Samuel & Olivia

ONCE

Samuel Roman Valmonte Aguila

♔ Samuel

Nakatulog ako sa buong biyahe… pagkarating namin sa bahay sa Metro, sobra akong nanibago… Nakabihis na ang buong bahay namin para sa paparating na Holidays kahit halos isang buwan pa ang okasyon… parang tinutuya ako, pinapaalala sa akin ang mga plano kung iniwan sa Hacienda. Ang gift giving sana, para sa mga anak ng mga magsasaka… ang Party sa buong Hacienda. Haayyy!!! Ang sakit sa dibdib! - I have to forget about them and move on dahil kung hindi mababaliw ako.

I have responsibilities here too, much bigger than I have there…

“Welcome home Anak!” bati sa akin ni Daddy, as usual walang yakap or tapik man lang sa balikat… anim na buwan akong nawala pero parang ako lang ang naka miss sa kanila. Yeah! Na miss ko ang pamilya ko at hanggang ngayon nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit umabot ng anim na buwan bago nila ako nahanap.

“Oh my God Bro!, you’re really back” si Tyron naman, napa Bro Hug pa ang loko… buti pa ang kaibigan ko nakuha akong yakapin

“Are you OK? Where have you been? You have to tell me everything” habol niya pa… kung may pagsasabihan man ako sa mga nangyari si Tyron yun, pero hindi muna ngayon.

“Thank Bro! You miss me?” biro ko sa kanya

“You son of a b*tch! How could I not miss you… Tita dumped everything to me since you went missing. I need a vacation now, an all expense paid luxurious extravagant one.” asik niya sa akin… Thank God, I know how capable my Executive Assistant is as a temporary replacement for me. Tyron Luis De Villa was and still is my best friend since high school, he’s working for me now… but I know time will come he’ll leave me to work for his family too. Nakikipag matigasan pa kasi ngayon sa Tatay niya na ayaw sa pag aaral niya ng Law which he is doing now kasabay ng pagiging EA ko.

“Thanks Bro!” pasasalamat ko sa kanya

“You’re welcome Bro! We have to talk, but not now… I’ll let you rest first, OK” saka niya ako hinila papunta sa kwarto ko, iniwan niya na rin ako ng makapasok ako… sabi niya sa Lunes na kami mag usap ulit.

Halo halo ang emosyon ko ng makapasok ako sa kwarto ko, walang nagbago dito mula ng umalis kami ni Mommy papuntang Hacienda Valmonte… ang tatlong araw lang dapat na bakasyon ko umabot ng anim na buwan. Anim na buwan na parang isang panaginip… napaka gandang panaginip ngunit ng magising ka isa palang bangungot para sayo. Hayyy!!! I need to get back on my feet the soonest or else… memories will just haunt and taunt me and I can’t dwell too much on it.

I stayed near the pool after dinner… nakatitig lang ako sa tubig...

I could hear...laughter… laughter from two people enjoying an evening swim.

“Hahaha!!! Hey Roman Stop It!” sweet angelic voice of My Love

“Make me, come on My Love… make me” I’m splashing her with water on her face

“No, may kalokohan ka na naman gagawin” she’s pouting, she’s f*cking pouting… I’ll r****h that pouting lips I promise. I was smiling mischievously, before she could even blink I had my arms around her waist, her back on my front. She squeaked but did not move… she knew it would be a very bad move if she wiggled out of my arms.

“Told you not to pout on me” kissed her on her shoulders and the back of her ears… I can feel her shivers on my touch…

“Opo, hindi na po” sabay tawa niya… God! That laugh is so addictive

Pinakawalan ko na rin ang bewang niyang nakagapos sa mga braso ko… lumangoy siya papalayo sa akin.

“Come on Boy!, Let’s race” swimming is something my mind did not forget… And Race we did with laughter's, stolen sweet kisses, warm embraces and cuddles.

“Livi, My Love… Thank you for taking this chance with me, whatever happens… I’ll be just here for you” pangako ko sa kanya…

“You’re welcome, Roman… I’ll be just here too, as long as you still want me.”

- Promises I've broken since I got my memory back, I now understand when she said "As long as you still want me"

“Samuel, anak? Ok ka lang ba?” nagulat pa ako sa tapik ni Mommy sa balikat ko, paanong hindi ko naramdaman ang paglapit niya

“I’m Ok, Mommy” maikling sagot ko sa kanya, saka ako napatingin sa kawalan

“Are you sure Anak? Kanina pa kasi kita tinatawag parang hindi mo ako naririnig” malamang wala kasi dito ang utak ko nasa Hacienda Guevarra at sa babaeng yun.

