Chapter Five

TATLONG araw nang hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Red. She felt grumpy all over. She never went out of her condo to start her "vacation" kuno na plinano ni Marie para sa kanya. Panay din ang iwas niya sa mga tawag ng kaibigan.

Who wouldn't? Marie just threatened her. Mas malinaw pa sa sinag ng araw ang mga salitang binitawan nito.

"Kapag hindi ka pumunta sa airport bukas, just forget that we became friends!" banta nito bago siya padabog na binabaan ng tawag.

She was stunned after that. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nagawa yun ng kaibigan. She was lost with words. Napakahirap ma-digest nang sinabi ni Marie.

Was she dead serious?! Iyon kaagad ang pumailan-lang na tanong sa isip ni Red pagkatapos gawin iyon ng kaibigan.

One thing is for sure, Marie is dead serious with this vacation thing.

"Ang sarap mong kurutin sa singit, Marie!" bulalas niya bago ibinaon ang mukha sa unan.

Kasalukuyan niyang pinapatay ang oras sa pamamagitan nang pamamalagi sa kwarto niya sa araw na iyon. Ni wala siyang balak na sunggaban ang pagkakataong ibinigay ni Marie para makapag-lamyerda raw siya.

Red doesn't feel anything at the moment. Her mind is just focused on one thing--- work. Kahit na naka-one month leave siya for vacation dahil na rin sa kagagawan ni Marie ay hindi niya pa rin maapuhap ang kasiyahan para roon.

Her system didn't cooperate for the right feeling to feel. Ang gusto niya lang ay bumalik sa Shandong at harapin ang tambak niyang paper works lalo pa't nasimulan na ang balak niyang magtayo ng pangalawang kompanya na naka-base sa Indonesia.

Red grunted before shifting her position. Kaharap na niya ngayon ang kisame at animo'y nakikipaglabanan ng titig dito.

I'm home. A small voice occupied her thoughts.

Yes. Red is definitely home for a while and not for good. Hindi niya mapisil sa sariling sistema ang saya nang muli siyang tumapak sa lupa ng bansang kinalakihan at kalauna'y isinumpa at tinakasan.

As soon as the plane took off from China airport and safely landed on NAIA airport, Red felt uneasy all over. Parang dinadaga and dibdib niya at panay lang ang mura niya. Mula't sapol, hindi na niya nagustuhan ang pagde-desisyon ni Marie patungkol as bakasyon niya.

She can go to different places--- Paris, Thailand, Canada, Korea, Greece, except Philippines. But Red didn't had the chance to protest when Marie fixed everything for her and the fact that she even threatened her. Wala na siyang nagawa kundi ang sumunod dito.

Red can admit that she really needs to have a vacation but the reality of having it in Philippines makes her want to curse in seven different languages. Shit! Shibal!

It is really a pure torture!

Muntik na siyang matumba nang magawang bumaba sa sinasakyang eroplano. She felt nostalgic and the atmosphere made her choke out the sense of belonging hovering her. Sa isang iglap, para siyang naging estranghera sa sariling bansa. Parang may kung anong gap ang pumailanlang ng makatapak muli sa lupa ng Pilipinas.

The moment she travelled her gaze around the airport, a familiar memory clouded her mind. Red just shook her head and forbid herself to reminisce things in her past.

Ang maglakad pababa ng eroplano at patungo sa loob ng airport at nagawa pa niya ng maayos. She maybe had the difficulty in breathing kapag nakakabangga dahil sa dami ng tao sa airport pero hindi siya nagpatinag. She mustered to walk without tripping.

But the moment she took all of her things and walked her way out, she was slapped with the fact that their world's became smaller and one again.

She felt the familiar feeling years ago and fear reigned on her being. Muntik pa siyang madulas kung hindi siya nakakapit ng maigi sa trolley luggage niya.

"This is not happening!" Red freaked out.

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga bago pinikit ang mata.

"I need to sleep. This is getting me nowhere."

She felt tired, alright. Kahit na sabihing wala naman siyang ginawa buong araw, sagad na sagad pa rin ang pagod sa buong katawan niya.

If only... Bulong ng kabilang bahagi ng isip niya.

Pabiling-biling muna siya bago tuluyang bumigat ang paghinga niya at mahimbing sa tulog...

Isa, dalawa, tatlo---okay!

