I set my teacup down on the square table and glanced around at the other guests. We were having a brunch in a five-star hotel at the corner of Ayala Venue.
Across from me, Mommy was enjoying her bircher muesli after finishing her French toast. I had just finished my buttermilk pancakes and chia bowl.
"You know...I really miss having this kind of date with you," Mommy said with a chuckle.
I let out a chuckle too. "Parehas po kasi tayong busy kaya ngayon nalang ulit,"
She blinked twice and dabbed the corner of her lips with a white napkin. "Nga pala, hija...I'll be leaving the country next week,"
My lips slightly parted. "Oh...okay. Is it a business trip?"
"Hmm, yes. Your Auntie Dani will be with me also,"
I thought about Yus being alone their house again. His father was still out of town, working on expanding one of their warehouses in Visayas. Hindi lang siya negosyante kundi isang inhinyero din kaya mas gusto niyang personal syang nandoon.
"Anyway, how was your trip? Did you two have a great time?" she asked with a smile.
"Absolutely, 'my. We also tried their delicacies...." I began.
Kinwento ko sa kaniya ang lahat ng mga nangyari sa quick vacation namin ni Yus. From doing all those water activities to encountering a creep. Her eyes widened at the latter before she shook her head.
"Should we now hire a personal bodyguard? You are always exposed to dangers lately!" her tone was slightly raised, though she tried to maintain composure.
She glanced around while adjusting the table napkin on her lap before looking back at me.
Uh...I shouldn't have mentioned that part. Telling her about that creepy guy was a bad move. Kakabalik lang ng dati kong curfew at ngayon ay mukhang mas lalala pa.
After brunch, we headed straight to Parañaque. The entire drive was filled with discussions about my exposure to various traumatic experiences.
–
We were now inside a high end store. She was talking to a familiar sales associate while I was looking at the shoes.
"Hmm, this is cute" I murmured to myself when a black platform loafer caught my attention.
Kinuha ko 'yon sa shelf at tinignang mabuti. A sale associate was just behind me, watching me. I sat on a long bench stool and tried on the show.
A sigh escaped my lips as I stood up, adjusting my dress while focusing on my reflection. It matched my outfit, but I wasn’t sure how it would pair with other clothes.
Napatingin naman ako kung nasaan si Mommy dahil may narinig akong ingay. Nakikipagbeso siya sa isang ginang na may hawak na mga shopping bag mula sa iba't ibang store.
"It's been a long time since I saw you. But my God, you didn't even age. You still look gorgeous," the woman praised her as she scanned mommy from head to toe with her hands holding both of mommy's forearms.
Mommy let out a genuine chuckle. "I'm flattered, Gwen"
"Sino ang kasama mo dito? Hindi kana ba talaga naghanap?" then the woman chuckled.
Naupo ako muli sa bench stool chair para alisin na ang sinuot na sapatos. The sales associate even suggested that I look at their new arrival shoes and I nod, wanting to see them, too.
"I'll take this one...and oh, meron po ba kayong knee-length boots in black?" I asked as I politely handed her the loafers in my hands. She took them with a smile and nodded.
"We do have po, miss" she replied, then led me to the other side of the store..
Parehas kaming napatigil nang tinawag ako ni Mommy. I turned to look—both she and the other woman were staring at me. The middle aged woman’s lips parted a bit, her eyes stayed locked on mine as I walked toward them.
She gave me a once-over before turning to Mommy with a knowing smile.
"Her eyes resemble her father,"
I looked at Mommy, waiting for her to say something, but she didn’t. Her lips were pressed together, and she just kept looking at the woman. It was like they were having some silent exchange.
Really, I do have the same eyes as my father? That statement made me curious about him more. Hindi ko alam ang hitsura ng daddy ko.
Every time I tried to check out their photo albums in the study—back when they were still in high school and supposedly fell in love—Mommy wouldn’t let me touch them.
She once told me she didn’t want to show me because I might grow distant from her if I saw what he looked like. I was ten when she said that. I didn’t really get it back then—and honestly, I still don’t.
Pero hinayaan ko nalang at hindi na muling sumubok pang tignan ang album.
"Though I can see that she inherited your elegance and the rest of your features," the woman suddenly said, then let out a small laugh to lighten the mood.
But what she said made me curious again. It made me want to know more about my dad—the one I’ve never met, the one I’ve only heard little things about.
Natapos ang pamimili namin at papunta naman kami ngayon sa Alabang. The whole day felt long since we went from one place to another. Sitting in the car, the silence between us was uncomfortable.
I glanced at her. She was wearing her glasses and scrolling through her phone. It looked like she was reading something important—maybe work or the news.
Pupunta kami ngayon ng Alabang para magpa facial. We booked everything ahead of my midterm exams so there’d be no problems or delays.
I wanted to ask for more. Gusto kong malaman ang iba pang detalye na sinabi ng ginang. She clearly knew something about my parents, based on how she and Mom were exchanging looks.
But I was also scared to ask. What if kahit anong tanong ko ay hindi niya pa rin ako sagutin?
I thought in the middle of the drive she will bring out the topic again—to fill me in with information regarding that. But she did not.