“I’m Ok! My” magiging Ok rin ako… but I can’t let her know how I feel right now

“Ok, I hope everything is Ok too with you and Olivia” sabi niya pa, gusto ko siyang singhalan…

“Mommy, nag usap na po kami at please lang huwag po natin siyang pag usapan pa. And I’m not yet ready to talk about my six months forced hiatus” mahinahon pero madiin kung sabi sa kanya… kilala ako ni Mommy kapag ayoko ng pag usapan ang isang bagay, walang makakapilit noon sa akin. Hindi na rin umimik si Mommy… tinapik niya ako sa balikat

“Akyat na ako Anak, sumunod ka na rin agad… huwag ka na magpuyat” saka niya ako iniwan

God! Why is everything reminding me of her? Sh*t! I need to get back to my old routine… I need to get her outta my system. I can’t go on like this… remembering…

I can't be associated with her... I just can't

~~~~~~~~~~

I am Samuel Roman Valmonte Aguila, an only son to Jaime Aguila and Samantha Valmonte. My Mom met my Dad in the Hacienda Valmonte when he became one of its scholars. They fell in love with one another and him being orphan was not an issue with the Valmonte’s. After they graduated, Mom went to become the CFO of the Investment company my grandparents built to consolidate all their wealth. Dad became one of the COO and a Board Member too.

As per Mom’s story, when she got pregnant with me... Dad took over her seat in the company. When my grandparents retired, Dad became the CEO. That’s when I was little, but when I was in high school Mom took the Chairmanship of the Board and sat as a Co-CEO of Dad. Mom expanded the company for what it is now… from Farm and Farm Products, Local Banks and Commercial Spaces she ventured to Hospitality… Resorts, Boutique Hotels, Restaurants and even high end Bars.

I’m a very excellent student, tama si Doc Ortega I am a genius… since I was a kid. I was always number one in the class, graduated Valedictorian in Primary and High School. Swimming was my sport, I played football too but as much as swimming. I am a very confident student, a little bit serious about it as I don’t want to disappoint my parents. I have been naughty and mischievous too but not to the point that I am sent to the Counselors in the school. I am what you call A class type of student.

I am a full blooded “Green Archer” pre-school, primary, high school then College. Took up Accountancy and excelled in it, graduated with Latin Honors. One of the youngest too, I’ve been accelerated twice during my primary years that's why. Top the board exams, making history as the youngest to do so. I still dream of becoming a CPA Lawyer. After Tyron graduates Law, I’ll do that too. It’s always been a dream to have my own Accounting and Law Firm. Tyron and I are also exploring the IT world… Accounting and Business Softwares and especially Cyber Security Softwares, it’s a necessity now for all businesses.

After my MBA in “The Finance School” in the city of Philly in Pennsylvania, Mom turned over to me the Chairmanship of the Board and the CEO position, Dad is still working synchronously with me but most of the decisions now are under me. Mom went back to being a CFO, one of my cousins is working side by side with her now. It’s a huge… No! A ginormous responsibility and I’ve been doing well since I took over. It’s been just over or less than five years and business has been great, really really great. Hence I’ve been dubbed as a “force to reckoned with in the business world”... I know I am ruthless, heartless, arrogant son of a b*tch in my dealings with business associates and even colleagues sometimes.. It’s one thing I’ve learned early on, I have to be or else nobody would take me seriously… I was so young when I took over. Others were not happy about it, others were doubtful, others even tried to pull me down… but I’ve already proven them all wrong.

That’s the reason why… I was angry with what Ms. Farmer have done, It could have jeopardized my company. And I can’t have that… this is my family’s legacy, I can’t let them down. And I really hope no damage has been done while I was away… while I was missing… while I was happily enjoying myself out there somewhere.

~~~~~~~~~

Monday comes…

“Good Morning Gia! Good Morning Jude! Is Tyron here already” bati ko sa mga secretary ko… nagulat pa ang dalawa

“Oh my God! Boss!” sigaw ni Jude… lumabas ang pagiging girl ng loko, pinandilatan ko nga

“Sorry, Good Morning Boss” pinababa niya pa ang boses niya, natatawa si Gia sa tabi niya…

“Good Morning Boss, Good to see you back” bati naman ni Gia, Gia is my secretary at assistant niya naman si Jude.

“And Yes Sir, Tyron is in your office already” sagot niya sa tanong ko, kaya tumuloy na ako sa loob ng opisina ko.

