GARETH
"Come on. Mom waits for us," usal ni Cole.
"May hotel din kayo dito?" tanong ni Desmond.
"Yeah, mostly our hotels are built after the war that happened in a country. At first, gusto lang ni Dad na may tuluyan ang mga ligaw na kaluluwa until they decided to go but he changed his mind after he met my Mom." paliwanag niya.
I adjust my wrist watch to European time which is quarter to 10 pm. Sabay-sabay kaming naglalakad papunta sa hotel nila na tutuluyan namin. I suddenly feel a cold making me shiver.
A lady in an elegant body hugging dress and a designer coat on her shoulders struts towards us. Her heels made clicking sound on the shining marble floor. Maiksi din ang itim nitong buhok. Kamukha siya ni Cole pwera na lang sa mga matang nakuha niya kay Hades. Her red lips curved into a smile.
"Mom, you should have met us in the morning." she kissed her cheeks.
"No, I'm too excited to do that," she puts her arms around her shoulder. Napatingin ito sa amin nila Clea, "Who's this fine young men? And the lady?"
"My friends and my keeper," turo ni Cole sa amin. "Guys this is My Mom Colleen Blackburn," pagpapakilala niya sa amin.
We greeted and smile at her. They whispered against each other kaya namula ang pisngi ni Cole. We heard them talk in french saka ulit bumaling sa amin.
"Have you eaten dinner?" she asks us.
"Just light snacks on the plane... Ma'am," Desmond responds. He is so honest hindi na siya tumanggi. Isang patunay na isa siyang Pilipino.
Colleen nods and scans some of the staff, "Andre, veuillez nous organiser une table au restaurant."
"Oui, madame." he bows and leaves us.
"This way ladies and gentlemen," she ushers us like a hotel manager does.
Just like Hades preference. The hotel is consists of marble and gold along with the colors of black. Ang mga gamit ay talagang mamahalin. Some foreigners look at us and somewhat greet Colleen along the way too.
A lady in a server's uniform welcomed us. "Bonsoir! Mesdames et Messieurs. I'll show you your table," she said in a heavy french accent.
Nang nakaupo ay sinabihan niya ito na ihanda na ang pagkain. She spoke in english this time. She smiles and speaks in french, "Je vous remercie."
"Tell me do you have any suitor, Dear."
Nasamid kami pareho no Colette sa tanong niya. Habang si Desmond umiwas ng tingin at Clea ay nagpipigil ng ngiti sa likod ng basong hawak.
Desmond hands him a table napkin. Kinuha niya ito at pinampunas sa bibig. "Mom!" she retorts.
Epal! Ako dapat iyon eh. Nakakaasar naman. Clea pats may shoulder when she saw me glaring at him. Binalik ko sa dati ang mukha ko saka pinalo ang kamay niya.
"You're already of age for that. So there's none?" gulat niyang tanong.
"None. Wala akong interest sa ngayon," sagot niya.
Tangina ang sakit! So ano ako? Accessory niya? Alalay niya ganoon? Ang manhid naman niya. Pati yata ang puso niya patay na din.
Yung akin pala yung namatay. Dead on the spot. Walang pasabi yung atake, dude.
"You're in Paris! Go on a date. Enjoy the City of Lights. You are young you should enjoy things," she looks at us. "You don't have a type between this men? You're my only child I want to walk you down the aisle, too."
She purses her lips, "We came here for something important."
"Tama po. May pinahinahanap po sa amin na ninakaw," dagdag ni Clea.
"What is it?" Colleen inquires.
Napakamot sa batok si Desmond, "It's a bit... complicated, Ma'am."
"I see," she nods. "Enough with the 'Ma'am' call me Tita or Colleen."
Hindi na ako makapagsalita sa mga narinig ko. Ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa. I feel sa stabbing pain in my chest at gusto ko na magpahinga agad.
Dumating ang mga pagkain sa lamesa namin. A full course meal simula appetizer hanggang dessert. Pinalabas niya ang tsaa sa isang waiter.
Bakit ang hilig ng mayayaman sa tsaa? Lasa lang naman dahon ito.
"Can you do me a favor?" She asks us.
Ininom ni Clea ang tsaa, "Yes, Tita. Ano po iyon?"
"I was invited to a fashion show but I can't go. I want you to be in my presence because I have a meeting to go to," she explains.
"When is that?" tanong ni Cole.
She hand us an invitation from her purse. "Tomorrow," she drinks her tea.
Para siyang nagbaba ng bomba sa lamesa namin. Kalalapag lang namin dito at may event agad kaming pupuntahan.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng anak habang nakangiti. Cole rolls her eyes and agrees. Just for her Mom. Balak pa naman namin bumisita sa mga museo para tignan kung nandoon ang gamit ni Hermes. It is a historical artifact after all. A part of history.
"I'll contact Daien for another invitation. Thank you, Dear. I will send a make-up artist in your room tomorrow with your clothes," she winks at us.
Sinamahan pa niya kami sa penthouse ng hotel. Nagpaalam si Desmond at Clea na magaayos ng gamit. Cole talks to her for a bit saka umalis. I opened the door for her and bid goodbye.
She turns around and stares at me
"Take care of her. Don't make her cry. She looks strong but she doesn't show her tears to anyone but herself. She's too independent for us either," she chuckles, "I'll leave her to you. I know you love her that much. Love her even in her dark days," she smiles and presses my shoulder, "Je te verrai plus tard."
She knew. She knew it all along! Sinakyan niya ang mga sinabi ni Cole kanina... and she gives me her permission to court Cole.
Nakatulala ako sa pinto hanggang sa mawala ang pigura niya sa hallway. Sinarado ko ang pinto noong may dumaang housekeeper. Nakakahiya baka nakanganga ako kanina.
I can't believe it! Hindi pa nagsisink in sa akin ang sinabi niya. I want to scream and jump around.
"Woohoo!" I dance around the living room. I can't hide my grin kahit nakita ito ni Cole.
"Anong sinabi sayo ni Mommy?" nataaas siya ng kulay. Uminom na siya ng wine ngayon.
"Good night! Magpahinga na kayo. Get a beauty rest," sabi ko, "Ayun lang."
"Paulit-ulit niyang sasabihin sa'yo yun?" she scoffs.
"You should stop drinking wine and sleep. Good night, Baby!"
Kumunot ang noo niya at akmang ibabato sa akin ang wineglass na hawak niya. Mabilis pa kabayo akong tumakbo noong tumayo siya sa couch.
Who knew that finding the winged shoes and helmet will bring good luck.
Paris fashion show here we go!
TRANSLATIONS:
Veuillez nous organiser une table au restaurant - Will you please arrange the table for us in the restaurant?
Oui, madame - Yes, Ma'am
Bonsoir! Mesdames et Messieurs - Good evening! Ladies and gentlemen
Je vous remercie - Thank you
Je te verrai plus tard - I'll see you later
BINABASA MO ANG
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