Time to Claim What’s Mine

Chapter 1: Hotel deLuxury

“Mommy, we’re going to the Philippines na?” Thaddeus, my son, asked.

“Yes, baby. Are you excited na?” I asked and he nodded.

We are currently in an airplane which is going to the Philippines.

I had a son, three years ago. And yes, siya ang bunga ng pagkakamaling nagawa ko noon. He’s the son of the man that I had a one night stand with.

Matapos ang ginawa namin noon, nakatulog ako. Ngunit kinaumagahan ay nagising ako nang wala na siya sa tabi ko. I didn’t even know his name, and I can’t remember his face. All I can remember about him is his voice, his… kisses and touches.

Two months later, I discovered that I am pregnant. I was so devastated because I know to myself that I am not yet ready. Nakakahiya man pero pinili kong humingi ng tulong sa aking mga magulang. Hindi naman sila nagalit, they are actually happy na magkakaroon na sila ng apo. They are just sad for me and Thaddeus kasi lalaki siya nang walang kinikilalang ama.

Para iwan ang lahat ng dapat iwan sa Pilipinas, naisipan ng mga magulang ko na dahil ako sa New York para doon na ipagpatuloy ang aking pagbubuntis.

Hindi naging madali ang pagbubuntis ko. Thaddeus had a twin sister and her name was supposed to be Thaddia, but unfortunately, she died during my delivery.

My heart was filled with sadness then, but Thaddeus made me felt that everything will be alright.

Three years after my delivery, I decided to return to the Philippines to live a new life there. Ayaw kong lagi na lang akong nakadepende sa aking mga magulang since I am now 26 years old.

Matalinong bata naman si Thaddeus. Sa murang edad ay marami na siyang alam gawin. Pwede ko na nga siyang iwanan nang mag-isa sa isang bahay dahil bukod sa hindi naman siya matatakutin at makulit, palagi lang siyang natutulog. But I never left him alone dahil hindi naman a hundred percent sure ang safety niya.

“Mommy, nandito na ba tayo sa Philippines?” Thaddeus asked. Kasalukuyan nang bumababa ang eroplano.

“Yes, baby. Get yourself energized na dali, malayo pa ang lalakarin natin.” I patted his head.

Months ago when I told Thaddeus that we’re going to Philippines, and he’s so excited. But I got sad when he asked if he’s going to see his dad there. He’s always asking me why does his friends has their dad but he has none.

“Bestie!” masayang wika ni Rai. Sinalubong niya kami sa labas ng airport.

Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring sariling pamilya si Rai, wala pa nga siyang boyfriend e. Kaya nagkusang-loob siya na patirahin kami ni Thaddeus sa bahay niya para mas makatipid kami. She even volunteered to take care of Thaddeus habang nagtatrabaho ako since she already resigned dahil nakaipon naman na siya ng enough money for a lifetime.

Sumakay kami sa kanyang sasakyan. Buti na lang ay kumuha siya ng driver dahil hindi siya matigil sa kakalaro kay Thaddeus, hindi siya maka-move-on sa sobrang gwapo nito.

“Tati, I’m certain that Thaddeus father is very handsome.” Rai said.

Magsasalita sana ako nang biglang nagsalita si Thaddeus. “Really, tita? My daddy is handsome? Did you see him already? Did you have a picture there to show me?” his eyes sparkled, hoping that there is a chance that he would meet his dad.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Rai, kita ko sa mga mata niya na naaawa siya kay Thaddeus. Well, ako rin naman. It’s very hard for a little child to understand why he has no father.

Sa sobrang pagod ay nakatulog ako. Nagising na lamang ako nang yugyugin ako ni Thaddeus.

“Tati, ayan ginigising ka na ng gwapo mong anak. Tara na, nandito na tayo.” natatawang sabi ni Rai.

Bumangon na ako at inakay si Thaddeus papasok sa bahay ni Rai.

“Kailan mo planong maghanap ng trabaho?” Rai asked habang tinulungan niya akong mag-ayos ng mga gamit namin ni Thaddeus.

“I don’t know, maybe tomorrow? May maihanda na rin naman akong portfolio para sa mga requirements.” balak ko sanang ngayong araw na maghanap ng trabaho, but it’s already six in the evening.

“Hindi kita masasamahan bukas ha? Mukhang gusto kong makipag-bonding kay Thaddues buong araw.” I smiled at her to say that it’s alright. “By the way, may alam akong company na pwede mong pasukan. Ang alam ko, naghahanap sila ng chef since magre-resign na yung chef nila. You can apply there!”

