Part VI – Queen Stephanie Rodriguez Tuason (In Filipino "Tagalog" dialect)

DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Paglabas ni Steph sa eroplano ay nasa likuran na nya agad si Juaquin at Chito. Sila ang mga bodyguards ni Steph na pasikretong nagbabantay sa kanya sa Maynila.

“Kuya naman, alam nyo namang ayaw na ayaw kong may nakabuntot sa aking bodyguard diba?” reklamo nito.

“Pasensya na po ma’am, mahigpit po na iniutos ni Señora na on close watch po kayo pag nandito na tayo sa Davao.” Sagot ni Chito.

Walang nagawa si Steph kundi magpatuloy nalang sa paglakad. Gusto nya nang makauwi agad. She missed her home, her mom, her kuya David at malaki man ang kanyang tampo, she had to admit, she missed her dad the most.

 Dalawa lang silang magkapatid at walong taon ang tanda ng kanyang kuya sa kanya. Sa kasalukuyan ay ang kanyang kuya ang namamahala ng kanilang mga negosyo sa Davao, katuwang ng kanilang ama.

Galing sa angkan ng mga Tuason si Stephanie. Ang kanyang mga magulang ang nagmamay ari ng 12 beach resorts all over Mindanao at sila ang nasa likod ng Antonio Tuason Management Corporation (ATMC), isang group of companies na kung saan ang kanyang kuya ang kasalukuyang CEO. Nasa larangan sila ng agriculture, banking, hotels and malls sa buong Mindanao.

Her father is a well known businessman. This is the reason why she had to go to school in disguise sa isang paaralang malayo sa kanyang nakagisnang tahanan. Gusto ng kanyang ama na pag aralin sya sa States dahil kabila-kabila ang death and kidnapping threats ng kanyang pamilya at sa kadahilanang sya na lamang ang nag aaral sa kanilang dalawa ng kuya David nya ay sya ang pinaka vulnerable sa lahat ng banta.Tumutol ito sa kagustuhan ng kanyang ama, but she still had to leave Davao for her safety so they just made a compromise. Since ayaw nyang lumabas ng bansa, her dad agreed that she went to school somewhere in Manila provided that she will have to disguise herself and she will have two bodyguards who will watch over her discreetly. Pumayag ito ngunit ngdulot ng .malaking tampo sa kanyang ama.

She dreaded every single day in school dahil hindi nya maisuot ang gusto nyang mga damit, she had to wear fake big eyeglasses and her beautiful long and straight black hair had to be permed para lang mag-iba ng kanyang itsura.

Queen Stephanie Rodriguez Tuason was then changed to Stephanie Martinez, thanks to her dad’s connections. She didn’t feel good about herself. Her classmates often throw glances of disgust towards her. She was branded a geek, nerd, aloof, name it. She didn’t have friends coz’ her family didn’t want any complications. She had to comply with the terms otherwise, sa States ang bagsak nya which she didn’t want to happen dahil sa hindi nya malamang dahilan, hindi nya talaga feel ang manirahan sa ibang bansa. Besides, she would miss her family terribly if that happens.

It was like hell every day in school until that fateful day when she accidentally bumped with a sinfully dropdead gorgeous guy who smelled like heaven. That day changed her life forever. She for the first time fell in love. Pero sadya yatang mailap ang langit sa kanya, fate perhaps had other plans for her. Damon met an accident and had to undergo surgery in the U.S. and she had to go back to Davao.

Pakiramdam nya ay panaginig lang ang lahat. How she wished it was, but it’s not. Her tears threatened to fall again but she wiped it instinctively with her fingers, good thing she had her shades on.

From the airport, she had to travel for another 40 mins. to reach her home in Villa Carmella. It was located in Davao Highlands kung saan magkakatabing villa ng pinakamayayamang pamilya ng Davao ang naroon. Ang Villa Carmella ay ang kanilang Ancestral home, ipinangalan ito ng kanyang ama sa kayang mama.

The moment she got out of the car, she totally forgot all her hurtfeelings towards her dad that all she could think of was to run to them and hug them. Oh how she missed her family especially her dad. Bakit nga ba hindi, she was her dad’s unica hija, she was provided with almost everything she ever wanted. Her dad no doubt, loves her and she knows that for a fact.She suddenly felt like such a bratt at nakuha nya pang magtampo dito when all he wanted obviously was her safety.

