Maddison's POV
It's been a week and we're here at our house right now. Yes, kompleto kami ngayon cuz it's Sunday. We decided not to go to church na, through the screen nalang kami nagsimba besides napakadaming tao baka mainitan na naman ang boss namin (Isabella). After the mass, Imee, Ava and I decided to prepare some dessert. While mixing some ingredients for the cake, si Imee at Ava naman gumagawa ng sorbet. They were so madaya, dapat nga silang dalawa gumagawa nitong cake kasi mas madami ang process eh. Hayst! After a couple of minutes, I noticed na nakatingin lang sila sakin so I speak up.
Maddison: Sana tinulungan niyo nalang ako dito kaysa nakatingin lang kayo sakin noh? (Then forced herself to smile)
Ava: Ano pa bang gagawin mommy? (Then came closer to Maddison)
Maddison: Yung oven anak, pakihanda na please. Preheat it to 75 degrees na.
Ava: Sige po.
Imee: Wait guys, I'll just go outside, check ko lang sila.
Ava: Wait Imee, please put that sorbet in the fridge na. Thank you (then smile)
Imee: Fridge? Why naman sa fridge pa ate? Matagal kaya yun.
Maddison: Oh eh saan? Bakit kasi ngayon niyo pa naisipan gumawa ng ganyan? Dapat kagabi pa.
Imee: Ako bahala (then wink). Asan po ba si Manang?
Ava: Nasa taas, inaayos yung kwarto ni Bella.
Imee: Nasa taas?! Pupuntahan ko pa siya doon? Tinatamad ako (then frown)
Ava: Ano ba kasing kailangan mo?
Imee: Yung ice cream maker ate. Doon nalang natin ilagay tong sorbet na toh para mabilis tumigas.
Maddison: Hanapin niyo na, wag niyo ng istorbohin si manang. Madami din ginagawa yun.
Imee: K fine. Ate samahan mo ako maghanap.
Ava: Sige.
Imee: Hayst! Saan ba kasi nakalagay yun mommy?
Maddison: Hindi ko alam, Ivy. Kung alam ko edi sana sinabi ko na diba? (then rolled her eyes)
Imee: Ang dami naman kasing nakalagay dito, nagagamit ba natin lahat ng toh? Tsaka bakit hindi mo alam mom? Dapat alam mo! (While looking for that ice cream maker)
Ava: Ngayon lang kasi ulit siya pumunta dito sa kitchen (whispered to Imee)
Imee: Ah kaya naman pala (then laugh)
I heard them laugh. Tsk! Itong dalawang toh talaga kapag nagsama, wala ng ibang ginawa kundi tumawa. After a couple of minutes, nakita na din nila ang ice cream maker. Imee immediately pour the mixture in it and left it for about 1 and a half hour then after that umalis na siya, pumunta na sa labas. I'm sure mamaya na babalik yun and si Ava naman sinamahan na niya akong gumawa ng frosting. While waiting for the cake out in the oven, there's a phone ring and guess what, kay Imee yun. So Ava immediately stood up then she was about to give it to Imee but I told her na wag, ako nalang ang sasagot besides it's Rod naman.
*FaceTime
Rod: Hi Li— Go-good morning po Attorney (then smile)
Maddison: Good morning. Sorry, I answered it na cuz Imee is not here. She's outside, at the pool area.
Rod: Okay lang po Attorney.
Maddison: Stop calling me Attorney, call me Tita just like before.
Rod: Si-Sige po tita. Umuwi po pala siya jan sa bahay niyo noh? I-I didn't know.
Maddison: Yah, kahapon lang and bukas daw siya uuwi.
Rod: Ah okay po.
Maddison: By the way, are you free around 5pm onwards? You can come over, dito ka na magdinner.
Rod: Ta-talaga po?
Maddison: Yah.
Rod: Sure tita. I'll be there at exactly 5pm po (then smile)
Maddison: Imee is walking towards us na, don't tell about the dinner ha? Surprise her nalang.
