Hiraya

Chapter 8

Nazarene's Point of View

           "IT'S NAZARENE! Damn, grandfather! Do you love that f*****g nickname of mine? Pfft! Come on, ibaon n’yo na sa limot ang palayaw na ‘yan," asik ko sa kanilang lahat.

           “Iyan na ba ang pasalubong na makukuha namin sa ‘yo, apo? Welcome back, hijo,” sarcastically my grandfather replied. Mom is right, kasama sa pagkakapareho namin ang pagiging sarkastiko. Damn, funny.

           "Alright, all of you follow me to my study." The Chairman turned his back and started walking up. Ngunit nilingon n’ya kaming muli when he felt no one is following him.

           “Now!” he commanded. Napailing na lang ako kasi again, ang hilig-hilig n’yang magpasunod ng tao.

           "Big bro! / Zaren! / Man (Salutes) / Manong (Translation: Kuya)!" my cousins uttered in chorus.

           "Ohhh! Hey, cousins! Chill lang kayo, ako lang ‘to!" I sarcastically said before making a fist bump on each of them except to one.

            "Austin, how are you--" but instead of answering me, he took his back and followed our grandfather upstairs. 

           "Opps! Still bitter isn’t you?" panunudyo ko sa kan’ya. I smirk drawn in my face when I saw him making a fist. 

           Pikon talaga ‘tong isang ‘to, no wonder, ang bilis n’yang asarin. Tsk. Walang k’wenta. 

 Third Person's Point of View

*In Chairman'sChairman's study room

           "Before anything else finally, you, six are all gathered in one place, masaya akong nakikita kayong lahat na nandito," panimula ng kanilang lolo.

           "Grand---" subok na pagsasalita ngunit agad namang siyang pintul ng matanda.

           "I don't let someone to speak, Trevor,” seryoso ang binitawang salita ni Chairman Marquez bago ito tumikham at nagsalitang muli. 

           "So, going back to what I am saying, I am happy that I've seen you six gathered in one place. Welcome to Pharoah's Mansion, wherein your grandmother and I made the Marquezes famous as we are today. You are not supposed here today for nothing. First things first, you are not allowed to leave this house and go back to your parents, when you enter, there's no turning your backs. This is my house, and so you need to follow my rules. Will train all of you to handle each of our businesses, and the person who excels will inherit half of the Marquezes wealth. Am I understood?" pagpapaliwanag ni Chairman Marquez habang iginagaygay ang kan’yang mga mata sa kan’yang anim na apo.

           "Tsk! We already know who will excel in your eyes, grandfather," sagot ng isa habang matatalim din ang pinupukon nitong mga titig sa lalaking nanatili lamang na naka-dekwatro at nakangisi na para bang mas lalong nang-iinis.

           "Hahahahahahaha!" malakas na halakhak ng chairman na siyang umalingaw-ngaw sa tahimik na paligid. Halos matakpan ng tawang iyon ang mga mahihinang huni ng mga insekto sa malapit. 

           "We don't know, Austin. I am seeing you starting today as fair as square. Walang first born o kung ano man. So, good luck, boys," sagot naman ng chairman na siyang nakakuha sa atensiyon ng lahat.

           "Zaren, the first-born in the family. You are assigned to manage the vice chairman's office's entire operation, no monkey business, my boy. Nakikita kita," banta pa nito.

           Sumaludo ang binata bago ito umupo ng maayos at nagsalita, "We'll see, grandfather,” sarkastikong tugon nito.

           "Austin, you'll be the of the planning department," pagpapatuloy ni Chairman Marquez.

           "Noted, grandfather," walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Austin.

           "Alas, you’re assigned to manage the strategic department," pagtatalaga sa apong mahilig talaga sa hayop dahil sa kasalukuyan nga’y akay-akay pa nito ang kan’yang puting pusa.

           "But, chairm---" ang naging pag-angal ay hindi na nasundan pa dahil agad itong inilingan ng kanilang lolo.

           "I accept no buts, grandson. Premo, you will be managing the human resource department," anito.