Tumuloy si Steph sa kwarto ng kanyang magulang, kapansin pansin na malungkot at tahimik ang paligid, tila walang buhay. Naabutan nyang naka upo sa may sofa malapit sa kama ng kanyang ama ang kanyang mama. Yumakap sya rito.

“Mama, I’m home” pabulong nito.

“Stephanie anak, I’m so happy you’re here.” Napaluha ang kanyang ina.

“Mama, im here to stay, please say yes, I missed you so much, I can’t stand to be away from you anymore”

“Yes hija, yan din sana ang sasabihin ko sa iyo, don’t cry sweetie, we missed you too, every single day. Now go to your dad, he’s been waiting for you.”

Lumapit si Steph sa kama at naupo ito sa tabi ng kanyang papa. Hinawakan nito ang kanyang kamay.

“Papa, im here” Hindi na napigilan ni Steph ang yumakap sa kanyang ama.

“Papa, I’m so sorry, I missed you so much”

“Stephie? Nandito ka na anak? I’m so sorry honey galit ka pa ba sa papa?” Tanging ang kanyang ama lamang ang tumatawag sa kanya ng Stephie.

“No papa, ako ang may mali, I’m so sorry po”

“I’m so sorry for sending you away anak, I only meant to keep you safe.” Mahinang pagpapaliwanag ng kanyang ama.

“Shhh...don’t say sorry papa, ako po ang may mali, I should be the one to say sorry for being childish”

“I’m so happy you’re home anak, papa is sick honey,I might not make it to your birthday.” Halos pabulong nalang ang boses ng ama.

“Papa......” Napahagulgul nalang si Steph.

Stephanie’s father was diagnosed of Stage 4 liver cancer which already metastasized to his lungs, intestines, kidneys and bones. Her father opted to go home against medical advice and decided to spend his remaining days with his loved ones.

Her Brother David arrived after two weeks of emergency meetings with their different companies all over Mindanao. Her brother projects an aura of strength and calmness but Stephanie knows how his brother feels deep inside. Ang kanyang kuya David ay parang kapatid kung ituring ng kanilang ama. Their father valued his opinions. They have the same hobby-golf and the same passion-business. Kahit madalas yayaing sumabak sa pulitika ang kanyang ama ay hindi ito pumayag dahil alam ng kanilang ama na tutol dito si David. Dahil dito, hanggang langit ang respeto at pag hanga ng kanyang kuya sa kanilang ama.

Stephanie took care of his Father with the help of her mother and two private nurses.

They would spend hours outside the villa just staring at the ocean outlined by mountains. It was a breathtaking view which oftentimes brings her back to a place somewhere far from where she is right now.

Everytime she gets struck by loneliness, she would immediately wipe the feeling off. She didn’t want her attention to be drawn someplace. But loneliness is so stubborn and would creep into her everynight; she couldn’t help but cry herself to sleep.

After a month and a half, their father, the president of ATMC passed away at the age of 70.

It was a painful time for their family especially her mom. After the burial, she and her mom went to their hacienda in bikidnon para makapagpahinga from all the pain they went through during her father’s last days until his death. In all those days, kahit masakit na masakit ng makita ang kanyang amang unti unting nilalamon ng kanyang karamdaman, not a single day did her mind fail to think about Damon. Especially at night when she’s already in bed, she would stare blankly on the ceiling just thinking about him.Kumusta na kaya sya? Did his operation went well? Is he up and about now? It’s been months, but it’s just like yesterday when she last saw him. Her memories of him are still so vivid.

Her mom has slowly coped with being alone. She spends time with her friends more often now. Her kuya David assumed the position of his dad, president and CEO of Antonio Tuason Management Corporation.

Stephanie continued her studies in Davao City because she had to supervise all their beach resorts in Mindanao. She had to joggle her time between her studies and frequent out of town visits to different resorts na pagmamay ari ng kanyang pamilya... She lost tract of time but she kept her sweet memories of him kahit kokonte lang iyon. Those were the most precious ones she ever had, her moments with her first love and probably the only man she would ever love.

