Simula
1331 Words
Maaga pa lang ay maingay na ang buong kumpanya, phones ringing, people moving in and out of offices, printers humming, at mga junior designers na nagmamadaling tapusin ang sketches para sa upcoming line. Pero sa gitna ng lahat ng kaguluhan, nanatiling kalmado si Thisa, nakaupo sa loob ng studio niya, suot ang simpleng white button-down shirt na nakatupi ang manggas, buhok na nakapusod, at salamin na bahagyang nakababa sa ilong.
Sa harap niya, nakakalat ang mga tela, linen, silk, at ilang vintage lace na pinaghahalo-halo niya sa isang bagong concept. Her signature style, modern meets old-fashioned, elegant but nostalgic. It’s what made her name, TH Studio, a favorite among celebrities and fashion magazines.
Habang nakapako ang tingin niya sa sketchpad, hindi niya namalayang nakangiti na pala siya dahil sa nagawa. “Perfect,” mahina niyang sabi, habang tinutupi ang tela sa mannequin. “This is it.”
Maya-maya, tumunog ang phone sa mesa niya.
“Good morning, ma’am!” boses ni Rica, ang assistant niya. “You might want to answer the landline. It’s from the board.”
Napakunot ang noo ni Thisa. Board? Mabilis niyang dinampot ang telepono. “Hello, Thisa speaking.”
“Thisa Navarro?” A calm but excited voice greeted her. “This is Mylene from the partnerships department. Congratulations! You landed the major collaboration project with one of the country’s top luxury clothing companies!”
Napahinto siya, pinoproseso ang narinig, hindi makapaniwala. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”
“Totally serious!” sabi ni Mylene, halatang tuwang-tuwa. “The board unanimously chose your proposal. The CEO of the partner company was very impressed with your portfolio. They specifically requested a personal meeting with you for contract discussion.”
Her heart skipped. A personal meeting. That means this is huge. Malaking project 'to! At hinding-hindi niya palalampasin!
“Oh my God…” napasinghap siya, halos maiyak sa tuwa. “Thank you, Mylene! Thank you for letting me know!"
“You deserve it, Thisa. They’ll send an official invitation and details later today. The CEO himself wants to meet you.”
Pagkababa niya ng telepono, hindi niya mapigilan ang ngiti. “We got it,” bulong niya sa sarili. “We actually got it.”
Pumasok agad si Rica, bitbit ang tablet at mga dokumento. “Ma’am, totoo po ba na nakuha natin ang collab?”
“Yes,” ngumiti siya at mahigpit na niyakap ang assistant. “Prepare everything. Ayoko ng may sablay.”
Rica almost squealed. “Sino pong partner company, ma’am?”
“This one,” sagot ni Thisa, binuksan ang email na kakadating lang. “RV Group…”
At doon siya napatigil at napakunot noo.
RV Group.
Unti-unting nanlamig ang mga kamay niya. Hindi… imposible! She thought. It can’t be.
Tumingin siya ulit sa logo. Silver and black. Sleek. Bold.
RV. Rozen Villaluz.
Oh God!
Muling bumalik ang bigat sa dibdib niya, ang pangalan na matagal na niyang gustong ibaon sa limot. The man she once loved, married, and divorced. The man she promised she would never see again.
For a few seconds, wala siyang marinig kundi tibôk ng puso niya. The past she buried so deep suddenly clawed its way back to the surface.
“Ma’am?” tawag ni Rica, takang nakatingin sa kanya. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” she lied and force a smile. “Just… surprised. Didn’t expect that company.”
“Oh, RV Group?” sabat ni Rica. “Grabe raw ‘yong CEO nila. Super strict, pero ang gwapo! May nagsabi sa akin—”
“Rica,” she cut her off softly, trying her best to stay composed. “Please prepare the contract drafts. I’ll… I’ll handle the meeting.”
Pag-alis ni Rica, bumagsak ang balikat ni Thisa. She leaned back against her chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. “Of all companies,” she muttered. “Of all people.”
