EPIPHANY

Discendo, Discimus (4)

By teaching, we learn

HANNAH

My lips are still slightly parted while I look at the two women in front of me. Tita Beatrice is grinning at me while my mother is trying hard to look serious but there's a small smile on her lips.

Carrack excused himself to take a call. He's speaking Japanese so I concluded that it's work.

Kahapon pa lang nakabalik si Carrack. Matapos namin magtanghalian ay hinatid ako ni Carrack pabalik ng hospital at nag-stay na lang s'ya sa cafeteria ng hospital para maghintay ng uwian ko. Pina-drive n'ya ang sasakyan ko sa isa sa mga bodyguard n'ya at s'ya na ang naghatid sa akin pauwi matapos maghapunan. Hindi kami nakapag-usap nang maayos dahil maya't maya may tumatawag sa kanya from Japan.

Kaninang umaga ay sinundo rin ako ni Carrack sa bahay. Pagbaba ko sa sala ay naghihintay na s'ya. Hindi ko alam na nagkausap pala sila ni Mommy at ngayon nga ay nagulat na lang ako na kasama pala namin sa dinner sila Mommt at Tita Bea.

Nauna dito sa restaurant sila Mommy at Tita Bea. Halas tumigil ang puso ko sa gulat nang alalayan ako ni Carrack palapit dito sa table kung saan nakaupo na sila Mommy. Carrack even kissed their cheeks.

Close sila?

"Why you look so shocked?" Tita Bea playfully said. She elegantly sipped on her tea then raised a brow on me. May mapang-asar na ngiti sa mga labi n'ya.

My mouth opened, but I can't find a word to say.

Mom cleared her throat. "Carrack is a gentleman, Hannah. Right from the start, ipinag-papaalam ka n'ya sa akin. Hestia raised her children well." Mommy sighed then smiled genuinely. "You think basta-basta ka nalang makakaalis ng bahay at makakuwi ng late kung hindi ko alam kung saan ka pupunta at kung sino ang kasama mo?"

Carrack did? Nagpapaalam s'ya kay Mommy? Bakit hindi ko alam? Mas nagugulat pa ako ngayon.

Tita Bea chuckled. "Carrack was certain that you'll overthink once you find out that we know. At mukhang tama naman s'ya. You're making it a big deal."

Of course! Ibig sabihin, yong mga pagkakataon na magkasama kami ni Carrack, kung gagabihin ako ng uwi, at nasa condo n'ya ako... lahat 'yon ay alam ni Mommy?

"Hannah, you're lucky! Carrack is a real man. He's even arranging a dinner and spa sessions for Harriet and Hestia. Pinaplantsa na agad ang relasyon ng magiging magbalae," Tita Bea looked so pleased. "I will be the most grateful mother kung ganyan ang magiging son-in-law ko."

Mommy nodded then smiled. "You don't have to worry, hun. Carrack is serious and a wise man. Kahit yong pag-iwas n'ya sa'yo recently, he explained it to me. And I agree because I can feel that his intentions are clear."

Dumating si Carrack at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Sorry, I took long." Carrack was so polite, but there's a familiarity on the way he talked with my Mom and Tita.

I almost jumped on my seat when Carrack placed a hand on my thigh. May table cloth naman at hindi kita nila Mom pero I felt uncomfortable.

"The spa you recommended was a hit," Tita Bea said, breaking the silence.

They talked about a certain spa na pinuntahan nila Mommy, Tita Bea, Tita Harriet at Tita Mira.

"Tita Janina, Kai's mother, invested in this business. I heard from Xyz that it was nice so I booked a session for the ladies," Carrack explained. He shifted on his seat and he's slightly facing me.

I don't know how I look like. Ang alam ko lang ay nabibigla pa rin ako.

Carrack suddenly chuckled. "I'm sorry it took this long before you find out that I am meeting with your mother."

Mommy rolled her eyes. "Stop looking like it was a crime, Hannah."

I bit my lip. "Nagulat lang po ako."

"Told you, Tita, she'll make it a big deal." Carrack laughed then squeezed my thigh. "Pangit ba ko?" Madramang saad n'ya. "Bakit parang kinakahiya mo ako sa pamilya mo?" nakangusong dagdag n'ya pa.

Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil dumating na ang mga pagkain. Panay ang asikaso ni Carrack sa akin na usual naman na sa kanya kaya panay ang tukso sa akin ni Tita Bea hanggang sa gumaan na ang atmosphere.

Hinatid kaming lahat ni Carrack sa bahay, inuna namin na ihatid si Tita Bea. Pinasundo n'ya lang pala sila Mommy kanina sa bodyguard n'ya.

Tinanggihan ni Carrack ang invitation ni Mommy na tumuloy na muna s'ya sa bahay. He said he got work to do kaya hindi na rin namin pinilit.

"Are you happy?" Mom asked while she's combing my hair.

From the reflection on teh mirror, I looked at my mother then I nodded with a smile.

Kanina ay nabigla ako. Pero nang maka-recover ako sa pagkakabigla ay sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. Sobrang masaya ako na alam ni Mommy at wala akong kailangan itago. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na may blessing n'ya itong relasyon ko kay Carrack. At sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na guamwa si Carrack ng paraan para dito.

Mommy hugged me from the back. "I'm happy, Hannah. I feel so blessed that my children found good partners."

A tear fell from my eye. Then another and another until I am crying with the overwhelming happiness. Pati si Mommy ay naiyak na rin.

I slept beside my mother. It feels so good to have someone to share with this overwhelming happiness.

"I should sleep beside you more often now. Sa susunod si Carrack na ang katabi mo matulog." Mommy said then squeezed me in a hug.

I dreamily sighed.

Mommy's right. All that was left was to make my relationship with Carrack official.

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October 15, 2022