The first week of September 2022 had finally arrived, and with it, the grand opening of Bali's newest airport—a project that had consumed years of meticulous work and unwavering dedication.

Habang nakatayo ako at napaliligiran ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho at iba't ibang tao na hindi ko kakilala, hindi ko mapigilan maging proud sa sarili ko. The entrance to the airport gleamed in the morning sun, its organic shapes and sweeping, fluid lines reflecting our team's deep connection to Bali's harmony between nature and progress. This was more than just a building; it was a symbol of resilience, a testament to creativity and hard work.

Ang mga tao ay naglalakad-lakad, ang kanilang mga mukha ay puno ng kasiyahan. Ang listahan ng mga bisita ay kahanga-hanga: key stakeholders, high-ranking government officials, prominent figures from the local community, and respected leaders from architecture and engineering. The air buzzed with conversation and the faint notes of traditional gamelan music.

Architect Pablo Roman, poised as ever, took to the stage. His suit was sharp, accented with subtle Balinese embroidery, and his eyes, usually steely with focus, carried a hint of emotion. Tumahimik ang lahat ng tao, senyales kung gaano kalaki ang epekto ng presensya niya. Talagang nirerespeto siya ng mga tao.

"Distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends," he began, his voice cutting through the stillness, "today marks the realization of a vision that began over eight years ago—a vision to create a gateway that embodies the essence of Bali, blending our respect for tradition with a stride toward the future."

Isang palakpakan ang umusbong, at hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng labis na pagmamalaki. Architect Pablo's words resonated with the journey we'd all been on, from sleepless nights filled with revisions to navigating the challenges of the pandemic. He spoke about each hurdle we faced, acknowledging the teamwork and ingenuity that turned obstacles into stepping stones.

Ang lead structural engineer namin na si Ravi Santoso ang sumunod na nagsalita. His speech was thoughtful, touching on the complexities of building in a region with seismic activity. Daniel Cortez, the sustainability consultant, followed with his characteristic warmth, describing the eco-friendly features woven into the airport's design that had reduced its carbon footprint.

Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for—the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A deep red ribbon stretched across the entrance, gleaming under the morning sun. The Governor of Bali stepped forward, holding a pair of gold-plated ceremonial scissors. My heart thumped in anticipation as he paused to smile at the guests before cutting through the ribbon with a sharp snip. It fell away, the crowd erupting into applause as a burst of fireworks lit up the sky, casting bright reds and golds across the airport's glass facade.

Huminga ako nang malalim, ang ingay at sigla sa paligid ay bumalot sa 'kin. Ito na 'yon, 'yong pinagpaguran namin. 'Yong pinaghirapan naming tapusin.

Guests began to move inside for the guided tours, and my role came to life. I led a group through the main concourse, my voice steady as I explained the design inspiration behind the curved, open spaces that mimicked the gentle movement of ocean waves. The guests looked up, their eyes tracing the arcs of the ceiling and taking in the soft light filtering through strategically placed skylights. It was satisfying to see the architecture speak for itself, communicating the calm and beauty we had envisioned.

I pointed out local art pieces that adorned the walls and described the importance of the greenery that flourished within the airport, a nod to Bali's lush landscapes and a touch of tranquility in an often-chaotic space. Nagtanong ang mga bisita, ang boses nila ay may bahid ng paghanga at respeto, at sinagot ko sila nang taas-noo ngunit nananatili akong mapagkumbaba, ninanamnam ang saya sa dibdib ko dahil parte ako ng isang napakalaking proyekto.

Daniel passed by, his laughter echoing as he led his group through an explanation of the airport's rainwater harvesting system. Ravi was engrossed in conversation with a group of engineers, animatedly detailing the innovative control tower structure. Even Tomas, who rarely showed emotion, was gesturing energetically as he spoke about the safety measures that allowed the airport to stand tall against potential natural disasters.

As the tour ended and the guests gathered in the main hall for refreshments, I found a moment to step aside and take it all in. Ang tunog ng palakpakan at bulung-bulungan ay umikot sa paligid ko, paalala kung gaano na kami kalayo. I had learned so much during this project—not just about architecture, but about resilience, growth, and what it meant to be part of a team that supported one another through every twist and turn.

