Hiraya

CHAPTER 9

Trevor's Point of View 

           WHEN Austin went out of the room, my other cousins started doing their own business, so I stood and walked to the beverage counter. Then, I requested my usual drink. The crews immediately get what I want, so that he gives it to me after a few seconds.

           "Cousins, I'll go ahead," paalam ko atsaka sumaludo sa kanila.

           Well, hindi ako sanay na tawagin silang kuya o ‘di naman kaya ay manong except na lang kay Nazarene. We all had born in the same year. Nazarene was born in February, Austin was born in March, Alas and Premo were born in May, Alas was May 18, and Premo was 24th. Ziggy was born in September, and I was born in October. I may be the youngest, but we're all born in the same year, so I find it awkward to call them using honorifics.

           The elevator stopped when we reached the 5th floor. When I got out of the elevator, I directly went to my room and threw myself on the bed.

           Boring amp.

           While lying, I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and started dialing my mom's number.

           "Honey," agad naman n’yang bungad.

           "Hey, mom! How are you?" I exclaimed.

           "Hmmm, you happy, aren't you, honey? Did something good happen?" She said.

           My mother knows me.

           "Well, nothing new, mom. My cousins are just like cats and dogs fighting, arguing, and debating with each other," I boringly reply na siya namang kinatawa n'ya ng malakas.

           "Let them be, honey. Let them fight with each other," she said.

           "Of course, mom! As long as they don't mingle with my businesses, we will be fine," I answer her with solid intonation.

           "Good, honey, by the way how's your ‘thing’?" She puts emphasis in the word thing kaya alam ko na kung anong ibig n’yang sabihin.

           I already know what she means.

           "Doing well," I answer.

           "That's good to hear. Trevor put this thing in your mind. Whatever happens, you should inherit the whole empire. We will need that!" seryoso n’yang litanya.

           "Mom, it's up to grandfather. I'll do my best, but I can't promise you that," I said

           "Trevor! Shut up! Are you nuts?! You will be the next CEO! Period!" She explained.

           "Mom, here we go again? Can we stop thinking about this f*****g position? I can build my empire if I want to," I am determined when I say that.

           "Trevor," She warned me.

           "Mom, I need to go. Let's stop this argument," I said to stop this conversation. Hindi ako tumawag para i-pressure n’ya.

           "Trevor, I want that company. Ayosa ing desisyon sing kabuhi! (Translation: Ayusin mo ang desisyon mo sa buhay!) I'm not satisfied lalo na at gan’yan ang mga sagot mo sa kin," she said.

           "Mom, I love you. Bye," I did not wait for her to answer, and I just hung out.

           I sigh for that conversation of ours. Sa lahat ng tao kina mama at lolo ko lang naramdaman ang tunay na pagmamahal.

           That's why they're both important to me as my life is essential, but I have my own life too, my own decisions and my plans.

           I got up from bed and started removing my clothes. I get in my comfort room and do my morning shower. 

           I was panting. I am panting.

           I am Trevor Klevan Marquez. I want to create my name and be known because of my skills. 

           I don't want to stay under the shadow of my last name, under the shadow of my grandfather, or shadow of anyone else.

           I want to create my world, my own life.

           My own name.

           When I finished my long shower, I changed my clothes and started sitting in front of my window. I'm used to doing it every day, watching my cousins from above while they are doing their things outside, Alas playing with his pet, Premo riding his horse, and Ziggy reading his books in the shade of a big Mango tree. 

           I will never be the same to all of you. I am different. I am me. 

           I chuckled.

           I was busy looking at each of them when I felt my door open and someone calls my name. 

           "Trevor," I was shocked by Austin's presence here, but I composed myself before answering him.

           "Austin?" I responded, wearing my most energetic smile.

           "Grandfather is calling us for breakfast," He said without even looking at me.

           "Hmm, saeamat (Translation: Salamat), cousin!" I said with a smile again

           "Don't mention it," He said before closing the door and leaving me there. 

           I stretch my arms and fixed myself before following Austin to the kitchen. Grandfather's timing for breakfast is timely, I'm damn hungry. I want food! 

           Food here I come! Let's get it on taste buds! 

           This will be another round of awkwardness, buddy.

Alas' Point of View

            “Hindi ka ba talaga interesado sa kompanya ni lolo?” tanong ko kay Nazarene, wala lang makapag-umpisa lang ng pag-uusapan pero gusto ko naman talagang malaman.

           "No. I can build my own," anito bago ininom ang shot n’yang black label.

            "Sigurado ka ba? Ayaw mo? Jackpot na ‘yon, insan,” pangungumbinsi ko sa kan’ya.

