Chapter 16
It's excruciating to see how thrilled Cashel was when she walked out of the chateau. But I wore my best smile and I shouldn't be affected by how gorgeous she is. She effortlessly looked like a model at ako itong super trying hard to achieve that kind of impression to people. I was that pipichuging actress na kahit anong gawin, no one will appreciate me.
Buhat-bangko na lang. That's the only thing I can do.
They talk for a few seconds until Cashel glance at me and then he made me come to them. Binitawan ni Adie ang kamay ko at tumakbo na siya papunta kay Amauree. She hugs her waist while she lowered herself to give her a warm hug, too. When Adie removes herself from this Parisian girl, she then puts her attention to me.
"Salut," pagbati nito sa akin. She emits the pure-blooded french accent. Hindi na ako magpapaka-trying hard, baka i-judge niya pa ako base on how I exert too much effort speaking their language.
"Salut! Bonjour!" nangangatal pa ang boses ko ng batiin ko siya. I made a little wave and it's kinda awkward. At hindi ko na alam kung paano itutuloy ang conversation. I don't know how to carry it when I'm speaking to someone I never met before.
She's too classy for me. Her straight golden brown hair seems too good. She only wears a flower printed white blouse and a pair of gray palazzo pants. And she wears flats pero parang matangkad pa rin siya ng ilang inches sa akin. I'm only on my flats at nagmistulang David ako sa mga Goliath's na 'to.
Napatitig din ako sa labi niya. I'm not sure if she's wearing any shade dahil parang natural lang ang kulay ng labi niya. I mean, whoever she is, why would Cashel settle for someone like me?
"Bonjour," she speaks her and cheeks rounded as she smiled at me. "Je suis Amauree Castleton," she offered her hands to me.
Tinanggap ko naman ang kamay niya at ang lambot at ang gaan din ng kamay niya ng maghand-shake kaming dalawa.
"I'm Cosette Calafiore," I smiled and continued. "Cashel's girlfriend."
"Oooh," she swooned. Agad din naman siyang napatingin kay Cashel na may halong gulat at pagtataka ang lumalabas sa mukha niya. "Je ne savais pas que vous avez une petite amie, Cashel."
"It's a long story," he winced at scratches the side of his head. "De toute façon, can we go inside now? I've never been here for so long that I miss notre château. I'll tell everything later."
"Oh!" Cashel's Mom gasped. "I've baked blueberry pie earlier, there are still some pieces left, I hope it is still warm. Allons-y maintenant."
We then follow Cashel's Mom to go inside their big house. I still feel odd though. Hindi ko sure. I'm not expecting to see anyone prettier than me. Bigla akong nilamon e. As always. Lagi namang may lumalamon ng atensyon mula sa akin. And I think, ito ang pinakamalaking insecure ang meron ako.
"Où est papa?" Cashel asked.
"Il est sur l'arrière-cour de la pelouse. J'ai juste parlé avec lui, il n'y plus tôt," sagot ni Amauree sa kanya.
I was already left out. Hindi ako makasabay sa usapan nilang lahat at para akong tanga na pina-process ko pa sa utak ko ng ilang segundo iyong pinag-uusapan nila. I only know basic from the language, I can speak and converse with a natural born speaker but sometimes, minsan lumulutang na lang talaga ang isip ko.
Habang papasok kami sa loob, nagulat pa ako ng sabayan ako ni Amauree sa paglalakad.
"Ça va ?"
I smiled. "Je me sens super bien."
She giggled. "Bon à savoir ça! Vous allez Beaujolais. Buvez-vous du vin?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not really fluent in French so I hope we could speak in English? Or if you don't speak it, it's okay, I still know the language," ngiwi ko pa sa kanya. At kahit nakakahiyang aminin, mas mabuti na 'yong alam niya kaysa naman maging trying hard pa.
She chuckles. "Oh no, please don't feel sorry. I understand and I can speak English as well, kinda."
"You perfectly can speak English, I like your accent though, it's cute,"
"Oh, merci, Cosette, I really appreciate it. I haven't seen Cashel for a long time and this surprises me a lot. How long have you guys been in a relationship?"
"Uh..." I hesitated. Hind pa ako sigurado kung sasabihin ko sa kanya 'yong totoo o hindi. Pero nabanggit ko na rin naman ang tungkol roon kanina so might as well go for it. "We're on three years—Oh, non, I'm sorry, three weeks."
"So you're new," aniya at bahagya siyang tumango. She has a little notebook in her hand and I guess it is something she brings anywhere she goes? I clearly have no idea. Ine-eksamina ko lang siya and she could snatch Cashel from me. "Anyway, I just asked it 'cause Cashel's my best friend. And we haven't been talking for like years since he moves to Paris for his so-called work."
"Yes! You're so right with that, his so-called-work," tawa ko pa at natawa na rin naman siya sa akin.
Nang makarating kami sa living room, Cashel turned to see us. His eyebrows are pulled together making a vertical lines in between showing too much both curiosity and confusion on his face.
"Did you guys just became friends?" he wondered.
I hope so! I hope she's just your best friend, Cash!
