Vexed 02: His Biggest Irony

David’s P.O.V.

Just last year, I bought my own penthouse and an all-new silver Maserati Ghibli from my own savings. When Coach University unexpectedly cut our exchange program in Germany, hindi na natuloy ang one-month free European tour package namin.

The Coach University paid us instead to compensate for the promise they initially made, and I must admit na mas pabor ‘yon sa’kin. The compensation accumulated to two million pesos, and the first thing I did was to save it. After all, sa pera lang naman umiikot ang mundo. I even learned how to trade stocks para lumago ito.

They said that money could never buy happiness. It was true for the others, pero nabili nito ang mga pangangailangan ko at masaya na akong mabili ang mga iyon. Who was I to complain? I would rather cry in a brand-new sports car, than have nothing. Lo and behold, I would be twenty-four this year and I could say that I was already successful at a very young age.

I was proud to say that I was on the peak of enjoying all the products of my own hard work and success. I remembered the days I was only praying for this, and now… I could actually have all the stuff I was only dreaming before, right at the snap of my fingers. But suddenly, a cryptic pain immeasurably struck my heart—intending to break it once more.

Yes, I can now have everything… except her! I guess I will never have her.

And that’s the biggest irony of my life!

“How about a new strategic plan, Dave?” Kuya Liam asked. “I was thinking of a unique hotel structure that’s fresh to our eyes. I mean, something that had never been seen before.”

“Absolutely, sir. I think I can work on that. Just let me draw out the plans and I’ll be sure to give it to you after lunch—” I told Kuya Liam, but I wasn’t yet done with my statement when I heard someone. A special someone.

“Oh my God, Dave! There you are. I’m so proud of you! You’ve never failed to impress me, my dear brother!” Ate Diane’s screams roared the entire corridor.

Katatapos lang ng meeting niya at ngayon nga’y humahangos siyang papalapit sa amin ng asawa niya. She kissed my left cheek and hugged me tightly, like she wanted to crush my bones because of too much excitement! Ate Diane was exaggerated at times, but I already got used to it.

“Thanks, Ate!” I humbly said kahit nahihirapan ako sa higpit ng yakap niya sa akin. Sumasakal na nga ‘yong necktie ko sa leeg, idagdag pa ‘yong makapigil-hininga niyang paglingkis sa akin.

Some grown-up men would feel awkward on what she was doing, but I just loved the feeling every time she hugged me. We were raised in a small townhouse at talagang close na close kaming magkakapatid.

Kahit na nang magkapamilya si Ate Diane ay magkakasama pa rin kaming lahat. Well, not until I bought my own penthouse and Denise had to stay in her university dorm in *Le Sora.

When I was young, Ate Diane used to ruin my well-gelled hair every time I made her happy with my achievements. Until now, she was still the same. She was really sweet despite the fact that she already had her own family. I was truly blessed to have her as my eldest sister and Denise as my bunso.

Ate Diane was currently the Finance Director here at EGC. She just started as an intern and was regularized as Payroll Supervisor. Napakamatiyaga ni Ate and that was the main reason why I always looked up to her. She was our breadwinner. She even worked as a club dancer to sustain our family needs, before she met Kuya Liam and dated him.

Being a wife of the CEO now, Ate Diane had never been superior towards the others. She had always been understanding, forgiving, and she loved Kuya Liam so much. But there was more to that.

Their love story was never easy. It was full of lies and twisted fate—definitely an example of a tragic love story. Ate Diane even moved to a different company resulting to Kuya Liam to follow her—prioritizing her over the EGC.

But despite everything that happened to them, they remained strong and they still proved to everyone that love would conquer all, no matter how hard it was. I was really happy for them, but as for me…

I no longer believed in love!

Parang droga lamang ito na kapag lulong na lulong ka na ay wawasakin lang ang buhay mo. Huli na para malaman mong wala na palang natira sa’yo.

You would lose everything in just a blink of an eye at kahit pa anong pilit mong ipaglaban ang taong mahal mo, wala ring mangyayari kung siya na ang kusang sumuko sa’yo. And with that thought, muli ko na namang naisip ang babaeng sumira sa buhay ko!

Minahal ko siya, pero dalawang beses niya akong sinaktan. Ipinaglaban ko siya, pero dalawang beses niya akong iniwan!

Pero, hindi na ako ang dating teenager na bobo sa pag-ibig. Hindi na muling masisira ang buhay ko nang dahil lang sa katangahan. Hindi na ako ang dating David Cristoff na hahabol lang sa iisang babae dahil marami namang iba riyan. Hindi na muling mangyayari na kulang na lang ay magpakamatay na ako nang dahil lang sa lintik na pag-ibig na ‘yan.

Moving forward, I should not let her occupy my head anymore… so I ended up dismissing the thought. I should thank our fates because our paths would never cross each other again. I was here in the Philippines and I opted to stay here.

On the other hand, she was in Germany and there was no fucking chance that she would be here. I had already accepted the fact that everything we had in the past was completely forlorn. With lots of girls that I could get in just a snap of my fingers, I could say that I somehow moved on!

Shit, somehow?

But I was getting there. Nakaraan ko na lang siya at ang nakaraan ay hindi na kailanman binabalikan. Binabaon na lang ang lahat nang iyon sa limot dahil mas importante ang kasalukuyan at ang hinaharap.

“Hey, Dave? Are you okay?” It was too late for me to realize that Ate Diane already released me from her tight cuddle.

“Yeah, hmm… I—I was still overwhelmed with lots of opportunities the EGC had always been giving me, Ate.” I chucklingly said. Forgetting my thoughts about her, my mind couldn’t even say her name.

“Well, that’s the product of your own hard work. And almost everyone here knew that you’re the best Civil Engineer in the EGC, so there’s no question to that!” Kuya Liam proudly stated while patting my left shoulder.

“Let’s go out for lunch? My treat!” I proposed while brushing my hair up.

“Sure, I won’t say ‘no’ to that! I’m actually expecting it, brother. Let’s go to the Spicy Chix then, I heard about their unlimited chicken promo!” With her dreamy eyes, Ate Diane laughed. After that, she boisterously placed herself in the middle of me and Kuya Liam—clinging both of her hands to each of our arms.

Napangiti na lang ako. Kahit kailan talaga ay ang takaw niya! Imagine, Ate Diane was so sexy pero kaya niyang umubos ng sampung chicken wings sa isang kainan lang? Spicy Chix was only a block away from EGC. Kayang-kayang lakarin.

“Anyway, Dave… I’ll talk to you again after lunch,” Kuya Liam declared when we were already inside the elevator.

“No problem, sir. I am so ready,” I simply answered.

“Oh, I hope it’s not about girls!” Ate Diane gorgeously raised her left eyebrow. Nagpabalik-balik ang mga makahulugang tingin niya sa aming dalawa ni Kuya Liam.

“Don’t worry, Ate. I might always flirt with someone… but I can guarantee you that Kuya Liam is loyal,” I assured Ate Diane. “Sa ganda at sexy mong ‘yan? Ipagpapalit ka ba naman ni Kuya?”

“Nice one, Dave! I’ll give you another promotion for that!” Kuya Liam said as we bumped our fists in front of my sister.

“Siguraduhin niyo lang!” pabirong banta ni Ate Diane.

We just laughed our hearts together as the elevator stopped at the ground floor level. We continued our way outside and to the course of the Spicy Chix.

Kuya Liam and Ate Diane were amiably chatting together, when I vaguely saw a woman in red dress.

_________________________

*Le Sora is just a fictional place counterpart for Laguna.