Jecho's POV
"We are reporting to you about Villas Group of Companies' CEO who was known as someone who had an amnesia has now gone back to company today. The turmoil insidd VGC has calmed down. According to an insider Mr. Kang's amnesia has been cured. He's now incharge of everything in the company. According to reliable sources, Mr. Villas is about to invest in beverages business with low-calorie female drinks. The theme is all about scented tea. It seems that the very experienced Mr. Kang decides to take advantage of his most familiar area."
That was the report I heard after I arrived at the company a week after Athena left. Truth be told still I am not okay. I will never be okay. But I have to keep my life as it is as what Athena wanted me to.
"How's it?" I asked Angelo. Siya kasi ang inatasan ko na gumawa ng design ng cover ng beverage na bagong product ng kumpanya. Ofcourse sabi ko cartoon version dapat ni Athena yun as commemoration to her.
"Tignan mo," he said and showed me his drawing.
Kinuha ko ito saka tumango tango. "Nice." We decided to use Angelo's design for the new product's face.
I attended the Conference for Hera Tea Program Research and Development and showed them my presentation about it.
They aporoved it kaya nai marketize namin ito. I didn't expect it to become no. 1 in the market though but it did. The tea became a best selling tea all over the country.
-----
"Let's count down together! 10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Happy New Year!"
I am currently at home doing my job nang marinig ko ang countdown sa tv. Before the countdown stops I closed my eyes at umusal ng dasal wishing that Athena is fine. That she is healing well. That she can come back soon. Wishing that when I open my eyes makikita ko na ulit siya. I really miss her and I am dying inside thinking about what's going on the lab these days.
I opened my eyes at bumuntong hininga. Di ko na naman napigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko. "Happy New Year Athena. I miss you so much now," I said saka pikit ang mata para hayaan ang pagtulo ng luha ko. I lived a long time without her but when she came to my life and left me, I felt like I can't even live well just thinking she's not here anymore.
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5 years later.
"Dear media friends, welcome to our product launch conference. You may ask Mr. Kang all the questions about our new products."
A reporter stands up. "Five years ago, the Hera Tea you created becomes popular. What's the purpose of the tea's name?"
"Hera means queen or goddess in Greek term. Hera tea means men makes tea for their queen," I answered.
Another reporter stands up. "Mr. Kang, for the last 5 years we haven't heard any love affairs about you. Are you single now?"
Napangiti ako sa tanong. "Well, do you think I'm single now?"
"About this... We're not sure. Your last girlfriend is the CEO of Chua Industries. This news made quite a stir once. We wonder what relationship you two are now."
Napatahimik naman ako sa tanong niya. "We...." lumunok ako saka tumingin sa camera. "We are good."
"There are rumors that Miss Chua dumped you. Seem's like the news is fake then Mr. Kang."
"You never broke up but why does we never see you two together for the last 5 years? Are you two married in secret?"
Nanatili naman akong tahimik sa mga tanong nila. The last 5 years without her was like hell for me. I didn't even know how I survived those years. No nights that I don't drink just to sleep well. No moments that I don't cry just remembering her.
Napayuko ako at bahagyang napabuga ng hangin. Naririnig ko ang mga bulungan nila ukol sa amin ni Athena but I didn't react.
"Dear reporters," napaangat ang tingin ko sa isang reporter na tumayo at sinita ang mga nagbubulungang reporters. "It's not everyday that Mr. Kang will be willing to cooperate with the press. In order to complete today's draft successfully, please only ask questions related to the new product."
"You guys are right," I said to interrupt their exchange of opinions. "I was dumped. And that happened 5 years ago. Now, I still can't move on."
"Dumped by a Chua? Why did she break up with you? Is it because of business?"
"Will you want to get married if you date someone now?"
I looked at the reporter na tumayo kanina para pigilin ang mga reporters sa pagbato ng tanong sakin. "Do you have questions for me?" I asked her.
Nagtataka naman siyang tumayo. "Ah...Mr. Kang, are you using this drink to win back yout ex girlfriend?"