“Good Morning Boss!” bati ko kay Tyron na nakatayo sa harap ng lamesa ko… may mga papeles na inaayos. Inikot ko paningin ko… wala ring pinagbago ang opisina ko kagaya ng kwarto ko. Masyadong matigas lalaking lalaki ang interior finishes, light gray walls, white ceiling, black furniture's… it needs colors para maging cozy and warm. Sh*t! Samuel Roman! Why are you even thinking of making it that way?

“Boss!? my a**, Good Morning to you too” balik bati niya sa akin

“Where do I sit Boss” pang aasar ko sa kanya

“F*ck you! Sasaktan talaga kita… maupo ka sa upuan mo” singhal niya sa akin

“Boss, no cursing… you need coffee, Sir” nangingiti kung pang aasar ulit

“Isa! get your a** on your chair, bago kita masapak talaga” napa halakhak nalang ako, mukhang stress ang loko sa pagka wala ko. Kawawa naman… I can imagine him working his a** off for me.

Naupo na ako baka talaga masapak na niya ako… pinindot niya ang intercom sa lamesa ko

“Coffee for us, Please… saka pumasok na rin kayong dalawa dito, let’s orient our Boss”

They orient me with everything I’ve missed during my absence… lunchtime na, wala pa kami sa kalahati. God! It’s so tiring and my mind keeps on wandering somewhere out there where trees lined pathwalks and fresh air is so abundant.

Ang kagandahan lang sa reports nila mukha namang walang naging malaking epekto ang pagka wala ko. Magaling din talaga si Tyron pero nagulat ako na si Mommy ang gumawa sa iba ko pang mga transaksyon. Baka sinalba niya na naman ako sa galit ni Daddy… Hindi ko pa sila nakaka usap tungkol sa pagka wala ko.

By the end of the day, exhausted na ako… sumakit na rin ang ulo ko, kaya by three PM pinatigil ko na muna ang orientation sa akin, may bukas pa naman. Nagkwentuhan na lang kami… tungkol sa mga na miss kung kasiyahan sa opisina. The Anniversary pati na ang Company Outing, buti na lang nandito na ako sa Christmas and Year End Party.

By the end of my first week back… I am fully oriented already, nakapag Board Meeting na rin ako. And wala naman na nag usisa sa pagkawala ko. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong alibi ang sinabi ni Mommy. By the weekend, I went to see a Neurologist here in the Metro… I personally called Doc Ortega for my medical records and told him also of my regained memories and he’s the one who told me to see a doctor to make sure, I'm ok. After the check up, I can breathe easy, I am as good as new.

Nagkausap na rin kami ni Tyron sa mga nangyari sa pagkawala ko… told him everything but I excluded the love life I tried to have there. Told him about the accident, the amnesia and the people who helped me me get back on my feet, temporarily. Pati ang pagtatrabaho ko sa Hacienda… tawang tawa ang loko sa pagiging magsasaka ko. Sabi niya buti na lang daw hindi alam ng mga tumulong sa akin na masungit ako, sarap batukan.

Asked him about why my family took six months to find me… sabi niya si Mommy tanungin ko. Ayoko ko pang i-open ang usapan tungkol doon sa parents ko, may tampo pa rin kasi talaga ako… ang yaman pala namin tapos inabot sila ng six months para sunduin ako. Ano to masaya silang wala ako… nakakapag tampo. Makakapag bayad sila ng daan daang imbestigador para hanapin ako, nasa kabilang probinsya lang ako… inabot ng anim na buwan. Sinadya ba nilang hindi ako hanapin… o baka naman matagal na nila alam kung nasaan ako at hinayaan lang nila.

It’s that damn woman’s fault, she f*cking knew where to return me but she kept me with her. I will not forget, she’s the one who suggested to me to stay in the Hacienda… sinadya niyang pag trabahuin ako sa bukid. Gusto niya akong bawian dahil sa mga nangyari sa Summit. F*ck! that woman… why can’t she just stay away from me. Why did she not leave me in the hospital and let me figure out my way after the accident? Yeah! Salamat sa kanya… sa kanila kung siya nga ang nakakita sa akin ng maaksidente ako… ngayon kasi nagdududa na ako sa mga nangyari.

- Wow! You are such an ungrateful brat!... She has her faults and she has the spine to take responsibility for them, kaya nga kahit nangako kang pananagutan ang kagaguhan mo, hindi na niya isinumbat yun sayo. Sigaw sa akin ng mabait kung utak…

- And you f*cking moron… sooner or later you have to accept it to yourself that you are to blame too. Be a man and have the balls and spine to take responsibility… G*go! Dagdag pa ng konsensya ko. - Whatever! Singhal ko sa utak kung mabait