Rod: Sige po tita.
As Imee stop infront of us, I handed her phone. After a second, she excused herself para kausapin si Rod. Hay, talaga naman oh. After so many years, naghintay pa rin talaga yung binatang yun. He really kept his promise talaga. I'm so happy cuz there's a man who's willing to wait for my Lizzy no matter how long it takes. Hopefully maging sila na.
Ava and I were really bored rn so we've decided to watch some Netflix movie na muna besides matagal pa naman yun and it needs to be chilled before adding the frosting. I also told Ava na magpadeliver na ng lunch cuz we don't have enough time to cook. As the movie ends, sakto namang okay na yung cake so we stood up then get the frosting. While cutting the cake in a perfect size, Imee walk towards us.
Imee: Okay na yung sorbet ate?
Ava: Yah. Actually kumakain na nga yung pamangkin mo eh.
Imee: Oh okay.
Maddison: So what's the real score between you and Rod? (Referring to Imee)
Ava: Kayo na?
Imee didn't utter any words. She just laugh then help us decorate the cake.
Maddison: Anak, ano na? Kayo na ba? Sinagot mo na?
Ava: Wait, Anthony told me that he courted you before, is it true? (Referring to Imee)
Maddison: Yes! And that was 11 years ago na ba (thinking) Yah! 11 years ago na tapos bumalik ngayon para manligaw ulit diba?
Ava: My god! Really?
Maddison: Yes! So ano na nga Lizzy? Kayo na ba?
Imee: Hi-hindi pa mom.
Maddison: Bakit? Ano pa bang hinihintay mo? You have stable job naman na diba? Tsaka lampas kalendaryo ka na anak! Gusto mo bang tumandang dalaga ha?
Imee: Grabe ka naman sa lampas kalendaryo mommy, 31 palang po ako.
Ava: Correction, 31 and a half. Walang 31 and a half sa calendar Lizzy.
I was about to speak but our helper informed us na may delivery daw sa labas. So I ask Ava to pay for it muna cuz I can't go upstairs to get my card.
Imee: Unhealthy food again! (then rolled her eyes)
Maddison: Of course not! Your ate Ava was the one who ordered those food so ibig sabihin puro healthy yan.
Imee: Oh okay. My god mom! 12 na pala, kain na tayo, gutom na ako.
Maddison: Okay, help Manang na ha? I-prepare niyo na yung food. And call manong, sabihin mo maglagay na ng lamesa malapit sa pool area, doon nalang tayo sa labas kumain. Medyo makalat dito eh.
Imee: Okay.
As Imee tell those words, I just nod then inayos ko na muna ang ginagawa ko. I'll just continue after eating our lunch na. After a couple of minutes, I go upstairs para tawagin si Edward. I also told him na I invited Rod to have dinner with us later. I was surprised cuz he said "okay". Well, he also ask me kung anong lulutuin ko and guess what, he even insist na tutulong daw siya. To be honest naninibago ako pero dedma, ang mahalaga okay na sa kanya.
*while eating
Edward: Imee?
Imee: Yes Dad?
Edward: Bukas ka pa uuwi, right?
Imee: Yes po. Why?
Edward: Ah wala naman.
Maddison: Nga pala, after we eat magpahinga na muna kayo especially you madam! Stop playing around okay? Sleep ka muna baby ha? (Referring to Isabella)
Isabella: Okay MommyLa (then smile)
Anthony: Ano po bang meron mom?
Maddison: I invited someone to join us for dinner. So tutulungan niyo kami ni Manang magluto mamaya.
Imee: Sino mom?
Maddison: Malalaman mo mamaya anak. Sige na, kumain na kayo. Nasan pala sila Manang? Anthony kindly call our helpers anak, sabihin mo sumabay na sila sa atin.
Anthony: Okay.
