An Everglow After Sunset

Chapter 22

I went to our house the afternoon of the next day. It's my youngest brother's birthday. We'll have dinner in the house. Dapat sana ay sa isang hotel kami ngunit hiniling nito na ipagluto siya ni mama.

As a loving ate, I went straight there to help with the cooking. Kahit papaano ay marunong akong magluto.

I lived with my eldest brother's family. He's working and his wife was pregnant at that time. They have a nanny for their other kid but you can't expect her to cook food for them lalu na at maselan ang pagbubuntis ng ate noon.

Ally instructed and helped me in the kitchen. Kaya nang matuto ay halos ako na ang tumatao sa kusina at hindi ako umaalis nang hindi nakakapagluto para sa kanila. Madalas din akong magdesign sa tinitirhan nila.

"What side dishes do you like to pair with the steak, baby?" My mom asked.

We're preparing steak for dinner and other Filipino foods na nirequest ni Ken. It's like a large banquet for the whole family kasama ang mga tumutulong sa kanila sa bahay.

"Any veggie, I think? Brussel sprouts, broccoli, potatoes? Anything, ma. Ken will love anything you'll cook," sagot ko.

"Bolera ka na ngayon ah?" she said habang kumukuha ng rosemary sa mga bear pots niya sa kusina. Naalala ko ang mga pasong niregalo sa kaniya ni Dymaun noon. Ganitong ganito ang mga iyon.

"Where did you get those planters, ma?"

"Oh. I ordered them from Dioscuri. They are customized. Pero these three, galing pa ito kay bebeluvs. Ang cute lang 'di ba?"

Dioscuri? It's Dymaun's pottery and oh wait, Dioscuri ECS!

"Ma, that's Dymaun's pottery! Oh my goodness."

"Yeah. I know. I even get some free pots and bowls from him. He's friends with your brothers."

Napaawang ang bibig ko dahil sa pagsinghap. Mas updated pa sila sa akin! At habang nagmomove on ako sa States, siya naman pala ay nakikipagchikahan sa mama at mga kapatid ko! How could they!?

"Pero, ma. You know naman na naghiwalay na kami noon pa, 'di ba?"

At tanging pagkibit-balikat lang ang naging tugon niya sa akin.

Inihain namin sa mahabang dining table ang mga pagkain. Kaninang dumating sina Kuya Kiel ay sinamahan kami ni ate Ally sa pagluluto. Ngayon naman ay inaayos niya ang high chair ng kanilang bunso habang ang kuya ay inaasikaso ang panganay.

We had fun with our dinner. Ate Ally baked a cake for Ken and afterward, we met our friends in the usual club we party— Vanta.

The different colors of party lights and jazz music welcomed us. Maraming kilalang tao ang sumalubong sa amin. Some models and designers are present in the club para sa celebration ng kanilang fashion show.