Dinner
I was nervous and I still don't know what to say to them. I've never met any of them since then, basically I don't know their characteristics so how could I cope? I've seen them from afar but it remained that way after years. Sa mga party ko lang sila nakikita. I don't personally know them.
Should I be myself or should I be the prim and proper type of girl in front of them?
Pero ayaw kong makipagplastikan! Ayaw ko rin namang pumalpak ang araw na ito. I am panicking.
"Don't be nervous! There's nothing to be nervous about, really."
He was calming me since earlier. We ate snacks a while ago in one famous restaurant and 'til there I couldn't stop myself from thinking ridiculous things.
Naisipan ko pa nga silang ipinta pero ang weird naman kung gagawin ko 'yon para magpasikat. My goodness!
"I don't know them! It's normal to act this way!"
"Talaga?" he chuckled and gave me one teasing stare. Hindi rin nagtagal dahil binalik niya na sa daan ang titig. Smile on his lips never left him. He was excited while I feel ill.
"Sa susunod ikaw naman ang pagtatawanan ko sa oras na maging kabado ka rin!"
"I am not laughing because you're nervous!" he said.
Sinong maniniwala sa tumatawang nagsasalita?
"You are!"
"I am not. I am just laughing because you're cute, Babe." he gave me an assuring smile.
"Talaga?" sarkasmo ko at itinuon na lang ang tingin sa bintana.
Medyo malayo ang mansyon nila sa eskwelahan namin. Naalala ko ang una at huling punta ko roon. Noong nag rereview kami para sa quiz bee. Matagal na 'yon kaya naman kuryoso ako kung ano ang mga nagbago sa kanilang mansyon.
Kuryoso nga ba talaga ako o naghahanap lang ako ng pagbabalingan ng atensyon?
Because seriously, I am so nervous!
On our way I read messages through my phone. May nakita akong mensahe kay Mommy.
Fr: Mommy
I heard you went to your school and you're with Casper?
Hula ko, pinahawak na naman ni Daddy ang cellphone niya kay Mom at nakita ang mga mensahe galing sa mga taong nasa school kanina. Siguro ay admins o staffs.
Grabe!
To: Mommy
Yes, Mom. Bakit po?
Hindi muna ako nagbukas ng ibang mensahe at naghintay sa reply ni Mommy.
Tumunog iyon at napansin ko ang pagsulyap ni Casper sa akin. Hindi ko sinuklian 'yon.
Fr: Mommy
Wala naman. I just asked since the last time you told me you two have misunderstanding, right?
How could I explain this tomorrow? Paano naman kasi ay palagi silang wala ni Dad sa bahay kaya hindi ko rin masabi. They always have their own rendezvous. Hindi kami kasali...
Sabagay hindi rin naman sila kasali sa date namin ni Casper. I chuckled at that thought.
To: Mommy
Yes, Mom. Marami kaming kasama kanina. I was with Yuna, too. Don't worry.
Habang naghihintay ng reply ay nilingon ko si Casper. His brows were creased and he was poking his cheek with his tongue.
He looks irritated. What's wrong? Tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko kaya roon ko itinuon ang atensyon ko.
Fr: Mommy
I wasn't worried! I just want to confirm if it's true. Better fix your problem with him.
I swallowed and coughed a little. she's not worried and she wants me to fix my misunderstanding with him? Akala ko ba... naiinis siya kay Cas?
Matamaan kong nilingon ang katabi ko. Pinantayan niya ang paniningkit ng mga mata ko. What did you to my Mom? Baka naman nakausap niya na? Naku, sinasabi ko talaga sa'yo.
Inirapan ko siya at narinig ko ang hindi makapaniwalang singhap niya.
"Who are you texting?" sa malamig at matigas niyang tono.
"Secret!" sigaw ko sa harap ng mukha niya.
Hindi siya nagsasabi sa akin. Nakakausap niya kaya ang Mommy at Daddy ko? Surely, he talks with my Dad mostly about business, pero hanggang business nga lang ba? At kay Mommy... he always buys cakes... ang sabi niya sa akin... pero siyempre ay naguusap ang dalawang iyon?