I turned my eyes toward the sky, watching the sunlight dance across the facade. This wasn't just a milestone; it was a legacy. And in that moment, I knew with unwavering certainty that every late night, every moment of doubt, and every push to go further had been worth it.

The soft hum of music and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the expansive event space as I stepped into the grand hall of the gala dinner. The entire venue mirrored the essence of the airport we had built: modern, yet intertwined with nature. Warm wooden panels, carefully arranged greenery, and intricate lights casting delicate shadows gave the space a feeling of elegance and sustainability, a fitting tribute to the journey that had led us here. I took a deep breath, letting the moment sink in. This was it—the culmination of eight years of dedication, learning, and countless moments that had tested my resolve.

Sa paligid ko, ang mga tao ay nakatayo sa maliliit na grupo, nag-uusap, nagtatawanan, at binabalikan ang mga pinakamagagandang bahagi ng proyekto. Ang hangin ay puno ng pagmamalaki, may halong pagkaunawa na nakamit namin ang isang napakalaking bagay. My heart swelled as I scanned the room, spotting Apinya, Ar. Liang Wei, and Ar. Marco exchanging knowing smiles. The bond we shared was special, forged through long nights, challenging designs, and shared dreams.

At the front of the room, Architect Pablo Roman stood confidently behind the podium, his voice commanding attention. "Tonight, we celebrate not just the opening of an airport but the dedication, ingenuity, and unwavering spirit of everyone who contributed to this project. This was a vision that began over eight years ago, and here we are, witnessing its completion—a testament to hard work, innovation, and community."

Huminto siya, hinayaan ang bigat ng sandali na magpahinga sa buong lugar. Nakikita ko ang pagmamalaki sa kanyang mga mata habang nagpatuloy siya, "This monumental journey was not without its challenges. The planning and design phase alone took two years—two years of late nights, revisions, and relentless pursuit of perfection. Approval and permitting demanded patience and precision, lasting one year as we navigated regulatory intricacies. The construction phase was four years and three months of tireless effort, where every brick laid and beam secured symbolized the determination of this team. And finally, testing and commissioning spanned six months, ensuring that every detail met the standards we hold dear. So here we stand, nearly eight years—seven years and nine months, to be exact—after the first sketches were drawn, ready to celebrate this feat. This airport is more than a building; it is a testament to vision turned into reality."

Isang alon ng pagmamalaki ang dumaloy sa akin habang tinatanggap ko ang kanyang mga salita. This was not just a project—it was years of collective sweat, stress, and passion woven together. The room erupted into applause, the echo of it filling the space and resonating with each of us who had been part of the long, arduous journey.

Just as the applause settled, a stir at the entrance caught my eye. My breath hitched when I saw two familiar figures stepping into the hall: Architect Carlo Mariano and Architect Jaron Ramirez. The sight of my former mentors from Eco Arc Design, the firm that had been my first professional home, was like a jolt of warmth through my chest.

"Tek Carlo! Tek Jaron!" sigaw ko, pilit na isiniksik ang sarili ko sa maraming tao para lapitan ang dalawang taong naging malaking parte ng career ko. The years melted away as I approached, memories of my early days at Eco Arc washing over me—the late nights, the pep talks, the lessons that had shaped who I was as a junior architect.

Ar. Carlo's eyes softened as he opened his arms, drawing me into a strong, fatherly hug. He smelled the same as always—sharp, like the papers and plans that had defined our long hours at the firm. "Shan," he said, pulling back to look at me, pride evident in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Syempre hindi namin 'to palalampasin. No'ng inimbita kami ni Tek Pablo, we knew we had to come and see the woman you've become."

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I blinked quickly, trying to hold them at bay. "Sobrang namiss ko kayong dalawa," pag-amin ko, nanginginig ang boses ko sa damdamin. Memories of moments spent chasing deadlines and learning from their rigorous feedback flooded back. Architect Jaron grinned, that familiar twinkle in his eye. "Look at you now, Shan. Leading massive projects, standing at the forefront of international architecture. We always knew you had it in you."

We exchanged stories, laughter bubbling between us. For a moment, I was transported back to those early days—days of frustration and triumph, where Ar. Carlo's high standards pushed me to my limits and Ar. Jaron's humor kept us all going.