In her spare time, she would scribble letters to him on a journal. Yon ang naging outlet nya sa lahat ng pressure nya sa school and work. Yon din ang naging inspirasyon nya upang tapusin ang kanyang kursong medisina. Sa librong iyon mararamdaman ang kanyang pangungulila at pagmamahal sa isang taong halos limang taon na nyang hindi nakikita.

“Miss Tuason?” Tanong ng isang lalaking my hawak hawak na boquet.

“Yes?” ang ganda naman ng bulaklak... Bigla nyang naalala ang bouquet of flowers na iniwan ni Damon noon sa bed ng guest room katabi ng mga two piece na binili nito para sa kanya.

“Pinabibigay po sa inyo ma’am”..

“Thank you, galing kanino?”

“Naku, sorry hindi ko po alam, pero my card po dyan sa loob”

“Ok, thank you”

By just looking at it, mamahalin ang mga bulaklak na iyon. Binuksan nya ang isang maliit na card.

For the love of my life

Nagulat sya at hindi nagpakilala ang nagpadala ng boquet.. Well baka galing ito sa isa sa mga manliligaw nya. Aba at my pa mysterious effect pa. Ok narin, at least my taste sya sa flowers.

Dear Damon, today I received a boquet... 24 roses with lilies too. How I wish it’s from you. Wish ko lang (lol) I will be graduating soon, thanks for being my inspiration. I wonder what are you doing right now, I bet you don’t have the slightest idea that someone here thinks about you every single day. Take care. Im so longing to see you. Sana mahanap ka na ni Mark...

Every Sunday for two months now, walang paltos, she would receive a beautiful boquet, but until now ayaw paring umamin ng kanyang secret admirer. Naasiwa na sya kaya since then she had every boquet returned to the flower shop.

“Pakisabi sa nagpadala nyan that I wont accept any flowers until he finally gathers his balls to introduce himself to me.ok?” mataray na sambit nito sa delivery boy.

“Yes, ma’am”... sagot ng boy saka umalis.

It was her 24th birthday and her graduation at the same time. She graduated cum laude sa kursong medisina. Her mother was so proud and organized a thanksgiving party at Villa Carmella na dinaluhan ng kanilang family friends including some of her classmates.

Her kuya David gave her a month vacation to wherever place she would decide to go. It was a perfect gift for someone who got so stressed with school and work at the same time. But she decided to postpone it till after the board exam.

Fate was kind, Stephanie passed the board exams with flying colors ranking 3^rd place which made her family so proud of her. Her mom threw a party again, this time nasa penthouse ng Carmella Hotel, ang pinakabagong hotel na itinayo ng ATMC.

Nakadungaw si Steph sa langit,at napapikit  how I wish you’re here with me Damon.

“Lumapit si Doña Carmella.” Im really so proud of you anak”... yumakap ito sa anak.

“Thank you mama, and thank you again for this party”...humalik ito sa ina.

“Wow... Dr. Queen Stephanie Rodriguez Tuason, that’s my daughter”...

“I love you mom.”

“By the way sweetie, about the vacation your kuya gave you, where do you plan to spend it? You know Paris is a perfect place, baka dun mo na ma meet si Mr. right guy, you know, it’s about time you go and look for love honey, you’re not getting any younger.” Nakangiting lambing ni Señora Carmella.

“I’m planning to go to the States this time ma”... patay mali nito sa huling sinabi ng kanyang ina.

“Ok, but I thought you didn’t like the States?” pagtataka nag kanyang ina.

Tumingin si Steph sa malayo. “I just want to visit someone I met when I was still in manila”....

“Very well then, when do you plan to go?”

“As soon as I can arrange it ma”...

“Ok hija, goodluck..!”

Matatapos na ang kanyang kaarawan and she’s already in bed, ng magring ang kanyang telepono.

“Yes, Mark”

“Happy Birthday ma’am, I found him”

 It was her best gift ever.....

“ Thank you mark, really appreciate it a lot.”

Matapos silang mag usap ni Mark, ay agad nyang tinawagan ang kanyang secretary.

“ Bell, please book me the earliest flight to Los Angeles tomorrow.”

To be continued...

Next: Part VII - False Impressions 

Previous: Part V - The Tragedy