"Tss! Sino nga?" iritado ang boses niya.
"Wala! Hindi mo rin kilala!" I lied and crossed my arms.
"You chuckled and frowned! Sino nga?" kunot na kunot na ang noo niya.
"Hindi mo nga kilala!"
Nawala na ang inis ko dahil sa itsura niya. He looks really jealous it's making my mood lighter. Hindi ko naman intensyon na pagselosin siya pero nagseselos pa rin. Kagagawan naman ng isip niya 'yan, e.
Not my fault.
"I want to know!"
"Ayaw ko!" huli long tugon at hindi na pinansin ang patuloy niyang pangungulit. Bahala siya riyan.
Nagreply na lang ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Gusto raw nagbakasyon nina Kai at nagyayaya. Sumang-ayon na lang ako dahil wala pa namang na-set na panahon.
Ilang minuto pa at narating na namin ang mansyon nila. The gate was automatic and that wasn't like that before. Pagpasok ng sasaktan niya ay nadaanan namin ang naglalakihang mga puno at matatayog na coconut trees.
May mga nagbago pero hindi ganoon karami. Mas dumami lang ata ang mga halaman at mas lalong yumabong.
Umikot kami sa napakaling fountain at pumarada ang kotse sa matayog na mansyon. When I look at it, my eyes closed a little. Things did not change. Walang bakas ng pagbabago ang mansyon. It looks so the same.
"After so many years your family did not have this renovated?"
Nakatuon pa rin ang atensyon ko sa mansyon habang naghihintay ng tugon mula sa kaniya. I heard the engine stopped and I still haven't heard any response from him.
"Cas—" I was cut off by the sudden open of my door. Pagtingin ko ay nasa kabila na siya kaagad at naghihintay sa aking pagbaba. "I didn't notice you—"
"Let's go now..." suplado ang itsura niya nang hilain ako palabas matapos alisin ang seatbelt ko.
What is wrong? Hanggang ngayon ba ay hindi pa rin natutunaw ang selos sa kaibuturan niya??
How can we face his family if we're not in good terms?
"What'd wrong?" tanong ko habang naglalakad na kami pataas sa harap na hagdan papunta sa mansyon.
"Wala," coldness was very evident.
Wala? Talaga ba?
"If you're jealous —"
"Was it hard to answer my question earlier? I don't wanna be possessive of you but... was that person very important that you can't tell me who it was?" puno ng sama ng loob ang kaniyang tinig.
I almost laughed, but when I got dark and scary glare, I swallowed hard and fixed my composure. Kasabay n'on ang pagbukas ng double doors.
"There's nothing to be jealous about..." ginaya ko ang tono niya nang sabihin niya sa aking there's nothing to be nervoud about. Nga lang ay mas lalong dumilim ang kaniyang titig.
"You think I am joking here?"
"No! Why would I think of that? Halata nga ng galit ka, e." asar ko sa kaniya, nawala na ang intensyon na makipag-ayos.
Hindi naman kasi kami dapat na magka-away, e. It's just that he's so... Fine, kasalanan ko. Bakit ba hindi ko na lang sinabi? Nadala lang din naman ako ng pag-iisip ko. Baka lang kasi may sikreto siya sa akin kaya napag-isip ko na bumawi.
"Welcome to... our... mansion..." from high noted to low.
Nakangiti akong sumulyap sa tumanggap sa amin. My eyes widened when I saw how Casper resembles her... the woman in front of us... looks exactly like Casper!
"You're his... Mom... po?" I feel like I was out of force to utter the words correctly.
Nasa harap namin... ang Mommy niya. I heard footsteps and behind her was an old man looking so formal with his corporate attire.
"Yes, Baby! What's the... matter? Nag-aaway ba kayo?" kunot ang noo niya, tila hindi gusto ang nasasaksihan.
I suddenly got weak. It's her Mom that is in front of me. Pakiramdam ko ay turned off na siya. Bu she just called me Baby, right?
The authoritative eyes of his father darted on him, showing off disappointed on his son. I don't want this to end up messy... What should I do?