The evening continued, and a soft light bathed the room as the slideshow began. Pictures of our journey filled the large screens: sketches from brainstorming sessions, candid shots of the team on-site, dust-covered but smiling. My chest tightened when a photo of me explaining a design to a client appeared, with Ar. Pablo standing behind me, his expression one of trust and pride.

And then, at the final slide, the completed airport stood illuminated in all its glory. Ang palakpakan ay napakalakas, pero halos hindi ko ito marinig dahil sa tibok ng aking sariling puso. Nararamdaman kong may humawak sa aking balikat, at lumingon ako upang makita si Ar. Marco, ang mga mata ay kumikislap sa pagmamalaki.

"Isipin mong nagawa talaga natin 'to," sabi niya, ang boses niya ay malambing sa paghanga. Tumango ako, hindi makapagbuo ng mga salita. We really had. Eight years of dreaming, building, and pushing forward had led us here. It was more than a project; it was a piece of us—a testament to the journey and every person who had touched it, past and present. And as I stood there, surrounded by the people who had shaped my path, I felt whole, complete in a way I never thought possible.

After the elegant Gala Dinner and the lively celebration that followed, the city was draped in warm night lights. Architect Carlo, Architect Jaron, and I decided to extend the evening with another meal, something more casual and intimate. We found ourselves in a cozy, candlelit bistro tucked into a quiet corner of the city. The scent of grilled seafood and fresh herbs mingled in the air as we settled into our seats, each with a drink in hand.

Ang tawanan at mga kuwentuhan ay dumaloy nang madali, may halong pamilyaridad ng mga pinagsaluhang karanasan. Architect Jaron recounted the amusing challenges of early projects back at Eco Arc Design, his animated gestures drawing chuckles from all of us. It felt like a rare moment where time folded, reconnecting me to a past that had shaped so much of who I had become.

I turned to Architect Carlo, a genuine smile on my face. "Tek Carlo, hindi ko alam kung paano babawi sa 'yo. Sobrang...thankful talaga ako sa lahat ng ginawa mo para sa 'kin. You took a chance on me when I was just starting out, trusted me with projects that challenged me, and made me believe I could achieve more than I ever thought possible. I wouldn't be here today without you."

He met my eyes, his expression softening with a mixture of pride and humility. "Shan, everything you have now, everything you've achieved, is because of your own hard work and potential. All I did was push you beyond what you thought were your limits. You did the rest."

The weight of his words settled warmly in my chest. It was true that my journey had been marked by relentless work and self-belief, but hearing it from him added a layer of validation that touched me deeply.

As I sat with Ar. Carlo and Ar. Jaron, sharing drinks and stories in the warm glow of the bistro, my phone buzzed. Seeing my mother's name on the screen, I felt a familiar comfort but also a slight tug of worry. It was late for her to be calling.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said, stepping away from the table as I answered. "Hi, Mommy. Is everything okay?"

There was a pause, and then I heard her voice, hesitant and strained. "Anak... I don't know how to tell you this..."

Her voice trembled, as if holding back tears, and an uneasy feeling clawed at my chest. "Mommy, what is it?" I urged, my own voice tight with concern.

Another silence, longer this time, before she finally spoke, each word coming out as though it was a painful struggle. "It's your father, Shan... He's gone."

I couldn't process her words. It felt as though the ground shifted beneath me. My hand, suddenly limp, lost its grip on the phone, and it clattered onto the table. Ang masiglang tunog ng bistro—ang kalansing ng mga baso, ang bulong ng mga usapan—ay humina at naging malayo habang ang mundo ko ay biglang huminto.

"Shan?" Architect Carlo's voice cut through the haze, pulling me back to the present. Both he and Architect Jaron were staring at me, their expressions lined with concern.

The weight of grief crushed down on me, swift and unforgiving. In that moment, the achievements, the celebrations, everything felt inconsequential. All that mattered was the echo of loss ringing in my ears and the urgent need to be home, where the reality of my father's absence waited for me.

_____

a/n: Shaaaannn :( Nangangamoy balik Pinas ulit tayo sa susunod na chapter. Anyway, next chapter will be posted later tonight. Yes, double update ulit tayo today.