           "Sugot ako, lo (Translation: Payag ako, lo)," walang kaamor-amor na sagot ng kan’yang apo

           "Ziggy, you know yours? Aren't you?" anang ng lalaki habang pinatutukuyan ang apong tahimik lamang na nagbabasa sa tabi.

           "IT department," wika nito.

           "Uhuh! And lastly, Trevor, the budget department is under your care," pagtatapos n’yang isa-isahin ang anim.

           "Consider it done, chairman," mayabang na saad ng pinakabatang Marquez.

           "Take these things seriously, my grandsons. Because if you don't exceed to what I have expected, forget the Marquezes way of living. Are we clear!?" mahinahon ngunit may dalang pagbabanta sa naging tono ng matanda.

           "CLEAR!" sabay-sabay na sagot ng lahat.

           "See you, buddies!" panunukso ni Chairman Luxurious Marquez na sinundan n’ya pa ng malakas na halakhak.

           After the older man finished his loud laugh, everyone fell silent. They are all waiting for him to say the magic word. 

           But the older man stands and turns his back on them. He comes near the massive wall at the back of his office table, and then he opens the curtains covering the glass wall. It shows the overhead view of the white sand of Boracay Island. The weather is gloomy today, and it fits the sightseeing very well. 

           The Chairman clears his throats and puts his hand on his pocket.

           "Sayod n’yo? Mas manami ro isla ngara dati (Translation: Alam n’yo ba? Mas maganda ang islang ito dati),” pagkukuwento nito. 

           “Natandaan ko dati nag-eohod ako sa prenti it tatay it lola ninyo. Kueang abi do manggad it mga Marquez dati kung ikompara mo sa manggad it ibang galigaw kana (Translation: Naaalala ko dati lumuhod ako sa harapan ng tatay ng lola ninyo. Kulang kasi ang kayamanang meron ang mga Marquez kung ikokompara mo sa yaman ng ibang nanliligaw sa kan’ya)," aniya and then he paused.

           "I was the one who worked hard for this company. I remembered the Marquez Wine Industry profits centavo, and we are happy to have our small dinner to celebrate a small success. Sayod n’yo run sangkiring bagay pero ginapahalagahan (Translation: Alam n’yo ‘yon, maliit na bagay pero pinapahalagahan). Maybe this time you will never understand me. I know your all thinking that I was wasting your time talking about this reminiscence of mine, but I'm sure time will come, and you'll understand. You'll be fully aware of how important this company is. Actually, I don't care about the money, and I don't care about living a luxurious life because I was once contented without any of this pero sayod n'yo Kung and do importante kakon, Haman ginapilit ko kinyo ra? (Translation: pero alam n’yo kung ano ang importante sa kin, bakit ko ito pinipilit sa inyo?) Simply, I want you to continue living the way you are right now. I don't want that time will come, and I'll see you all gather in one place because you don't have a penny to continue doing what you used to do. This whole thing? This is not for me either your parents, and this is all for you six. Gusto ko masayran n’yo nga uwat ibang bilin ro lola ninyo kat ulihi na nga mga oras kundi, (Translatiin: Gusto kong malaman n’yo na walang ibang binilin ang lola ninyo n’ong mga huli n’yang oras kundi,) your grandmother want to see you from above happily savoring the beauty of the world without any difficulty. She wants you all to experience the best the other child out there can't. This company is built not for me or anyone else, and this company is created for all of you. Lahat ng ito para naman sa inyo. So, I hope you will love this company as to how your grandmother and I love it. This is not just a simple pity company. This is our legacy," the Chairman gradually looks at his grandchildren. He heaves a deep breath before continuing his statement.

           "Dismiss. You can all go," the magic word the six young Marquezes are all waiting. They stand one by one and bid goodbye to the ChairmanChairman before officially leaving the office room.

           "Goodbye, grandfather," paalam ni Austin.

           Sumaludo muna bago naglakad paalis. “Bye, chairman," ani ni Alas na nakasuot pa ng pantulog.

           "Sige, chairman," ani naman ni Premo.

