Chapter Text
The sun streamed through the windows of the small taekwondo dojo in a small town in the Philippines, illuminating the sweat and determination etched on the faces of Charlie Vergara and her students. Clad in a pristine white dobok, Charlie moved with the precision and grace of a seasoned athlete, her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun that contradicted the gentle smile she wore. At twenty-seven, she had already made a name for herself in the world of martial arts, revered not just for her skills but for her compassionate spirit, which shone brightly even in her most challenging moments.
“Coach, kaya kong sumipa ng mas mataas pa diyan!” a boisterous voice erupted from the corner of the room. It belonged to Mark, a fifteen-year-old who had yet to grasp the humility that taekwondo instilled.
Charlie pivoted sharply, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Mark, tandaan mo, and taekwondo ay hindi pataasan ng sipa; ang mahalaga ay kung paano mo ito kokontrolin. Kagaya ng lagi kong sinasabi sa inyong lahat, this art is about respect, at hindi para gamitin sa pagyayabang.”
Mark, undeterred, shrugged, “Pero coach, mas maganda kasi talaga tignan kapag sobrang taas ng sipa!”
Suppressing a smile, Charlie raised an eyebrow, “Paano kung hindi mo pala nakalkula yung taas? Eh di nasaktan ka pa, tapos ma-ospital ka pa. Gusto mo ba yun? Ang payo ko sa'yo ay mag-focus ka sa form mo at intention, kaysa sa pagpapakitang gilas.”
“Pero coach—”, he began.
“Ay tama na! Down on the mat, now! I want ten push-ups. Let’s see if makasipa ka pa ng mataas after niyan,” she replied, her tone firm but laced with a hint of warmth.
As Mark flopped onto the mat grumbling, Charlie turned to the rest of her students. They ranged in age and skill level, each of them lured to the dojo by different reasons, some, like Mark, craved validation; others sought discipline or simply a way to channel their youthful exuberance.
“Okay, listen up, everyone, let’s work on our basics. Today is about foundation. I want to see your stances; remember, power comes not just from your arms and legs but from your core and mind.”
As the students lined up, following her lead as if choreographed, Charlie felt a weight of familiarity wash over her—a memory of the roaring crowds and tense competition days.
Charlie’s mornings were often fast-paced and hectic. Like the formal structure of her dojo, her family life demanded organization and resilience. After training her students, her duty shifted to her home, the Vergara household, a modest space bursting with life.
Her mother, Rebecca, was a tower of strength, a housewife juggling the needs of four children while keeping the household running. With her hair graying prematurely from years of care, Rebecca often wore a kind smile. She found joy in the little things, a laughter that echoed through the house even during its busiest days.
“Charlie, anak, buti at nandito ka na. Tulungan mo naman si nanay magluto ng hapunan. Ang mga kapatid mo'y gutom na!” her mother called out one day as Charlie walked through the door, still in her dobok, the aroma of rice wafting through the air.
“Opo nay, ano pong menu natin ngayong gabi sa karinderya ni aling Rebecca?” Charlie chuckled, rolling up her sleeves.
Her younger siblings, Javier at seventeen, twins Ana and Mia at twelve, and little Leo, only six; crowded around her, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Cooking was a family affair, and despite the grueling hours, they all enjoyed their time together.
“Ate, abodo na lang po please? Ang sarap niyo po mag adobo eh!” Mia chimed in enthusiastically while Javier nodded vigorously.
“Okay sige pero sa isang kondisyon, tulungan nyo ako magbalat ng mga patatas,” Charlie replied, motioning towards the kitchen, her heart swelling with affection. It amazed her how the simple act of cooking could transform into a cherished memory, reminding her of the importance of family amidst her busy life.
Later that evening, while the children sat in the living room trying to help with homework, her father, Felipe, walked in. He wore a worn expression on his face, the kind that came from years of service. Felipe had once served valiantly as a soldier but now earned a living as a bodyguard for the governor's daughter.
“Charlie, anak” he greeted her, his voice rich with pride. “Kamusta ang trabaho mo?”
“Okay naman po ‘tay! Ang lesson ko po kanina ay tungkol sa tamang pagtindig. Tapos si Mark, yung anak po ni ma'am Marie sa may kabilang kanto; nag-uumpisa pa lang ang training niya pero ang gusto agad makasipa ng mataas,” she laughed, but the laughter faded when she noticed the shadows beneath her father’s eyes.
“Okay naman yang trabaho mo, Charlie, pero sana nakakapag-training ka pa rin?” he probed, a hint of concern threading through his tone.
“Okay lang po ako, ‘tay. Promise ko po, babalik din ako sa pag compete balang araw. Pero sa ngayon, gusto ko pong makatulong sa inyo ni nanay.” she replied softly, brushing off his worry.