"I guess, we did!" sagot naman ni Amauree sa kanya sabay tingin sa akin. Her perfect set of white teeth are incredible. It looks like she's wearing veneers like mine pero mahahalata naman kaagad kung totoo ang ngipin o hindi.
I can tell that Amauree is the perfect leading lady for everybody. If she meant to take the spotlight form me, wala na akong magagawa do'n. Ako na yata ang babaeng pinanganak na palaging nag-a-adjust kapag hindi na sang-ayon sa akin ang sitwasyon. Once I'm at the top pero bigla na lang din lulundo na parang landslide at mananatili na lang ako sa ibaba. And how I can get up again? I need it shove myself up and just like any situations I've been before, I'll take the ladder and if it breaks, puñeta, ayoko na!
"Hey Cashel, I don't think I can stay longer, I wish I could but I have my work—an actual job, Cashel," she laughed and I did too. Napakamot sa ulo si Cashel dahil may bigla kaming napagkasunduan ni Amauree patungkol sa kanya.
"Allez, Amauree," Cashel sighs then his shoulder drops.
"La prochaine fois, je vais le faire!" Hinarap naman niya ako at hinawakan ang kamay mo. "I would also love to know you. Cashel never brings any girlfriend here before so I guess, you're the first one? When will you guys be staying here?"
"Until the holiday," Cashel said. "Or maybe after work, you can join us tonight? What do you think?"
"Oooh, I'll try! Je t'enverrai un message," Amauree said. Niyakap naman niya ako at hinalikan sa magkabilang pisngi at gano'n din ang ginawa niya kay Cashel. Seeing them so close with each other, pakiramdam ko hindi ko deserve na makita silang gano'n. I know Amauree came before me at wala akong karapatan magselos, Cashel and I don't really have a label.
Assumera lang ako.
Amauree quickly stopped by to the kitchen para magpaalam sa Mother ni Cashel at kay Adie. Nang umalis na siya ay tumungo na rin kami sa kitchen kung saan hinahanda ni Tita Marielita ang blueberry pie. Binigyan niya kami ng piraso sa platito. Naupo naman ako sa stool at pinanood pa nila akong matikman iyon. They are waiting to see my reaction. Hindi ko pa man masyadong nginunguya, the blueberry explodes in my mouth and they were happy to see my eyes widening from the sweetness of the pie.
"This is great," I commented. "Actually, this is the first homemade pie I've ever eaten. Ang sarap po," hagikgik ko pa.
"Oh, thank you, hija, siguro nang manirahan ako rito sa France, kung ano-ano ang pinagluluto but blueberry pie became one of my staple desserts. Masaya akong nagustuhan mo ang bake ko."
"Opo naman, pwede rin po ba akong mag-uwi nito sa apartment?" tawa ko pa pero simpleng patay gutom lang din pala ako. But I won't lie if it's good or not and this is an exemplary pie.
"Siyempre naman, ma cherie, I'll bake one for you," she said and she seems so pleasing. Kung gaano kahangin si Cashel, gano'n naman kabait ang Mother niya. But when it comes to people he loves, ramdam ko 'yon kay Cashel and I guess iyon ang namana niya sa Mother niya. A Filipino kind of love.
"Et pour moi ?" Adeline pleaded.
Tita Marielita giggled and brushed her fingers on Adie's hair. "Of course, Adie, you'll have yours too."
"Je vais juste y aller et regarder pour Papa," Cashel said. He holds my shoulder and tilted his head to look at me. "I'll be back okay? Enjoy pie and Adie's company."
"Sige..." sagot ko sa kanya at hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi na kinagulat ko naman. I'm not expecting he'll do that in front of them. Siya pa nagsabi na huwag akong lalandiin in front of Adie pero siya pa 'tong may ganang humalik sa akin.
When Cashel left the kitchen area, I was left with his Mom and Adie. I am smiling ear to ear while taking bits and pieces of the pie.
"So, how are you, darling? Will you be fine staying here with us until the holiday?" Tita Marielita asked.
Tumango naman ako ng buong loob. Wala namang problema sa akin ang manatili sa bahay nila until the holiday. Sa tingin ko, magiging okay naman ako all throughout. Well, sa tingin ko lamang.
But I'm looking forward to seeing places around Beaujolais. I hope it will only be me and Cashel.
"I will be fine, excited na rin po akong makapag-ikot."
"I'm sure sasamahan ka ni Cashel sa pag-iikot. He grew up here and he only moves to Paris—I don't remember how old he was at that time but surely, hindi siya nakakalimot sa amin kahit na ilang beses lang siya nakakauwi rito. Ang sabi pa niya busy siya sa work niya sa Paris so he had to stay there for how long and it's fine for me."
"Cashel knows how to do handle and carry himself out of every situation though," tugon ko. "But I'm so happy na nagta-tagalog po kayo. I've been dreading to talk someone who speaks my language."
"Hindi ka ba tinatagalog ni Cashel?" tanong nito sa akin.
"No, he barely speaks it," I chuckled. "But that's fine, I prepared myself for this situation though. Bago ako makalipad, I attended a French school for a month. I actually did great."