Tumango naman ako sakanya. "Yes. You have asked me a question. Can I ask you one then?" Bahagya naman siyang tumango sakin. "What's your name?"
"My name is Athena Grace."
"Athena." Tumango naman ako sa narinig. "It's a good name. Would you like to be my date?"
Nag react naman agad ang mga reporters sa turan ko. The reporter blushed at what I said.
"Big news take pictures now!"
----
After that incident laman na agad ako ng mga diyaryo.
"Mr. Kang showed himself again and flirted with a young reporter." I smiled as I read the news.
"Kailangan ba natin ng public relations Sir?" Mr. Han asked me habang nandito kami sa teashop ng VGC.
"No," I answered habang binabasa ang laman ng article. "Just leave it. Wala ka pa bang balita kay Athena?"
Bigla namang lumindol ng malakas. "Th-that's weird. Bakit lumilindol e di naman umuulan?" ani Mr. Han.
Napangiti naman ako. Malakas talaga ang pakirdam mo Hera Athena. Jealous there huh? "Perhaps someone's cursing me right now. Have you heard about the Buttetfly Effect? The butterfly from Amazon just flapped its wings a bit. Then it caused the tornado in Texas." Puno naman ng pagtataka ang mukha ni Mr. Han. "You see when someone is cursing me so much at my back, it may cause rain, or snow or even knives."
Napatingin naman si Mr. Han sa kalangitan.
Marahas namang inilapag ni Angelo ang magazine pagkarating niya dito. "Dude! You should be sorry for Athena!"
"Why is that?" takang tanong ko sakanya.
Umupo siya sa harap ko. "Kung di ko pinigilan ang mga reporters nakagawa ka na naman ng malakimg scandal. Nakuha mo? Dude, na endure mo naman ng limang taon. How can you try to make mistake in this moment?"
Narinig ko namang tumikhim si Mr. Han na parang umaayon kay Angelo.
Tinignan ko naman si Angelo. "These might just be 5 years for you, but these are like 5 lifetimes for me." Huminga ako ng malalim.
Natahimik naman si Angelo aa sinabi ko. "Then...pababalikin ko yung babae dude? Pwede kayong mag usap ok?"
"You don't need to. I just wanted her to interview me exclusively."
"Eh? D-dude. Alam kong nasasaktan ka. Nung mga panahong yun Athena and I have created several perfumes since it's her specialty. How about ibigay ko sayoang mga recipes? You can introduce new products to them or you can just make collections. Mas mabuti na may gawin ka kesa sa palagi kang nalulungkot ng ganyan."
Tinignan ko naman siya ng seryoso. "Better take care of yourself first," I said at tinalikuran na siya.
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Third Person POV
Napangiti naman si Angelo sa narinig sa kaibigan. Umupo siya sa pwesto nila kanina nang biglang may nakita siyang kakaiba sa labas ng bintana. Lumapit siya dito at nakitang parang pamilyar ang mukha ng babaeng yun. He tilts his head. Di kaya...
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Jecho's POV
"This place is the original land of our lavender essential oil. The perfume that Athena created was mostly made up of this flower scent." Nandito ako ngayon sa isang lavender land kasama ang perfumer na nakasama namin dati nila Athena. Naisip ko kasi na tama si Angelo. I needed to busy myself with something. "In order to make sure of the good quality, we used the newest extraction process."
Nagring bigla ang phone ko kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad. "Excuse me, I have to answer this," kausap ko sa perfumer. "Bakit?" sagot ko sa tawag.
"Dude, I'm leaving to Paris soon. I have something to tell you. Can you talk now?"
"Say it."
"I've thought about it. You can't stay single forever. If Athena doesn't come back, di na ako magkakaroon ng so called sister-in-law. "
Napangiti naman ako sa turan niya. Sister-in-law? Kapatid ko ba siya? "Get to the point."
"The point is...I've found a nice girl for you. She's a bit younger than you though. And she works at the embassy, state-owned unit. How about that? Do you want a blind date?"
"Okay," I answered.
"You just said yes? Di mo na kailangang makita ang picture niya?"
"No need."