            Sa aming anim kasi masasabi kong si Nazarene ang mas may karapatan at kayang ipagmalaki. Hindi lang kasi dahil siya ang first born ng pamilya namin pero maliban doon siya naman talaga ang achiever sa amin kahit gago lang ‘yan may pinatunayan naman. Kaya n’ya kasing maabot ang mga bagay na gustuhin n’ya kahit mag-isa siya. Oo, may mga bagay na nakadepende rin siya sa kayamanan ni lolo pero lahat naman kami ganoon. Ang pinagkaiba nga lang ni Nazarene sa min kaya n’yang buhayin ang sarili n’ya, tustusan ang layaw n’ya, kahit nga mag-asawa na ‘yan ngayon, yakang-yaka ng gungung. ‘Di tulad naming lima ito nandito tamang tambay lang ang ginagawa sa buhay, ako, puro tulog lang. Wala ang sarap lang matulog.

           We are nothing compare to him. Nothing.

           "No, Alas. Why do you insist?" tinungga ko ang nakahaing black label sa harapan ko bago siya tinugunan.

            “Alam naman nating dalawa na sa ating lahat ikaw ang mas may karapatan at napatunayan na para manahin ang kompanya. Aaminin kong wala akong pakialam at wala akong balak na patakbuhin ang kompanya na ‘yan, mas mabuti na lang na matulog ako kaysa gawin ‘yon. Pero hindi ko naman kayang maatim na mapupunta ‘yang pinaghirapan ni lolo sa taong puro kahibangan ang alam.”

            Ako at si Nazarene ay sanggang dikit mula pa n’ong bata pa kami sadyang mas pinili n’ya lang na pumuntang Maynila.

           "Alas, grandfather is smart. If I know, he already knows who are those who want the company by greed. But still, I won't be accepting that company," determinado n’yang sagot.

           "Tsk. Isipin mo muna ng maayos, man. Geh. Una na ako,” paalam ko bago na rin tumango sa ibang kasama namin sa bahay na nandoon.

            Humihikab ako habang naglalakad patungo sa glass na elevator n’ong tumigil ‘yon sa kuwarto ko ay tumakbo habang nagdri-dribble pa sa hangin. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ko ay agad akong sinalubong ng shitzu kong alaga na si Paul. Iginagalaw-galaw na n’ya ang buntot n’ya kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi ang buhatin siya at ilabas siya balkonahe sa may gilid ng kuwarto ko. Ginamit ko ang hagdan doon para makababa sa malapad na hardina sa mansiyon.

            Habang naglalaro ako kasama ni Paul ay nakita ko sina Premo at Ziggy. Si Premo ayon nasa rancho na at mukhang magpra-practice na naman sa laro n’ya habang si Ziggy naman wala namang bago, nagbabasa na naman. Wala ng ibang ginawa kundi ang magpakatalino. Hindi ko na sila binati pa, ika nga, mind your own business.

            Pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pakikipaglaro kay Paul n’ong maramdaman kong may tumitingin na naman sa kin sa min. Napangiti na lang ako.

           I knew who it was. Well, he always looks at us from afar—a very mysterious man.            Alam ko na kung sino ‘yan, dati pa. Lagi naman ‘yang gan’yan, masaya yata siyang nakatanaw sa min mula sa malayo. Daming alam, bobo.

           "Alas," tawag sa kin ng kung sino man kaya agad kung sinundan ang direksiyon ng boses.

           It was Austin.

           "Austin? Anong maitutulong ko?" agad kong tanong.

           "Nothing, grandfather wants you all to the kitchen. We'll eat breakfast," sagot n’ya. 

           Tango ang nakuha n’ya sa kin. Tinignan ko ang kinaroroonan ni Ziggy, yayayain ko pa sana siya pero mukhang narinig naman na n’ya. Hindi na nagsalita pa si Austin dahil naglakad na siya papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Premo.

            Ngumiti si Ziggy sa kin nang makapasok siya ng bahay kaya gano’n din ang ginawa ko.

           "Paul! Tama na ‘yan, kakain na tayo,” singhal ko sa alaga kong aso.

           I may not be as bright as Austin, talented as Ziggy, strong as Premo, funny as Trevor, and business-minded as Nazarene, but I still know who is who, who is the one who is taking his back to Marquezes.

            Hindi man ako makakatulog na palaguin ang kompanya pero mahal ko ang pamilyang ‘to higit sa makakaya ko. Ang pamilyang ‘to ang sumagip sa kin simula n’ong sumakabilang buhay ang mga magulang ko kaya mas nanaisin kong mangialam kong sa ikabubuti ng lahat.    