It took us an hour eating our lunch. Well, natagalan dahil madaldal kami lahat. Our helpers refuse na samahan kami. Busog pa daw sila so hinayaan na namin besides they can eat whenever or whatever they like naman. Around 1:30pm, Edward and I go to the supermarket to buy some goods cuz we're running out of stocks na pala.
Rod's POV
It's already 2pm and I am here at my closet room, busy looking for some outfit that I'm going to wear for our dinner at Mr. and Mrs. Chavez's house. Well, I'm really excited but at the same time kinakabahan din cuz it's my first time na makasama sila. After a couple of minutes, I was shocked cuz mom speak up.
Emilia: Anak naman! Bakit nagkalat lahat ng damit mo? Ano bang ginagawa mo?
Rod: Namimili ako ng isusuot mom. Hayst! Wala naman kasing bago dito eh, puro nasuot ko na lahat.
Emilia: Ay ganun? Kapag nasuot na, hindi na pwedeng isuot ulit?
Rod: No, hindi naman sa ganun mom. Eh kasi importanteng dinner yung pupuntahan ko mamaya.
Emilia: Dinner? Saan ba yan?
Rod: Sa bahay nila Lizzy, mom. Tita Maddison invited me kanina.
Emilia: Sama kami ng daddy mo anak (then smile)
Rod: Mommy naman! Wag na, nakakahiya po (then frown)
Emilia: Anong nakakahiya? Magdadala naman tayo ng pagkain eh.
Rod: Mommy please, wag na po. Next time nalang, okay?
Emilia: okay, sige (then sigh deeply) Teka nakahanap ka na ba ng isusuot mo?
Rod: Hindi pa nga mom eh. Ano bang magandang isuot?
Emilia: Move! Ako na pipili.
As mommy tell those words, she walk towards me and I let her choose what I'm going wear. Habang namimili siya, ayoko yung mga pinipili niyang terno. Jusko! Hahayaan ko nalang baka mamaya magalit pa sakin. Mamimili nalang ako ulit kapag umalis na siya HAHAHAH. She also ask me kung anong oras daw ako pupunta so I answered around 5pm dapat nandoon na ako and that made her laugh kasi naman 2pm palang and yet heto ako, aligaga pumili sa kung anong isusuot ko.
At exactly 3pm, naligo na ako then I tried wearing those outfit na pinili ni mom and I must say, maganda din pala. It took me an hour to be fully prepared. Tinagalan ko talaga noh para kapag nagkita kami ni Imee, she'll going to say YES na HAHAHAH. As I go downstairs, mom handed me 2 roses.
(Rod's outfit)
Emilia: Yung isa ibigay mo kay Lizzy at yung isa naman sa mommy niya.
Rod: Ayown! Thank you mom (then hugged her mom)
Emilia: Sige na, go. Mag-ingat ka ha? Sabihin mo sa susunod si Lizzy naman ang pumunta dito (then pulled out from the hug)
Rod: I'll ask her later mom.
As I tell those words, I gave mom a cheek kiss then nagpaalam na din ako kay Dad. While driving, kinakabahan cuz there's a lot of what ifs in my mind right now. It took me 45 minutes to reach their house. I am now standing infront of their gate while holding 2 roses. I just sigh deeply before pressing the doorbell. I waited for like a minute but still wala pa din nagbubukas ng gate. Baka hindi lang nila narinig so I pressed it again then after a couple of seconds, Imee opened it. She was shocked cuz hindi ko sinabi na pupunta ako dito ngayon (yun ang sabi ni tita eh).
Rod: Hi (then handed one rose)
Imee: Thank you.
Rod: You didn't tell me na umuwi ka pala dito. Kay Tita ko pa nalaman kanina.
Imee: Paano ko sasabihin? Eh pareho naman tayong busy.
Rod: Kahit pa busy ako, I always find time to be with you Lizzy. Alam mo yan.
Imee: Ano palang ginagawa mo dito? Alis ka na may hinihintay kaming bisita eh.
Rod: Hindi mo ba ako patutuluyin?