Felipe nodded, though she could see the disagreement swimming in his eyes. “Alam ko kasi na ang passion mo talaga ay ang pagsali ng mga kompetisyon. Sana lang ay huwag mong hayaan na mawala ang kislap ng mga pangarap mo ng dahil lang sa amin.”
Charlie smiled at him, remembering the countless times he had taken her to the gym when she was young, the feel of his supportive hand on her back when she won or lost, the pride that lived in their shared silences. “Opo, tay. Pangako po.”
In the quiet of her room, Charlie often found herself reminiscing about her past, her heart swaying between nostalgia and unfulfilled dreams. Images of international competitions flooded her mind, the sound of the crowd cheering, the smell of sweat and determination in the air, the thrill as she stepped into the ring.
The memories were vivid. She recalled her first international competition in Jakarta, nerves fluttering in her stomach like butterflies. As she faced her opponents, sweat mingled with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The score, the audience, the thrill—each detail felt alive. She had earned a silver medal that day, but lost a sense of belonging. “Kung pwede ko lang sana gawin ito ng mas matagal pa!” her heart screamed.
“Charlie!” her coach had shouted during one training session. “Alam mo, you have raw talent and heart. Kung ipagpapatuloy mo ito, malayo pa ang mararating mo! Kaya huwag na huwag mong maliitin ang kakayahan mo, palagi mo yang tandaan.”
Yet, life had intervened. When her father's income began to dwindle and her mother’s responsibilities grew heavier, she had made the difficult choice to step away from competition. “Kailangan ako nila tatay,” she whispered to herself each time doubts crept in.
One fateful day after class, Charlie was headed home, lost in thought about her next competition when she stumbled upon a heated argument outside a café. A group of young men were jeering at a girl who was attempting to defend herself.
“Hoy miss lampa, ano nanaman ang ginagawa mo dito? Hindi ba sabi namin na bawal ka dumaan dito?” one of them mocked, puffing his chest as if it were armor.
With her patience for rudeness already thin, Charlie couldn’t stand by and watch. “Hoy, kayo! Hindi ba kayo tinuruan ng magulang niyo rumespeto?” she interrupted, her voice firm but calm.
The group turned, their laughter fading as they set their eyes on her. “At sino ka naman, ha? Bakit ka ba nakikialam?” sneered one, stepping forward.
“Hindi na mahalaga kung sino ako. Ang sa akin lang naman ay sana marunong kayong rumespeto! Bakit hindi kayo lumaban ng patas? Mga duwag ba kayo?” Charlie shot back, unwavering.
“Wow, ang yabang mo ah? Halika dito ng makatikim ka!” another taunted, the girl she defended now stood behind Charlie, emboldened.
“Kung gusto mo makipag laban, tara sa ring!”
The confrontation escalated until it fizzled, the boys realizing their bravado was met with preparation and strength of character. “Tara na nga kayo, wala tayong mapapala dito!” One of them said as they huffed away.
“Thank you po, ate.” the girl said, her voice trembling but earnest. “Hindi na po talaga ako dumadaan dito kasi lagi ako binubully ng mga yon.”
“Okay lang, basta tandaan mo na you are stronger than you realize. Kapag ginulo ka pa ng mga yon, sabihin mo lang sa akin.” Charlie said, laying a reassuring hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Ano bang pangalan mo?”
“Siena po.”
“Okay Siena, ako nga pala si Charlie, pag ginulo ka ng mga yon ulit, sabihan mo lang ako. Dun lang ako nakatira sa may kanto.” Charlie said as she pointed the way to her home.
As Charlie walked away, a flicker of her old self ignited within her, this was what she loved, empowering others, and that flame beckoned her back to competition, if only to prove to herself that she still had fight left.
—
One Friday night, Felipe was tasked with the responsibility of escorting the governor's daughter to a lavish party downtown. Known for her beauty, also carried with her a reputation for being self-absorbed and oblivious to the world outside her privileged bubble. As Felipe navigated the seedy undercurrents of the city nightlife, it didn't take long for her self-centeredness to transform into a challenge for him.
Inside the pulsating environment of a high-end bar, the music thumped relentlessly as the governor’s daughter, with her sleek, form-fitting dress, commanded the attention of onlookers. She sipped champagne as if it were water and let shallow laughter echo through the air, prompting Felipe to stay alert for any potential threats. His instincts sharpened, he noticed groups of men eagerly vying for her attention, their eyes glinting with ill intentions.
As the night progressed and the alcohol flowed freely, the governor's daughter found herself surrounded by a small entourage of admirers, who leaned in closer, one too many times, unaware of Felipe’s glaring presence. The atmosphere grew tense when one particularly brash man pressed against the bar, swaggering and flaunting his bravado. “At sino ka naman? Parang ang tanda mo naman para umattend ng party, lolo?” he jeered, smirking over his drink.
