and besides I have a new executive chef. I trained him myself. And my friend's son will be there too to help us."

A friend's son? Ano pa ang silbi ko eh mayroon na pa lang nakatalaga dun?

"Why am I still needed if there are already people there?" Tahasan kong tanong.

"Well, don't be mad Monica but I have a partner when I was starting that restaurant. We are both aspiring chefs that grew together. I would not be what I am if not for that restaurant."

"That does not answer my question dad."

"I want you to be my representative. I'm old my daughter. And I cant travel that far anymore."

"Whatever. It's like I have a choice." Yun na lang ang nasagot ko sa kanya. Wala naman talaga akong magagawa.

"Let me finish my commitments at least."

Hay, mga magulang nga naman...