Imee: As I said earlier, may bisita kami. Kaya umalis ka na, okay? Bye!
She was about to close the gate pero pinigilan ko ito then speak up.
Rod: Are you expecting someone to join you guys for a dinner?
Imee: Pa-paano mo alam?
Rod: Ako yun love. Tita invited me kanina (then smile)
Imee: Weh?
Rod: Oo nga (then smile again)
After telling those words, she just laugh then looked at me from head to toe.
Rod: Ba-bakit? (Confused)
Imee: Bakit ganyan suot mo?
Rod: Why? What's wrong with this?
Imee: Napaka-formal mo naman. Dinner lang pupuntahan mo Mr. Laurel, hindi po meeting (still laughing)
Rod: Ah eh, first time kaya ako imbitahan ni Tita kaya dapat maayos ako tignan.
Imee: Ako nga nakapambahay lang. You know what, remove your tux. Pagtatawanan ka lang ni kuya niyan eh.
After Imee tell those words, she immediately walk towards me then helped me remove my tux.
Imee: There you go.
Rod: Sure ka Lizzy? Aalisin ko talaga toh?
Imee: Ahuh! May iba ka bang sapatos?
Rod: Wala po love.
Imee: Tsk! Tigilan mo yang katatawag mo sakin niyan Rod ha. Mamaya kung ano pang isipin nila Dad eh. Baka sabihin non tayo na tapos hindi ko man lang sinasabi sa kanila.
Rod: Katatawag? Ng alin?
Imee: Love! (then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Alam mo excited nako sabihin mo yan ng hindi ka galit (then laugh)
Imee: Whatever! Sige na ipunta mo na yang Tux mo sa sasakyan para makapasok na tayo, mainit dito sa labas.
Rod: Okay (then smile)
After telling those words, I hurriedly open my car then hinagis ko na sa loob yung tux. As we enter their house, Tita Maddison and Tito Edward immediately walk towards me and welcomed me. As I handed the rose to Tita Maddison, natatawa ako kasi kanina para akong tanga na nag-ooverthink. Kung ano ano pang iniisip ko tapos ngayon okay pala lahat. Hayst! After a couple of minutes, nagpaalam na din sila pero sakto namang pababa na din si Kuya Anthony so he walk towards me na din with his wife, Ate Ava. Yes! Kilala ko siya, dakilang stalker kaya ako dati HAHAHAH.
Anthony: Hi bro (then smile)
Rod: Hello Kuya (smile back)
Anthony: This is my wife, Ava.
Rod: Nice to meet you po (then offer his hand for a handshake)
Ava: Likewise (then smile)
Anthony: And Hon, this is Rod. Imee's suitor for like 11? 12 years na ba? Not sure at all (then laugh)
Imee: Kuya! Anong 12 years ka jan? Hindi kaya, you're so exaggerated ha (then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Actually Kuya Anthony is right, Ate Ava. Kahit naman hindi ko siya kasama o nabibigyan ng bulaklak sa loob ng ilang taon, siya pa din naman iniisip ko palagi (looked at Imee then smile) Actually I never think that......I stopped courting you kahit nasa malayo ako (Referring to Imee)
Anthony: Asus! (Then laugh)
Ava: I'll excuse myself na muna ha? Tulungan ko lang si mommy sa kitchen.
Rod: Sige po.
As Ate Ava left, kuya Anthony excused himself also cuz his phone ring. He needs to answer it daw cuz it's urgent and it can't wait. Imee and I were now sitting at their living room, hindi siya nagsasalita so I speak up.
Rod: Kamusta?
Imee: I'm good. Ikaw?
Rod: Ayos din, sobrang saya ko nga eh (then smile)
Imee: Good for you. Kamusta na pala si Franky? Okay na ba siya?
Rod: Ahm, medyo okay na din kahit papano.
Imee: Buti naman.
Rod: Lizzy?
Imee: Yes?