Habang naglalakad ay hawak ni Casper ang bewang ko. He was trying so hard to calm himself. Bumulong siya sa akin.
"Tell it. Sino ba kasi 'yon?"
Bumuntong-hininga ako at sumuko na para matigil na ang pagrerebelde niya.
"It's just my Mom, Cas!" mariin kong bulong sa likod ng... what should I call them? Divorced na sila, e.
Nagtaas ng kilay si Casper, hindi naniniwala.
"Hindi ko raw kilala, e, magiging Mommy ko na nga..." bulong niya at hinila na ako papasok sa isang pintuan na kung saan dinala kami sa backyard nila.
I gasped when I saw two familiar faces. Corseanne jump from Kuya Eli's lap and slightly run towards us. She was smiling while shrieking a bit.
"Hi! I am so excited to see you!" nakipagbeso siya sa akin at sinamaan ng tingin si Cas. "Bitawan mo naman. May aagaw? May aagaw? Akala mo naman..." bulong niya sa kawalan saka ngumiti sa akin.
His brother smirked and I smiled a little. Balita ko ay ten times suplado iyan kumpara kay Casper. Halata naman sa itsura kanina... Acually... He's kind of scary and very intimidating.
Naupo kami ni Casper sa isang hammock. Wala pang pormal na pagpapakilala at ito siya... sinosolo na ako.
"Cas... I haven't introduced myself yet..." sabay baling ko sa Mommy niya na inaayos ang lamesa.
She was smiling while watching us. Paminsan minsan ay lumilipat ang tingin niya so mag-nobyong katabi namin.
"Yeah... During dinner, you will..."
"Kanina sana... If you did not just acted like a child..."
Humalakhak siya sa tabi ko. Somehow my nervousness was erased a partial. They don't look harsh so... I guess, there's really nothing to be conscious about.
"If 'you' just told me the truth I won't act like that. Bakit ba ayaw mong sabihin sa akin? Si Mommy lang pala ang kausap mo."
Wow! Mommy... Wow.
"Nakakausap mo ba si Mommy?"
Kumunot na ang noo niya.
"Kapag bumubili ng cake, oo."
"Ano pang pinag-uusapan niyo?"
"Wala naman. Sa cake lang at ilang... business related topics tungkol sa investment company niyo. Maliban doon ay wala na."
I flicked a brow, hindi naniniwala. Pero dahil mukha naman... pinalampas ko na. Tinuon ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa ayos ng dinner.
It's not a formal dinner as I was expecting. My table sa gitna at papalubog na ang araw. There were stylish lights that are making the place more majestic. Malawak ang backyard garden nila at mula sa kanan ay tanaw mo ang malawak na pool. Kaya rin ata malamig ang simoy ng hangin ay dahil sa tubig malpit sa amin.
I was busy roaming my eyes when his Mom walked over us. I momentarily sat properly and composed myself. Si Coseanne ay hindi man lang umayos. She was still flirting with her fiancé.
"Can I borrow your girl, Nicholas?"
Kinabahan ako roon. Is this the time already? I was thinking that maybe she'll tell me I am not good to her son as soon as she made it alone with me.
"Where would you bring her?" his voice was called and I felt mediocre disappointment.
"Sure po, Tita."
Dumiin ang hawak ni Casper aa mga kamay ko nang tumayo ako. I glared at him and the jerk equallled it. I heard a chuckle from Corseanne.
"Don't scare her..."
Tumawa ang Mommy niya. "I'd never do that!"
She pulled me gently way inside their mansion. Tumaas kami sa isang hagdan dahil daw magpapatulong siya sa pagkuha ng cake aa ref. But I know exactly that she only wants to converse with me.
At nagsimula na nga nang pumasok na kami sa mini kitchen nila.
"You have grown up so beautiful, Seiana... I can still remember how you danced when you were a little. Sobrang saya mong tignan noon!" she chucklef and opened the double door ref.
