SHE WAS INVITED TO A REUNION TO LAUGH AT THE “DIRT” OF HER PAST — BUT EVERYONE STOPPED WHEN THE TRUTH CAME OUT THAT SHE HAD HOLD THE NECK OF THE PEOPLE WHO ABUSED HER

Liza was always the target of temptation in High School. She was the scholar who was the daughter of a garbage collector. The Queen Bee of the class, Celine, always made her see her hardships.

“Liza, your dry bag stinks!”

“Liza, your shoes are torn again!”

Ten years ago. Liza received an invitation to the Grand Reunion at the Sapphire Grand Hotel.

The note on the invitation was from Celine:

“Liza, come. Your entrance fee is free. We know you don’t have money. We just want to reminisce about your high school days. Wear your best… if there is one.”

Instead of getting angry, Liza smiled. “Okay, Celine. I’ll give it to you.”

On the night of the Reunion, her classmates’ diamonds and designer bags sparkled. They were bragging about what they had achieved in life.

Liza arrived. She was wearing just a simple Black Dress. No frills. No jewelry. Her hair was tied back.

Celine and her henchmen immediately greeted her.

“Oh my gosh! Promdi is here!” Celine shouted into the microphone. “Guys, remember Liza? That classmate of ours was just walking home because she didn’t have a fare?”

The entire ballroom laughed.

“Liza,” Celine approached, holding a glass of wine. “Infairness, you took a bath today. But you still smell like dirt. Too bad, the venue was supposed to be beautiful, but your presence has made it dirty.”

“Are you okay, Celine?” Liza asked calmly. “Are you done bragging?”

“Oh, that’s brave!” Celine laughed. “Why? What do you have to be proud of? Look at us, successful. My husband, VP of this Sapphire Hotel! You? What are you? Still a vendor at the market?”

Biglang itinapon ni Celine ang laman ng wine glass sa paanan ni Liza.

“Oops! Natapon. Liza, sanay ka namang maglinis di ba? Sige na, punasan mo ‘yan. Bibigyan kita ng tip.”

Yumuko si Liza. Akala ng lahat ay pupunasan niya.

Pero… kinuha ni Liza ang kanyang cellphone sa kanyang maliit na bag.

May tinawagan siya.

“Pasok na kayo,” utos ni Liza sa telepono.

Biglang bumukas ang main doors. Pumasok ang General Manager ng Hotel, kasama ang Board of Directors. Mukha silang ninerbyos at nagmamadali.

“Honey?” tawag ni Celine sa asawa niyang si Mike (ang VP). “Bakit andito si GM? At bakit sila pawisan?”

Hindi pinansin ng GM si Celine. Nilampasan nila ang lahat ng bisita.

Diretso silang lumapit kay Liza.

Sa harap ng lahat, sabay-sabay na YUMUKO ang GM, ang Directors, at pati ang asawa ni Celine na si Mike.

“Good evening, Madam Chairman,” bati ng GM na nanginginig ang boses. “We are sorry we are late.”

Natulala si Celine. Nalaglag ang panga ng mga kaklase.

“C-Chairman?” bulong ni Celine. “Anong ibig sabihin nito?”

Dahan-dahang tumayo si Liza nang tuwid. Hinarap niya si Celine.

“Hindi mo ba alam, Celine?” tanong ni Liza. “Ang Sapphire Grand Hotel… binili ko ito noong nakaraang buwan. Ako ang bagong may-ari ng lugar na tinatapakan mo.”

“H-hindi totoo ‘yan!” sigaw ni Celine. “Anak ka lang ng basurero!”

“Oo,” sagot ni Liza nang may diin. “At dahil sa hirap na ‘yun, nagsumikap ako. Nag-aral ako sa abroad habang nagtatrabaho. Nagtayo ako ng Global Tech Company. At ngayon, binibili ko ang mga kumpanyang gusto ko.”

Binalingan ni Liza si Mike, ang asawa ni Celine.

“Mike, di ba VP ka dito?”

“Y-yes po, Madam Liza…” nanginginig na sagot ni Mike.

“Well, dahil hinayaan mong bastusin ng asawa mo ang Chairman sa sarili niyang hotel… You are fired. Pack your things immediately.”

“NO! Madam, please!” lumuhod si Mike. “May binabayaran kaming bahay at kotse! Huwag po!”

“Kasalanan ‘yan ng asawa mo,” malamig na sagot ni Liza.

Humarap si Liza sa mga kaklase niya na ngayon ay tahimik na tahimik at takot na takot.

“Inimbitahan niyo ako para ipaalala ang kahirapan ko noon? Salamat. Dahil pinaalala niyo rin sa akin kung bakit ako nagsumikap—para hindi maging katulad niyo na bulok ang ugali.”

“Celine,” huling lingon ni Liza. “Sabi mo bibigyan mo ako ng tip?”

Naglabas si Liza ng isang Cheque at hinagis sa mukha ni Celine.

“Ayan, pambili mo ng breeding. Get out of my hotel.”

Kinaladkad ng security sina Celine at Mike palabas. Ang mag-asawang nagyayabang kanina ay umuwing luhaan at walang trabaho.

Naiwan si Liza sa gitna ng ballroom, pinalilibutan ng mga empleyadong rumespeto sa kanya. Ang gabi ng pang-aapi ay naging gabi ng kanyang tagumpay.