On Retrieving The Untold

CHAPTER 4

The most awaited night comes. And me, being a well-known late comer, almost got late again because of my loving boyfriend.

I refused to be dressed sa G. Hotel because I wanted to wait for Kent at home, since he had to change pa sa bahay nila after his long duty in the Hospital at mas malapit naman bahay nila samin compared to Hotel. He promised kasi that we'll arrive there together because he's my escort for the night.

As a more loving girlfriend, I always have to understand that my boyfriend's a great doctor so unexpected stuff really can interrupt our well prepared plans. So I didn't get angry when he arrived to our house an hour late.

"Didn't Tita tell you why your Lolo's here? He doesn't usually come naman when you have events, diba?"

He asked while driving on our way to G. Hotel.

"Yeah. Well, all I know naman kasi is that this event is a big one. We got the partnership deal with SBJ Corp. despite of not having an exclusive Managing Director."

He nodded.

"Yeah. I remember your MD's sudden death a month before the presentation. And if not because of you, my love, baka di niyo nakuha yung deal. I'm so proud of you."

I smiled. He's right. Those days were my hella days. Nag-aadjust palang ako sa new environment ko when Dad asked me a favor. I had to do all the plannings on my own. I had to help the company, silently & secretly. I wonder if those efforts will be credited tonight.

When we arrived sa venue, I saw Dad talking on the stage. His tuxedo really suits him well, a great man and a great father. We may not be too close as father & daughter, I know that we resemble each other in one feature, we both have briliant minds. Nagkakasundo kami palagi when it comes to work because we both knew kung saan kami pupulutin if we fail Lolo Fredo.

I saw many deep-pocketed people enjoying the night. They were all wearing classy dresses and clothes. I remember the last time this happened, it was 2 years ago. Lolo announced that he's already letting my father have the opportunity to do all the works for G Enterprise because he's already old enough. He wants to experience naman daw a peaceful life in Spain before he gets too old and die with full of regrets.

And that night didn't end up so well because of Uncle Ed. He was so drunk & created a commotion. He kept pointing a finger to Lolo. Kesyo he's an unfair man, a traitor father.

"YOU'RE A TRAITOR, PA! I DID EVERYTHING FOR THIS COMPANY PERO ANO? YOU STILL CHOSE GREG OVER ME TO HAVE THIS DAMN COMPANY? SIGE MAGKAALAMAN NA TAYO TOTAL YUN NAMAN ANG TOTOO DIBA? GREG'S YOUR FAVORITE SON! WHY? KASI SIYA ANG MAY ANAK NA BABAE! KASI HANGGANG NGAYON DI MO PARIN MATANGGAP NA WALA NA SI MAMA AT SI AMARIE! WALA NA ANG KAPATID NAMIN DAHIL SA KAPABAYAAN MO!"

He got a big slap from Lolo that time but he didn't stop blaming him. Hanggang sa dumating na ang mga guards ni Lolo and took him away from the Venue. I kept crying that time, I was starting to blame myself as well but Mom kept telling me na hindi daw totoo 'yon. My father's a brilliant man so he deserves everything Lolo has bestowed him.

Simula din non, I became tougher. I told myself that I will always become better for my family. Na hindi enough ang mga paratang ni Uncle Ed. That my father and I deserve this. We deserve to have G. Enterprise.

I was just back to my senses when I heard the word "New Managing Director" from Dad. Bigla akong kinabahan. Ito na ba 'to? Will I be recognized now for all the efforts I did?

"As you can see on the screen, these are the plans that helped us got the deal to have a partnership with our beloved SBJ Corporations."

He said and everyone clapped.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti ng sobra. Those are my works. Those plans are from sleepless nights of working. Finally, those will be recognized and credited.

"We all know that Mr. Lozano bid us goodbye a month before our big day, so it really was a difficult time for G. Enterprise. We all didn't know what to do. We just lost a big catch who's now resting on the arms of our Almighty Father. But then, this woman showed us that we can still rise despite of the heartbreaking tragedy we're going through. She did all her best for our company, she did everything with the help of her team. And now, I want to return all the efforts she did for us. May we all rise and give a round of applause for the woman behind our success..."

Hindi ko na napigilan. I stood up with full of grace and about to walk towards the stage when...

"Ms. Trixie Johana Arceño!"

Bigla akong nabato sa kinatatayoan ko.

W-what? S-sinong Trixie?

W-what's the meaning of this?

It was all my work... B-bakit iba ang narerecognize?

Is this a kind of joke?

Parang nanlumo lahat ng buto sa katawan ko.

I... I just can't believe this.

I saw the woman stood up on the stage. She's...
She's young as I am. Anong klaseng kalokohan 'to?

Di ko namalayan, napaupo nalang ako sa pagkadismaya. Kent handed me a glass of water and took my right hand.

"Ven..." he uttered. I can feel the concern on his voice.

Nagsimulang magsalita 'yung babae pero wala na akong naririnig. Ang alam ko lang, hindi ko na maintindihan ang lahat ng nangyayare.

When she finished her speech, everyone gave her again a round of applause. Pagbaba niya ng stage, sinalubong siya ng lahat ng greetings until she was able to reach her seat.

She's smiling so hard. H-how can she act like that despite of knowing that she doesn't deserve all the greetings she got?

How dare her?!

I stood up from my table. Hindi ko patatapusin ang gabi'ng 'to without making everyone know the truth. I was about to go'to her table when Mom caught my hand.

She pointed on the stage. I looked towards it and saw Lolo, speaking.

"Before the night ends, I also want to congratulate one of the members of our family. Just like Ms. Arceño, she is also a gem. She never failed to make us proud especially when she graduated Cum Laude in the University of California with a Legal Management Degree. And now, we are so proud to tell you that our princess never stopped achieving. She wants to pursue her Post-graduate degree. Recently, she passed the comprehensive exam for Law in one of the prestigious Law School here in our country..."

I gave my mother a disbelieving look. Seriously?

"Mom?" I uttered...

"Yes anak. We know you better than you know yourself. You better withstand your decisions or else you know what will happen."

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabe niya. Why? Why are you all doing this to me?

"Now I'm proudly introducing to you my beautiful & intelligent grand daughter, our future Atty. Venice Amarie Briones-Goden."

I remained standing. No! This isn't happening! This isn't!

"Just go, anak. We all don't want to embarrass your Lolo."

And all that I have expected...

Just turned the other way around.