Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Meet Risa and Win
They say that if you get married in your mid-20s it would be nice. If you will just start building a family in your early 30s then that's still bearable. But in Risa’s case? Hindi na niya alam kung mabibilang pa ba sa daliri ang mga taong may side comment sa buhay niya. Lalo na't she's already 33. People around her was worried kineme, baka mahirapan siyang bumuo ng pamilya. Pero si ea? Wa pakels jutey. Gora lang nang gora si mama sa buhay niyang kulang nalang jowain ang trabaho niya. Ayos na sa kanya ang maging single habang buhay, parang wala na nga ata sa mundo niya ang salitang love eh.
At dahil bida si mader sa storyang ito, dapat meron siyang kanang kamay— in a way na parang Vice Ganda then MC Muah and Lassy, si Bam. Maybe Bam would be angry at her when he'll know na side kick lang siya, pero syempre this is “Ana Theresia Hontiveros" moment with a fully glitter and glammed rainbow sa taas ng font.
If this would be a teleserye that's produced by ABS-CBN, it will be like this. With the iconic male voice ng network.
Meet Ana Theresia Hontiveros. Maganda, vonggacious, at medyo kalog. Therisia for her parents, Ana for her close friends, and Risa for casual times lang like for work and others.
At ang kanyang side kick forda day, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, ang haba ‘di ba? When they were still in elementary school, he decided to switch to Bam. Masyadong baduy raw ang Paolo, at mas lalo na ang Benigno. So yeah. Same school, same interests, and same subdivision.
At dahil parehas nga sila sa lahat ng bagay, pati yata sa trabaho ay kinareer na nila ang tinatawag na BFF goals.
Cut to the scene!
Risa is waiting sa outside ng house nila sa na-book niyang grab. She insisted na ‘wag nang magpahatid sa papa niya. Isip-isip niya, 33 na pero hatid sundo pa rin, pa-highschool girl ‘yan siya?
When the taxi arrived, agad siyang sumakay at saktong-sakto na pagka-arangkada ni manong driver ay nag-ring naman ang phone niya.
“Girlalu, gorabels ka na ba rito sa office?” Tanong ni bam sa kabilang line.
“Sorry, naka-grab lang ako today.” Sagot nito.
“Tangina, Theresia, I swear if boss Sotto fires a hell on us.” Pagrereklamo ni Bam. Risa just sighed, wala naman siyang magagawa kahit baliktarin pa ni Bam ang mundo. In the end, late pa rin siya.
“Chill, Paolo.”
“Hayop ka, bes. don't call me that!” Madiin na sabi nito.
“So when you called me Theresia kanina, ayos lang?” Risa said while chuckling. “Only Mama and Papa calls me Theresia, ‘no!”
“Gago kang talaga.” sagot ni Bam pabalik. Bam just ended the call and besides he thinks na wala namang mawawala kung mapapagalitan ang BFF niya. after all, she was the most outstanding journalist sa opisina nila. why bother?
But wait— says the iconic voice ng ABS-CBN. When Risa thinks her life would just rotate on her work, hindi rin naman ine-expect ng ating bida na dito niya rin makikilala ang kanyang prince charming. Kaso, manhid lang ang leading lady natin.
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When Risa was dropped off at their office sa Intramuros, agad siyang naglakad ng mabilis papunta sa meeting room. ‘Yung lakad na tipong kailangan mong gawin para lang makawala sa kahabaan ng pila sa LRT.
Maghabol ka na sa oras, ‘Wag lang sa maling tao, according to our female lead.
Nang makapasok si Risa sa loob, she wasn't noticed by others except for Bam. Kaya naman agad niyang sinaraduhan ang pinto at pumunta sa kalikuran.
Agad naman siyang pinuntahan ni Bam. She holds her notebook and pen, pero natigilan ito nang. “Sandali lang, do you have a hair tie?”
Napasapo na lang si Bam sa noo niya at kinuha sa bulsa niya ang ipit sa buhok. Well, as for Bam, memoryado na niya ang kaibigan niya. Kung ano ang kulang sa kanyang daily lifestyle, Bam would complete it right away. Gan'yan sila ka-sanggang dikit.
“Ang arte kasi.” Bam just rolled his eyes. Agad niyang tinakpan si Risa para hindi siya makita ng boss nila. Medyo may pagka-terror kasi ang boss ng Manila Bulletin ngayon.
“Go with the flow ka nalang.” Pabulong na sagot ni Risa. “After all, wala namang nakakita sa'kin when I got inside.”
Agad na inurong ni Risa si Bam nang matapos na’to sa kanyang ginagawa, a sign of thank you.
Agad niyang kinuha ang notebook ni Bam para tingnan ang scoop sa mga oras na ito. “Sherwin Gatchalian”, she frowned.
“Anong Sherwin Gatchalian?” She asked out loud na dahilan upang tumingin ang lahat sa direction nila, kasama na rito si bossing.
Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was known as a man of a few words boss, he was very passionate about journalism, particularly sa scoop and news updates.
Malas lang talaga kapag natapatan ka ng init ng ulo niya. Well, unlucky na kung unlucky but he'll filled you up with articles and papers.
“Yes, Ms. Hontiveros?” It was Tito who called Risa's attention. “Sherwin Gatchalian, is our scoop of the hour.”
Risa glanced at sigurado sa kanya na naman mapapapunta ang big article ng kumpanya. Nung una, tumango-tango lang siya. But after some time, lumayo na si Bam sa kinatatayuan niya.
When Risa's view was cleared he saw a man on the projector. It was the first time na ang pinag-uusapan nila nang ganito kaaga ay isang tao lang?
She just scoffed, What could possibly the reason kung bakit siya ang target nila? Maybe he's involved on some politicians, sa showbiz, or even mas malaking chika.
It was a tall chinito man, nakatayo ang profile nito sa projector. she was about to ask her colleagues nang… “Okay, inaasahan ko na hanggang sa susunod na linggo may articles na tayo about sa kanya. Meeting adjourned.”
Risa was left dumbfounded, wala pang limang minuto na nakakarating siya ay tapos na ang patawag, she was about to stand nang… “Ms. Hontiveros? please borrow Mr. Aquino’s notebook, I'll have a brief moment with you.”
Agad naman itong narinig ni Bam at ibinigay kay Risa bago siya tuluyang lumabas. Risa was halfly shocked buti nalang at nasambot niya ang notebook nito.
Risa followed Tito to his seats. Before he spoke, he turned off the projector first. “So, you're late?”
Risa nodded that made Tito shake his head. “That's fine, gan'yan rin naman ako nung baguhan pa lang ako.”
Risa felt a relieved on her chest, akala niya ay raratratin na siya nito. “Sorry, sir.”
“On the contrary,” Tito changes the topic. “Aware ka na naman siguro kung sino ang man of the hour natin, ‘no?”
“Opo.” Risa said as she skimmed the notes of Bam. Sherwin Gatchalian, born and raised in the philippines but half-Chinese, associated with ancenstral Chinese family, typical mala-Mano Po ang atake. Risa frowned, as she looks the bottom of the paper. Isang CEO ng company sa Valenzuela kung saan siya lumaki. Mysterious, but not that private. Won beaucoup awards and has been invited to be a guest speaker for Metro Manila and his recent event, sa Singapore.
Risa was just reading, she barely understood what Tito was babbling about. She was so focused on finding something about this chinito man.
“Okay, I want you to write an article about his love interest.”
Ha, tangina? Risa thought. “Po?”
“Sabi ko make an article about his love interest. Did you know that he's been to some beauty queens?” tito stated.
“Sir, that wasn't— I mean hindi ako feature writer. That was my most hated topic of journalism.” Risa explained.
Tito lets out a soft chuckle. “Ija, you're good. You don't need to love or like being a feature, alam mo naman sigurong may rotation dito sa opisina, hindi ba?”
“Opo.” Tipid nitong sagot. But quietly under her fingers, nagugusot na pala ang notes ni Bam.
As she gets out of the meeting room. Tired and shocked. She can't believe na walang kwenta ang gagawin niyang article— yes the man of the hour kuno, pero bakit naman hindi balita?
While she playing with her pen, sumilip naman agad ang bestfriend niya. “Nyare sa'yo, madang?”
“I don't know.” Risa just smiled bitterly. “Talagang sa'kin pa napatapat yung love interest ng kumag na ‘yon?”
Bam just smiled— a teasing one. Alam niyang hindi forte ng kaibigan niya ang feature, syempre editorial, binabakbakan ang mga politiko.
“Well, wala ako d'yan. Good luck nalang, hindi ba magaling ka sa pagiging mausisa? Dapat usisain mo na rin ang mga naging jowarkels ng epek na ‘yan.” Bam said at bumalik na sa desk niya.
And maybe for Risa, it was the start ng kamalasan niya ngayong araw. Pero para sa ating story, this was the start of the spark.
-
On the other side of Metro Manila, 13 kilometers away sa Manila, Intramuros. sa Valenzuela City, a man is now seating at the end of the meeting room. Kahit na nasa meeting ito’y nagpipirma parin ito ng paperworks— habulin, ng trabaho nga lang.
Insert the iconic male narrator voice.
Meet Sherwin Gatchalian. Gwapo, may bitaw na nakakalaglag-panty, at your typical chinito na pinapangarap ng lahat. He's a certified wa pakels sa mundo for a reason, he wouldn't entertain someone unless it's about work, he doesn't like to party, and he's a homebody. Plus, saka lang siya nakikipag-socialize kapag nand'yan na ang mga tropa niyang puno ng kakupalan.
But deep inside he's still finding a cure to his broken heart kahit wala pa naman siyang naging girlfriend, his true love. Medyo awkward pa si Win na aminin ang mga bagay na ginawa niya para sa pag-ibig.
