Chapter 45 sacrifice
Zarya's point of view
"Ano ba talaga ang sitwasyon ngayon, Ate?" I asked ate Yana.
It's early in the morning, and we just had our breakfast. Hindi na ako umuwi pa kagabi, I spend my night here sa hospital para masamahan si ate.
After nakatulog ni baby Aria, I immediately took the opportunity na mag-usap kami ni Ate tungkol dito. She didn't refused, pumayag siya na iopen saakin.
So we are now here, sitting on the balcony of her room. We both know that this is not a simple problem, at lalo na ngayon na alam kong may bad blood pala sila tito Eric, tito Bernard, at si Papa.
This baby, this lovely blessing—made a lifetime strings attached sa mga Valenti. And my dad won't be happy to know this, and worst...mas hindi ito gugustohin ni tito Eric.
"Zar, I'm sorry." She said, her head bowed.
"Bakit? may kasalanan ka ba?" I asked. Wala naman siyang kasalanan dito e.
"I didn't know, hindi ko alam na Valenti pala siya. He never told me, nalaman ko nalang noong pumunta ka dito sa Italy for that 7 days event." She admitted, halata sa itsura niya na nahihiya siya saakin.
"ano naman ang kinalaman ng pagpunta ko dito?" Tanong ko ng nakakunot ang nuo.
"He saw you. He was with his dad, and doon niya daw nalaman lahat. That day, he found out that our last names create a huge barrier between us. That's when I knew everything, sinabi niya din lahat saakin."
Hindi ko alam bakit parang may naalala ako sa sinabi ni Ate. Si Isaac ba 'yung nakadikit kay tito Eric all throughout that event?
"Hindi ka man lang ba nagtanong ng family background niya when you dated him?" I asked pero hindi ko din matatago na naiinis ako.
"I did, and he said his dad is an american and so is his mom.
Hindi naman pumasok sa isip ko na Valenti siya, last name pala kasi ng mother niya ang dinadala niya.
And what's the matter if I knew that he is a Valenti?
Wala naman akong alam sa away nila ng tatay niya at ni Papa. " She quickly defended herself.
I get it, what she said made sense. We didn't know na magkaaway na pala ang mga tatay namin. Why didn't I think of that when my father send me here noong nalaman niya ang relasyon namin ni Iris?
"Ano na ang plano mo ngayon? ang plano niyo?" I asked.
"I don't know. I just want Aria to be safe. Isaac told me to wait, babalikan niya ka—"
"Paano 'pag hindi siya bumalik?" I cut her words off. Hindi ko na talaga matago ang inis ko, nakakaubos ng pasensiya.
"He promised." She lowered her head, her tone changed. Halata sa kaniya na umaasa talaga siya saakin Isaac na 'yon.
"Do you really think his father would let him do what he needs to do sa inyong dalawa ni Aria?" I asked without any remorse. Bahala na kahit masaktan pa siya sa nga tanong ko.
"I don't know—l"
"Exactly. Hindi mo alam. You don't know what kind of mess you are in, ate. This is not a bar you could just ditch when you've had enough. This is not a glass of vodka na p'wede mong dayain. This is about you, and your baby."
Tears slowly started to form in her eyes, but none of those tears would stop me from saying these things to her, para naman matauhan na siya.
She slowly reached for my hands. "Zarya alam ko naman e. I know this isn't easy, but I can't let my daughter grow up without a father by her side."
"We grew up with a father by our side pero parang wala tayong tatay. We grew up well, we ended up became independent, and we learned to stand on our own. I'm sure Aria would grow up as good as we did."
"hindi mo kasi ako naiintindihan, Zar."
I pulled my hands away from her, my patience is really running out. I stared at her directly on her eyes. "ikaw ang hindi nakakaintindi, Ate. You don't know what could happen if you choose to continue that nonsense thing with Isaac."
"Zar, please. After ng bidding niyo, babalik ng America ang dad niya. And siya, babalikan niya kami dito. We will live a happy life, together with Aria."
"Hindi nga papayag si tito Eric!" I leashed out my anger, hindi ko na napigilan pa.
