"I think that's enough for now. Thank you again, Ms. Ty." his muffled voice inside the face mask echoes the operating room. I nodded and proceeded to walk out. Gosh, it's exhausting din. Pero there's no doubt na na-enjoy ko. Tiningnan ko yung mga photos na tinake ko. A smile formed on my face. My heart is happy doing this. I just can't explain how great of an opportunity this is. "Excuse me ma'am, may shareholder's meeting po." a woman approached me. General meeting? Ngayon? Shocks I forgot! I ran away from her papuntang elevator. Nasa 9th floor pa naman nakaplace yung meeting room! Nang maharap ko na yung door ng meeting room, my heart began to pound fast. Gosh! Bakit ngayon pa? I'm just going to sit there lang naman... My hands can feel the cold metal handle undearneath. Okay. I'm about to see those people again... but I can do this! I was about to push the door open when I was stopped by a voice that called me. Turning to that direction where the voice came from, a figure of a woman standing emerged. I sighed. Not this again. "So, how does it sucks again? That your own dad didn't trust you enough in handling this hospital? Tsk tsk." I rolled my eyes. I've had enough of these things. Gosh, sabi na nga ba ito na naman. Annually, this happens. Tinalikuran ko na siya but I felt her hand, grabbing my wrist! She is pulling the inside of my wrist! Her touch... makes my skin crawl... everybody's for that matter. This cousin of mine is quite tough. "Don't act as if you are higher than us—" I swung my hand up into the inside and then straight down to break the grip. Akala mo ha. Gosh! Her eyes widened nang makawala ako sa pagkakahila niya. Who does she think she is? I don't let anyone to just touch me like that. I rolled my eyes and flipped my hair before entering the room. Upon entering, I can already feel the heated tension. Nang magstart na ay attentive ang lahat sa pakikinig. The meeting is about the voting for the next board directors. Nang matapos na ay agad akong tumayo para makaalis na. My schedule is full for today. "Uh, Miss Ty? May I speak with you?" his voice echoed the room. I turned to face him. "What is it, Mr. Alcantara?" I asked in reply. Ano naman kayang paguusapan namin? He looks serious... "You can drop the formality, please. Dalawa lang tayo rito." I chukled. "Pero still, you are the CEO." as always, I still idolize this man. He looked away. "Actually, I'm still thinking about that lately... I can't believe your father trusted me of such—" "Jonathan," I stopped him. Lagi siyang ganito. Ever since it was read from dad's will na siya ang papalit sa kaniya sa position, he's been doubting himself. "...my dad knows what he's doing. Isa pa, aware siya na hindi ko gustong maghandle nitong hospital. It is just right na ikaw ang pinili niya. Actually, it's much better than my relatives." He looked at me. His eyes are melting. Gosh... this man really. "I know you've been with my dad for so long so there's that. Have more faith in yourself. Mas matanda ka lang ng konti sa akin kaya please, enjoy life din." I added. I heard him laughing gently. Bihira ko nang makita siyang ganiyan... "Well, ano pa bang ieexpect ko sa daughter ni Mr. Ty? Anyways, I have something to ask from you." Now we're talking. My heart is racing for some reason... "I have this new business deal presented to me. Tungkol sa improvement ng hospital equipments. I don't know if I should accept the deal though... I had the urge to ask you first." What? Bakit ako tinatanong niya about this? "Wait, you are asking me? Someone without a business background? Sabi ko naman sa'yo, trust yourself more!" He just smiled shyly. "Okay, I think it's alright since makakabuti yun. Pero ikaw yung nakausap nitong businessman kaya mas malalaman mo yun." "Alright... I just felt since you are his daughter, you have the knack around these things," he said. Gosh. I just laughed it off. Nga pala! I need ro be somewhere! "I need to go na pala, so...?" "Oh! Y-yes, I will contact you later." "For what...?" I asked. "Uh, just... things. Business. Yes, I think