Chapter 2

Five years later…

Zach`s POV

I’m still organizing documents in my office at 4:30 p.m. My day has been the polar opposite of my friend’s. Kung sila magliliwaliw after work, ako, work at  bahay lang. My friend also told me to at least have a break. But no. I just don't like to have things hanging over my head.

Most of them would find my routine tedious, and it is at times. It is, however, somewhat reassuring. I enjoy coming here to work. It’s just nice to know you’ll always have somewhere to go.

Habang inaayos ko ang table, bigla na lang pumasok ang napakagaling kong kaibigan. Si Tyson.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Frechilla” tamad na tanong ko habang patuloy sa ginagawa. Kairita.

“Ginoong Levine, ipa-paalala ko lang na birthday ng kaibigan natin. Baka dumiretso ka na naman ng uwi. Aba! Hindi pwede no” sagot nito. Ang lakas ng boses. Kairita talaga.

Wala na akong nagawa at sumama sa kumag. Hinintay talaga ako nito sa opisina hanggang sa matapos ang trabaho ko. Kainis.

We arrive at Martin's after seven o'clock. It's a high-end bar owned by Ford's family, a close friend of mine, and the birthday boy.

As soon as we step inside, I can smell the alcohol. Of course, it has to be a classy type of alcohol.

Kahit masyadong marami ang tao, madali naming narating ang table kung nasaan si Ford at ang iba pa niyang bisita. Most of them are our acquaintance in the business world. 

“Yow, birthday boy!” kaagad na sigaw ni Tyson. 

And again. Kairita.

“Akala ko hindi mo na madudukot itong si Zach” Ford said while smirking at me

“Tss. Pagbibigyan kita dahil birthday mo ngayon, Valencia” me, while raising my eyebrow

Agad kaming umupo at nakipagkwentuhan sa iba pang mga bisita. For sure, this will be a long and tiring night.

It’s 10 in the evening and many of the visitors are already drunk. Even Tyson, mas dumaldal pa ang loko. 

“So birthday boy, I already knew na may nililigawan ka ngayon. How about you pareng Zach” malakas na tanong nito na may kasama pang paakbay.

Fuck. I’m feeling dizzy because of his voice. Isama pa ang mabigat niyang braso. Agad ko itong tinabig at umayos ng upo.

“Wala kang makukuha na sagot sa akin. Tsismoso mo talaga kahit lasing” tamad na sabi ko rito.

“Share naman diyan, Zach. Ang damot mo. Baka naman meron ka nang anak ha” kunwari pa na nagulat sa sinabi nito at nag-tawanan silang dalawa ni Ford.

Mga gago talaga.

But what Tyson said stopped me in my tracks. Anak? Baby? Camara, my first love, pops into my mind. What went wrong? I'm not sure. I'm overjoyed at the prospect of having a child with her. But supposedly...

Camara’s POV

It is always possible for things to get worse. That is what I believe following the unexpected events that occurred to me five years ago. Since then, I’ve thought that was a pretty good way to look at life. But lately I’m not sure because I don’t believe things can get any worse.

“Hindi ka makaintindi?! I have a problem with your hotel service. At least give me a refund or 30% of my payment?” sigaw sa akin ng mataray na babae with drawing na kilay.

Hindi nakakatuwa ang mukha niya.

"I apologize, Ma'am. We are unable to provide you with the desired 30% discount. Your issue is with your room. We can provide you with a complimentary meal or spa treatment,” I said politely.

“Ganon lang?! Let me talk to your manager or owner!” galit na sigaw nito. 

Gosh. Ayaw kong mawalan nang trabaho dahil sa babaeng ito. Ayaw kong maapi. Pero kailangan ko nang trabaho para sa amin ni baby. Lintik talaga. Idiota!

“Ma’am…” naputol ang sasabihin ko nang biglang dumating si Ma’am Dahlia, my favorite manager. Note the sarcasm.

“Ma’am what can I do. Ano pong problema rito?” kunwaring mabait na tanong nito

“Itong babaeng ito. Sinabi ko na sa kanya ang problema. Ayaw akong pagbigyan sa gusto. Again, I have a problem with your hotel service!” galit na naman na sigaw ni Ma’am. 

Nag-usap sila tungkol sa problema na parang wala ako roon.

Akala mo kung sinong mabait itong si Dahlia. She’s two years older than me at palagi akong pinag-iinitan. If I know, she’s just insecure with my talent and beauty. 

Namalayan ko na lang na umalis si Ma’am with drawing kilay. Now, I have to face the final boss.

“Palagi ka na lang nakikipag-away sa mga guest, Camara. Ayusin mo nga ang trabaho mo!” pakikipag-usap nito sa akin. Kulang na lang lamunin ako.

“Pasensya na, Ma’am Dahlia. Siya naman po talaga ang may problema. Kinausap ko pa rin ng maayos si Ma’am kahit sinigawan na ako” sagot ko rito habang nakatingin sa ibang direksyon.

Ayaw ko siyang makita. Her face makes my blood boil. Mabait naman ako pero lumalabas ang sungay ko kapag pinapagalitan kahit wala naman akong ginawang masama.

“You never run out of reasons, Camara. Ipagpatuloy mo iyan hanggang sa mawala ang trabaho mo!” sigaw nito at umalis na rin. Tinakot pa ako.

If only I could get out of this job. I'm sick of all the dramas. Hindi natatapos ang isang buwan hangga’t hindi ako inaaway ng mga guest.

Siguro hindi receptionist ang bagay sa akin, hotel owner I guess.

Kidding aside, I still can't believe I'm making a career on my own. Despite the fact that this is not my ideal job or life. I'm still grateful to have Matthew with me. He's all I have. Kung wala siya hindi ko alam kung makakabangon pa ako. Kung makakapag simula pa ba ako ulit. It’s been three years, yet, remembering the things that had happened in the past gives me pain I can’t contain.

“Camara, dadalhin na ba kita sa hospital o ano?” biglang sabi ni Lou na natatawa pa. Parang kabute.

Lou is my best friend and the owner of this hotel. Kaya siguro galit si Dahlia dahil alam niyang kaibigan ko ang may-ari nitong hotel. 

“Stop making fun of me, Louisiana” I said while pouting

“Oh, nguso mo. Pa cute ka girl? Anyway, I miss you. Kumusta araw mo?” Hindi talaga ito pumapalya sa pangungumusta sa akin. 

“Ito, kapagod. Uuwi na ako maya-maya lang” sagot ko

“Aba dapat lang. Twelve in the midnight na girl. Si baby Matthew mo” paalala nito.

I know. I miss my Matthew already. Nag-usap pa kami ng kaunti ni Lou. Umaga siya pumupunta sa hotel at ngayon lang ginabi nang malamang hindi pa ako umuuwi. I so love this girl.

I noticed a familiar structure in my peripheral vision while we were talking. It was so familiar that it made me stop in my tracks and feel my heart beat irregularly. I turn my head slowly in his direction. Zach, the man I desperately want to forget. My very first love.