“Ginagawa ko lang ho ang trabaho ko,” Felipe replied coldly, his arms crossed near his chest, a silent testament of the defensiveness he felt toward her utter disregard for authority.
She turned, her eyes wide with amusement. “Oh come on, Felipe, mag-relax ka naman. This is just a party! You’re ruining my fun!” she scoffed, throwing her head back in laughter. “I don't think kailangan ko ng bodyguard sa isang party! Pwede bang lumayo-layo ka ng kaunti, nakakasakal eh!”
The cruel irony hung in the air, and Felipe's patience wore thin. "Hindi ito tungkol lang sa'yo. Trabaho ko na siguraduhin ang iyong kaligtasan," he snapped, showing just a glimpse of how discomforted he was by her flippant attitude.
She waved him off, unfazed. “Bahala ka nga diyan, basta huwag mo akong pakialaman!” she quipped, sauntering further into the crowd, leaving him behind. He followed, raising his gaze to assure himself of her position, when suddenly a scuffle broke nearby, a brawl had erupted between the men vying for her attention. Felipe rushed into the fray, determined to shield her from harm. With quick reflexes honed by years of combat training and discipline, he broke up the fight, but not without consequence. A wild swing connected with his jaw, and he stumbled to the side, hitting a table hard before he fell on the ground.
—
Charlie was having dinner with her friends; Julie and Maeve, unwinding after a long week of teaching self-defense classes. But as people were chatting and laughter echoed around her, Charlie's phone buzzed, cutting through her momentary escape. It was a text from her younger brother, Javier.
*“Ate, nasa ospital si tatay, nasaktan daw habang nasa trabaho.”*
Her heart sank at the mere mention of her father’s name. Her father had been her rock, a soldier turned bodyguard, carving out a living in the volatile political landscape of their town. Charlie had always admired his strength, both physical and moral. She slipped her phone into her pocket and turned to her friend Julie.
“Jules, pasabi kay Maeve nauna na muna ako. May emergency lang sa bahay,” she said, her voice tinged with urgency.
“I hope okay lang sila tita, sabihan ko na lang si Maeve pagbalik niya galing ng cr,” concern flickered in Julie's eyes, but Charlie didn't wait for questions. She dashed out of the restaurant, feeling the soft beat of the music fade behind her as she navigated through the exit.
When Charlie arrived at the hospital, she barely took a moment to catch her breath. She found her brother pacing in the waiting area, anxiety etched across his brow. Before she could utter a word, he grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the examination room.
“Ate, mukhang masama ata ang lagay ng tatay. Simula ng na-assign siya na bantayan yung pasaway na anak ni gov lagi na lang napapahamak si tatay.” Javier explained, worry lacing his voice.
“Dok, nasaan po ang tatay namin, si Felipe Vergara?” she demanded, her heart racing as they approached the doctor.
“Nasa room na niya at nagpapahinga,” replied a gentle voice, the attending physician stepping out from behind the door. “Ms. Vergara? Tama?”
“Yes po dok, Charlie na lang po. Pwede ko na po ba makita ang tatay ko?”
The doctor nodded, and with a gesture, he led Charlie into the room where her father lay. Seeing him on the hospital bed, frail and in pain, knotted Charlie's stomach. He was the same man who had once lifted her over his shoulder with ease, bringing laughter to their home, and the same man who had fought for his country. Memories flooded her mind as she approached the bed.
“‘Tay,” she whispered as she took his hand in hers, cradling it gently.
Felipe opened his eyes slowly, the resilient glint they always carried dimmed by pain. “Charlie, anak,” he croaked, attempting a reassuring smile. “Okay lang ako.”
“‘Tay hindi ka mukhang okay,” she replied, her voice betraying a mixture of fear and determination. “Ano ba kasi ang nangyari?”
Felipe grimaced as he shifted slightly, the movement causing him to wince. “Nagkagulo lang sa bar kung saan umattend ng party si Atasha…” he began, but his voice trailed off.
“Si Atasha? Yung pasaway na anak ni gov?” Charlie interjected, pieces of the night beginning to jigsaw together.
He nodded, eyes closing for a moment as he recalled the incident. “Alam mo naman si Atasha, nagrerebelde ata sa daddy niya. May nagkainitan lang na mga bisita ng dahil sa kanya, kaya umaksyon ako. Naawat ko naman, kaya lang ayun nga hindi ko naiwasan yung suntok nung lalaki. Medyo mabagal na ata ang reflexes ng tatay.” Felipe tried to downplay what happened, for her children's sake.