When he turned 25. It was the time na his family is encouraging him to have a girlfriend. Well matagal na, pero ito yung time na pinakanakulitan siya. Win took it as an opportunity, pero saktong na-promote siya as a COO ng kumpanya nila.
Migz, Erwin, and Raffy, his friends gave him a bright idea. They seek to it na need ni Win ng secretary. So they did some applications at sa awa ng diyos may nakapasa naman. In reality, Win is the one who choose kung sino ang gusto niya. Beauty with brain ang nahuli ng binata.
Ang hirap kasi kay Win, madali siyang ma-attached sa mga tao. Kahit na he's trying to build his “Great Wall of China Pro Max” ay wa epek pa rin ito sa kanya. So he falls, and tried to be his secretary's suitor, pero after 7 months ay nag-resign ito. Hindi naman dahil maliit ang sweldo, kung hindi magpapakasal na sa ibang bansa, and the hilarious part is yombot pala ang nagustuhan ni Win.
His friends didn't gave up, they offer him that they'll set up a blind date for him, dating apps that will connect him sa kahit anong age range. But siguro nawalan na rin ng pag-asa si Win, dahil sa trabaho kaya walang time sa sarili. Nahihiya na rin siya sa family niya, even his friends. Kasi naman most of his friends are now happily married with kids pa! Eh siya, kulang nalang mahalikan na niya ang lahat ng documents na nire-review niya.
“Meeting dismissed.” Madiin niyang sabi na agad namang sinunod ng mga empleyado niya.
Sherwin gets his bag and hands his notebook and pen to his secretary, si Vico.
“Same place po?” The younger asked and he slightly nodded. Vico walked faster than ever. Alam na kasi ng buong building na mahilig sa kape ang bossing nilang love deprived, kaya naman doon ulit sila tatambay sa favorite coffee shop nila parehas.
-
They were in a Starbucks coffee shop near their office. As usual si Vico na ang umorder ng kanilang menu. Win was hesitant to call his secretary, masyadong maraming tao para gawin niya ito— in short nahihiya siya.
He's analyzing all the papers that he received today. When Vico arrived agad nitong binigay ang resibo sa amo.
“You know what's my go-to menu here?” Win shortly asked.
“Opo.” Vico said as he sat down. “Kapag hindi ko pa naman namemorya, eh baka may amnesia na'ko niyan.”
“You're quite an observant.” He complimented.
Vico just lets out a soft laugh. “ Hindi po. Araw-araw naman po kasi kayong nagpapa-deliver ng Americano at Pecan Bar, kaya pati mukha ni kuya rider memorya ko na.”
Win just nod, pero deep inside natatawa na siya. He's quite honest, he thought. And back to work again.
When Win was checking the budget on accounting, his phone buzzed. It was the GC with his siblings.
The 🐲 Brothers
Kenneth: Don't forget our dinner mamayang gabi. I heard Guakong and Guama will be there.
Rex: Hearing Guakong that will be present later is the death of me, yikes!! 🤐🤐
Wes: Hindi ba pwedeng mag-excuse? busy sa trabaho. (para makatakas)
Wim: Well, both of them will be mad if nalaman nilang tatakas ka. BTW, saan ba?
Kenneth: Shangri-La. Same as usual, Shang Palace pa rin.
Rex: I just hope na walang sermon na magaganap.
Wes: Neither do I, unless it's about Ahia again :)
Win: What about me?
Kenneth: YK what? Parang kang bida sa pelikulang hindi mo alam na ikaw yung bida. 🙄
Win: Whatever.
Win was about to close the chat when a notification vibrated again. This time it was his friends
Macho Gwapitos 💪
Migz: Inom later, papa-reserve na'ko?
Win: Pass. Heads up with a family dinner later.
Erwin: Another blind date na naman ‘yan with a family friend, ‘no?
Raffy: Or maybe papadasalan na naman si win para magkapamilya siya. 😆
Win is just reading his friends' messages. They all knew kung gaano ka-terror ang mga grandparents sa pamilya ni Win. Kahit na medyo matanda na ang mga ito, or may pagka-ulilyanin na, they still can't forget na si Win nalang ang walang nabibitbit na pamilya or asawa tuwing family dinner.
At ang favorite panakot line ni Guakong at Guama kay Win? Mawawalan ka ng inheritance. A typical line lalong-lalo na para kay Win na sobrang pressured na sa love life.
He just hopes it'll be a normal and peaceful dinner.
Vico noticed that his boss was fidgeting with his hands. So, inilapit na niyang lalo kay Win ang Iced Americano at Pecan Bar nito.
“Heads up, sir.” Vico said in a low tone. “Baka matanggal yung kamay mo d'yan sa ginagawa mo.”
Win just chuckled, but in reality he might have called it… ang lagim mamaya sa Shangri-La.