Victoria
"Mama, I'm thinking about visiting you at that University tomorrow. But you're here na po." I am just silently watching my daughter while eating. She's too busy having story time with Banana Crescencio.
"Masyado mo naman akong miss, Baby e. Hindi naman kailangan na puntahan mo pa ako dahil p'wede namang ako ang dumalaw sa 'yo at sa Mommy mo." I rolled my eyes.
Disbelief is actually evident in my face right now. This girl is getting on my nerves. Kanina pa siya no'ng nagsimula ang dinner namin.
Mailap ang anak ko and now they are close already. Talagang ni-welcome siya ng parents ko dito sa bahay.
Hindi na rin naman siya nilubayan ng anak ko. She's too attached and I don't know how it happened. She's still a stranger and I am not used to someone coming here.
"You are right naman po, Mama. But when you will come here again?" Kumakain pa lang at hindi pa umaalis ang kausap niya but Ashlyn already asking her kung kailan babalik ang Crescencio na ito.
I really can't believe this now. Pakiramdam ko pinalitan na ako nito bilang Mommy.
"Baby, Banana is busy too because she's a student specifically, my student." Baka kasi nakakalimutan niyang estudyante ko pa rin siya. Kung kailan siya titino ay hindi ko alam.
I want her to stop.
"Pero kaya ko naman mag manage ng oras Baby Ashlyn. Busy din naman ako pero nandito ako ngayon kasama niyo." I don't know if si Ashlyn ba talaga ang kausap nito o ako because she's directly looking at me. "Ayaw lang ata ng Mommy mo na makita ako e."
Ngumisi ito na ikinatitig ko ng masama sa kaniya. Gusto ba niyang magalit ang anak ko sa akin?
"No po Mama. Mommy is kind po. Right Mom?"
Napipilitan akong tumango.
Gosh Crescencio.
Nang iinis pa itong ngumiti bago nag iwas ng tingin.
Mom and Dad have their world. Para silang walang pakialam sa amin na nandito rin kasama nila.
Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin ulit at hinayaan na lang silang dalawa. Kumain na lang ako para matapos na ito. It feels like kalbaryo ang kasama siya dahil sa tigas ng ulo niya.
Ano bang gagawin ko sa batang ito at ako pa talaga ang naisipang paglaruan.
Hinayaan ko na lang ang dalawang mag usap ng kung ano man dahil kung ano-ano ang naririnig ko sa kanilang dalawa. Tungkol lang din ito sa pag aaral ng bata.
Hanggang sa matapos ay ang dalawa lang ang naririnig ko. Nagkakatuwaan ata ang dalawa.
"Ako na maghuhugas ng pinagkainan, Mom." I suggested.
"Ako na bahala, sweetheart. Asikasuhin mo na lang 'yang dalawa—"
"But Mom." Tutol ko. Kung si Ashlyn ay p'wede pa. Alangan na ako din ang bahala sa Crescencio na 'yan? That's absorbing!
"Paano ba 'yan, Irog? Ikaw na daw bahala sa amin ng anak mo." Taas baba pa talaga ang kilay nito. I snickered in disbelief.
"Sa sala na muna kayo, Banana. Kami na ang bahala dito." Tumayo naman ang dalawa. Nagpapabuhat naman ang anak ko dito.
"Ashlyn—" Pipigilan ko dapat ito.
"Sure!" And ano pa ba? Binuhat talaga niya ang anak ko. "Tara!"
Sinundan ko lang ng tingin ang dalawa hanggang sa makalabas sila ng kusina. Scratching my eyebrows dahil hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sa batang 'yon.
How can I rid of that girl?
"Sweetheart, hayaan mo na 'yang si Banana. Look at your daughter, she's happy. Hindi na siya gaya no'ng mga nakaraan." I sighed and slightly nodded.
I want my daughter to be happy that's why I cannot do anything para pagsabihan si Ash. I am letting her get attached to that girl but I won't let myself get involved with her.
Ayoko silang mapalapit pero hinahayaan ko din. Ano ba talaga at parang ang gulo ko?
"I don't know that kid, Mom. We don't know kung sino siya. And you and Dad are letting her here." Pagrereklamo ko.
Nagkatinginan naman ang dalawa.
"Sweetheart, even you. You are letting that kid because you saw how happy Ash is." I looked down.
Minsan lang maging masaya si Ashlyn. But that doesn't mean na hahayaan ko ang batang iyon na mapalapit ng sobra sa anak ko. See that, kaya siguro hinahayaan ko si Ash kahit labag sa loob ko ay dahil masaya ito.
