Monasterio Series #3: One More Night

Chapter 39

"Good afternoon. Nasaan po sila Mommy?" tanong ko.

"Nasa loob po silang lahat."

I glanced at the garage. Kuya Tobias' car is also here. Present talaga lagi ang isang iyon.

Pumasok kami sa loob ng kabahayan. The fine and familiar scent of strawberry lingered in my nose. Smelling it again after more than six months tells me that I'm now really home.

The living room is empty but I can hear soft mutterrings around the house.

"Alam ba talaga nila na dadating tayo?" bulong ko kay Zadriel.

"Yes, I informed them."

"Nasaan sila kung ganoon?"

"Fix the table. They might be on their way right now." As if on cue, Mommy's voice echoed in the house. It's surely came from the kitchen area.

Napangiti ako. Hinila ko si Zadriel patungo sa kusina. Lumawak ang pagkakangiti ko nang makita si Mommy, nakatalikod sa gawi namin habang ibinababa ang isang bowl ng ulam.

"Bango naman niyan!"

As soon as she placed the clear bowl over the table, she glanced on our way and her cat-like eyes instantly went round.

"Tate!" she blurted out.

Kumalas ako sa pagkakahawak ni Zadriel sa bewang ko at sinalubong siya ng yakap. She wrapped her arms around my body and hugged me tightly.

"Hi, mother witch!" I laughed.

She chuckled. "You're here."

"Hindi, Mommy. Anino ko lang ito."

I heard Zadriel's baritone chuckle behind me. Marahang hinila ni Mommy ang buhok ko habang natatawa, maging ako ay natawa na rin.

"You and your mouth. Wala pa rin talagang nagbago," aniya. "But I'm glad your here. It's nice to see you again, anak."

Nagkalas kami ng yakap. Tinitigan niya ako sa aking mukha, ang ngiti ay hindi mapalis sa kanyang labi. She looks really pretty even with her bare face. Namumula kasi ang pisngi niya, marahil ay dahil kanina pa siya kumikilos dito sa kusina.

"No choice. May sumundo sa akin, e." Kibit balikat na sabi ko.

She glanced behind me. Ths smile on her face didn't vanish that made me conclude that Zadriel is now really in good terms with them.

"Good afternoon, Tita Trinity."

"Good afternoon, Zad. Did she give you a hard time?"

He chuckled. "A little bit, Tita. Though, I was honestly expecting that courting her would be harder."

She rolled her eyes, still smiling. "What do you expect? Marupok ang batang ito-"

"Mana sa'yo, Mommy." nakangusong pigil ko.

She laughed like an evil witch. "You're actually wrong in that part, Tate. Sa Daddy mo ikaw nagmana ng pagiging marupok."

"Eh! Bakit pa ako magpapakipot kung valid naman ang dahilan niya at mahal ko pa rin naman siya?" ungot ko, walang pakielam kahit marinig iyon ni Zadriel dahil iyon naman ang totoo.

Nilingon ko siya. He's leaning his body against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Bahagya siyang nakanguso, halatang nagpipigil ng ngisi.

My face contorted. "Kilig ka naman?"

He chuckled sexily, dropped his head and then bore his dark eyes on me again with an evil smirk on his lips.

"Huwag mo masiyadong galingan. Hulog na hulog na ako."