"I can't sleep, damn it!" inis niyang atungal bago marahas na bumangon at ginulo ang kanina pang magulong buhok niya.

Wala na siyang maisip na paraan para manatiling kalmado ang sarili. Red knew she'd gone mad the moment she knew about this whole thing. Muli siyang nagpakawala nang malalim na buntong hininga bago pumikit.

"Keep yourself calm, Red. You can do this. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Ex-"

Her breathing exercise was cut off when her phone rang. She immediately glanced at it only to be pissed again. It was her Dad calling.

"Oh my God! Pagkatapos ni Marie, si Dad naman? Can anyone give me some break?" Red's nose flared in annoyance. "This is going nowhere!"

Napapikit siya ng mariin bago magpagpasyahang lusubin ang kanyang banyo.

Hope this vacation will fly all my worries away.

KAAGAD na inalis ni Red ang suot na aviators matapos makahanap ng parking space para sa bike niya. Kung mayroon mang nakakatuwa sa pagbalik niya, iyon ang katotohanang naroon pa rin ang pinakamamahal niyang big bike na ipinadeliver nang palihim ng kanyang ama aa condo unit niya. She received it earlier. Ito oala ang rason kung bakit panay ang tawag ng huli. She felt a pang of guilt because of not answering his father's call but she dismissed it.

I'm here to have fun right? Napawi naman ang ngiti niya sa isiping iyon. Fun her, ass.

Agad siyang naglakad papasok sa mall. Hindi maiwasang mapataas ang kilay niya dahil sa mga tinging ipinupukol sa kanya ng bawat taong nakakasalubong niya. She felt conscious. Wala namang problema sa suot niya. It was her usual get up--- tattered jeans, statement shirt, and her pair of comfy converse shoes. Kung titingnan, it was her usual self years ago.

Hindi niya namalayan kung nasaan na siya kung kaya't muli siyang nainis. Red can't even remember the way of this mall. Masyadong malaki na ang pinagbago nito. She heaved a deep sigh before walking towards her right side.

She traveled her gaze and it stopped at the bookstore nearby. Without hesitation, she rushed towards the store.

Ito lang siguro ang makakapagpakalma sa kanya. Kaagad siyang lumapit sa magazine section at bumili ng bagong magazine issue ng Greek Gods. Hindi naman siya nabigo nang makakita ng June issue nito. Agad niya itong kinuha at binayaran agad sa counter.

"This is it!" bulalas niya.

Sa pagtapak pa lang ni Red sa parking space ay halos mamura na niya ang sarili.

"My freaking bike!" she screamed making the boys hovering her bike flew in an instant.

She cursed heavily when she reached her poor bike. Baklas ang kaliwang side mirror nito habang ang kanan naman ay malapit na ring matanggal.

"Damn! Why do I need to suffer like this? Naku naman!" she ranted making her blood boil so much. "If this is what I get for having fun, then to hell with it! Uuwi na ako!"

Red wanted to scream in anger and frustration. She plotted in her mind that she will sue Marie for doing this to her. Kawawa naman ang bike niya!

Kaagad niyang inilagay sa compartment box ang magazine niya bago isinuksok ang susi sa motor.

"Damn it!" Red started the engine.

Before she can reeve it up, she screamed when her bike moved sideways; jerking and almost throwing her face flat on the ground. She even heard a sudden explosion at her back. Mauntik na siyang matumba kung hindi niya lang naapakan ang preno nito.

Halos mawala ang kulay ng mukha niya dahil sa nangyari. Her lips paled and her heart palpitated. Before knowing what to do, she immediately got off from her bike. Hinang-hinang napatingin siya sa bike at makitang malambot ang dulong gulong ng motor niya. Gusto niyang maiyak nang mapagtantong sira na ang gulong niya. "No! No!" she exclaimed loudly.

"What the hell?" Halos pumiyok pa siya sa pagkakasabi niyon.

Napapadyak na lang siya bago malutong na nagmura. Hindi pa siya nakaka-recover sa nangyari sa motor niya ay may nakaambang kamalasan na naman sa kanya.

"Need a lift?" Halos mangatog ang tuhod niya dahil sa boses na iyon.

"Oh God!" mahinang bulalas niya bago lingunin ang taong iyon.

"Hi, wife."

Holy shit! Yes, it's definitely Fallon Timothy del Rio. It's really happening!

