Book signing of Nights In Casa Vallejo on September 15, 2023, at the KPUB Booth on MIBF! See you there. :)
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Chapter 30
I woke up when I felt gentle kisses on my tummy. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Terrence lying on his chest. Nakatuon ang isang siko niya sa kama habang nakapangalumbaba.
He caught me already looking at him. Tipid akong ngumiti, ramdam pa rin ang bigat ng mga mata.
"Morning." he greeted and gave my tummy another butterfly kiss.
"Good morning."
He was already wearing his office suit. May necktie na rin at coat na lang ang kulang. Nang tumingin ako sa wall clock ay malapit na rin mag ala-syete kung saan oras na ng alis niya.
Sometimes, it frustrates me that I woke up late this past few days. Mas gusto ko palagi ang natutulog at nakahiga lang sa kama. Babangon lang kapag kakain at pupunta ng banyo.
I already stopped going to work since my obstetrician asked me to have some bed rest. I have to take care of myself even more. Lalo pa at may edad na rin ako.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to prepare breakfast for you." sabi ko.
I brought my hand to his cheek and stroked it gently. Hinuli niya ang kamay ko at dinala ito sa labi niya saka pinatakan nang marahang halik.
Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kapag maayos kami ni Terrence at walang pinag-aawayan. I don't want to experience that cold treatment from him again. Nakakainis lang na wala akong ginagawa para mag-away kami pero sadyang may mga taong walang magawa sa buhay nila.
"I'm not obliging you to do that for me."
"I know. Just a little thing that I should do for my man."
He smiled. Isang beses niya pang pinatakan ng halik ang tiyan ko bago yumuko palapit sa akin. He brushed his lips against mine. Masiyadong malambot ang halik niyang 'yon, ramdam ang emosyon.
"I already appreciate you even if you do nothing for me. I just want to see your face everyday. You disheveled hair spreading all over your pillow. Your vanilla scent in our bathroom and your giggles whenever you find our conversation funny," he sighed before anchoring his dark eyes on mine. "You are all that matters to me, Priscilla. Not the things you should be doing for me."
Hindi ko ugali ang kiligin. Pero kapag si Terrence na mismo ang nagsasalita, kapag siya na mismo ang ngingisi, para na akong pusang kinukuryente. I am just really good at hiding that his words or actions don't affect me.
But deep inside... I'm already dying.
"Sige na, pumasok ka na. Baka kung saan pa tayo mauwi na dalawa." natatawang sabi ko.
He grinned and bit his lower lip as if he knew what I was talking about.
"I don't mind. I still have time."
Pinangdilatan ko siya ng mga mata. "No, you don't have. Nakailan na tayo kagabi at baka mamaya, kung ano na ang mangyari sa mga anak natin dahil palaging naaalog."
Humagalpak siya ng tawa. It made me admire the perfection of his teeth. Pantay na pantay at maputi. Mapula ang gilagid at maging ang mga labi. Even the smell of his breath always leaves me addicted.
"Alright. We'll try to lessen that," he said and licked his lip. "But when you're already on your final month, we have to do it always. Charm said it will somehow help you."
How would it help me?
"You asked Charm about that?"
"I did. I have to know more about your pregnancy."
Sa mga ganoong bagay, hanga ako kay Terrence sa pagiging hands on niya. Despite his busy schedule at work, he made sure that he had time for me. Every check up, he's there with me. Ang sabi niya, ayaw niya pinapalampas ang mga ganoong sandali.
He always gives me a reason to fall for him even more. Despite the rumors circulating that he will still find someone else that is better and younger than me, he is making sure that none of them were true.
"Terrence, please buy me a box of napoleones before you get home." ungot ko habang inihahatid siya sa main door.
Nilingon niya ako at tumango. "Sure. Anything else?"
Nag-isip ako ng puwedeng idagdag doon. Nothing comes to my mind so I just shook my head.
"Iyon lang."
Isang beses pa siyang tumango bago kami nagpatuloy sa paglalakad patungong pintuan. He suddenly stopped that made me stop, too.
"I forgot to inform you that Tita Dreya is inviting us to have dinner with them in their house. Daphne's birthday."
"Kapatid ni Dustine?"
Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin magawang matandaan ang pangalan ng isa't isa at kung kaninong mga anak sila. Sa laki ng angkan ng Monasterio, hindi ganoong kadali sauluhin ang lahat.
"Yup. Wear anything that's comfortable for you."
Tumango ako. "Just call me if you're already on your way here para makapag ayos na ako."
Tuluyan na siyang nagpaalam sa akin. Nang makaalis ay inabala ko ang sarili ko sa pagtunganga at panonood ng kung anong mga palabas sa Netflix. Sa huli, nakatulog lang ako kagaya ng nakahihiligan sa mga nakaraang araw.
Terrence went home by three in the afternoon. He's supposed to be home by six. The asshole wanted to cuddle with me so he decided to come home before we left for Daphne's birthday dinner.
