All at Once (Absinthe Series 6)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

All at Once

Tito Arthur was a fifty-year old man. He met my Mom at a business convention and they became friends. I like Tito Arthur for my mother because I know he raised his children well and I know he could also take care of my mother.

Tito Arthur looked dashing in his dark suit and golden tie. Hindi rin naman ako nagtataka na nagustuhan siya ni Mommy. In my opinion, Tito Arthur looked a little better than my Dad. He looked less uptight too, the reason why his daughter,Dilly is a bit of a spoiled brat.

"Hija! I'm glad you could come!" ngumiti si Tito sa akin. I smiled and kissed his cheeks. Nakita ko ang pagtitig sa akin ni Dilly at ni Dalton.

"Thank you for inviting me po," magalang kong sabi.

"You're a part of the family. Hindi pwedeng wala kang imbitasyon." He barked a laughter before looking at my Mom.

"Phaedra should join us in the table, Honey."

I found myself sitting in the same table as they were. Napapagitnaan ako ni Mommy at ni Dalton. The latter looked good in his black suit. Si Dilly ay nakasuot ng rose gold na gown. It was a glittery tube gown. Ang hubog ng katawan ni Dilly ay alam na alam na bata pa ito. I smiled at her when her eyes pointed at me for a second.

Unang kita ko pa lang kay Dilly noon, alam kong hindi na kami magkakasundo. She is young and spoiled. When my mother came into their lives, Dilly became dependent on her. Sa tingin ko ay mas naging paborito ni Mommy si Dilly dahil mas expressive ito. She could voice out everything that she wants. I was never like her. When it comes to my parents, I never said anything about what I want. Kung anong gusto nila noon para sa akin, iyon ang sinusunod ko. I thought all their decisions for me were better. But when I experienced difficulties during my first year in college, I realized I should make my own choices.

When the party started everyone paid attention to Tito Arthur who was on stage. My mother was beside him showcasing her billion dollar smile. Nang matapos ang speech ni Tito ay sabay din silang bumaba sa stage. The dinner was served after that. Ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, ilang oras lang ang aking itatagal. I just want to make an appearance. Ang hindi ko lang inaasahan ay aanyayahan ako ni Mommy sa paglilibot sa mga bisita.

I felt the lingering heavy stares of both Dilly and Dalton when we walked away. Si Tito Arthur ay nasa ibang bisita at nakikipagkuwentuhan.

"Hera! Is this your daughter?" A middle-aged woman smiled and kissed my mothers cheeks. Ang ngiti niya ay umabot sa mga mata.

"Yes, this is Phaedra. Ikaw? Kasama mo ba ang anak mo?"

"Jelly dislike parties like this. She easily gets bored."

"She's just twenty? or what?"

"Twenty-three and still living her life like a teenager." Nagtawanan silang dalawa ni Mommy. Ngumiti naman ako nang mapadako muli ang tingin nito sa akin.

"You're beautiful. Manang-mana sa iyong Mommy. What is it that you do in life?"

"I'm a cafe owner po."

Lumawak ang kaniyang mata. "Cafe owner? That's great! I love coffees and sweets."

"Phaedra's great with coffees, Resh. You should come visit her cafe. Sa susunod nga ay doon tayo magpunta." Mommy suggested. The woman nodded vigorously at that. Nanatili lamang ang ngiti sa aking mga labi.

Nagkuwentuhan sila at isinasama naman ako ni Mommy paminsan-minsan sa usapan. Nang matapos sila ay iginiya naman ako ni Mommy sa ibang bisita.

"That's why I want you to attend parties like these. It will help you with your business. Hindi pwedeng kuntento ka lang sa mga pumupunta doon," sabi ni Mommy habang naglalakad kami.