you can help me a lot. Ito pala," may inabot siya sa aking flowers. "...I can't go since I have work... thank your dad for me please." he continued. I smiled. Naglakad na ako palabas ng building. I started the car and put the flower beside me, strapped by the seatbelt. "Okay, dad! I will go to you na... and to her. I need to settle this." I mumbled to myself while starting the engine. "After the settlement of Mr. Frederick Ty's will, it is written that the current Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Jonathan Alcantara will take his position as the Chief Executive Officer." "What? This is madness!" "He is not even a part of the family!" "Goodness! Pero akala ko si Daliah pipiliin." "Guess he doesn't like her own daughter that much." "Ms. Daliah Ty, his daughter, on the other hand will have half of his shares in the company." "This is ridiculous! Bakit may part pa rin siya?!" "She doesn't deserve it! This presscon must be stopped and corrected!" "Right?! She is not by her father's side nung mamatay 'to!" Different voices are trying to cloud me again. Agad kong shinake ang head ko. Gosh. That memory again. I hate that moment... they all think they are better than me. I don't get it why they hate me that much. 'Till now... Bumaba na ako ng sasakyan at naglakad upang hanapin siya. Carrying the flowers from Jonathan and mine, I searched for his grave shelter. Pumasok ako doon. Inilapag ko ang mga bulaklak at sinindihan yung isang candle na nandun. Magkasama dito sa loob ang remains ni dad and mom... "You remember that time na lagi kong tinatanong si mom sa'yo dad? I only saw her face in pictures kasi... gosh, I miss those times." I said as if he can hear me. "Mom...? I forgot to visit you a lot of times too... sorry. I miss both of you. Kung nandito lang sana kayo... I wonder what will you do to these realtive of ours. Kainis sila! Well, I'm trying to be nice din... ay nga pala. Sorry din sa'yo dad." I sighed deeply. I told him a lot of times already about dun kay uncle and yung treatment ko rin sa kaniya. Ever since that day na kinausap niya ako... I can't believe I was wrong all along. It's been five years since nangyari yung kay dad and still everytime na bumibisita ako sa kaniya, lagi kong binabanggit sa kaniya yung mga nangyari during that day. "There's something na ita-try ko ngayon, dad... something I've been putting off ever since. I think things are going well na rin. Pero mas hindi ako makapaniwala na mapapatawad ko siya." her image appeared before me. I never got to talk to her din. I refused to. I never wanted to hear a thing from her, nang dahil sa ginawa niya. I still don't understand why and how she did it... Agad kong kinuha ang phone ko nang magvibrate 'to. A message? Oops, two messages. Alyssa: Girl, I haven't talked to you in a while... might as well join me? If u r free (I will drag u here if u'r not tho) come with me here in NY... my bf and I wants to take pictures on that infamous bench! U can grab a hottie there too! Don't stay single, muah! Gosh... Alyssa. Sana all diba? Lagi na lang... Why am I even thinking about that? Scratch that! Argh. Tiningnan ko naman yung sumunod na message. Dr. Samson: Good day Ms. Ty, I wanted to thank you for choosing me as your therapist. I hope you are applying the things I have told you. Again, never take everything by yourself too much. Aww, what a kind doctor he is! To be honest, isa sa hindi ko rin inexpect ay itong therapy sessions na na arrange for me. Hindi ko sure kung si uncle ba nagset up. I didn't have the time to process that. Nevertheless, thankful ako kasi isa ito sa nakatulong sa akin. "Sige dad, I need to go na. I will settle this once and for all." While on the ride, naging traffic sa daan kaya napairap ako. Napatingin ako sa digital billboard na nasa isang building. It's large and there's a video playing. Oh. "It's been five years since the unfortunate event of Mr. Ty's murder took place in his own room. Today we commemorate the legacy he left for us." Matapos ng mga salitang nagappear sa board ay isang video na nag - appear. It is me. Talking to the trusted reporters about everything that's been happening that time. I only trusted her. "I won't be talking with anyone! I have a friend that can help me. I will only talk to her. She can help me!" "How?! This should be settled once and for all!" "Daliah, it is better to let everything out as to—" "I know there's a way. She can be trusted." That day... sa broadcasting station nila ako dumiretsyo. I want everyone to know my dad's story pero matapos nung incident nung funeral ni dad, I lost faith in reporters. How thankful I am na may ganoon ang family niya. Walang labis walang kulang. That video was aired live. Alyssa... Oh, umaandar na. Pinaandar ko na ang car ko. Now I'm here. I grabbed some photographs from my bag. Walking inside, my heart started on pounding I think people can hear. Gosh... I don't know what to do... "Hindi po siya tumatanggap ng bisita sa ngayon." a police said nang tinanong ko sila. "Ah... could you give this envelope to her?" Inabot ko yung envelope na may photographs sa police. He nodded. "Sige po, thank you." Walking back to my car, I sighed again. For some reason, I felt relief and at the same time... I'm uneasy... Hindi ko alam. Pero sa tingin ko, time will only tell. People need a break too... Hindi ko alam kung nasaang prison si Chelsea... nang malaman ko rin na she was working under my stepmom, mas lalo kong narealize na maliit ang mundo. Marcus... Argh. Scratch that. "Don't worry dad, I forgave her already... It's just, it's really hard to realize the whole thing fully." I mumbled to myself again. Nang makauwi na ako sa mansion ay agad akong tumalin sa kama ko. Gosh! How I missed lying on my bed! Work is done, edit na lang. Then I settled other things too... Agad kong hinanap ang phone ko nang mag-ring 'to, Sino naman 'to? "Hello?" "Daliaaaaaah! I swear! If you won't come, I'll drag you here! I want you here rn! Pleeeeease?" Gosh, Alyssa... "I need rest too. Besides, what am I supposed to be doing there? I have work and—" "I have too! But you need to take a break girl... Relax even for just one day... I promise you won't regret your stay!" "Gosh... I don't know what to do with you." I don't know kung bakit din ako nandito. After niya akong tawagan that night, I arranged a one week leave to fly here in New York... Ngayon lang ulit ako nakapunta rito. I was too busy I guess... "Daliaaaaah!" she screamed while running to me. Muntik pa kaming ma-out of balance pareho! "Gosh," I managed to blurt out. "Come, you can stay at my place for the mean time. I'm going to give you what it means to take a break!" I hope this goes well, Alyssa. My heart is racing... I feel like there's something to this. "This is the day!" she screamed. I looked around. It's been a while... ever since I came to this place. People are starting to crowd. Argh! Okay Daliah, you are going to take a break. Stop thinking about nonsensical things! Past is past... "You can sit there na. I will take your pictures," I said habang inaayos ko ang camera ko. I feel somewhat uneasy... this is the exact bench where everything started... well, I wonder what will happen kung hindi ko yun ginawa? "Omg. I can't find Mike. Wait here Daliah!" "W-what? I can't just—" "I promise I will fulfill ang wish you have! I'll just look for Mike. This won't take a while!" she then dashed off. Naupo muna ako sa bench. Tiningnan ko yung sky. It's so beautiful... I took different shots of it. Ganun din ng mga tao sa university. Everytime na may open house dito, dumadayo pa talaga yung ibang tao... just to take pictures. I closed my eyes and let the breeze brush against my skin. This feels nice... ano kayang pwedeng hilungin kay Alyssa mamaya? Boyfriend? Argh, I don't need one... No! I don't need one! Gosh... bakit biglang nagfa - flash sa isipan ko yung image niya?! I don't know what I will do if ever I see him. Maya-maya pa ay may naramdaman akong malambot against my lips. Agad kong binuksan ang mga mata ko. My eyes widened. My heart's beating like hell... this familiar warm feeling... it's embracing me.