"I don't know Mom." I sigh heavily. "Susundan ko lang po muna sila." I stood up. Mom and Dad nodded at me.
Bahala na muna.
Natigil ako sa paglalakad ng marinig ako. Ash is laughing so hard. I am so overwhelmed right now.
Nag stay na lang ako sa labas ng kusina. At least I can watch them both. Ayokong lumapit at nakipag usap dahil baka kung ano na naman ang maririnig kong salita sa Crescencio na 'yan.
I saw some dirt on her white shirt which makes me frown. Mukha siyang bata dahil sa dungis ng itsura.
Palibhasa ay bata pa naman talaga siya. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang lumapit. Ang dungis niya pero Ashlyn keeps hugging her.
Mas mukha pa ata itong virus kaysa sa lalaking namimilit sa akin kanina sa labas ng eskwelahan. That freaking guy.
Well, I won't thank Banana for being there. I am just acting like a tough one but I'm so nervous a while ago. I hate that guy.
"Miss Crescencio, I think you need to take a shower first. You stink." Nagkatinginan naman ang dalawa. I even saw my daughter sniffing at her and looking at me.
"Mommy she smells lavender, she didn't stink." I sighed. Even so, madungis pa rin siyang tignan and I don't like it. "But Mama Banana, you really need a shower. Mommy hates looking at a girl with a speck of dirt in her shirt."
That's true. She's a girl so she must take care of herself.
I mentally laugh when she hurriedly stands and stares at me with wide eyes. Ridiculous.
This girl is unbelievably funny with a heck attitude. Oh, I'm fucked up for laughing mentally with that.
"Saan ako p'wede maligo?" She even sniffed herself and shooked her head. Like telling herself that she doesn't smell bad naman. "Ang bango-bango ko naman e."
"And so? Ang dungis mo." I raised my eyebrows at her. "Take a shower."
Napatingin ito sa sarili. I know that she knows what I'm saying. Kahit ang dalawang kaibigan niya kanina na sina Cathrice and Amanda tell that to her too.
First, I met Alicia and Hera. And now Cath and Amanda. And I even heard the name Alex. Mga kaibigan din niya? Who am I gonna meet again?
"Mama sa kwarto ko na lang!" I shooked my head mentally when Ash clapped her hands.
"P'wede ba?"
"Of course, Mama! Let's go!" Ashlyn grabbed Banana's hand and take her upstairs. I sighed again bago sumunod sa kanilang dalawa ng walang nagagawa.
"Ash, dahan-dahan sa pag akyat." Napansin ko kasing nagmamadali ata ito. Banana holds Ash's hands carefully paakyat ng hagdan.
Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman ko. Why is she so careful with my daughter?
Hanggang sa marating namin ang pinto ng k'warto ni Ashlyn ay nanatili akong tahimik na nakasunod sa kanila.
Ash gladly open her door.
"Welcome to my room, Mama!" I smile a little. Ash runs entering at nakasunod lang si Banana dito.
Maski ako ay sumunod na rin. Umakyat pang higaan ang anak ko bago tumalon-talon sa ibabaw ng bed niya.
"Ang cute naman ng room mo." Banana compliment.
"You'll take a bath right?" Sabat ko. She looked at me with a wide smile and I looked away. "Wait here first, I'll get you some clothes."
"Salamat, Irog!"
Good grief, this girl will be the death of me.
Well, I never imagined to met a girl like her. I can't believe she's good at her flirtatious and funny act. But then, I am not so interested in her intentions kaya siya nangungulit.
But still, I am curious about her.
Bigla na lang siyang lumitaw sa buhay namin and then she's flirting at me. Parang ang bilis lang na hindi na kami nito nilubayan ng anak ko na mabilis niyang nakuha ang loob. I don't want this.
I even heard Mom and Dad talking about her the night after our dinner when they met Banana. They are afraid to say no to that girl kaya I am so curious.
Who is Banana Crescencio na hindi nila magawang tanggihan?
She's friends with Alicia Santillan and Hera Padilla. I tried searching her name but there's no Banana Crescencio in there. I even asked Toni, because I know that she knows her.
And yet, she just knows her as Banana Crescencio, a good friend of her cousin. I never met her cousin anyways.
Gosh, why am I so curious? Hindi ba dapat ay wala akong pakialam?
I slightly shooked my head and decided to get some clothes in my room. Umalis ako without looking at them.
