Only those people who are close to me are allowed to call me "Dome". But that was before the re-branding of my grandfather's beloved company. Now, everyone's free to call me by my nickname without the knowledge that it was me...
Hindi ako galit. I was thankful and overwhelmed when my grandfather told me that he named his company after me. Walang alam ang mga empleyado kung saan nanggaling 'yung Dome. Ang akala nila ay trip lang ni Lolo kaya hindi na sila nagtanong pa.
I'm here mainly because my father's secretary took her maternity leave. Tatlong buwan akong mananatili dito sa kompanya. Papa asked for my help and I'm willing to help him more than anyone else aside from Mama. Tutal ay tinapos ko naman ang kursong Business Management kaya hindi na ako mangangapa. Nag-iisang anak lang si Papa at wala akong kapatid. Alam kong darating ang araw na isa ako sa mga magpapatuloy ng negosyo namin. This is my training ground and there's no room for me to joke around. Kailangan kong seryosohin ang trabaho ko kahit panandalian lang.
Traveling became my hobby for the past few months. Madalas ay mag-isa ako, minsan ay kasama ko sina Justin at Aly, at ang mga magulang ko pati na si Lolo ang kasama ko sa bihirang pagkakataon. Iyon ang inatupag ko nang nakapag-tapos sa kolehiyo. Malaki-laki naman ang naipon ko noong nag-aaral pa ako kaya napuntahan ko na ang lahat ng bansa sa tatlong kontinente. Sinulit ko talaga ang pagkakataon dahil pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan ay mag-a-apply na ako para sa mababang posisyon dito sa kompanya.
"This is your schedule for this week, Sir. I already sent you a copy of it," ibinigay ko ang tablet kay Papa para makita niya ang schedule na ginawa ko noong isang araw.
His eyes scanned it quickly. Ngumisi siya at ibinigay ulit ang tablet sa akin. "There's no flaws. Napaka-organize mo kaya dapat nang kabahan si Estrella kung makakabalik pa siya dito."
Tumawa ako. "She'll be back, Sir. Don't scare her because you might lose the company's one of the greatest assets."
Tumango si Papa saka ngumiti. "One day, you'll be one of them. I believe in you."
Nag-init ang mga sulok ng mga mata ko. It is an honor to hear those words from the man who's behind the company's success. And I'll take that as a challenge and commitment; to work hard, to strive for it, and to believe in myself that I can.
"I will, Sir. And I'll be better than you," I marked with finality.
"Let's see, then. You have to make me and your Lolo proud."
Tumayo si Papa para yakapin ako. I bit my lower lip cause I don't wanna cry. Huminga ako ng malalim at humiwalay na kay Papa.
"Let me fix your tie, Sir," nilapag ko 'yung tablet sa table para masikipan ko ng maayos 'yung necktie ni Papa. "You have a video conference call from Japan that you need to take at 8 a.m."
"Thank you, anak. I really am. Your mother and I are so blessed to have you," Papa said wholeheartedly.
I smiled. "I am blessed, too. You two have no idea..."
When I was satisfied, I took the tablet from the table. Pinagmasdan ko ng maayos ang kauna-unahang lalake na minahal ko. It's a bit weird because it feels like I was looking at myself. Ang nakuha ko lang 'ata kay Mama ay ang pangangatawan at kulay ng buhok. My parents looked so young for their age. Papa's 45 and Mama's turning 43 this year.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi napansin ng mga empleyado kanina kahit kamukhang-kamukha ko naman si Papa. I guess they were just preoccupied because they mistook me as my Papa's mistress. The thought of it makes me wanna puke in front of them.
