Bittered Reception (Taste Series #1)

Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6

Family

Bumungad sa amin ni Ate pagkalabas galing sa opisina sina Papa at Kitty. Nakaupo silang tatlo sa mahabang mesang pampamilya. When Kitty saw me and Ate approaching, she ran towards us and clutched our hands. I gently tapped her head while Ate pinched her fluffy cheek.

Nang makalapit kami kina Papa, Ate kissed his cheek and then Tita Colenne. I smiled politely at the latter. She did the same too.

It's a little awkward for me, but I'll do my best to treat her nicely, as Ate mentioned earlier.

"Ate Ganda! Mommy and Daddy had decided to eat here rather than at the other restaurant. I haven't eaten here yet, but I'm sure the food is delicious. Also, Ate Goddess said she'd join you for lunch, so we'll join you two so you wouldn't feel lonely." mahabang pahayag nito na ikinangiti ko.

"You're so cute Kitty."

Her eyes twinkled like a star in the night sky. "Oh! Really? Just like you and Ate Ganda?" I shake my head slowly.

"We're not cute, baby. We're pretty." We laughed when Ate said that to Kitty.

"We should start our lunch now. I am sure you all must be hungry." Papa said.

Tumango kami ni Ate at umupo na sa bakanteng upuan. Magkaharap kami ni Tita Colenne na katabi naman nito si Kitty. Nasa kabisera si Papa at nasa gilid nito si Ate na siyang katabi ko.

Inilapag kaagad ni Kuya Matty at Krig ang mga putahe na sa tingin ko'y inorder na nila Papa kani-kanina lang.

"How's your day, Ven?"

"Just fine, Dad."

Having a peaceful lunch with them felt good. I never thought that it was the start of me and Tita Colenne's closeness. Even though she is not my biological mother, I can felt the eagerness inside me to comprehend her true motive towards me, us. I wanted to experience the feeling of having a mother figure. The one who apprehend my both negative and positive traits. My traits that no one ever knew except my sister.

Monday came and school days continued. I arrived in the university early compared to my usual time. Mangilan-ngilan pa lamang ang mga estudyante sa building ng Business Ad. Tantiya ko ay mamayang alas otso pa magsidatingan ang iba.

This is my last year in college and I'm hoping that this academic year is on my favor. Sasagad-sagarin ko na ang pagiging estudyante dahil sa susunod na taon ay hindi ko na mararanasan ang pakiramdam na maging isa. I'll make this academic year worth remembering for.

I seated at my usual spot, the seat in the middle row. There are two vacant seat left on my right and one on my left side. I left it for Serene, Lierra and Lucy. They also took Business Administration and we had the same class schedule. I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or they just used their connection to made it the same. I'm happy and grateful for them, nevertheless.

I studied and read in advance the topics for our next subject to pass the time. Ten minutes before the bell ring, Lierra came together with Serene. Nakapagtataka nga kung bakit hindi madako-dako ang tingin ni Serene sa akin. It was strange but hindi ko na lamang pinansin. Panghuling dumating si Lucy sa aming magbabarkada na hindi maipinta ang mukha.

"What's with your face?" Lierra asked her.

"I met him, again! Like, what the actual fudge?" Lucy said frustratingly.

We knew the guy. Lucy met him in Siargao, ayon na rin sa kaniya. We didn't met him though. We only knew him because of Lucy's bombastic speech about him.

I gave her a broad smile. "Iyan ang kasabihang, pinagtagpo kayong dalawa ni tadhana."

She rolled her eyes while both hands wrapped on her chest. "Pinagtagpo ngunit hindi itinadhana kamo."

We only laughed at her reply. Marami pa siyang sinabi tungkol sa lalaki at panay tawa lang kami habang nanonood sa kaniyang speech na may kalakip pang bodily movements including hand and head gestures.

Ilang minuto ang aming inilaan sa pag-uusap bago dumating ang Professor namin sa Business Math. We focused intently to our classes the whole time and when our last subject for that day ended, we planned to have a drink after dinner.

I texted Ate Veronica about our plans and she just gave her full support to me. May mga payo nga lang na ibinigay but I'm used to it.

"Magkita-kita nalang tayo sa unit ko ha? Be there before seven." I gave Lucy an approve sign while the other two just nodded their heads and replied, 'Alright!'

Nagkaniya-kaniya silang sakay sa sasakyang dala at umalis na nang tuluyan sa parking lot.

Nakaupo na ako sa driver seat at handa nang e-maniobra ang kotse paalis ng parking lot nang tumunog ang cellphone ko sa isang tawag. It was an unregistered number but I still answered the incoming call thinking that it might be important.

"Hello? This is Ivianna Fernice Lacsamana speaking. Who's this?" I said calmly while tapping the steering wheel.

"Venice." A manly voice replied. And... his voice is very familiar. I felt like I already heard his voice years ago.

Napasinghap ako at hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan ang screen ng aking cellphone na kasalukuyan pa ring naka on ang tawag.

"Shit!" I cursed repeatedly when my car keys fell from the floor of my car when I learned the owner of the manly voice.

"Venice? You okay? What happened? Is there something wrong?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong at halata ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang boses.

"Y-Yes. I-I'm... okay. Don't worry." Inabot ko ang nahulog kong susi na kinailangan ko pang dumukwang upang maabot ito. I released a deep sigh when I already took it.

Nang bumalik sa katinuan ang sistema ko, pumasok sa aking isip kung saan siya kumuha ng number ko at ano ang pakay niya sa pagtawag na naging dahilan ng pagkakunot ng aking noo.

"H-How did you get my number, Mr. De Asis? As far as I can remember, I didn't gave my number to you during our interaction. And... what do you want from me? Why are you calling me?" sunod-sunod ko ring tanong sa kaniya. Hindi lang naman siya ang magaling magtanong ng sunod-sunod, kaya ko rin.

"Too tired to answer your questions but for your peace of mind, I'll still answer them." I heard him took a deep breath before started to answer my questions. May naririnig pa akong maingay na boses panlalaki sa kabilang linya.

He must be in his office? Perhaps, those voice are his employees? But it is already six in the evening. So basically, office hours is already done. Or... at the bar! He must be in the bar since the voices are very unusual. It seems like he get outside just to call me this hour because of the faint voices.

What the hell, Venice! When did you start to mind other people's business? Especially, his business!

"First of all, I got your number from my friend's girlfriend. I learned that you two are closed friends so I asked for it. Lastly, I have a favor to ask." Aawayin ko na sana siya dahil sa huli niyang sinabi nang magsalita siya ulit. "It's all about Nicolette's upcoming birthday, don't worry."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa sinabi niya at mababakas sa aking mukha ang saya nang marinig ang sinabi niya. I'm not sure if he is just using Kitty for hearing my abrupt approval knowing that she is one of my weaknesses right now or he just really need my help for Kitty's birthday.

"When's her birthday? What can I do for her?" I said softly.

"Two weeks from now. The day after the company's anniversary. I need someone to organize Nicolette's party." He said in a serious tone.

"Count me in." Diretsahan kong sagot nang hindi man lang inisip ang kahihinatnan nito.