I'm thinking about what that girl should wear. Should I give her pajamas? Urgh, maybe a comfortable clothes will be fine.
I enter my daughters' room and check them. They are already fallen asleep. Wait, I just get some clothes in five minutes and now, they are asleep? That fast?
Deciding to disturb Banana, I shooked her hand and gladly she opened it. Not really asleep naman pala. But my daughter is already sleeping peacefully.
Inayos muna niya ang pagkakahiga ni Ashlyn bago tumayo at inabot ang damit na hawak ko para sa kaniya.
"I'll take a shower first." I nodded.
I already take a shower after dinner a while ago. Nagpalit pa nga ako ng pajama because the looks of Banana are crazy. She looks at me like her prey.
What a pervert weirdo.
Staring at Ashlyn, I decided to get some clothes in her closet para palitan siya. For her to be comfortable sa pagtulog kahit papaano.
After that, I tuck myself into Ashlyn's side. I won't let Banana na masolo ang anak ko. Ayokong magising na hindi na ako ang tinuturing na Mommy ni Ashlyn.
Hindi rin gano'n katagal when the shower room opened. My forehead creased when I saw her in a white sando. She's not wearing the pj's I gave her. I feel my face heat up when I realized she was not wearing a brassiere.
This kid! I gave her undergarments and she's not wearing them?!
"Good grief, Crescencio. I give you a bra and pj's. Why are you not wearing them?!"Silently, I panic. I know she looks so sexy right now but so what? Ang kulit talaga. And now her hair is in a messy bun right now.
Matangkad siya so I can see her long legs. Well, matangkad naman talaga siya.
"Sa tingin ko ay mas gugustuhin mo na ganito ang suot ko ngayon. Dapat nga ay nagpapasalamat ka pa." My heart is pounding so hard right now. She tucks herself sa tabi ni Ashlyn at humarap sa pwesto ko.
I tried not to look at her sando ng bumaba ito dahil nga tumagilid siya. She's smirking at me now and that smile is not cute for me. Good fucking grief, it looks dangerous.
"And why should I thank you? Can you heck change your sando and wear your pj's instead?" I still want her to change. "Wear your undergarments."
I can't deny that I'm nervous as hell right now which I don't know why. Hindi naman dapat because she's still a girl at hindi dapat ako aakto ng ganito.
"Kasi, natutulog ako ng hubad. Baka magwala ka pag lumabas ako ng shower na walang saplot."
Swear, I feel my face heat up again and the idea of seeing her naked makes me blush hard. Damn those pictures of her in my head. And fuck me to see her naked in my freaking mind.
I'm freaking straight and she had the guts to flirt and seduce me?
"S-Stop fooling around, Crescencio!" She pouted her lips which makes me gulp. Darn, that's sexy— shit!
What the heck are you thinking Victoria Dela Merced?!
I saw her hand snake into my daughter's waist but then I heard myself gasp when her hand touches my side. I glared at her but she just laughs at me this time.
"You shouldn't be here. Get off your hands off of me." Pinalo ko ang kamay nitong nasa side ko na. Imbes na tanggalin niya ay mas lalo siyang sumiksik sa side ni Ash para mas maabot ang waist ko. "Crescencio, umuwi ka na nga!"
Naiinis na ako sa ginagawa nito.
To be honest, my heart is not in a good condition right now. It's beating so hard and I am freaking nervous. I am trying to fix myself and to be calm.
"Ayoko, dito nga kasi ako matutulog." Wala din naman kasing nag invite sa kaniya. Ang kapal ng mukha ng batang 'to.
"Of course, you invited yourself." I retorted.
"Matulog na tayo, Mahal." I hissed at her again. Seeing her close her eyes before kissing Ashlyn on the forehead.
Closing the fact that she really invites herself to be here and sleep with us.
Napansin ko din na she always calls me, Mahal, irog or sinisinta. She's so corny as hell. At kung saan niya nakuha 'yan ay hindi ko alam. Mukhang may pagkamakata pa ang batang 'to.
"Stop calling me Mahal."
But instead of answering me, iba ang narinig ko sa kaniya.
"Payag ka na ba?" I confusedly stare at her closed eyes, down to her nose and pink pouty lips. She even has a mole on the side of her lips. I gulp again, it looks so soft but sheez, what am I doing?
At ano ba ang sinasabi ng isang 'to? Ang layo ng sinabi sa sinabi ko.
"What are you saying?" I don't understand kasi kung ano 'yong sinasabi niyang payag na ba ako. I just stare at her and shudder when her blue eyes connect in my orbs.
