August Lies

Simula

Simula

"CONGRATULATIONS, Architect. Another job well done." I flashed a simple, formal smile before straightening my back.

"Thank you," I muttered, accepting the hand of our new investors.

"Miss Valderama, congratulations!" salubong sa akin ng iba na kaagad kong nginitian.

I accepted their hands, smiling humbly yet formally.

"Manang-mana sa ina," one of our oldest board members said when he got to me.

"My mother's still the best," I muttered, chuckling.

"Sandejas at Valderama ba naman ang dugo, talagang mahusay iyan," ani ng iba na kaagad kong nginitian.

After some moments of pleasantries and greetings, I felt exhausted. Sumulyap ako sa team na malaki rin ang ngiti at nang mahuli akong nakatingin ay ngumiti sa akin.

"Architect, congrats!" Anna, one of my friends and also a member of my team, said.

"Congrats sa ating lahat," I added, smiling and after we took a group picture ay dumiretso akong muli sa opisina para magpahinga.

Being a Sandejas-Valderama wasn't easy. Maraming nagsasabing mabuti pa ako ay anak mula sa angkan namin pero hindi nila alam ang bigat na dala ng apelyidong ito.

Being a part of the family is pressuring, for me. My mother and father never forced me to take architecture yet I wanted it. At first, I didn't like it. Gusto ko lang talagang gayahin ang mom ko—the famous Architect Zidney Agnieszka Sandejas.

At a young age, she is my role model. She was fierce, smart, and intimidating yet a good mother to all of us.

Masaya ang aming pamilya; wala na akong mahihiling pa. If I was given a chance to change families, I won't. I'd still choose Zidney as my mother and Thorn as my father.

Pero kagaya ng nararamdaman ko, I am pressured. Being the daughter of Zidney Sandejas and Thorn Valderama, one of the greatest and most famous architects and doctors in their generation, I am expected to be one, too.

"Architect?" My eyes landed on the door and I saw my secretary, Abigail, walking inside with a folder in her hand.

"What's that?" I asked and she smiled before putting it on my desk.

"Pipirmahan po, Architect," aniya at tumango na lang ako kahit pagod na.

"Thanks and uhm, I want black coffee sana," I said and she nodded.

"Sige po, ayusin ko," aniya bago ako iwan sa loob.

I opened the folder and saw that it was the budget for our upcoming project which I have to approve first.

I sighed and shook my head before reading it.

My back hurts and my nape aches yet I have to sit straight on my swivel chair even if I'm just reading. My father warned me I might damage my spinal cord if I sit like a tambay at nakatungo pa so, I am training myself.

Architect Scira Rosalie Sandejas Valderama

I smiled when I saw my name and put my signature on top of it. Naalala ko pa noong nagpaparaktis ako ng pirma noong college ako. I wanted my signature to be perfect and furnished, just like my mom's.

Hindi naman ako nabigo at maganda ang kinalabasan. Plus, I'm an architect too, like my mother.

Dumating ang kape ko. I thanked my secretary before she left and I spent my time reading reports and approving budgets for our projects.

I am wasted and tired yet I have to look good. Pagkalabas ko pa lang ng opisina nang malapit na ang uwian ay kaagad kong nakita ang tingin sa akin ng mga empleyado at ang heads ng mga department.