Her gentle face turned shocked. She flinched when my tone changed. "Bakit mo ba pinoproblema yung Eric na 'yon? If there is tension between you two, ibahin mo na saamin 'yon. If you are saying this because of Iris, ibahin mo din yung problema mo dito. We are not on the same ground—"
"Leave Iris out of this topic! Sinasabi ko 'to because I want to protect you and Aria. And I won't let you stop me, kahit mag away pa tayo dito." I glared at her while my eyes are tying so hard not to unleash any tears.
She didn't respond, tumayo siya ng dahan dahan at inaalalayan ang sarili.
I was annoyed, parang uminit bigla ang dugo ko.
How could she think that I only did this for Iris?
sa tingin niya ganon ako ka selfish? I was just trying to protect her and Aria from all of these mess na hindi naman ako ang gumawa, but I chose to fix it because she is my sister.
She was about to turn, and leave. But my tongue automatically speaks.
"Your life is in danger, pati kay Aria." I said low, na halos ayaw kong sabihin.
She stopped. She stared at me with a face full confusion.
"I sold the bidding papers to Sterling and Valenti." I admitted it.
"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon? Zarya, that land is what Papa has been looking forward to. Magagalit siya sa'yo, why did you do that?!"
I stood up, I leaned closer to her. Ready to say everything kung ayon lang ang paraan para maintindihan niya lahat ng mga sinabi ko, at lahat ng ginagawa ko para sa kanila ng baby niya.
"I did that to protect you. They would go after you, and Aria kapag nalaman ni Tito Eric na may anak si Isaac sa'yo.
Isaac is his last hope, siya ang magpapatuloy sa kung ano man ang nasimulan ng ama niya.
He even left Iris so he could train his son to be prepared.
He won't let you, or let anyone ruin what he built.
So please, ate. Do me a favor at layuan mo na lang 'yung lalakeng 'yon, do this not for me. But for the safety of Aria."
But instead of being understood, she didn't respond. Tinignan niya lang ako, with her tears slowly falling from her eyes. I can see the guilt, the pain, and my answers.
"After the bidding, bumalik ka na ng Pilipinas. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko, kaya namin protektahan si Aria." she turned her back once again. Wala talaga, wala talaga siyang balak makinig saakin.
Hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin o sabihin para makinig siya saakin. I want to have some peace of mind too, but if that means I have to let my sister alone—mas gugustohin ko nalang magkaroon ng magulong isipan.
I will not stop hanggat hindi siya nakikinig. I have to stop whatever this nonsense mess between her and Isaac.
Pero habang palapit ng palapit ang bidding, mas lalong lumiliit ang daan ko. Every steps has its own consequences, parang lahat nalang may kabayaran. I don't know what will happen next, but I know I had to keep going.
_____
It's been a few days simula noong nagkaroon kami ng alitan ni Ate. But that never stops me from visiting them hangang sa nakalabas na sila ng hospital.
Every day, I went there to check on them. My sister and I never had a chance to talk again, but I didn't care. If she's mad at me, then she can stay mad. Basta aalagaan ko sila ni Aria.
Sa loob ng ilang araw na 'yon, kinukulit na din ako ni Mr. Henderson. Lalo na si Papa. He's been calling me nonstop, even if it's late already. He's been making sure that everything will go as planned, but little did he know that our plan has already fallen apart.
Speaking of calling nonstop.
My phone rang again.
It's Papa, and since today is the day. I quickly pick up the phone.
I answered fast. "Pa, good morning."
"Good morning, Zarya. Ready for today?"
"Yes," I said straight away, but deep down I knew I wouldn't win. Alam ko na, bago pa man magsimula ang lahat. But I couldn't say that. I had to pretend.
"Good," he said with a fixed tone. "Bring home that land, okay? I trust you. You can do this. I'm proud of you, Zarya."
My chest felt heavy all of a sudden. "Yes... uh...I need to get myself ready, Dad."
"Sì, sì. Alright. Take care. And tell Mister Henderson good luck from me, okay?"
"Sì, Pa."