Tumawa alo ng kaunti. Hindi ko na kasi siya maalala. Basta ang alam ko lang ay palagi siyang dumadalo sa mga activities namin noon. We don't interact a lot but I can still remember receiving smiles from her. Ngayon lang ata dumalaw sa isip ko ang alalala na iyon. Natabunan na kasi ako ng kaba.
"I didn't expect Nicholas to end up with you." she smiled. What was the meaning of that? "I know he got a crush on you since you two were still young... but I have never expected for it to remain until now... And whenever I thought of it, I can't help but feel merrier."
Napalunok ako dahil kung ganoon ay totoo ang sinabi sa akin ni Casper.
"I also feel the same way, po. I am so glad that we still end up like this... It's too early to tell what future holds us both, but I still am happy about what we have in between us as of the moment..." matamaan kong sabi at naramdaman ang palad niya sa ibabaw ng kamay kong nakapatong sa counter top.
A tear drop escape her cheek and she did not wipe it. She let it slide alone and freely.
"I am so thankful you have never gave him up..."
She was wrong. I don't want to pop the bubbles myself but I don't want to feed her lies neither.
"I did, po."
Gulat siya sa narinig. Her hands even softened above mine.
"He made me believe before that he's happier without me at his side, the reason why I gave him up. Don't worry po, I gave him up for himself particularly... not for my own benefit."
And just that, the feels of the past visited my throbbing heart again. It feels good... It feels good for I know it's already in the past and it's not haunting me already.
"I am happy you are not like me who's willing to give up people for my own sake..." malungkot siyang ngumiti. "I don't trust young love, but to see you both happy makes me want to believe that it's still possible. It's really too early to tell, but I know my son. He'd never be like me."
Nasasaktan ako sa mga binibitawan niyang mga salita. She's in deep pain, but the only thing she could was to regret her wrong decision... that for her was just.
"I just want to say... that I am hoping one day... you'd make his heart melt for my sins," tuloy tuloy na ang paglandas ng luha sa kaniyang mga mata.
I hope, so, too, that my love is enough for him to forgive people that have wronged him. I want him to forgive because I want him to free himself from the wrath and agonies he's been careying I don't know since when.
"I wish the loyalty remains entangled on the red strings keeping you both together."
I wish so, too.
Malalim akong huminga at niyakap siya.
Bumalik kami nang magaan na ang pakiramdam. We were already laughing while she was telling me stories about Casper's childish childhood memories. Aniya'y may brief daw ito na favorite niya at ayaw niyang palitan.
I looked at him while I was laughing. How gross!!
Kunot ang noo niya nang paghilaan ako ng upuan. Isang halik sa panga ko bago siya umupo sa tabi ko. Kita ko rin kung paano inalalayan ni Tito ang Mommy nila. I smiled. He still loves her. I bit my lip. But it was wasted.
"Anong pinag-usapan niyo?" usisa ng katabi ko habang nilalagyan na ako ng pagkain.
"Care to introduce your girl, Nicholas?" the powerful voice of their father. But when I looked at him, he was grinning at me.
Tumikhim si Casper. He smiled at me, he was suddenly excited.
"Seian Tala is her name, Dad... Mom... Kuya and... uhm... Ate?" napa-irap siya sa huling salita. I laughed at that. "She's my girlfriend, but I know we'll make it to the higher level..."
I refrained myself gasping for air. I am... his girlfriend? Girlfriend niya na ako? Bakit... hindi ko alam?
"Nice t-to meet you, po. And thank you for the inviting me here..." I was stuttering. Stupid, self.
Tumango ito at ngumiti. They all wear genuime smiles. Gumaan kaagad ang pakiramdam ko.
"This would be your home, too. Feel at home, Hija." ang Daddy nila.
"Oh? You won't build your own house? Ang Kuya mo ay planong bumukod, e." ani ng Mommy nila.
We already started eating and seriously, I don't like the topic. Kinakabahan ako sa mga ganitong usapan. Masyado kasing... advance? I don't know. Natatakot lang ako na baka... hindi matuloy.
"We still haven't talk about it," Casper's cold response.
"Right!" tumawa ang Ina nila. "You all have the time... so take it slowly."