Rod: I know this past few days hindi kita masyadong nakakasama o nabibisita and I'm really sorry for that. Pero believe me, I'm sti— ( didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: It's okay, Rod. As long as hindi ka nagsisinungaling sakin, okay lang. You know me, ang ayoko sa lahat? Sinungaling so don't lie to me, okay?
Rod: I won't, promise (then smile)
Our conversation goes on, we talked about a lot of things. God! I really missed this kind of convo that we use to. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na nga masyadong naiintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya cuz I am mesmerised with her angelic face. Ang swerte ko talaga. I can't wait to call her love every single day. Pangako ko, kapag sinagot na niya ako, hindi ko na pakakawalan toh! Pakakasalan ko na agad HAHAHA. After a couple of minutes, kuya Anthony called me. Labag man sa kalooban kong iwan siya pero kailangan eh. Kailangan ko munang magpalakas sa kapatid mo love HAHAHA.
Kuya Anthony and I were here at the dirty kitchen. We're grilling some barbecue on the hibachi grill. While waiting for those meat to cook perfectly, he speak up.
Anthony: Mukhang bihis na bihis tayo ah (then laugh)
Rod: Hi-hindi naman kuya.
Anthony: Sus! Mukhang may important occasion or event kang ngang pupuntahan eh.
After kuya tell those words, I just smile then flipped those meat dahil parang nasusunog na. Pero pati ako natatawa din talaga eh. Nagformal pa ako tapos mag-iihaw lang pala ako dito HAHAHAH. Well, wala naman silang kasalanan. Ako lang talaga tong assuming. Wait, kasalanan din pala toh ni mom kasi siya ang namili nitong suot ko eh. It took us half an hour to grill then after that I saw Imee, she's at the pool area kasama si Bella so I decided na lapitan sila.
Rod: Hi baby! (then smile)
Isabella: Tito pogi!? Finally you're here (then hugged Rod) I missed you po. Wait, what is that smell? So stinky! (Covered her nose)
As Bella tell those words, Imee laugh so nahiya ako.
Rod: Sorry baby. Your Dad and I grilled some meat kasi eh.
Isabella: Oh okay po Tito.
Rod: Sorry (Referring to Imee then do the peace sigh)
Isabella: Tito Pogi why ngayon ka lang po pumunta dito? Kelan po tayo lalabas ulit kasama si Tita Pretty?
Rod: I'm busy kasi this past few weeks baby eh. Well, ask your tita about that cuz she's the boss. If she's free, I'll clear my sched right away (look at Imee then wink)
Isabella: Tita kelan ka po hindi busy?
Imee: I-I don't know baby eh. Maybe next week? I'll call you nalang, okay?
Isabella: Okay po.
I was about to speak but Tita Maddison called us. I checked my wristwatch and it's already 6:30pm na pala. She told us na pumasok na. We're going to eat a bit early daw dahil kailangan ko din umuwi ng maaga. Sus! Tita kahit abutin pa ako dito ng umaga okay lang. As Imee, Bella and I go to their dining room, ang daming pagkain. Ano toh? Pinaghandaan nila pagdating ko? HAHAHA Biro lang.
*while eating
Edward: So how was work, Rod?
Rod: Okay lang naman po Tito.
Anthony: How 'bout the courtship? (Look at Imee then laugh)
Isabella: Courtship? What was that mean Daddy?
Anthony: No-nothing anak just eat, okay?
Isabella: Okay (then smile)
Anthony: So how was it Rod?
Imee: Do-don't answer Rod. Kuya tumigil ka nga please?
Edward: Rod?
Rod: Yes Tito?
Edward: Wag mong sukuan yang anak ko ha? Masungit lang yan pero mabait naman.
Maddison: I know masyado ka ng pinapahirapan ni Imee pero sana you won't get tired of waiting for her, iho.
Imee: Mom, Dad! Kung ano ano pong pinagsasabi niyo. Stop it, please!
As Imee tell those words, her mom and dad laugh slightly.
