Almost, Always | After the Applause
@coupslovre
Joy’s POV
I took a deep breath before entering the main venue. It took me several moments to move forward. Not because I was lost, but because I was nervous. Una, kinakabahan ako. Pangalawa, kinakabahan pa rin ako. At pangatlo, kinakabahan talaga ako. Huhu.
But I had no choice. My husband is the chairman, and Tita Carmela reminded me that my presence mattered. To stand beside Cyrus and to show the ambassadors and the prime minister that he married a partner worthy of respect. It mattered to him, and that reason was enough.
Nasa main venue na ako ngayon at hinanap ko agad si Cyrus. When I saw him, I walked calmly, careful not to draw attention. Pero ramdam ko pa rin ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin, ngunit hindi ko na lang sila pinansin.
That was until I passed two people whispering. Close enough for me to hear my daughter’s name.
I stopped.
They didn’t realize I was behind them, so I stayed still and listened.
“Obvious naman na nandito lang ang asawa ng boss at ang anak niya para sa pera,” the woman said. “Like, duh? Lahat ng pumapatol sa boss natin mga gold digger.”
The man beside her nodded. “And the daughter—what was her name? Ligaya was it? Yeah, whatever. Halatang pinipilit lang nung isang ama na maging sweet sa boss natin. Not gonna lie, I’m convinced.” He shook his head.
“Lying at such a young age?” He laughed. “Wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t even his real kid and inuto niya lang si Boss Cy—”
I didn’t let him finish.
I walked straight toward him, grabbed his hair, pulled his head away from the table, and slapped him hard. The sound echoed loudly enough to draw attention from almost everyone in the venue.
Hindi ko na pinansin ang reaksyon niya at ng mga tao sa paligid namin. Agad akong humarap sa babaeng halatang gulat na gulat sa ginawa ko at mahigpit kong hinila ang buhok niya.
“Aaah—! Ano ba! OH MY GOD—ARAY! ARAY!” she screamed as she pulled my hair back.
I didn’t speak. Hinayaan ko lang lumabas ang galit ko habang mahigpit pa rin ang kapit ko sa buhok niya. Someone grabbed me from behind and I knew it was the man who had called my daughter a liar.
The crowd began to react. Gasps, murmurs and people stepping back.
Pero wala akong pakialam. Wala na akong pakialam kung pagtinginan pa nila kami at kung paano ko sabunutan ang dalawang hinayupak na ’to.
They involved my daughter. I won’t hold back.
Still holding the woman’s hair, I reached with my other hand and grabbed the man’s hair too.
“Tangina—” he cursed before grabbing my shoulders and shoving me away at kasabay ‘non ang malakas na sampal sa mukha ko.
“What is wrong with you?!” he shouted.
I froze for a second… stunned. My hands curled into fists as I looked at them, my breathing growing heavier with each passing second. I was about to speak when I saw Cyrus behind them.
He walked toward me without hesitation and his eyes fixed on mine. When he reached me, the area around us fell completely silent.
“Hey,” he said softly while holding my face. “Does it hurt?”
I shook my head.
“Mas… mas masakit marinig na sinungaling ang anak natin,” sabi ko. My hands were shaking, and tears were burning my eyes.
Tumingin lang si Cyrus sa akin. He brushed my hair back, cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead.
“Si Ligaya?” he asked.
“Natutulog sa hotel room mo, kasama si Tita Carmela,” sagot ko. Tumango siya at muling inayos ang buhok ko.
“I’ll handle this, Jo.”
He kissed my forehead again. I was shaking whether from the slap or from the rage, I couldn’t tell. Gusto kong sumigaw. Gusto kong magwala. But my body wouldn’t cooperate.
The tears fell and Cyrus wiped them away.
I didn’t know what he was thinking or what he planned to do. All I knew was that he was there, and I was safe.
Still, guilt crept in. I knew this scene would affect his image in front of the guests.
Ang tanga mo talaga, Joy. Ang tanga tanga mo.
But no parent should ever hear their child spoken about that way.
Cyrus finally spoke. The venue was now completely silent. His presence alone demanded it.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“B-Boss, we worked with you on the La Union project—”
“And you harassed my husband and insulted my daughter,” Cyrus said calmly. “At my own event.” He stepped closer.
“You’re both fired. Blacklisted. No company will hire you, regardless of your credentials.”
They laughed nervously, trying to argue.
“Boss, you need us for the next project. Sinabi niyo po ’yan noong nasa La Union tayo. You even praised our work—”
Cyrus didn’t respond right away.
He just looked at them like he was already done acknowledging their existence. The air around us felt heavier the longer he stayed silent.
“I don’t need people who lack basic decency,” Cyrus said. “And I never praise trash.”
I had never seen him like this. Maybe I had glimpsed it before, but it was always buried under that smile. That warmth that could make anyone feel safe. The Cyrus I knew was gentle and patient. The kind of man who would cradle Ligaya in his arms without a second thought, who would bend over backward to protect me.
But now… this Cyrus was different. The same hands that held our daughter with tenderness now commanded authority that silenced the room.
“Escort them out” he said. He glanced to his side. “Reyes.” Ali stepped forward, handing him a tablet. I stayed behind them, feeling powerless.
Ali looked at me with concern. I smiled weakly and motioned for her to come to me.
“Boss Madam—” she said pero hindi ko na siya pinatapos.
“Can we go to Ligaya?” nanginginig kong sabi. “I can’t handle this anymore… the stares… the whispers.”
She nodded immediately. “Sige po.” She spoke briefly to Cyrus. I couldn’t focus anymore. I hugged myself as Ali supported my waist.
Cyrus placed his coat over my shoulders. “Rest,” he whispered. “I’ll follow you.”
I nodded without turning around.
“Go, Ali,” he said.
She led me away—away from the crowd, the stares, and the whispers.
All I wanted was my daughter.
Ligaya didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve to be spoken about like that.
Hindi nila kilala ang anak ko.
She is one of the greatest blessings of my life. No matter how unlucky I sometimes feel, God has been kind to me through her.
And she deserves far better than what the world tried to give her tonight.
When we reached the room, Ligaya was sleeping peacefully in Tita Carmela’s arms.
“Joy? What happened?” Tita asked softly.
“I need to rest, Tita,” I said. She looked at Ali, confused. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sinenyas ni Ali pero tumango na lang si Tita. She said goodnight and left us alone.
When it was just Ligaya and me, I lay down beside her and wrapped my arms around her. Cyrus’ coat was still around me. It felt like he was there.
I kissed Ligaya’s forehead and watched her sleep as I cried quietly.
“I love you, my Ligaya,” I whispered. “Mahal na mahal ka ni Dadi.”
I took a shaky breath.
“I’m sorry for the world you’re growing up in.”
“But I promise… we will always protect you.”