Loving Hatred

2: Vladimir Hatred Markovzskiy

I am finishing my job when my father's secretary came by my table.

"Sir Red, your father says that you should study these proposals. After office, you are to come at his office and explain whatever is in those proposals." Inilapag nya iyon sa mesa ko. "A part of your training." She bowed then went out of my office.

Napasandal ako sa swivel chair ko. I am Vladimir Hatred Markovzskiy. More known as Hatred or Red, i am 16 years old and handsome and smart. But i am f*****g 16. I should enjoy the summer vacation because school is starting next month. June! I am so goddamn excited to start a new year at school. Senior high. I smiled, pinaglaruan ko ang ballpen sa mesa ko. Then my eyes focused on the papers in front of me. But before that, i need to impress the old man, afterall, i am determined to get my deserving summer vacation.

Naginat inat ako. Napalingon ako sa wallclock, its almost 5pm and i have finished reviewing the proposals. I stood up and arranged the papers. I wanna go home. So bad.

"You still can't find her? Its been what, Luther? 16 years? I can't imagine her living alone in somewhere i don't f*****g know!" Pigil na sigaw ng ama nya. All offices are made to be soundproof.. Pero ang opisina ng ama nya ay medyo hindi naisara ang pintuan. Sinong pinapahanap nya? A mistress? I haven't seen my father with any mistresses. I know he is loyal with mom. But who's this 'her' that he wants to be found?

"War.. Warren.. Walang Harmony Cherish sa lahat ng lugar na pinaghanapan ko! At alam mong nahihirapan akong itrace si Harm.. She is smart that way. Kahit ikaw hindi ka nakagawa ng paraan nang umalis sya." Mahabang saad ni Uncle Luther. Kapatid ni dad.

"But.. But.. f**k! Malaman ko lang na itinatago sya ng kung sinong pontio pilato, papatayin ko ang nagtatago sakanya!" Gitil na saad ni dad.

"As if Harm would be that stupid to burden you? Wag mo nga ako pagtripan, Warren. Of all people that knows her, ikaw ang nakaranas ng utak nya. She may be gentle, sweet, caring, but she is the one who first handedly experienced sacrifice for all of us! She lost everything to make our lives go back to normal! Hindi ko masisisi si Harmony na nagpakalayo layo sya satin. Because we, our family ruined her. Because she loved us. And have you asked yourself, Warren? Why did she leave us? All she wanted was to be loved. Sure we loved her, anong nakuha nya satin? Pain. Failures. Grief. Sadness. All because she f*****g loved you!" Galit na talagang saad ni Uncle. Sinilip ko si dad. Pabagsak syang naupo sa couch at naihilamos nya ang kamay sa mukha nya.

"She put me in heaven when we were together. And she have put me back in hell for f*****g 16 years without her by my side." My father whispered. Who is this Harmony? Tanong ko sa isip ko.

"I am trying my best to find her. Sorry War.." Mababa ang tinig ni Uncle ako naman ay dali daling kumatok kunwari.

"Come in." Tinig ni daddy. Pumasok ako. Tinitigan ko si Dad saka tumango kay Uncle.

"War, aalis na ako. I'll report everything to you when i have the information." Tinanguan ako ni Uncle saka lumabas ng office ni dad. Lumapit naman ako sa mesa nya saka nilapag ang mga papeles.

"All reviewed?" He asked me smile in his face.

"Mm. Here on the left is what i think we can approve, on the right are the fake ones."

Sinuri nya ang mga pinasa ko, "good."

"Really?" Nasisiyahang saad ko? "Dad.. About the vacation.. Can i come with my friends sa may aplaya?" Medyo unsure ko pang dagdag.

"Aplaya? Sure. Afterall.. You deserve it." He said, inayos nya ang mga gamit nya saka niyaya akong umuwi na. "Come on. Your mom prepared dinner." He smiled again.

Nasa kotse kami ng maalala ko uli ang paguusap nila ni Uncle Luther kanina. I wanna know who is Harmony. Maybe i should ask my dad? Maybe later? If im going to ask him, i should make sure mom's not around. Right. I won't function well kung may iniisip akong ganun. 25 minutes of travel from the company to our house the tall gates welcomed us. Binuksan ng guard ang pinto at sumaludo samin. Pagkagarahe ni dad sa kotse ay pumasok na kami sa main door. We saw Deanna Alvez Markovzskiy reading a magazine, halatang hinihintay kami. She smiled at us then gave me and dad a peck on the cheek. My mom looks like a model. She truly is. Age never took her beauty. It enhanced it though.

"Hey, beautiful." Bati ni dad.

"Hey, handsome." My mother greeted back while giggling. They look like in love. I think they are. Now i question my parents relationship because i heard something from dad and uncle luther. I sighed.

"Magbibihis lang ako mom, dad." Paalam ko.

"Bilisan mo, Red. Kakain na." Bilin ni mommy.

"Mm." Nagtuloy na ako sa hagdan.

Harmony Cherish.. I think i have heard that name though.. I can't remember where.. And when..

---