"We didn't buy a gift for her." I realized when we're already on our way.
"I don't know what to give her, too."
Sandali akong nag-isip. Kung dadaan pa kami sa mall, siguradong matatagalan kami. The fact that we both don't know what she likes would consume too much of our time.
"I have an idea," I said and glanced at Terrence whose eyes were fixed on the road. He gave me quick glance. "Does she loves shopping?"
"Yup."
"Perfect. I'll give her a shopping spree in the biggest branch of Luxwear."
He chuckled. "Clarisse will surely get envy."
I smiled. I know how much Clarisse likes the designs of Luxwear. Hindi siya pumapalya ipaalam sa akin 'yon.
"Clarisse can go with Daphne."
"It's not her birthday, Priscilla. But I can pay for her expenses if she insisted." he glanced at me smiled.
Natawa ako. "You talk as if your sister isn't rich. Kayang kaya niya bayaran ang kung ano mang gusto niya sa Luxwear. Just let them have fun on that boutique. I got them."
Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya at binigyan ako nang mabilis na sulyap.
"Perks of having a girlfriend who is a ceo."
Tanging ngisi lang ang isinagot ko. Kahit pa anong bigat ng estado ko sa lipunan, mangliliit pa rin kung mga Monasterio ang nakapalibot sa'yo.
We arrived at the Forbes park by seven six in the afternoon. Narito raw ang pinakamalaking bahay nina Sir Dashiel at Tita Dreya at ang nasa Taguig ay minsan lang tirahan.
Nang makarating sa mismong tapat nito ay halos mapanganga ako sa lawak at ganda nito. It's not the kind of house where there are multiple floors. Nasa gitna sila ng isang malawak na kapatagan, nag-iisa. It's more of a Mediterranean mansion with palm trees everywhere.
The bermuda grass was so wide a lot of cars would surely fit in. The gate was tall and made of steel. Intricate swoosh designs were placed above. In the middle, there was a huge letter "M" that surely means Monasterio.
"This is a nice mansion." puri ko nang makababa kami sa kotse.
"It is. We used to play here during our younger days."
Hawak ang aking kamay ay naglakad na kami papunta sa gate. The guard opened it for us with a warm smile on his lips.
"Sino ang pinakamatanda sa inyong magpipinsan?"
"Si Ate Clarisse. Sumunod sina Dustine, Dice at Daniela. Ako at si Zoilus naman ulit."
Oo nga pala at triplets sila.
"Ang sipag nina Tita Dreya."
Ngumisi siya. "Mas masipag sina Papa at Mama."
I giggled, couldn't agree more. Oo nga naman. Isang dosena na anak. Pakiramdam ko taon-taon buntis si Tita Tate dahil kaunti lang ang agwat nilang magkakapatid.
"Si Skyler, pang ilan siya?"
"I'm two years older than him. But we already met him when he's four or five."
"Bakit sa ganoong edad n'yo lang siya nakilala?"
"It's connected to his parents's past," nilingon niya ako sa nakataas na kilay. "Why are you suddenly interested in Skyler?"
I laughed at the sudden change of his mood.
"Selos kaagad? Napansin ko lang kasi na siya ang pinakaseryoso sa inyong magpipinsan. Bihira kung ngumiti."
Itinuon niyang muli sa harapan ang atensyon habang naglalakad kami.
"He's the most jolly during our childhood days. Habang nagkakaedad, nakukuha niya ang ugali ni Tito Reon."
Kaya pala. Nung una ko rin makilala si Tito Reon ay bihira ito kung ngumiti. Ngingita man, kay Tita Isha lang. Parang si Tito Dashiel. The only men that I saw to laugh a lot are Tito Zadriel and Tito Alas.
Pagkapasok sa bulwagan ay naroon na lahat ang buong angkan nila. Kami ata ni Terrence ang late. Kagaya ng inaasahan, nagkakagulo na ang mga babae at kaniya kaniya na ng tawanan.
"Priscilla!"
Ngumiti ako nang makita si Clarisse na naglalakad na patungo sa gawi ko. Her arms are wide and there's a welcoming smile on her aristocratic face.
"Hi, Clarisse." I smiled and hugged her back.
Sumunod na yumakap sa akin si Daniella at Daphne. Nahagip ng mga mata ko sina Dice at Dustine. Ngumisi sila sa akin na sinagot ko lang ng ngiti.
"Terrence, you can now leave Priscilla with us." Clarisse demanded.
"But-"
"No buts! Hindi naman mawawala si Priscilla kapag kami ang kasama." putol ni Daniella sa kaniya.
Natawa ako sa reaksyon ni Terence na mukhang aalma pa. Tumango lang ako bilang pagpayag. He sighed and shook his head.
"Take care of her. She's pregnant."
"We all know, kuya." It was Daphne.
Wala na siyang nagawa pa. He kissed me on my forehead before leaving me the girls. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin bago tiningnan si Daphne.