Imee: Don't mind them, Rod. Pagpasensyahan mo na (whispered)
Rod: Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, wag po kayong mag-alala. Kahit kelan hindi ko po susukuan si Imee. Kagaya po ng sabi ko dati, I'll wait for her no matter how long it takes. Tsaka hindi naman po niya ako pinapahirapan eh. Mabait po siya, Sobra! (then laugh slightly)
Anthony: Asus! Mabait? Jusko, kelan pa?
Our convo goes on and it took us an hour to finish our dinner. Ate Ava also gave us dessert, it's a cake with a sorbet on top. Sabi nila, si Imee daw gumawa non. I don't know if it's true but I must say, perfecto! Around 8:30pm, mom called me. Napansin nila Tita yun so sinabihan akong umuwi na din kaya nagpasalamat na ako then nagpaalam. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam kay Bella cuz she's in her room right now, natutulog na daw. Imee and I were now standing infront of their house. Tita Maddison told her na ihatid ako dito sa labas so she did.
Imee: Ingat ka.
Rod: I will. A-anong oras ka nga pala uuwi bukas?
Imee: After breakfast siguro, around 8 or 9.
Rod: Oh okay.
Imee: Yah, so pano? Ingat ka ha? Drive safely, goodbye.
Imee was about to leave but I speak up so she faced me. Heto na naman po tayo. Parang tanga na naman ako ditong ayaw mahiwalay sa kanya.
Imee: May sasabihin ka pa?
Rod: Pwede magtanong?
Imee: You already did, Mr. Laurel (then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Seryoso nga, Lizzy. I wanna ask you.
Imee: K, fine. Ano ba yun?
Rod: You told me that you're getting there, right?
Imee: And? (Confused)
Rod: And I-I just wanna know if anong ibig sabihin non. Ilang percent na ba if you're going to rate it until 100%?
Imee: Bakit gusto mong malaman?
Rod: Wala lang, so-sorry. Anyways, you don't have to answer it naman eh. I'm willing to wait, Lizzy.
Imee: I think, 85 percent (then looked away)
Rod: Really? So 15 percent nalang ang kulang? (Then smile)
Imee: Marunong ka naman sa math diba? Bakit kailangan mo pa akong tanungin? Hindi ka naman bobo, right? Or baka naman sadyang nagtatanga-tangahan ka lang? (look at Rod then raised her eyebrow)
Rod: Hmpft! (Pinched Imee's nose then laugh slightly)
Imee: Aray! Nakakainis ka naman eh. Alam mo Ikaw, sinasaktan mo na ako.
Rod: Ay sorry love (he was about to held Imee's face but she refuse)
Imee: Basted ka na nga! Ayoko na (frowned)
Rod: Basted ka jan? Kahit ilang ulit mo pa ako mabasted, Ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin at liligawan ko. Hinding-hindi magbabago yun.
Imee: So ipipilit mo?
Rod: Oo, bakit?
Imee: Sus!
Rod: Seryoso ako, ipipilit ko talaga hanggang sa maubos ako. Tsaka ang tagal kitang hinintay, ngayon pa ba ako susuko? No way, Lizzy.
Imee: Tsk! Sige na, umuwi ka na.
Rod: Okay, Goodnight love.
Imee: Goodnight lo— Rod.
As Imee tell those words, she immediately closed the gate at iniwan akong mag-isa dito sa labas. Did I hear it right? Muntik na ata yun ah HAHAHA. Pfewww! sayang naman. I drove as fast as I can. Around 9:25pm, I got home. As I enter our house, mom is waiting for me at the living. Sigurado ako magtatanong na naman siya so I sit beside her and tell her everything then after that, pumunta na ako sa room. I took a bath then wore comfy clothes. I am now laying on my bed, facing the ceiling at iniisip ko kung ano ng ginagawa ni Lizzy ngayon. I immediately grab my phone then try to call but sadly, hindi siya sumasagot. I guess tulog na siya so I've decided to send her a message before I go to sleep nalang din.
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