Ziggy's Point of View

           After grandfather, as usual, scolded us, I directly visited the library room northwest of the Pharoah's Mansion. This place is soothing. This eases me and gives me comfort 99.9%. Grandfather has a lot of book collections from different authors worldwide, which makes it more exciting and hybernating. 

           When I enter the library, the librarian immediately stands and, 90 degrees, bow at me.

           "Good Morning, young master!" But I didn't bother to reply to him.

           "Can you give me all the books about Marquez Empire? Then also give me books about marketing, business, stock and others who are connected about business," I commanded for about 30 seconds.

           "Yes, young master, immediately," I ignored him and started looking for books on the other side of the library.

           But an old book cover caught my attention. So I started holding it and reading its summary. Well, it's weird that this book is a love story, and I got interested in it. 

           Is the title familiar? Maybe I've seen it somewhere or in movies? Oh! I think I already watched this in movie form or not? I can't remember well. Pumupurol na yata ang isipan ko.

           Weird.

           "Young Master," the librarian called my attention. I bring back the book before looking at him.

           I was glad when the librarian got so many books for me.

           "Thanks, you can leave me here," I said

           "No worries, young master. I will," he replies before taking his back on me and going back to his table. 

           I started scanning all the books until I got one that caught my attention the most. I grabbed it and started walking out.

           "Just let the books there. I'll be reading everything," I said before taking my leave.

           I held the back while walking and taking the direction outside the house. We have this backyard beside the house with well-groomed bermudagrass 2-3 inches tall and big mango trees where I always climb and get a good spot for me.

           I saluted to Premo when I saw him walking on the other side, busy controlling his horse.

           "Ziggy! Read well, cousin!" He hissed.

           "Thanks," I replied before climbing the mango tree and jumping, reading the book I picked.

           I turned on my iPhone 11 Pro Max, connected my AirPods, and put it on my ear. I was ready to start my reading session when my phone vibrated.

           Dale is calling...

           "Dale," I immediately responded.

           "Where are you?" my cousin asks

           "Outside. Mango tree," I responded to him. 

           I have this feeling that this calls for an adventure again. I am excited to do so.

           "Can you see our other cousins?" He asks. 

           I click the home bottom of my phone and type something. Then the CCTV footages flash on my screen. 

           "Trevor is in his room, Premo on the horse track, Austin is in grandfather's office room, Alas is on his way to his room. What about this, Manong? (Translation: Kuya)," I ask with excitement in my voice.

           "Alas said something to me. I think he also knew something," He replied. I can't help but chuckle.

           "He is observant, manong (Translation: Kuya), no doubt, but that's scary," I quickly responded at approximately 0.5 speed.

           "Uhuh. Let him be, but we should protect him. Don't put your guard down," I listened to Dale, but my peripheral vision could see Trevor looking at us.

           He enjoyed looking at us, huh?

           "Same to you, manong (Translation: Kuya)," He ended the call, so I usually acted and started my reading session once more.

           I don't care if they want grandfather's wealth, but they should not dare hurt my manong (Trans: Kuya) as I will help him until the last breath I have.

           Ziggy Miguel Marquez, everyone. 

           Winks.

Premo's Point of View

          Tinapik ko it mahina ro alima ni Nazarene bago ako gumawa it bar. Kat naga-tikang eon ako paguwa sunod-sunod do mga taeo nga nakakasub-eang ko, tanan sanda trabahador namon kaya ging ngisihan ko. Sayod ko abi kong paalin kagaoy do magtrabaho para mabuhi at mapakaon ing sarili, ngisi eang, indi man ako maalin. (Translation: Tinapik ko ng mahina ang kamay ni Nazarene bago ako lumabas ng bar. Habang naglalakad ako palabas sunod-sunod ang mga nakakasalubong tauhan namin sa mansiyon kaya nginitian ko na lang kahit simple lang. Alam ko kasi kung paano nakakapagod na magtrabaho para mabuhay at mapakain ang sarili, ngisi lang naman, walang mawawala.)