I hung up and set the phone down. Guilt hit me right away, parang may nakadagan sa dibdib ko. He expected me to win, believed in me fully... and here I was, already letting go before the fight even started. I
I didn't want to, but I had no choice. Para kay ate at kay Aria, kailangan kong gawin 'to. I gave up before stepping inside, just to keep her safe. That's all that matters now.
I didn't waste any time, dahil kaunti nalang din ang oras ko para mag prepare. I need to be there in an hour.
I finished tying my hair back and checked myself one last time in the mirror, suit is neat, makeup set just right, I am more than ready.
I walked over to my drawer and pulled out a thick stack of folders, all the bidding plans, permits, numbers, and every note we worked on for weeks.
Isa?isa ko itong inayos at inilagay sa loob ng matibay na attache case, making sure nothing slipped or got crumpled.
I snapped the locks shut with a firm click.
I grabbed my bag, headed out, and got into my car.
The drive to the venue wasn't too far, but every turn felt heavier than the last, parang lalong bumibigat ang dibdib ko sa bawat kilometro.
When I pulled up, the parking lot was already full, and people were walking fast toward the entrance, talking loudly and carrying their own cases and folders.
Marami nang tao doon, halatang seryoso at handa rin silang lahat.
I stepped inside the big hall, eyes scanning every table and corner until I spotted Mister Henderson. There he was, sitting by a corner table, sipping coffee slowly while staring at his open laptop, fingers still moving across the keyboard like he never stopped working.
I walked straight over and pulled out the chair across from him. As soon as I sat down, he stood up quickly, wiped his hand on his trousers, and reached out to shake mine.
"Good morning, Zarya! Glad you made it," he said, grinning wide.
"Good morning, Mister Henderson," I answered, returning the smile even though alam kong hindi ito umaabot sa mata ko.
He leaned back, still looking eager. "I'm so excited for this, I've gone over every detail twice, checked the numbers again and again... I can feel it. We're gonna win this one, I'm sure of it."
I nodded, keeping my voice steady. "Yeah... I believe we can do this. We prepared well enough."
But deep inside, alam na alam ko na hinding?hindi kami mananalo. All his hope, all his hard work, all the late nights we spent planning, it was all for nothing.
Masakit isipin, pero wala na akong magagawa. I already knew how this would end, and I just had to sit there, act like everything was fine, and play my part until the very end.
While I was in the middle of my thoughts, someone walked towards our table. It was sterling, together with Eric Valenti.
But they didn't mattered to me, hinanap ko kung kasama ba ni tito Eric si Isaac. But no, he's not with him.
"Good luck, Doc." Sterling said arrogantly.
Then he turned his eyes to Mr. Henderson. "Good luck to you too, Engr."
Mr. Henderson just smiled, but I can see in his face he is clearly annoyed.
"Good luck for both of you, I hope this bidding will be fair and square." Mr. Henderson smiled, pero halatang peke ito.
"It will be, Engr." Sterling said as he looked at me straight in the eye. Na parang lalo niya akong iniinis.
Hindi na din ako nagsalita pa, I didn't even reacted. This could be worst than this kapag sumali pa ako, total matatapos na din naman 'to.
Hindi na rin nagtagal and the event immediately started noong dumami na ang nga tao. The room was big and cold. Nakalinya na ang mga long tables with envelopes and numbers of name cards.
Medyo nag iba na rin ang ambiance ng venue, everyone went silent, ramdam mo agad na bawat isa ay handang lumaban at ayaw matalo.
Pero bago pa man magsimula, people started leaning over, nodding at me, shaking my hand.
May mga nagsasabi na if hindi daw sila ang makakuha ng lupa, for sure it's going to be Mr. Henderson and I.
Others already started accepting their defeat, kumbaga nandito lang sila for participation.
This event is once year lang, and every year they prepare a premium land to bid.
This year is the biggest, sobrang hirap kunin yung lupa na pinapa-bid nila ngayong taon.
What made this bidding unique is that hindi ito normal na bidding kung saan mag ra-raise lang kayo ng amount.
This is a systematic bidding, you need plans, papers, and everything you want to do with the land.
Your plans matters more than the price itself.
No matter how much amount you try to put in here, if your plans doesn't fit. Wala din mangyayari.