"And you wouldn't be here if you didn't right?" she said and I nodded. "Where do you live, hija?"
"Oh, I live in the fifteenth," confident ko pang sagot.
Umiling siya at natawa ng bahagya. "Hindi, big kong sabihin, taga saan ka sa Pinas?"
"Oh," I mumbled. At para akong nagmukhang tanga sa nangyari. Napatingin pa ako kay Adie pero mukhang hindi naman niya kami pinapansin. She's busy devouring her pie. Her mouth's full of the berry filling. "I grew up in Quezon City pero 'yong parents ko po ay taga-Cebu."
"I grew up in Cebu City too," she expresses it too excited. "Nakakaintindi ka ba ng bisaya?"
Umiling naman ako. "Sad to say, hindi po e. I've heard some bisaya words from my parents pero hindi ko alam 'yong ibigsabihin."
Natawa na lang din naman ako.
"Oay na lang 'yan, we grew up in different places naman talaga," aniya. "Do you still want more pie? Marami pa naman."
"I would love too but I want to save it for later, okay lang po ba?"
"Of course, hija, okay lang 'yon," she giggled. "Tu en veux plus, Adie?"
Umiling naman si Adie. "J'ai plus faim. Je vais dans ma chambre maintenant."
Nagmadali namang bumaba si Adie sa stool at inalalayan ko na lamang siya. Agad din naman siyang tumakbo palabas ng kitchen area. Kinuha naman ni Tita ang pinagkainan ni Adie at nilagay niya iyon sa sink.
"Uhm... may tanong po ako," aniko at saka lumingon sa akin si Tita. "Is Amauree's Cashel's childhood friend?"
"Oh, iyon ba," tumawa ito ng bahgya. "Yes, they grew up together, playing and running around the vineyard. They were so close to each other. And Amauree actually works as a manager to our line of wines. She's great, and she's a very beautiful person. Akala ko nga noon, magsyota silang dalawa or they did at wala lang akong alam. Anyway, you're pretty too, alam kong kaya mo ring patinuin si Cashel."
I cackled. "I mean, it won't be hard for me though."
"Why don't you go see him in the backyard with his Father. Para makilala mo rin ang ama niya. Ang bumuhay sa lahi ng mga Corpew," hagikgik pa ni Tita. For sure, si Cashel ang bubuhay sa lahi nila—sa akin kaya?
"Don't you want me to help you with the dishes?"
Umiling naman siya. "No, it's fine. Go and meet them there."
"Sige po, thank you po ulit, you really had the best blueberry pie po."
She smiled warmly. "Naku ikaw naman, papayag na agad akong pakasalan ka ni Cashel. Bait-bait mo."
I left the kitchen giggling and found my way to the backyard. Naligaw pa ako ng kaunti kasi hindi ko naitanong kung anong daraanan ko. Medyo malaki talaga ang bahay nila na ito. Cashel called it a chateau which means a castle. I mean, if the King and Queen of his life are living in this home, he would definitely call it a chateau.
When I finally found them standing to the overview of their wine fields, it's good to know that Cashel isn't just an influencer. Well, I basically judge him at first.
"Cashel," tawag ko sa kaniya at dalawa naman silang tumingin sa akin.
Cashel din ba ang pangalan ng Papa niya? Ba't tumingin?
Cashel excuses himself from his Father at lumapit sa akin.
"You're done with the pie? Can I have your pie now?" he smirked.
What the fuck?
"Anyway, is he your Father?" pagkokompirma ko pa.
Tinanguan niya ako. "Yeah, we're actually talking about you awhile ago. He wanted to meet you but you have something on your lips..."
"Huh? Anong meron?"
"Wait, let me get it," aniya.
Pero ang sunod niyang ginawa ay hinawakan niya ang baba ko at inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. Then his lips touches mine as if nilalamutak na naman niya ang bibig ko. Saglit lang din naman ng binawi niya ang labi niya mula sa akin.
"You're good now," komento niya. "It really tastes blueberry pie."
"Did you just want to kiss me?"
He smiled cockily. "Well, I also want to taste the blueberry pie. I missed it. Can I taste it once again?"
Mahina kong hinampas ang tiyan niya at hindi niya nailagan iyon. Hinawakan niya ang tiyan niya at ang isang kamay naman niya ay nasa kinukulong ang kama ko.
"Ready to meet my Father?"
"Is his name is Cashel too?"
He shakes his head. "No, why do you ask?"
"Sabay kasi kayong lumingon kanina ng tawagin kita."
He laughed. "Well, you called me e. Let's get to meet him and I'm sure, he'll love to meet you too."
Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. Hindi naman kami official ni Cashel pero bakit pakiramdam ko, sobra-sobra naman ang introduce to family na ginagawa niya? Magkakaroon nga kaya kami ng totoong label after this or aasa na naman ako?
But I'm not going to trust a French guy na may halong dugong Pinoy. Baka lokohin pa ako nito.
But then, it's good to be kissed. Ipapakain ko talaga ang pie ko sa kanya if he wants it. I can serve it to him daily and every night. But I should mind other things now, I have to meet his Father and so help me God.
***
#FrenchKissInParis16 #FKIP16
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