            Bukon it parehas sa lima ko nga igkampod, uwa ako nabuhi nga Marquez gid. Ang tatay nga unga ni lolo inaywanan ang nanay kat nasayran na nga nabuntis na gali ra. Uwa ako kasayod sa rason na, basi nahadlok ag bukon pa nana it kaya nga panagutan ang nanay ag do responsibilidad nga magka-unga. Basi gusto na pa nga mabuhi nga binata. Uwa ko imaw ging palangga pero uwa ko man ako naakig kana, pinabahoe ako it nanay ko nga imaw eang nga isaea pero uwa nana ging kalipatan nga tur-an ako it manami nga binatasan. Matapos nga magkakilaea kami ni lolo sa isaea nga ka-horse racing, uwa ko naabot sang utak nga maranasan ko ro makaraya nga kabuhi, may kaya. Uwa ko gani kilala ang lolo kat una ko imaw nga nakita, sa kamatuoran uwa pa gani ako kasayod nga ang kaatubang gali hay tatay eon it akong tatay. (Translation: Hindi parehas ng lima kong mga pinsan, hindi ako pinanganak na Marquez. Ang tatay ko kasing anak ni lolo ay iniwan ang nanay ko matapos n’yang malaman na pinagbubuntis n’ya ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong rason ng tatay ko, baka natatakot o ‘di naman kaya hindi n’ya kayang panagutan ang nanay ko at ang responsibilidad na magkaroon ng anak. Baka nga gusto n’ya pang magbuhay binata. Hindi ko naman siya minahal pero hindi ko rin naman siya kinahindikan, pinalaki man ako ng mag-isa ng nanay ko hindi naman n’ya kinalimutang palakihin ako ng may tamang asal. Matapos kong makilala ang lolo sa isang horse racing, hindi naabot ng utak ko na mararanasan ko ang ganitong buhay, mayaman. Hindi ko nga nakilala agad ang lolo n’ong una ko siyang makita, sa katotohanan nga n’yan wala akong kaalam-alam na ang lalaking nasa harapan ko ay tatay pala ng tatay ko.)     

(Flashback)

           Matapos i-anunsiyo it committee ro mga nagdaog, ako ro first place, nakibot ako kat may eomapit kakon nga kasarangan it bahoe nga eaki. (Translation: Matapos i-anunsiyo ng committee ang nanalo, ako ang first place, nagulat ako n’ong may lumapit sa aking hindi kalakihang lalaki).  

           "You are intimidatingly good young man," hambae eagi nana bago tinao ra alima kakon agod mag-shake hands kami. (Translation: sabi n’ya agad bago ibinigay ang kamay para mag-shake hands kami.)

           "Thank you, sir," hambae ko man. Nagtagalog lang ako hay basi bukon it taga-Aklan ang kaistorya. (Translation: sabi ko naman. Nagtagalog na lang ako kasi baka hindi taga-Aklan ang kausap ko).

           Gina-isip ko kat naga-shake hands kami hay isaea eang imaw da sa mga taeo nga nakakita sa akong kamayad sa pagkabayo. (Translation: Iniisip ko habang nag-shake hands kami ay isa lang ‘to sa mga taong nakakita ng galing ko sa pangangabayo.)

           "Premo Yael Palma, nice meeting you," hambae na kaya dumakop eagi ro koeba sa akong tagipuson. (Translation: sabi n’ya kaya dumakip agad ang kaba ko sa aking puso).

           Paalin na nasayran ang pangaean? Bukon eang it akon nga pangaean, ang bilog nga pangaean. (Translation: Paano n’ya nalaman ang pangalan ko? Hindi lang basta ang pangalan ko kasi ang buo kong pangalan).

           "Uh? Nice me-eting you too, sir.”

           "Stop calling me, sir, my grandson. You can call me grandfather,  Premo Yael Palma Marquez. Finally, I found you."

(End of Flashback) 

           Kat kinukupan ako ni chairman nabatyagan ko eagi ro eukso it dugo. Sa kabuhayon nga ako hay nagakabuhi nabatyagan ko ro kupkup it sangka ama. (Translation: Noong yinakap ako ni chairman naramdaman ko kaagad ang lukso ng dugo. Sa tinagal kong nabubuhay naramdaman ko ang yakap ng isang ama.)

           I never ask about my father's whereabouts. Being with my grandfather is enough. I feel like I'm complete, and my family is whole. I have a loving mother and a grandfather that stands as my father.

           The crews assigned in the Pharaoh's Mansion Horse Field assisted me. When I was comfortable, I started riding my horse, and the crews were my time stoppers.

           "3 minutes and 20 seconds, young master." 

           "Premo! Go inside for breakfast." 

"Paadto! (Translation: Papunta!)"

Nazarene's Point of View

           I was walking down the stairs with my hands in my pocket. I intently watch my other cousins and my grandfather sitting on a long Mayfair Dining Table by Ralph Lauren.

           I can't help myself but smirk. I can't do anything to change each of them, but after all, they're still my family, my blood, and this is my life.