Masaya akong mayroon na akong alam na pupuntahan para mag-apply. Akala ko kasi noong una, clueless akong maghahanap ng trabaho.

Mabuti na lang at graduate ako ng culinary arts kaya hindi na gano’n magiging mahirap para sa akin na maghanap ng trabaho.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong gumising at nagpaalam kina Rai at Thaddeus para maghanap ng trabaho.

Ni-send na sa akin ni Rai ‘yung location ng sinasabi niyang trabaho, at nalaman kong hotel restaurant pala ang naghahanap ng chef. The hotel’s name is ‘Hotel deLuxury’. Mabuti na lang at malapit iyong hotel sa bahay ni Rai kaya magiging madali lang ang transportation.

Mabilis akong nakarating doon at parang may naramdaman ako. I don’t know, but the hotel is making me feel nostalgic. I examined the appearance of the hotel pero wala naman akong maalalang araw na napunta ako rito. I just threw that thought away dahil baka mahuli pa ako.

Mabilis kong hinanap ang restaurant at nagtanong sa manager nito kung naghahanap ba sila ng chef. She nodded and guided me papunta sa isang office.

“Just wait here na lang po dito, Ma’am. Si sir Gray Aiden Cruz ang mag-iinterview sa inyo.” the manager said and I nodded.

Sinigurado kong maayos at malinis akong tingnan para pagkatiwalaan ako ng CEO maging chef. Ilang minuto pa ay pumasok na ang isang lalaking naka-tuxedo na sa tingin ko ay ang CEO.

“Good morning, sir Gray Aiden Cruz.” bati ko. Nang nagsalubong ang aming mga mata ay parang nakitaan ko siya ng gulat. I don’t know, maybe I’m just imagining things.

Umupo siya sa swivel chair at kinuha ang aking porfolio upang basahin. “So you’re… uh, Tatiana Valencia?”

“Yes, sir. And I’m here to apply for the job, chef cook.” I answered politely.

“Okay.” tumango siya. “So you have a degree in culinary arts and you graduated from a university in New York. Do you have any work experience?”

“After I graduated in New York, I decided to work here in the Philippines for three years.” I answered formally.

“Did you graduated at the age of 20?” dumako ang paningin niya sa akin.

“Yes, sir.” I smiled a littled.

“So why did you stopped working at the age of 23?” he asked again.

I bit my lip. Kailangan ko ba talagang sabihin na nagkaanak ako? Hindi naman na siguro siya magtatanong kapag nakasagot ako ngayon. “I got pregnant and decided to go back to New York because my parents want to guide me as I carry my child. I stayed there until my child turns three years old.”

“I see. So where is his father? Bakit hindi siya ang naghahanap ng trabaho para sa inyo ngayon?” tanong niyang muli.

I held my breath, trying to stop myself from crying. I should not cry at this. Normal lang na tanungin ng mga tao kung nasaan ang ama ng aking anak. But why is he asking these personal questions?

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just curious, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko.” he looked at me woth sincerity in his eyes. “So going back to the topic. I have a question for you. Do you think that you are qualified to be our restaurant’s chef cook? Why do you say so?” he asked.

“I am dedicated and enthusiastic chef, prepared to work hard and learn from the best. For the three years I’ve spend for working as a chef cook, I can say that I have a lot of experiences. I’ve learned how to cook better than my school have taught me, plus, I also learned how to socialize with the restaurant staffs. With those things that time has taught me, our service improved. We didn’t just improved as individuals who work to provide our own necessities, but as one in terms of food service. A chef cook should know everything about food service, and leadership. I am confident that I am qualified for the job because I’ve already learned every of them.” I confidently said.

“I also have other questions here, but you have already answered these. I love your confident and the way you speak. You didn’t have the authority in your voice but something that is suitable for a leader.” he closed my portfolio. “The current chef cook would officially stop working here after three days. If e decided to hire you, our staffs will call you within three days. Thank you.” he smiled.

We shaked our hands as we bid our farewell to each other. Agad siyang umalis dahil mayroon pa raw siyang meeting. Nagpaalam ako sa restaurant manager na aalis na ako. She offered me some drinks but I declined, because I’m not yet hired. I promised her that we’ll drink together once I’m hired.

Nang lumabas ako ng hotel ay tinitigan ko ang panlabas na anyo nito. Ngayon na nakita ko na ang ilang parte nito sa loob, mas naaalala ko na kung bakit iba ang pakiramdam ko rito.

I felt nostalgic because this hotel… is where we did that thing three years ago.