Kabanata 2
Surprise
"Kenzie, is this...true?" si Pearly. She's wearing a pink wrap-over dress. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang mag dress ng ganito.
Wearing a plain white maxi dress and a black stilletos, humarap ako sa mga tao ng may ngiti sa mga labi.
"Good evening, everyone. First and foremost, I would like to greet Mr. Wex Castillo a happy birthday,"
"We aren't close enough to say this words but I would like you to know that I am always here whenever you need my help. I hope you have a wonderful day and a great year ahead. Have a good health and more birthdays to come,"
Huminto ako saglit para malaman nilang tapos na akong bumati sa hindi kakilalang celebrant. By the way, hindi ko kilala yung mukha ng may birthday kasi he doesn't go here. Tumitingin tingin lamang ako sa mga mukha ng taong nandirito.
"I know that some of you were shocked because I am standing here in front of ya'll. What you heard earlier from my dad was true. I am Kenzie Leigh Gonzales, daughter of Mr. Ronnel Gonzales and Mrs. Kelly Gonzales. I'm giving my apology to those who believed I'm a rat poor. I really hope that this matter won't distract the supposed event. Let's enjoy every part of this, everyone. Have a good night."
Pagtapos ng isang malaking ngiti, hindi na ako nag alinlangang maglakad papunta sa table nila Pearly. Habang naglalakad, napansin kong kalmado na ang mga tao. Dahilan kung bakit parang nabunutan na ako ng tinik.
Pero parang nagbalik muli ang tinik noong nakita ko si Pearly na masama ang tingin.
"Liar," bulong ni Pearly pagkaupo ko palang sa upuan.
Napatingin ako sakanya. Umiwas siya ng tingin. Alam kong mali ang nagawa ko, and I'm aware of that. But you can't blame me, gusto ko lang naman mabuhay ng normal. Yung walang iniisip kundi pag-aaral lang at hindi yung iniintindi ko na agad ang ginagawa sa kumpanya namin.
My dad knows all of this. Pumayag naman siya na magmukhang mahirap ako sa private school na 'yon. Palabasin ko nalang daw na nakakuha ako ng sponsor kaya ako nakapasok doon. Pero there's always an exchange.
In the near future, I'll be the Chief Executive Officer of every company we have in the Philippines. Ilang kumpanya rin 'yon, maybe 20 or more.
Okay na rin 'to, at least I became happy in my life before doing a very very big thing.
"I'm so sorry. Let me explain later." bigkas ko.
"Now, we may call on Mr. Wex Joshua Castillo to give his thanksgiving speech for tonight." the host said.
Nagulat ako nang tumayo ang lalaking nasa tapat ko. He even smirked on his girlfriend before standing up.
So, he's Wex Castillo. Ugh, what a coincidence.
Wearing a dark tux with a black necktie, he walked lazily towards the stage.
"Good evening everyone. First of all, I want to thank all of you for coming here on my special day. I never imagined that I lived my life with full of struggles but ended up to be this successful. I came from a poor family. My father was a farmer back then but not until he met Tito Ronnel. Sabi niya samin noon, nakakilala daw siya ng lalaking mag-aangat samin sa kahirapan. Magtiis lang daw kami ng kapatid ko sa mga araw na wala siya sa bahay. At ayun na nga, lumipas ang ilang taon, nagulat nalang kami na may naipatayo na pala siyang bahay dito sa Maynila, which is our house today. It is a lot bigger than our house in the province. Ikinwento niya na si Tito Ronnel ang nagpagawa nito saamin dahil naging mabait si papa sakanya. Kaya, a big thank you po talaga, tito. Sabihan niyo lang po ako kung paano kami makakabawi sainyo. Maraming salamat, po."