"Happy birthday, Daphne. I'm giving you a shopping spree in Luxwear as a gift."
"Oh my gosh! You can't be serious, ate!" Si Daniella sa namimilog na mga mata.
Daphne smiled. Her eyes shone in happiness. Yumakap siyang muli sa akin.
"Thank you, ate."
"Si Daphne lang?" ngumuso si Daniella.
Clarisse was smirking. "Paano naman kami?"
Natawa ako. "Of course you are both included. Just tell me when so I'll give a heads up to the management."
They all cheered in happiness. Saka ko lang napagtanto na gaano man sila kayaman, mababaw pa rin ang kaligayahan nila. I guess a simple gift will also mean so much to them.
Niyakag nila ako sa living area kung saan naroon ang ilan pang pinsan nila na babae. Naroon rin ang girlfriend ng ilan sa kanila kaya naman naging kampante na rin ako.
"Malaki na iyan. Ilang buwan na?" bati ko kay Elianna na siyang nasa tabi ko.
"Running to seven months."
She smiled. Her face was radiating. Parang hindi buntis. Her presence was bright and charming. Palagi rin nakangiti.
Nang sulyapan ko si Dustine ay naabutan ko itong nakatitig sa gawi ni Elianna habang kausap sina Terrence.
Pumasok sa bulwagan si Skyler. Beside him was a small girl with curly hair, as white as snow complexion and angelic features. Nakangiti ito nang malawak. Samantalang si Skyler, walang reaksyon ang mukha na para bang bagot na sa mga nangyayari.
"Heislee!" malakas na sigaw ni Shiloh, isa sa mga anak ni Tita Isha.
"Oh my! Hi, Shiloh!" kaway nung magandang babae.
"Hindi na talaga mapaghiwalay si Skyler at Heislee." naiiling na sabi ni Clarisse.
"It's hard for Skyler since he refused to tell her what he truly feels. Childhood friends nga kasi. Pero ewan. Ang manhid rin kasi ni Heislee." mahinang sabi ni Daphne.
Wala sa sarili kong pinagmasdan si Skyler at Heislee. Heislee was now jamming with the girls. Habang si Skyler at nagtungo sa gawi nina Terrence pero ang mga mata, mariing nakasunod sa galaw ni Heislee.
"Masaya akong nakarating kayong lahat dito. This is supposed to be a grand celebration but Daphne wants it to be private with us." nakangiting sabi ni Tita Dreya nang magsimula na ang hapunan.
Nasa garden kami. Nahati kami sa ilang grupo dahil masiyado kaming marami. Sa gitna ay naroon ang pamilya nina Tita Dreya at Tito Dashiel. I just noticed Duke sitting beside Daniella with a bored expression while looking at their parents.
Ano na kaya ang nangyari sa kanila ni Ruth? Basta na lang rin kasi siya nag-walk out nung puntahan niya ako sa office. She couldn't take the embarrassment of letting me see Duke with another girl. Ang yabang pa naman niya.
"Do you want some cake?" bulong ni Terrence sa akin.
Nilingon ko siya at tipid na nginitian. "No, I'm already full. Marami na akong nakain."
Kahit ang totoo, gusto ko pang kumain dahil tila hindi ako nabubusog.
"It's fine to eat a lot in your first and second trimester, Priscilla. Pagdating ng third, kakailanganin mo na ang magbawas." sagot ni Tita Tate na nakikinig pala sa amin.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya bago binalingan si Terrence.
"Okay. Please get me a slice of mango cake and chocolate na rin," I smiled. "Thank you!"
He chuckled. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko bago ako pinatakan ng halik doon.
"Thank you to all of you for coming here despite your busy schedules." It was Tito Dashiel who still looked like he was still in his thirties.
"The next one who will have a birthday is Sapphire," It was Madame Cheska. "God, these children are growing so fast."
"I am asking her if she wants to celebrate it in one of the hotels but she refused. She wants a beach party in Santa Fe. Sana makadalo kayong lahat." Si Tita Isha.
"Of course. Everyone will be available on that day." sagot ni Tita Ania.
"Where's Santa Fe?" tanong ko kay Terrence nang makabalik siya.
"It's in Nueva Vizcaya. That's Tito Reon's hometown. Doon rin lumaki si Skyler."
Tumango tango ako. I started eating another round of cake and every time the sweetness of it touched my tongue, I felt addicted.
"Excuse me po. Ma'am Dreya, may naghahanap po kay Sir Duke."
Napatingin ako sa entrada ng garden nang marinig ang sinabing 'yon ng kasambahay. Halos lahat kami ay naroon na ang atensyon.
"Sino po, manang?" tanong ni Tita Dreya.
Ganoon na lang ang panglalaki ng mga mata ko nang makita si Ruth na lumabas mula sa likuran ng kasambahay, malungkot na nakatingin sa lahat.
"Fuck." mariing mura ni Duke.
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