THE EARLY morning traffic made Fallon's mood sour. Kung kailan mas kinakailangan niyang makarating sa opisina ay sakto namang bumirit ang traffic sa west bound road ng Strogen Heights; few blocks away from the towering building of Del Rio Incorporated--- the booming business of today's luxurious chains of hotels and restaurants. Of course, it was headed by the country's one of the most sought after bachelors, Fallon Timothy del Rio.

"George, matagal pa ba tayo?" mahihimigan ang yamot sa boses ni Fallon.

Sakto namang napatingin sa rear view mirror and driver niya at sinuklian lang siya nang tango bago ngumiwi. It only made him sigh in frustration.

"Damn it!" he cursed underneath his breath and slacked off to his seat.

Agad niyang sinapo ang noo bago ito marahang hinilot. Ilang sandali lang ay sinipat niya ang pambisig na relo. Mas lalong nadagdagan ang kanyang pagkayamot nang makitang pasado alas otso na. He's already running late for that dipshit meeting.

"I'm damn late already, George!"

"Sorry, sir. Masyadong traffic talaga, e."

"Damn! How much more minutes we'll take?" inis niyang tanong bago bumaling sa kaliwang bintana. It's damn loaded with freaking cars. "God help this country."

"Sa tantsa ko'y kinse minutos na lang, sir, yun ay kung ipipilit kong makalusot sa mga pagitan ng mga sasakyan. Asahan niyo na rin po ang mga gasgas sa gwapo niyong sasakyan," saad ni George na agad siyang napalingon. "Pero meron din namang trenta minutos para hintayin ang pag-usad ng mga sasakyan at tiyak na walang galos ni isa man ang kotse niyo."

Fallon just muttered a curse before taking a deep breath. So much for fucking walking up early and being a good fucking boss. Damn the country's poor progress! It's sure giving me a head ache! His mind ranted.

He sighed deeply as his jaw clenched repeatedly. "I'll take the first one. Get me the hell out of here, George. ASAP."

HINDI nga nagkamali nang tantsa si George dahil saktong pagkaraan ng kinse minutos ay lulan na siya ng elevator. He calmed himself and mustered not to scold his employees for being such a ruckus for the fresh start of his morning. Ayaw naman niyang ibunton ang inis sa mga ito. Though, hindi pa rin niya palalampasin ang ginagawa ng mga ito sa oras ng trabaho. They were gossiping as soon as he stepped on the building.

He just shook his head in great annoyance. As soon as he heard the elevator pinged; indicating that he's already in the right floor, he stepped out and everyone made way for him.

Fallon walked with a dignified aura and made his way towards the meeting he never thought he could still catch. Hindi na siya nag-abalang bumati pabalik sa mga empleyadong nanonood sa kanya.

The door opened wide. As he steps foot the room, the whole place fell in a deafening silence. Ang kasalukuyang naglalahad ng report ay natigil pati na rin ang lahat ng naroroon. Everyone looked at him in shock and admiration. Walang nangahas na magbasag ng katahimikan at nakamasid lang sa kanya hanggang sa makaupo siya.

He cleared his throat. "What did I miss?"

Everyone made a rambling sound and was cut off from their reverie. Nanatili ang titig niya sa harap. Aligaga namang tumango ang nasa harap at ginagad ang presentation.

"Uh... we'll go back from the very start, sir," Eric said.

Liningon niya muna ito. "No, it's fine. You can continue to where you stopped. I'll listen."

"Y-yes, sir." utal na saad nito. Muling natahimik ang lahat nang magpatuloy ito sa pagsasalita. "So, as I was s-saying, our market sales lowered from the previous months. That's where when the newly opened Emperial Hotel Grandeur cranked up the business industry. We can see here that 10% of our sales lowered for the past 2 months. Dahil na rin ito sa kadahalinang bago ang hotel na iyon kaya't naakit ang iilang mga costumers,"

He snorted upon hearing it. From the looks of it, he already knew where this meeting is going. Naiiling na lang siyang nakinig. 10% is just a small thing compared to what he lost when Mr. Ruiz forfeited in the Indonesian deal they had made. Pero kung titingnan, a 10% crash down is a serious matter for it was their top leading hotel the latter is talking about.