It was about my father, so obviously, I have to know!
–
Pagkatapos ng lahat na dapat gawin ay nasa sasakyan na naman kami. She even asked if I wanted to have dinner somewhere since we were already on the road.
But I told her we could just have dinner at home. She nodded without asking why. No questions, just a simple nod.
Dumiretso siya sa sala at may inutos habang ako naman ay paakyat na sa kwarto. My shoulder slumped, and I felt like sulking, like a little kid, because she didn’t give mw what I wanted.
"Thank you," I said to the househelper who was carrying my shopping bags when she put it down on my couch.
I quickly grabbed my phone from my bag and texted Yus. I just hoped he was at home, or else I was going to be stuck with nothing but curiosity and annoyance for the rest of the night.
I sent the message and waited for his reply, but after a few minutes, there was still no response.
Where the heck are you, Prius Leon Raceliz?!
Agad akong napatingin sa cellphone nang tumunog ito. Finally, I received a response from him.
From: Yus
Tell me more about that tomorrow. I'm tired af right now.
My left eyebrow raised, curious about what he did that kept him from coming over.
To: Yus
Huh? Why? Ano bang ginawa mo?
From: Yus
Do I really have to tell you? :)
Mas lalo akong naintriga lalo na sa emoticon na nilagay niya sa dulo.
To: Yus
Gosh, just come over. You can rest here while I'm talking!!
From: Yus
Can't. Rhiannon is here.
I ended up coughing from the shock, and quickly covered my mouth with my right hand. The heck? So, that's the reason, huh?
To: Yus
WTH, PRIUS???? JUST WTH???
From: Yus
Lmao. I wish I saw your reaction because that would be epic.
To: Yus
Yeah, yeah. Wishing you a great night of f*****g.
From: Yus
Language.
Auntie was leaving in a few days, but they were already setting themselves up for trouble I they get caught. I shook my head and turned off my phone.
I've had enough to think about tonight.
Inayos ko ang mga pinamili ko bago nag half bath para makababa na at makakain. Today was really tiring, even though the main plan was just to hang out and relax.
–
Kinabukasan ay nasa ground lang kami. We were eating our lunch here since the cafeteria was jam-packed. We had no choice but to eat outside.
Minsan ay dito kami kumakain kahit hindi puno sa cafeteria. The breeze from the trees makes it feel like we’re having a picnic.
"Hey, are you girls available this Saturday night?" I asked them.
Gaia was drinking water, then looked up at me. Gracia flipped her hair a little—it was messy from the wind—and nodded.
"Yes, why?" Gracia asked.
"Same here," Gaia replied while closing her water flask bottle.
Nilipat ko naman ang tingin kay Macy. Kumpleto kaming apat na nandito. Macy was eating; her cheeks were full, so she just gave me a thumbs up instead. I smiled at them.
Yus was not here with us since he chose to study for their quiz later instead of spending our vacant properly.
"Great! I'll be hosting a sleepover that day exclusively just for us since my mother will be out of the country next week," I said.
"Oh. Your mommy, too? My parents will be abroad next week rin," Gaia said.
"I guess they will be leaving with the same agenda then," I chuckled.
Hanggang sa dumating na ang Sabado. I was walking back and forth in front of my window, waiting to see them enter the gate.
Everything was set up already. I had finger foods, red wine, silky pajama sets just in case, Marilyn Monroe movies like Gracia requested, and a full course spa service ready for us.
Sa theater room kami lahat mamaya bago dito sa kwarto ko. I glanced at the mattresses laid out on the floor and waited a few more minutes until they finally showed up.
"Good evening, girls" I greeted them as they walked in.
My eyes went down on their hands and saw their suitcases. Agad may dumalo sa kanila para kunin ang mga gamit nila at maiakyat sa kwarto ko.
"Akala ko makakalimutan mo na ang ganitong tradisyon mo," Macy said while we watched Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with multiple women attending to us.
"Nah, I wouldn't. This is my kind of fun," I said with a chuckle.
Sumulyap ako sa magpinsan at tutok na tutok sila sa pinapanood kaya napatingin din ako sa malaking screen. Marilyn Monroe was truly iconic, though some people messed with her image by calling her all sorts of names.
The movie ended, and the spa services were finished. Now, we were in my room enjoying snacks and wine while sitting in a circle on the mattresses I had set up.
"How was Boracay, anyway?" Gaia asked, taking a sip of her red wine.
"May nakakita sainyo ah? Someone posted a photo of you on our freedom wall," Macy added, yawning and covering her mouth.
"I saw that too!" Gracia said, pointing at Macy like she was about to say the same thing.
I let out a sigh. Babalikan ko na naman ang nangyari.
"Really? Hindi ko nakita. I barely touch my phone lately," I reasoned out.
"Eto oh...wait," Macy said, grabbing her phone and scrolling through it for a bit before showing the screen to me.
There it was—my picture, taken right after I finished snorkeling, sitting on a boat. The picture was a bit blurry, though, clearly taken from a distance.
"Yung mga nakakakilala na sa’yo ang nagbibigay updates para sa iba since you rarely post anything about your life!" Gracia laughed, then she and Macy clinked their wine glasses.
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