Nagpatuloy ang kainan. Kinakausap nila ako at tinatanong ng kung ano ano. They have even shovel my memories from Spain and my high school days with Casper. Hindi naman awkward. Sa katunayan nga ay nakakatawa.
"High school sweet hearts, huh?" ang Kuya niya sa harap namin.
"Tayo rin naman..." hagikgik ni Corseanne at tumawa rin si Kuya Eli.
Ang mga ngiti niya sa tuwing tinitignan ang nobya niya ay napakalalim at totoo. Nakakatuwa.
"Anyway, how's your... order in France? To ship na ba?" ngisi ng Kuya niya.
Uminom ako ng juice at naalala ang usapan. France. Tungkol ito sa kasal ng Kuya niya. It was their secret perk bakit sinasabi? Baka naman kasi hindi talaga secret.
"Fine..."
"Oh? Kailan ang dating?" tanong niya sa kapatid pero sa akin nakangisi.
His look was making me think I am involved to this. Pero hindi ba masyado naman at akong assuming? Involved agad?
"Shut up."
Nagulat ako roon. It's confirmed that the transaction on going was confidential between them two. Kita ko rin kasi ang pagtataka sa mga mata ni Corseanne.
"Ang kasal niyo, Nicolét?" ang Daddy nila at tumikhim pa.
Humalakhak si Eli at umiling pa ng sunod sunod.
"This year, Dad, after their concert in Moa,"
Concert nino? Hindi ba siya ang may banda?
"Corseanne belongs to a girl group..." bulong sa akin ni Casper, nabasa ata ang tanong sa mga mata ko. Tumango ako.
"I heard my name..." ring ko kay Corseanne kaya natawa ako. Ganoon din ang mga nasa lamesa.
She's so cute, but so sexy and matured at the same time.
"How about you two? Next year kaya, Anak?" ang Mommy nila na sa amin naman ngayon nakatuon.
I bit my lip and smiled a little.
"We still don't know." masungit ang boses ni Casper. "You just told us to take it slow. Tss..."
"Nicholas," ma-awtoridad na boses ng kanilang Ama. Napanguso ako.
"Sorry..."
Tumikhim ang Kuya niya. "Kailan nga ba, Ading?" tawa nito.
"Ading my ass."
I am just really uncomfortable when somebody talks about our marriage. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko. Gustong gusto ko sa totoo lang. Pero... ayaw kong magmadali at humantong doon dahil lang sa pressure... I don't want him to marry me just because he's pressured, rather I want him to marry because he feels like it.
Nilingon niya ako at ngumiti. He mouthed I love you and I smiled, too. Nahuli ko ang ngiti ng Mommy nila. What if we end up like them, too? We don't know might happen. Mahal namin ang isa't-isa ngayon, eh bukas kaya, sa susunod na mga araw at taon, ganoon pa rin kaya?
"I wish you'd come here frequently, Seiana... Let's go shopping with Corseanne," puno ng galak ang boses ni Mrs... ng Mommy nila.
Tumango ako. "Sige po..." tumawa ako at tinanggap ang halik niya sa pisngi ko.
Sumunod na yumakap si Corseanne at bumulong pa. "Please, help us with the wedding plans soon?"
Tumango ako at nakaramdam ng excitement.
"I wish you could paint us. I heard from Casper you are a good painter. Para may discount na rin."
Natawa ako at nagpaalam na sa dalawa pang mag-ama na nakangiti sa akin. It was just a normal dinner, just like how I wanted it to be. I feel like I was really one of the family. Everything was natural.
"Saan ba ang dinner niyo bukas?" Casper asked while he's driving to send me back to our mansion.
"Sa isang pavilion garden, bakit?"
Umiling siya. "Nothing... I just want to know."
Tumango ako at mabigat na huminga. Bukas na pala kaagad ang dinner namin ng pamilya ko.
"We also have a dinner tomorrow outside. It's a family dinner with my grandparents. Baka lang..." he chuckled and my brows shot.
I am not liking what his tone was trying to imply!
_______
Irms ☆
Unedited :((