Naisip niyang tumanggi. I-turn down ang project kahit gaano kalaki ang halaga. Pero hindi puwede. This is her biggest break. And besides, she’s not that woman anymore. Hindi na siya ‘yong mahinang babae na kayang apak-apakan. Hindi na siya ‘yong walang boses, walang career, at walang direksyon na minamaliit.
She’s Thisa Navarro now, known, respected, and untouchable.
“Fine,” she whispered. “If fate wants to play this game, I’ll play.”
The following afternoon, nag-ikot siya sa studio, checking every fabric roll, approving sketches, and finalizing mood boards for presentation. Pero kahit anong busy niya, hindi mawala sa isip niya ang pangalan ng ex-husband niya, Rozen Villaluz. Paulit-ulit.
Stop, she told herself, rubbing her temples. That’s over. You’re not that girl anymore.
“Ma’am, you have a visitor,” sabi ng receptionist sa intercom.
“Visitor?” takang tanong niya. Wala siyang inaasahan na bisita ngayon.
“Yes, ma’am. From RV Group. They said they were asked to deliver something personally.”
Her stomach twisted. “Send them in.”
A man in a charcoal suit entered, carrying a black envelope. “Good afternoon, Ms. Navarro. I’m from RV Group. Mr. Villaluz asked me to deliver the preliminary documents.”
Sandali niyang nakalimutan huminga sa pagbanggit ng apelyido.
Mr. Villaluz.
Hindi niya maalala kung paano siya ngumiti o kung paano niya pinilit magmukhang kalmado. Tinanggap niya ang envelope, nagpasalamat, at hinintay makaalis ang lalaki bago siya halos mapaupo dahil sa panginginig.
Pagbukas niya ng sobre, nandoon na lahat. It was elegant, embossed, at may pirma sa ibaba.
Rozen A. Villaluz, CEO, RV Group. Walang iba kundi ang ex-husband niya.
Huminga siya ng malalim at halos punitin na ang invitation card. "I should be ready... ready to face him, again."
The city glimmered under the morning sun, and the glass façade of the RV Group building reflected everything—power, wealth, and precision. Sa bawat hakbang ni Thisa papasok sa lobby, ramdam niya ang bigat ng pangalang nagmamay-ari ng kumpanya.
Wala siyang ibang marinig kundi ang tunog ng sarili niyang high heels sa marble floor. Her assistant, Rica, offered to come with her, but she refused. “I can handle this,” sabi niya kanina. Pero ngayong nandito na siya, halos gusto na niyang mag-back out.
Kahit anong gawin niyang pagpapakalma sa sarili, nanlalamig siya, nanginginig.
“Good morning, ma’am,” bati ng receptionist na nakangiti. “You’re expected. Please proceed to the top floor. Mr. Villaluz is waiting for you in the executive boardroom.”
Mr. Villaluz. Just hearing it made her pulse quicken.
The elevator ride felt endless. She could see her reflection on the mirrored wall, calm face, neat hair, perfect posture. Walang bakas ng kaba, pero sa loob, parang may nagwawala. “You’ve come too far to lose composure now,” she whispered to herself. “He’s just a man. An ex.”
When the elevator chimed, she inhaled deeply before the doors opened.
The top floor was quiet, carpeted, and flooded with natural light. A glass door bore the name Rozen A. Villaluz in bold letters. Sa kabila niyon, nakita niya ang siluetang nakatayo, nakaharap sa bintana. Broad shoulders. Tall frame. Even from behind, unmistakable.
Pakiramdam niya, bumagal ang oras.
She pushed the door slightly, and it made a soft click. “Good morning,” she managed to say.
The man by the window turned.
And there he was.
Rozen Villaluz, in a tailored navy suit that fit like it was made just for him, crisp white shirt, and a gaze that still had that quiet dominance. His hair was shorter now, neater, but his eyes, those sharp, dark eyes, were the same ones that once undressed her without a word.
“Thisa,” he said, his voice calm but deep, as if he’d been expecting her all along.
Her throat went dry. Hindi niya pinahalatang kinakabahan siya bagkus sinalubong pa niya ang tingin nito. “Mr. Villaluz,” she greeted formally, forcing a polite smile. “It’s been a long time.”
“Seven years or so,” he replied. “But who’s counting?”
- Writer