That's blue eyes are drowning me. That's the effect I have when she looked at me like that. Like she is owning me even though hindi naman ako kaniya. Masyadong malalim ang tingin niya.
She's actually pretty— of course, she is. With her blue eyes and complimenting eyebrows and pouty lips. She's pretty. And so what if I am complimenting her anyway? Wala namang ibig sabihin 'yon.
"Na dalhin mo na ang apelyido ko?" I rolled my eyes at her which makes her laugh again. She always says that na dalhin ko daw ang apelyido niya.
Why did she want me to carry her surname ba? If she's into play, hindi ako natutuwa.
Let's see kung hanggang saan ang kaya nitong laro.
"Why would I carry your surname?"
"Gusto ko." Nonsense reason.
"No." Sino namang may gustong ipangalan ang apelyido niya sa akin just because she wants it? "If you are playing, I am asking you to stop now. 'Cause seriously, kid. It is not funny anymore."
Umangat ang kilay nito sa akin.
"Kid?" I rolled my eyes. Iyon talaga ang napansin niya sa mga sinabi ko?
"I don't even know why you are here beside Ashlyn, my daughter—"
"Sabi ko dalhin mo ang apelyido ko. Lumalayo ka e." I can't believe this. Why would I carry her surname if I don't like her romantically?
Ni hindi ko nga siya kilala and most of all, I am straight.
"I don't even know you and you keep asking me to carry your surname?" Irritatingly commented at her. She always makes me feel irritated kahit noong unang makita ko ito sa Shop ni Toni.
"I am Banana Crescencio." She closed her eyes again and smile faintly. "My surname is good as hell with your name. Victoria Crescencio, sounds good, right?" I snickered.
Bakit ba pag nag i-english siya ay sobrang fluent and sexy? I can't deny it seriously. She looks half Spanish and Italian.
Saan kaya siya galing at ang kahambugan niya?
"Sounds dangerous," I commented, she opened her eyes again. It's cold that makes me shudder again. Hinigit niya ang kumot na nasa paanan at inayos ito sa aming tatlo.
Kailangan na talaga nitong umalis dito.
"Tunog danger man para sayo ang apelyido ko ay maganda naman ako." My mouth went agape in surprise. Creasing my forehead in disbelief. Makatang may pagka sira ang ulo.
I freaking can't help to hissed because of that.
Is it really possible for her to be unbelievably impossible? Bigla niyang siningit ang katatawa-tawang biro niya.
Not even funny.
"I'm serious." Her eyebrows raised which makes her cute. Darn, I keep complimenting her even though I don't want her here.
Ilang beses ko na ngang ginawa e.
"Oh." I reacted. "I thought you are joking."
"Maganda naman talaga ako a!" I think ready siyang makipag-argue sa akin about her being pretty.
"Okay, you are serious na." Pag iiwas ko. "But you're trying to change the topic."
"What topic?" At ngayon siya naman na ang umiiwas sa topic.
"Well, isn't it stupid that you want me to carry your surname but I don't even know you?" She sighed and snake her hands again into my waist. I can feel the warmth in her palm. It's calming my heartbeat anyway but I keep tapping her hand para maalis ito pero ayaw niyang tanggalin.
"I don't know if you can handle it." I look at her straight in her eyes and try to observe her. "Ang ganda na ng usapan natin e pero ang sungit-sungit mo naman buti na lang maganda ka pa rin." I raised my eyebrows.
"What do you mean about I can not handle? About yourself?" Imbes na sagutin niya ang tanong ko ay pumikit na naman siya.
"Let's sleep now, My Love. I am so sleepy." I can't believe this! After she dropped the thing about herself that I can't handle daw and now she's closing it that instant?
Now, tell me. How can I believe her likes to me if she can't even spill the bean about herself? Sinasabi niya sa iba that she likes me but never said it to me directly?
Now, that she avoids it. I can feel that she's not comfortable talking about it. She looks so afraid of spilling the whole truth. But again, hindi ko naman siya kilala to judge her just like that.
But confusion getting in my head.
Ano bang meron at parang umiiwas siya about herself? May something ba na hindi dapat malaman? Or may something ba na ayaw niya lang sabihin o ipagsabi?
As I realized that, wala rin naman siyang dahilan just to spill everything ng basta-basta dahil lang sa nagtanong ako. First of all, hindi naman talaga kami magkakilala at close.
But now that I am curious. Seriously curious about who the heck are Banana Crescencio.