Even When I Can't Be Remembered

Kabanata 28: So let me be

Kabanata 28| Zeus

Looking at my son, I smiled to myself. He do look like me, but his attitude came from his Mom.

Hera.

I sighed again for the nth time. I parked my car then wake my son up.

"Hey kiddo, we're here."

"Really!"

"Yeah, Mom is waiting for you inside."

Without further ado, he jolted out to his seat and open the door of the car. He enthusiastically entered the house.

I don't know how long are we going to stay here. Perhaps, a week. I don't know, I still have works to do.

"Hey, Son." My mom greeted me with a warm embrace.

"Hey, where's Dad?"

"He will arrive soon, may inayos lang sa Baguio. Don't worry about your Dad. Let's go, the food is already prepared, you will love it."

"Sabagay, I also miss Aling Ising's cook."

"We have a new cook now. Her name is Mina, but up until now hindi ko pa siya nakikita in person. But she is really a great cook."

"Hmm, let's see Mom. You know that Hera's cook is the only thing that I love."

Ngumiti na lang ako at saka pumasok sa loob, the maid ushered me to the kitchen. While some fixed our baggages.

"Hey, Kiddo."

"Dad! There's a lot of food."

"Oh, my apo is really hungry. Why don't we start eating?"

"Wait, Momma and Dad, let's pray first. Mom said before eating, always pray first."

"Really? Let's pray then. Lead the prayer, apo."

"Okay, Momma!"

After praying, tumingin muna ako sa anak ko bago tumingin sa mga Maids.

"Why are just standing there? Come on let's eat."

"You heard what he said, let's eat."

Ngumiti ang bawat isa sa kanila at saka umupo sa upuan, its a long table so everyone have their own chair. I miss this.

"Oo nga pala, Zeus! Kamusta ang business? Have you seen Poseidon? I thought they will also come here?"

"Business is good. I don't know where is Poseidon, but Hades is currently chasing a girl."

"What? Ni hindi man lamang sa akin pinapakilala ng kapatid mo. Who's this girl?"

"I don't know, Ma, Hades doesn't want me and Poseidon to know what the girl's name is. He said 'No, She is mine.' That's all what he said."

Mom shrugged then chuckled, "Manang-mana talaga kayo sa Daddy niyo. Mga masyadong possessive."

"Well, we just want to keep what's our mine."

Mom laughed at saka ako binatukan.

"What? What is wrong?" Naiirita kong sabi. I'm just telling truth. What's mine is mine.

Naiiling na lang akong sumandok ng adobo. Adobo is one of my favorite dish because Hera loves cooking adobo for me.

Tipid akong ngumiti at saka sumandok ng adobo. Natigilan ako ng mga ilang subo'y may naalala ako bigla.

What the?

I thought when I came here I will forget Hera for a while but once I tasted the adobo all I can taste is Hera's cook.

"Dad!" I look at my son who is currently tugging at my shirt.

"Dad! It's delicious. It taste mom's cook."

Akala ko, ako lang.

It's Hera's cook.

It's her.

Definitely her, siya lamang ang may kayang magluto ng ganitong klaseng adobo.

"Where's the cook? Mom, where's the cook. I need to see the cook, Now!"

Napatingin kaagad si Mom kay Aling Ising.

"Aling Ising, where's Mina?"

Aling Ising was shook when Mom suddenly came to her.

"Ma'am, Si Mina po? Pinauwi ko na po dahil napaso po siya kanina matapos magluto."

Wait, what?

"Napaso? Where's their house?"

Aling Ising scratched her head and timidly smiled to me.

"Eh, Sir. Hindi ko po alam eh. Bago lang po dito si Mina eh."

"What?"

"She is just new here, son. Kakapasok niya lang bilang cook dito sa Hacienda."

Everyone is quietly listening to our conversation, no one is eating anymore.

The light atmosphere awhile ago changed.

It became heavy.

Out of silence, someone spoke.

"Ako po, alam ko po ang bahay ni Mina."

I got up from my chair then fished my phone from my pocket. I need to call the investigator.

"Really? What's your name?" I said without looking at her.

"Hasmin po."

"Let's go there."

"Ayy, hindi po pwede. Mahigpit po sa akong bilin iyon ng lola't lolo niya."

"Why?"

Umiling-iling siya sa akin at saka yumuko. "Walang nakakakilala kay Mina. Pati ang sarili niya ay hindi niya kilala."

I suddenly look at her way,  "What do you mean?"

"Mina lost her identity."

"But you said that her grandparents----"

"Hindi niya po tunay na lola at lolo yun. Sila lang po ang nakakita kay Mina nung wala pa itong malay."

What?

Is this destiny working?

I don't want to conclude.

But my guts is telling me that I really need to see Mina in person.

Mina?

Oh holy fuck!