"Dude, nagbago ka na talaga. Di ka na nag aalala ukol kay Athena? Baka magselos yun at bumalik bigla para maghiganti sayo!"
"I do want her to come back, if she has the ability."
"Woah, this is really agitating dude. You are in the perfume original land right? Luckily the girl is not far away from you. Go prepare yourself. Meet her in a bit"
"Okay." sagot ko at pinatay na ang tawag. Tumingin naman ulit ako sa perfumer. "Sir, meron bang malinis at tahimik na lugar dito? I wanna meet a friend."
"Yes there is. Here, this way," naglakad kaming dalawa papunta sa mas malawak pero mas magandang parte ng perfume land. "this is the raw material area. Very quiet. Di na kita iistorbohin pa dito Mr. Kang."
I nod at him at naglakad lakad sa lugar. Truly the place is breathtakingly beautiful. Pinikit ko ang mata ko at bumuga ng hangin. Athena when will you come home? Will you come back? You promised me don't you?
Nilaro ko sa aking kamay ang mga lavender na nakikita ko. Suddenly it rained. Tumingin ako sa paligid at talagang nababasa na ang mga halaman ng ulan. I stayed there just feeling the cold. "Galit ka ba ngayon Athena? Athena...kailangan kitang mas galitin pa para bumalik ka sakin, hmm?"
Suddenly I saw a girl walking towards me. She's wearing a white dress. May nakasarang folder sa mukha niya para di siya mabasa ng ulan that's why I didn't saw her face. And as if on cue I felt that her presence is quite familiar to me. The way she walks. The way she moves her hips while walking.
Pagkalapit niya sakin unti-unti niyang tinanggal ang papel sa mukha niya. There I saw the girl I've been waiting for. The girl who caught my eyes from the very first time I saw her. The girl who makes my heart flutter with her smiles. The girl who made me change myself. The girl who possesses everything I needed for a partner. The girl whom I love.
"It has been a long time," she said smiling. Biglang tumulo ang luha ko ng marinig muli ang boses niya. How I miss her. How I miss this girl. "Don't tell me you don't recognize me? Ha! Then I will tell you a story. Nung una nakita kita sa fb. Nagwapuhan ako sayo kaya I decided to poser you. Then naging tutor kita. We always fight kasi di naman ako nagpapatalo talaga. Then bigla kitang nagustuhan. Pagkatapos na amnesia ka. Hinabol habol kita hanggang sa kusa kang tumakbo palapit sakin. Then kinailangan kong umalis. O wait, eto pala ang certification ko na nagsasabing tapos na ang treatment ko. Magaling na ako. I can eat whatever you'll cook. I can even run for track and field. And that is because I didn't give up. I fought for my life kasi alam ko may nag aantay sakin na mukhang di na makapag antay kasi may idedate nang iba. I fought because that's who I am. I fought because I don't give up without a fight. Kilala mo na ba ako? Ako lang naman si Hera Athena Chu---"
Di ko na siya pinatapos. Hinapit ko siya sa bewang and I kissed her. All the emotions I kept for 5 years binuhos ko lahat sa halik na yun. The times I missed her. The times I cried because of waiting for her.
She smiled between the kiss and slowly responded. "I missed you Jecho," she said.
"I missed you so much my love. I won't let you go anywhere again. You'll stay by my side...forever."
From being a simple poser of mine, she became the girl I have ever wanted to be with. She's not perfect. Masakit siyang sumuntok, magaling siyang magmura, walang alam sa gawaing bahay just because she was born a princess, she was careless, mahilig sa dibdib ng lalake, matagal mag loading ang utak. But behind all these, she's a girl worth loving for. She's a girl who can do everything for what she believes in. She'll do everything to achieve what she wants. And she achieved it. She achieved my heart. And I am more than thankful.
So here, we can conclude that love isn't just about happiness, or those giddy feelings. Sometimes, we have to experience heartaches in order to grow.
Hope you learned something from our story. And for the last shot I want you to meet my love...my everything...
She is Hera Athena Chua and...
She's My Poser.
Hera Athena Chua and
Jechoniah Brylle Kang now signing off.