Troia the Queen

Present

Present

'Happy Birthday!' the huge banner says, greeting me at the entrance of the venue hall. And I wanted so bad to tear the word 'Happy' from that banner. Because right now, I'm far from that.

I sighed in defeat. Willing myself to put up an act like I used to everyday. I'm still wearing my office attire, and with me are the board of directors I just had a meeting with. Parang di ko naman birthday.

"Nasa loob na po ang pamilya ninyo. We should hurry inside so you can prepare." bulong sakin ni Trine, my ever so efficient executive secretary.

Hindi parin ako kumikibo. Nakatitig parin sa banner na nakasabit sa ere, pati ang mga board members na kasama ko ay nakahinto rin. Hinihintay ako.

"Is he coming?" tanong ko kay Trine,

"Hindi po." deretsahan niyang sagot.

Of course. He's not coming. For the past 4 years he didn't, what makes this year different? He's probably drunk and having fun in a gig somewhere in the world. Baka nga hindi niya naalalang birthday ko.

"...but Vice President prepared something for you para makita ng media." patuloy niya,

Tumango lang ako. Nasasaktan pero naappreciate ko naman ang pagsalo ni Keagan. Kahit na palabas lang na galing iyon sa asawa ko ayos lang, para lang di ako mapahiya.

The gigantic double doored entrance opened, revealing at least a couple hundreds of our guests. Some gave me a smile, hugged me and greeted me a Happy Birthday but I felt no warm from them. Ni hindi ko nga kilala ang iba. Dumiretso ako sa isang table kung nasaan ang pamilya ko. And instantly, my knees weakened. Gusto kong umiyak. Seeing my parents, and my cousins made me realize how far I am from home.

How alone and sad my life here is...

"Eto na pala si Madame President!" bati ni Seve, isa sa mga pinsan ko.

Nagsitayuan sila at napalingon naman sila Mommy. I was touched when my Lolo Percy walked towards me, kaya napabilis ang paglakad ko papunta sa kanila.

"Happy Birthday my dearest Lysandra." bati ni Lolo ng yakapin ako,

"Thank you, Lolo. Buti po nakarating kayo."

"You know we don't let birthdays pass!" ngiti nito,

That's true. We, the Celestials, celebrates birthday like it's the most important day of our lives. And we spend it together. Always. Binati ako ng mga pinsan ko. Seve, Cooper, Malacchi, Ezekiel, Gypsy, Sloan, si Ate Cashanti and of course, my parents.

But my happiness didn't last long when Trine pulled me away para makapagprepare ako sa party. Bumalik ang lungkot sa puso ko. Pagkabukas ko ng pinto kung saan ako bibihisan, isang bouquet ng juliet rose ang bumungad sakin and a black velvet box, when I opened it, it revealed a vintage white gold bangle. It's probably from Keagan.

"The Chair's here, President." Trine announced,

"Okay. Call the attention of the board and please ask Vice President Keagan Solivares to assist Chairman." I formally said, agad namang ginawa iyon ni Trine.

I gave myself a one last glance in the mirror. Medyo nag-aalangan ako sa black Dior backless dress na 'to, the way it clung to my body is way too vulgar. So I grabbed my cream colored Chanel blazer to cover my bare back. I checked again. Liking how the smoky eye make-up emphasized my natural bedroom eyes, and how formal but bold the red rouge lipstick is on my plump lips. Hinawi ko ang straight long brown hair ko bago lumabas sa kwarto.

I walked straight while Trine's giving me instructions. She stopped talking once we got on our table.

"Good Evening Chairman." bati ko,