"Since, our sales lowered down this can be a starting threat to our leading hotel and much more to our other branches,"

"Why would we lose 10% of our sales in the first place?" Fallon asked as he looked directly at the PowerPoint presentation. Natigilan naman ang huli. He shifted on his seat.

"Like what I've said, it's because of the newly opened hotel-"

"Are we threatened by that?" tanong niya. Ramdam niya ang panginginig ni Eric dahil sa tanong niya kaya napangisi siya. "Do you feel threatened?"

"Uh... N-no, sir," Eric stuttered.

"Then, what's the point in all of these? I can see where this is coming. But instead of ranting about that 10% crash down, why don't you, no, why don't all of you focus on the 90% sales we still have. We didn't lose anything, right?"

Everyone was silent. He can't believe they're focusing on that lowered sales. Natatawa siya tuwing maiisip na minadali niya pa si George na makaalis doon para lang makaabot sa walang katuturang meeting na ito. He can see where Eric is coming but instead of ranting about it why didn't they do something about it firsthand? Pinaabot pa nila sa puntong ito.

"The point of this meeting is for us to do something about it,"

He laughed upon hearing it. "Which you could've done first thing."

Fallon felt the uneasiness of the people around him.

"Okay!" bulalas ng isang shareholder na naroon. Fallon just looked at him in a bored way. Naramdaman naman nito iyon kaya napangiwi na lang ito. "Maybe, we should do some SWOT analysis again. To be able to see where we lacked of competencies which made our sales crashed down."

"Yes," ani Eric. "I can also suggest that we can open our hotel for some pageant venues. That way, we can hit two birds in one stone. We can accommodate them and it will also boost our hotel and endorse it as well."

Bahagyang nagtanguan ang iilang mga member sa suhestiyon ni Eric. He didn't say anything. Why would they want that pageant venues when the important aid to this problem is to improve the marketing trends? Naiiling siyang nakinig sa mga suhestiyon nila. He finds all their suggestions funny.

"Do you agree with us, Fallon?" anang isang babaeng kabilang sa board.

She smiled at him sweetly that he didn't even bother to smile back. Napatitig siya sa unahan. Everyone was looking at him. He only sighed in annoyance.

"No." he said in a cold tone. "But all of the suggestions were good!" bulalas ng isang may katandaang ginang, si Mrs. Artillano.

"But all of the suggestions were good!" bulalas ng isang may katandaang ginang, si Mrs. Artillano.

"Really?" he can't help but to mock.

"Were all of your suggestions good enough to bring back that lost sales? Pageant venues, renovations, and mass hiring? I expected more from this meeting." He laughed as he said those.

Napamaang ang lahat dahil sa sinabi niya. He smirked at their reaction before running his hand on his hair. Umayos siya ng upo bago tumingin kay Eric.

"I expected more."

"Sir, we can do some-"

"Improve the marketing trends. That's what we need to do not some lousy suggestions all of you have in your sleeves," ani Fallon.

Naiiling siyang tumitig sa lahat.

"The next time you'll present something, make sure I'll have my knees wobbling. Not this kind of nonsense. I'll have the full report of this next week. Focus on the marketing trends. We'll talk about this again next week." He stood up.

No one dared to speak. Nang makarating sa pinto ay lumingon siyang muli.

"I hope all of you will be prepared next week and will give me the best shot of this presentation with our sales going back at the top of the leading board." Fallon stepped out of the conference room and headed to his office.

Pagkarating ay agad siyang sumalampak sa swivel chair. He cursed as he felt the tiredness wash his system. Napapikit siya at marahang hinilot ang sentido. Bumuntong hininga siya ng malalim bago mura.

"Good heavens," he muttered. Natigil naman siya nang marining ang tawag mula sa telepono. He sighed again as he reached for it. "Fallon del Rio," saad niya.

Nangiti siya dahil sinabi ng huli at pagkaraa'y agad niyang ibinaba ang tawag. Pinatunog niya ang kanyang kamay bago pinaglaruan ang ilalim na labi.

"At last, something good came up." may multong ngiti sa labi niya dahil sa naiisip. He went for the phone and dialed her secretary. Nang sumagot ay agad niyang sinabi ang pakay. "Cancel all my meeting for today. I have some errands to do."

Fallon smiled devilishly as he ended the call. He stood up and face the large glass window at his back.

"I'm now close to caging you, wife."