After a few minutes, una kong iniahon si Apollo at itinutok ang hose. I applied their shampoo, binanlawan, pinunasan and finally, dry him up using the blower.
I did the same to my two girls. Nang matapos na, I found the three of them sleeping again. "Feeling fresh kaya himbing ng tulog" bulong ko.
Pumasok ako ng bahay at pumunta sa kwarto ko para maligo na din.
Nagsusuklay na ako ng buhok ko nang may kumatok. I opened the door and saw my siblings, nagpipigil ng ngiti. "What do you need?" I asked.
"Adda bisitam ading" (May bisita ka) sagot ni Imee.
Kumunot ang noo ko, I gave them a questioning look.
"Amman, alla di mamati. Bumaba ka tapno makitam nu sino" (Totoo nga, hala di naniniwala. Bumaba ka para malaman mo kung sino) tawa ni Bongbong at tumalikod na sila.
Naguguluhan man ay sumunod ako sa kanila. Habang pababa, I saw a man holding a bouquette of roses. I was shocked, but he's smiling at me so I smiled back.
"Hey. This is for you" Greggy handed me the flowers as soon as I reached his place.
"Thank you. Sit down." I motioned him to sit. I looked at my siblings and they are giggling. I glared at them and silently asking them to leave which I think they understand.
"We will leave the both of you here muna. Bonget come with me, find Liza and let's play with Borgy" sabi ni Manang.
I shifted my gaze at Greggy who's looking at me again. "Napadalaw ka?"
"I'm sorry. Nabigla ata kita kagabi. I didn't mean that. I just couldn't help myself to tell what I feel for how many years already" nahihiya niyang tugon.
He's cute when he's shy. "Hindi mo naman kailangang humingi ng tawad. Nagulat lang ako" I smiled.
"I came here to ask you formally. Can I talk to you and your family?" he said.
I don't know what he's up to. Tinawag ko ang isang maid para sabihan sila mama. Maya't-maya pa ay nagsidatingan sila.
"Meeting?" tawa ni Bongbong.
"Shut up." I hissed quietly.
"Good morning Tita" he greeted my mom.
"You want to talk to us daw?"
"Uh" he cleared his throat. "I gathered some confidence and I hope I gathered enough. Matagal ko na po itong gustong sabihin pero wala akong lakas ng loob." huminga siya ng malalim. "I just want to ask you Tita, Imee, Bong, Liza, if I could... court Irene? Ipinagpaalam ko din po kay tito kanina "
Napangiti silang lahat, ako naman ay gulat pa rin.
"That explains why you are talking to papa's portrait kanina." ngisi ni Imee
"Thank you for letting us know hijo, but hindi namin hawak ang desisyon ni Irene." ngumingiti pa rin si Mommy.
"For formalities sake po, and I respect all of you so I thought your permission is necessary." nahihiya niyang tugon.
"Sabi ko na nga ba natotorpe ka lang. Matagal ko nang napapansin na may gusto ka sa ading ko, pasimple kang bumabakod eh. I'm glad you made a move already" sabi ni Bongbong.
Lumapit sa akin si Liza, "Tulala ka na lang diyan?" she asked and laughed, she even snapped her fingers in front of me.
"We'll just leave you here again para makapag-usap kayo." tumayo na sila.
"Irene?" tanong niya.
"Wait. Let me just absorb all the happenings, give me a moment." I said at tumango siya. Huminga ako ng malalim.
YOU ARE READING
When Love Lasts
RomanceMaria Victoria Irene, the last born of the Romualdez-Marcos family, is peacefully living her life being the "quiet one". Until one day, Gregorio Maria III, a famous and rich businessman from a well-known family, Araneta, confessed his love to her. ...