I just keep on saying thank you each time. But deep inside, napapakamot na lang ako sa isip ko. They had no idea. They thought it was just about numbers and plans. They didn't know I already had no choice. Parang ako lang ang nakakaalam na hindi ito ang magiging wakas na inaasahan nilang lahat.
Mr. Henderson sat beside me, flipping through our folder one last time, tapping the pages lightly. "See? Everyone's talking about us winning this land."
"Yep," I said quietly, hands folded tight on my lap. Nanlalamig ang mga palad ko sa kaba.
The host stepped up to the front podium, tall, sharp looking. He adjusted his glasses, scanned the whole room slowly.
"Good morning everyone. Thank you for coming. We have reviewed every submission carefully. All proposals meet the requirements, but only one will be awarded the lot."
His tone was firm, serious, nakakakaba talaga. Parang bawat salita ay binubuhusan ako ng tubig.
He went through the rules quickly, how bids were sealed, how they checked financial capacity, technical plans, everything.
Every time he mentioned "strongest submission" or "most complete package," heads turned toward our table.
Minsan nahuhuli ko silang sumulyap, na tila binibigay na nila ang panalo saakin.
Then he started listing the firms one by one.
"Greenfield Partners, bid amount and plan reviewed, acceptable."
"Horizon La Brusca Holdings, financials in order, but scope limited."
"De Luca Henderson, fully compliant, detailed development plan, strong long?term value."
I felt Henderson lean closer, whispering low, "See? They're practically telling us."
I just swallowed hard. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko, hindi dahil sa panalo, kundi dahil sa takot sa kung ano ang mangyayari.
The host kept going, andami pang participants na na-mention bago umabot sa last few partners.
"Northwood Group, standard proposal."
"Valenti Sterling, complete documents, competitive amount, alternative development layout."
When he finished reading out all names, he paused. Silence filled the room, sobrang tahimik, parang kahit hininga ay pinipigilan ng lahat.
He picked up the folder with the final decision, held it up a little higher. "After full evaluation, comparing compliance, value, and feasibility, the committee has reached a decision."
Everyone sat straighter. Some leaned forward, elbows on tables. Nakatuon ang lahat ng mata sa kanya. Lahat nag hihintay ng resulta.
"The lot goes to the submission with the strongest overall package... as well as the most secure and forward thinking arrangement."
He looked up, eyes sweeping past us, and for a second I thought he'd stop right at our table. Henderson smiled, ready to stand.
"...awarded to Valenti Sterling."
For a beat, nobody made a sound. Complete silence. Then, murmurs started, lahat nag si bulongan na. I expected this to happen, alam ko na. Pero I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Valenti and Sterling? Are you sure?" Horizon and La Brusca's representative stood up to ask.
"That can't be right. Did they read the papers properly?" The old man even started asking too.
"Valenti and Sterling? They were quiet the whole time??" I heard the man behind me.
Yes tahimik sila....sa inyo. But to me? they were the loudest.
Henderson froze. His smile dropped. He turned to me, eyes wide na halos hindi makapaniwala sa resulta. "Zarya... did you hear that??"
I sat still, face calm, but inside parang gumuho ang lahat sa akin. My hands stayed folded, nails digging softly into my palms. Alam ko dapat ganito ang mangyari, pero iba pa rin pala ang pakiramdam kapag nasa harap ka na mismo ng katotohanan.
The host spoke over the noise "Valenti and Sterling's amount and development plan fit the final criteria exactly. Decision is final."
Around us, heads kept shaking. People kept glancing at us, it's a mockery for me. Parang hindi ko na alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman.
Right after the host finished speaking, I saw them shaking hands, grinning wide like they'd been waiting for this exact moment. They clapped each other's backs, voices loud and proud for everyone to hear.
"Finally locked it down," Sterling said to Valenti.
"Perfect numbers, perfect timing," Valenti added, looking around like he owned the whole room.
My hands curled tight at my sides. Gusto ko silang sigawan, gusto kong isigaw sa lahat that they played dirty. I knew exactly what they did, the under the table talks, the threats, the strings they pulled.
Halos sumabog na ako sa galit. I wanted to step forward and expose every single dirty trick.