           "Goodbye," bahaw na paalam ni Ziggy habang hindi man lang inaalis ang atensiyon sa dala-dalang libro.

           "Goodbye, lolo!" may bungisngis na paalam ni Trevor. Siya talaga itong laging bumabasag sa tensiyon na nabubuo sa pagitan nilang anim.

           “Grandfather,” tawag ni Nazarene bago ito sumunod sa lima upang lisanin ang kuwarto. 

           The ChairmanChairman watches his grandsons leave the room. He maintains his no-expression look until all of them go, including his bodyguards. 

           "Anastasia, I wish that the Almighty will extend my deadline," malungkot nitong saad bago binuksan ang kan’yang drawer sa lamesa at nagbasa ng bulto ng mga papeles. 

Austin's Point of View

           They all walk upstairs, obviously going to their respective rooms, so I diverted my direction. I walk through the bartender's room here in Pharaoh's Mansion. Grandfather has his equipment to make for his wine or coffee every day. 

           I opened the door, and the crews there announced their greetings to me as a sign of respect, and I nodded as my reply. I walked directly to the coffee corner and started making a brewed coffee which grandfather liked the most. I was quiet making the coffee, and the crews just let me do it as they are all used to me preparing that thing every morning.

           The room was filled with the aromatic smell of the brewed coffee when I carefully poured the natural caffeine into the mixer. 

           This bartender's room is divided into a bar counter, coffee counter, and beverages corner. This room is filled with different beverages, wines and coffees coming and bartered from other countries worldwide. 

           My silence was disturbed when my four cousins, namely: Nazarene, Alas, Premo and Trevor, entered the room. 

           "Austin!" Who do you think it is? Well, the only person who approaches everyone here, it's Trevor.

           "Hmmm," I replied without removing my attention to what I am preparing. Mahirap na baka hindi ko makuha ang tamang timpla.

           "Brewed coffee, huh?" Nazarene commented, which made my jaw tighten.

           "Nazarene, don't start me," I warn him. I don't want to create chaos again, and my grandfather will be disappointed. I can't afford to lose the trust I gained for years.

           That's the last thing I want to happen right now.

           "What, Austin? Ikaw do mainit do ueo ina bukon it ako (Translation: Ikaw ‘tong mainit ang ulo d’yan hindi naman ako)," Nazarene reply after sitting in front of the bar counter.

           "One glass, black label," He orders while Alas is sitting next to Nazarene and orders his shot too.

           But to my surprise, Premo and Trevor come near me. Trevor is seated above the table wherein the coffee makers are located. He is holding his big mug, which I don't know where he got that, that quick, huh? 

           "Para eon man kay chairman ing naubra ngarun? (Translation: Para na naman ba kay chairman ang ginagawa mo na ‘yan?)” Premo said mocking.

           "Austin! Masyado ka man nga gapahalata! (Translation: Masyado ka namang nagpapahalata)," Trevor commented with a laugh.

           "This is none of your business, cousins," I said with gritted teeth.

           "Trevor and Premo, don't be so absurd. Austin is doing his so-called grandson duty, huwag n'yo siyang istorbohin," Nazarene commented without breaking his attention into his shot glass. Kahit kailan talaga laging nangingialam.

           "Hypocrisy is everywhere," dugong Naman ni Alas. 

           Sige, pagkampihan n’yo pa ako. D’yan naman kayo magaling. Mga duwag!

           "Ulol n’yo! Ano ba kasing pakialam n’yo? Gumawa kayo ng sarili n’yong kape. I repeat. Mind. Your. Own. Business.” Hindi na ako natutuwa.

           "Chill, Austin. Chill, masyado kang tensiyonado, bahala ka, baka kabagin ka n’yan," asik na naman ni Nazarene. But thankfully the coffee I am preparing is now ready.

           So, I smiled. Without giving them much attention,

           I let the crew design it for a while. I started walking going out the counter and when the crew finished it I immediately grab it and started walking out. The opening and closing of the doors is the only sound I can hear.

