Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Fifty-Three - Savor the Present

"OH, Artemia's here," Luz smiled, which made Stacey more nervous.

I wonder what she is up to... now that she can meet my mother face to face here...

Bumalik sa kasalukuyan ang diwa niya nang makitang nagpapaalam si Renante sa mga magulang. In an instant, he was already heading toward her direction.

"No, stay here," aniya rito. "Ako na ang bahala kay Mama."

He smiled at her. "Sure."

She nodded to his family to excuse herself. Pinagbuksan niya ng pinto ang ina at namilog ang mga mata sa hitsura nito.

Did she really have to... really dress up?

Artemia looked ageless. It was as if she was looking at a Greek athlete that wears a modern version of their look—an off shoulder dress of bright burgundy and white thigh-high boots. The tips of her short layered hair was styled in this fly-away fashion like Glee's Jane Lynch. While scanning her mother, Stacey only remembered one thing—the first time she shared the dining table with Renante's whole family. She wore something almost the same as her mother's outfit—a maroon one-shoulder knee-length dress! Pinigilan niya ang matawa sa naalala. She never knew that she and her mother could be alike in some ways.

Stacey stepped aside from the door to give way to her mother.

"You're rarely late," aniya rito sa magaan na tono. Nang makapasok ang nanay niya ay isinara agad ni Stacey ang pinto.

Artemia sighed faintly. "I know. Pero dahil malapit na ang alis ko, ibinalik ko na iyong kotseng ni-rent ko para gamitin sa stay ko rito sa Pinas. So, now, I had to commute."

"Nagpasundo ka na lang sana sa akin."

Artemia waved a hand. "Ano ka ba? That's too much. Ako na nga itong nag-request ng dinner na ito at naabala ko na kayo, dadagdagan ko pa."

"Well," she shrugged. "Do you need to prepare first? Do something? Get refreshed? I'll show you to the restroom."

"Yes, Stacey. That'll do. Thank you."

Hindi niya napigilang mapatingin sa daan patungo sa dining room. Abot-tanaw kasi mula roon ang sala. Nahuli niyang napatingin sa kanila si Ronnie at Luz, dahil kitang-kita silang mag-ina mula sa kinauupuan ng mga ito. None of them called them or spoke about Artemia's presence though. Their eyes just followed them until they are out of sight. Sa pagmamadali ni Artemia na sundan siya ay hindi na nito napansin ang mag-ina.

Nang makapasok si Artemia sa restroom, sumandal si Stacey sa pader katabi ng pinto nito. Katulad ng napaghandaan na nila ni Renante, bibigyan muna nila ng briefing ang kani-kanilang pamilya bago magkita. They both wanted the night to be pleasant, if not perfect. They wanted this to work as much as they wanted for their relationship.

Pagkalabas ni Artemia ng banyo ay mas maaliwalas na ito tingnan. Stacey could not really tell if her mother retouched her foundatin or red lipstick.

"Let's go?" anyaya nito sa kanya.

Humarang siya sa harap nito. "Ma, before we join them..." She hesitated for a minute. Napaiwas siya ng tingin sa ina kaya rumehistro sa kanyang isip ang imahe ni Renante. His face alone was enough to regain her courage. She met Artemia's eyes once more. "I am asking you for a favor, Ma. Please, be more patient with everyone. Especially Tita Luz."

Artemia smiled at her gently. Inayos nito ang pagkakahawak sa bag nitong itim.

"Come on. Ako ang nag-request nitong dinner, hindi ba? Ibig sabihin, naihanda ko na ang sarili ko. I'm already on my best behavior."