But my feet stayed glued. Alam kong hindi ko pwede, bawal, delikado, at nakasalalay ang lahat.
If I spoke up, everything I agreed to protect would crumble.
I bit my tongue hard, tasted blood, and turned away.
I stood up slowly, Henderson right behind me, still couldn't get over. I gave a small, polite nod to everyone, like it was just business, like I didn't care pero habang naglalakad kami palabas, ramdam ko ang bigat sa bawat hakbang.
I walked straight out of the hall, habang naglalakad ako palabas ay ramdam ko ang lagkit ng mga tingin nila saakin pero ano pa bang magagawa ko?
Dumiretso ako sa parking area, habang nakasunod saakin si Mr. Henderson.
"Miss De Luca!" He shouted my name.
But I didn't stop.
"Stop!"
Pero naabutan niya talaga ako, his face is red, breath fast, eyes burning with anger. He grabbed my arm lightly then pulled back like he was too upset to even touch me.
"Won't you do anything about it?" he demanded "It's clearly not fair! You know it as well as I do!"
I turned to face him "It's clear, we lost. Just accept it, and move on."
His face fell, confused and hurt. He stared at me like he didn't know who I was anymore. "I thought you are a woman who fights... but you are clearly just a loser."
The words hit me hard, parang sinuntok ako sa dibdib. I never expected him to say that, but deep down I knew it was just frustration talking.
Naiintindihan ko, masakit talaga matalo lalo na't pinaghirapan niya din ito. I took a slow breath, I forced myself to calm down and control my emotions dahil baka mapikon ako at mas lalo lang kaming mag away dito.
"It was nice having you as my business partner, Mr. Henderson," I said simply, and held out my hand for a shake.
He ignored it completely. Tinalukuran niya ako, and went straight to his car parked right beside mine, and slammed the door so hard na kinagulat ko. Seconds later his engine started, at mabilis na pinatakbo ang sasakyan niya.
Now I was alone. Wala nang ibang tao sa paligid. My knees suddenly felt soft and weak, like they couldn't hold me up any longer.
I leaned against the side of my car, head bowed. Gusto ko nang umiyak, makawala na lang ang lahat. Tears started stinging my eyes, I tried to push them back, bit my lip until it hurt. Gustong kong pigilan maluha dito, I need to get out of this place.
Then, may narinig akong palakpak na parang palapit saakin. Nag echo sa parking area ang galaw niya.
My heart dropped. I wiped my eyes quickly and turned around.
There stood Sterling, hands still clapping, that arrogant smirk plastered all over his face. He looked relaxed, parang proud na proud siya sa pagka panalo niya.
"Nice play, Doctor," he said with a mocking voice.
Lumapit siya saakin ng dahan dahan. I took a step back, then another. My back hit the cold metal of the car, wala na akong matatakbuhan.
"Remember our deal, Sterling," I said, voice firm even though my hands were shaking.
He stopped moving. "Yes, of course. I am a man of my words, Prinsepessa."
Pero unti unti siya ulit lumapit saakin, sobrang lapit. I pushed him hard on the chest to keep distance.
"Don't you ever come near that close again," I warned him. "or else I will tell everyone what dirty move you did."
He laughed, like my threat meant nothing. "I'm just playing. Chill." He backed away a step, hands raised in fake surrender. "Tell your father I said hi."
He turned his back and started walking away. I thought it was over, pero nagsalita siya ulit habang naglalakad palayo.
"Tell the baby I said hi too."
Parang biglang naipit ang hininga ko. Parang tumigil ang mundo ko sa isang iglap.
I stood frozen, nanlamig ang buong katawan ko hanggang sa buto, couldn't move a single step.
Ang matagal kong pinigil na luha ay tuluyan nang tumulo, running hot and fast down my cheeks, basang?basa na ang mukha ko.
Sobrang bigat sa dibdib, parang hindi ko na kaya pa.
Pinilit kong buksan ang pinto ng kotse ko at pumasok, bago pa ako makita ng ibang tao dito. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko ngayon. How do I tell Dad we lost? How do I explain without revealing the truth? Ano na ang susunod na mangyayari? Ang daming tanong, pero wala ni isang sagot.