           When I totally close the door my anger arouses. 

           They don't even deserve to be here!

           I was the only one who was raised in here from the very start. Hindi ko lang makuha kay lolo, bakit ang hilig n’yang ipagsiksikan kaming anim sa iisang bahay. 

           I continue walking toward my grandfather's office room while remembering the story behind my life.

           Alas's parents, together with mine, died because of a car crash when we were still young. I was the first grandfather brought here to live with him as he is the only family member I am left with. Unlike Alas, he still has his grandmother on his mother's side. I was nine years old at that time, and I was traumatized too for a while. I can't even speak or utter anything or what I like for lunch. 

           As a young Austin, I couldn't digest well what I had witnessed that time. I only know that my mother and father saved me from that car crash. They keep me, so I should be using this second life for the best.

           Kaya hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataong ito para mauwi lang sa wala. 

           I started knocking on my grandfather's study room. I didn't notice I was already standing in front of his study.

           "Who's that?" Grandfather's voice from the inside.

           "It's me, Austin, grandfather," I waited for a few seconds before barging in.

           "Austin, what brought you here?" He asks.

           "Nothing, anyway, grandfather, I brought this brewed coffee for you," I said with a smile.

           "Oh! Thank you, my grandson. Very reliable," He complimented.

           Oh! Thank you, my grandson. Very reliable. Oh! Thank you, my grandson. Very reliable. Oh! Thank you, my grandson. Very reliable. Those simple words echoed my mind. A sweet melody in my ears, grandfather calling me his grandson, is overwhelming.

           "No worries, grandfather. I made this myself," I brag.

           "Kuhang-kuha mo na nga ang timpla ko. Thank you, Austin," He said with a smile. He stood and tapped my shoulder, which made me a shocked.

           "I am looking forward to all of you. Can you just please be patient, especially with Nazarene? It pains me seeing you all having this argument," anito. 

           I was taken aback, Nazarene again? How about me? Palin man ako? (Translation: Paano naman ako?) 

           "Grandfather,r Na--" But he stops me from talking.

           "Austin, I am giving you all an equal chance to prove to me yourselves. I am looking forward to that. I know all of you have the potential to inherit the company, So, please, tigilan mo na ang kakaisip na mas pinapaboran ko si Nazarene o kung sino man sa inyo, kasi hindi," he pause that's why I started talking.

           "Grandfather, I'm sorry," sagot ko na lang.

           "I just want you to know Austin that I love you all equally, nothing more, nothing less. Do you understand that?" I nod

           "Good! Put that in mind," he smiles at me again before sitting and continuing what he is doing before I enter. Maingat akong tumalikod upang maglakad paalis.

           "I'll go ahead. Grandfather,” pagpapaalam ko.

           "Yes, take care, grandson,” anito na hindi na ako tinapunan pa ng tingin.

           I entered the glass elevator and pressed the fifth floor where all our rooms are located. When the elevator stopped, I immediately walked and entered my room silently. A few steps were reasonable before reaching my table. I pulled my recliner chair and sat on it before removing the secret box under my office table and started looking for a picture frame. When I found it, I started smiling.

           This is the only picture I have had since I was a child. They captured the photo way back to my elementary graduation. I was the Valedictorian way back then, and my grandfather was the one who assisted and pinned me with my ribbons and medals. I was delighted that day because grandfather spares me his busy time, na malimit lang mangyari.

           I put the picture back on my secret box and started caressing the logo of Marquez Empire. 

           I clinched my fist when the thought of me losing the position, bilang CEO ng Marquez, crosses my mind. I am the only one who deserves that position, I was the only Marquez who grew and was raised here in Pharaoh's Mansion. Kaya kung may ina man nga deserving nga magmana sa posisyon ni lolo uwat iba to kundi ako! (Translation: Kaya kung meron mang deserving na magmana sa posisyon ni lolo walang iba ‘yon kundi ako!)

           Natahimik ako ng ilang minuto bago ko napagtantong tawagan ang mga tauhan ko.

           "How's the plan? Did you do it well?"