Territorial Men 3: Brooke Montero (Published Under LIB BARE)

12 ~ Prince

"A modern castle?" Brooke teased and guide her to the long dining table.

Sa dulo ay parang haring nakaupo na ro'n si Don Armando, mataman na pinagmamasdan ang pagpasok nila. Sa gilid sila naupo, na laan talaga para sa kanilang mag-asawa, magkatabi.

Ang kulay ginto at puti ay naging perpektong kombinasyon para magmukhang engrande ang hapag-kainan ng mansyon.

She silently count the vacant sit in front of her, it was ten. And on their side was ten, too. Gaano kalungkot kumain ng mag-isa lang sa mahabang lamesang 'yon? Sa tanong na 'yon sa isip niya ay napatingin siya kay Don Armando.

The old man was eating alone most of the time. It's sad to know that. But it's funny that she don't see any sadness on his face, it's cold and menacing. Sa wari niya ay tinitimbang siya nito.

Ilang sandaling katahimikan muna ang namayani bago sila nag-umpisang kumain. Ang iilang naka-unipormadong kasambahay ay tahimik na nakatayo lang sa bandang gilid, naghihintay na utusan, habang ang isa ay maingat na nagsasalin ng maiinom sa mga baso nila.

"How was the trip in L.A?" Don Armando asked, looking at them.

She glanced on her husband, telling him to answer his abuelo's question. Brooke sipped on his wine first, she saw his Adam's apple bobble up.

"It was good, Papa, even I did not get the chance to meet my m-mother-in-law." He stuttered a bit. Is he nervous?

"Mother-in-law, huh." Patuya ang naging respond ng matanda, tapos ay sa kanya naman bumaling. Naalarma kaagad siya. Ngayon palang ay nahihirapan na siyang umarteng totoo ang lahat sa kanila ni Brooke! "Are you in a good term with your mother, Gelicah? Bakit hindi nakilala ng apo ko?"

"We are in good term, po. But she's sick and she's staying in the hospital. Kaya po hindi na sila nagkita ni Brooke."

Lihim siyang nagpasalamat nang hindi namilipit ang dila niya habang nagsasalita.

"And when I was about to meet her, you called before that day and told me to go home." Brooke added. "We were lacked of time when we were in L.A. But, I will meet her for sure, next time." He caught her hand under the table, he squeezed it. "Hindi pwedeng hindi, dahil magtatampo itong asawa ko." Then he turned his head on hers and flashed a small smile.

Gelicah nervously chuckled. Ganito! Ganito ang tamang pagpapanggap. First; Be sweet and supportive to each other especially when they are with Don Armando, who's watching their every moves.

"Naiintindihan ko naman na kailangan na nating umuwi. Kaya, hindi ako magtatampo lalo at sinabi mo na babalik tayo do'n para sa kanya." Matamis na nginitian niya rin ang asawa. "Pinanghahawakan ko ang sinabi mo."

"Yeah, we will be back there."

"You said, your mother is staying in the hospital." Don Armando interrupted, making her glance on him again.

"Opo,"

"Why?"

Gelicah silently took a deep breath. Here they go again, talking about her mother's condition. Sa lahat ng pagsisinungaling na ginagawa at gagawin niya, ang tungkol sa kalagayan lang ng mommy niya ang tama at totoo.

"She's in coma...for a months now." No reaction from Don Armando, he seems like he was waiting for more details, so she continue. "Ang sabi ng doktor, milagro na lang po ang aasahan namin para magising ulit siya. Kahit na gano'n, hindi po ako nawalan ng pag-asa. Hindi ko po siya isinuko at hindi ko siya isusuko. Hanggat kaya kong dagdagan ang buhay niya sa bawat araw na magdaan ay gagawin ko po...kahit gaano pa 'yon kahirap."