Charlie’s heart raced at the thought of her father putting himself at risk for someone who clearly didn’t respect his role. “Hinayaan mo na lang dapat ‘tay. Tutal mukhang yan naman ang gustong mangyari ni Atasha sa sarili niya. Isa pa hindi naman siya marunong man lang rumespeto,” she voiced, frustration bubbling over.
Felipe opened his eyes again, sadness painted across his features. “Trabaho ko ito, Charlie. Kahit ano pa ang gawin nya, tungkulin ko ang protektahan siya.”
“Nakakainis lang kasi ‘tay, bakit ba kasi ganyan umasta yang si Atasha. Akala mo eh pag-aari niya ang buong mundo. Hindi porke’t pinapasweldo ka ng tatay niya ay pag-aari ka na niya!” Charlie exclaimed, her patience wearing thin.
As if summoned by their ire, the doctor entered the room again, checking Felipe’s vitals, interrupting their conversation. He took a deep breath before addressing them.
“Mr. Vergara, you’ve suffered bruises and a moderate concussion. Kakailanganin mo ng mahabang pahinga and unfortunately hindi ka muna pwedeng bumalik sa trabaho mo at lalong lalo na at bodyguard ka pa—it would be detrimental to your health.”
Felipe’s expression hardened a bit at the implication. “Okay lang ako, dok. Kaya ko pa naman magtrabaho at hindi ako pwedeng lumiban!”
“‘Tay, making ka naman sa doktor, please,” Charlie interjected firmly, the urgency in her tone causing him to look at her with surprise. “Hindi ka okay. Kailangan mong magpahinga. Paano kung may mangyari ulit na gulo tapos sa ospital ka nanaman namin madadatnan. Hayaan mo na muna yang si Atasha, tutal wala naman yan siyang pakialam!”
Felipe sighed heavily, the weight of her words settling in the air between them. “Hindi yan maaari, Charlie. Pinagkatiwala sa akin ni gov ang proteksyon ni Atasha, hindi ko siya pwedeng biguin. Isa pa, nag-aaral pa lahat ng kapatid mo, marami tayong bayarin.”
“Pero ‘tay, paano mo mapoprotektahan ang ibang tao kung ang sarili mo nga ay hindi mo kayang protektahan!” Charlie shot back, her heart racing as she struggled to contain her rising anger.
Her father was silent, as if thinking of another solution. When he did not speak, Charlie then made a decision. “Okay, ‘tay, ganito na lang, habang hindi mo pa kaya at nagpapahinga ka pa, ako na lang muna ang hahalili sa'yo bilang bodyguard ni Atasha. Ano sa palagay mo, tay?”
Her father’s gaze shifted toward her, surprise flickering across his face. “Ikaw? Gusto mong humalili sa akin sa pagprotekta kay Atasha? Pero ayaw mo sa kanya, hindi ba?”
“Oo naman po! Meron akong skills at training para sa ganitong trabaho. Isa pa, lahat ng kaalaman ko ay ikaw ang nagturo kaya alam kong kakayanin ko.” she insisted, her heart pounding in her chest. “Kahit na hindi ko gusto ang ugali niya, gagawin ko ito para sa inyo, ‘tay.”
Felipe listened silently, contemplation brewing beneath his heavy eyelids. He seemed to weigh the implications of her proposal carefully. “Charlie, mapanganib ang trabahong ito. May mga delikadong sitwasyon na pwedeng mangyari na hindi natin inaasahan. Ayokong mapahamak ka,” he cautioned, concern etched in his voice.
“Hindi ako takot sa panganib. Alam niyo po ‘yan. Alam kong i-handle ang mga sitwasyon na maaring mangyari. Basta huwag ka na lang mapahamak muli ‘tay, hayaan mo na akong gawin ito.” Her conviction shone in her eyes as she squeezed his hand firmer, the heat of determination coursing through her veins.
After a contemplative pause, Felipe sighed again, this time with resignation. “Kung iyan ang desisyon mo ay hindi na kita pipigilan pa, kakausapin ko si gov. Pero tandaan mo Charlie, kailangan mong sundin ang lahat ng precautions. Ma-iintindihan ni gov ang sitwasyon pero hindi natin alam kung paano ito tatanggapin ni Atasha.”
Charlie nodded, relief washing over her. “Salamat po, ‘tay. Sa ngayon, mag pokus muna po kayo sa pagpapalakas, okay? Maaayos din po ang lahat.”
With that, Felipe reached for his phone as she stood resolute at his side, knowing that for everything she had learned in taekwondo and her previous trainings, there was always room for a heart of gold, especially when standing up against those who thought they were above others.
As she made the decision to step into her father’s shoes, Charlie felt both apprehensive and empowered. She would teach Atasha a lesson, with the fierce resolve of a warrior on a mission. Charlie Vergara was ready to face whatever came her way, embodying all the strength that her father had instilled in her, ready to protect, ready to fight back.