Aurora Borealis

Chapter 41 - Hunt the Huntsman

>> • LAUREN • <<

And it was all set.

There's no particular occasion why this party is held. After reconciling with Mom, she simply told me that I should prepare with what she wants to happen.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" bumaba ako sa pagkakatungtong sa silya matapos palitan ang mga kurtina. She's on the kitchen, naglalabas ng mga platong hindi ko alam na mayro'n kami at ngayon ko lang nakita sa tanang buhay ko. Hindi na rin ako magugulat kung malalaman ko na lang isang araw na mayro'n pang underground floor sa ilalim ng bahay namin.

"Ano? Titikim ka na naman? Mapapanis 'yang mga pagkain sa ginagawa mo, Lauren." sermon niya.

"You could hand me the recipe some other time. I want to learn how to make those..." I trailed off. "...but that's not what I'm going to ask."

Tumungo ako sa kusina at naabutan siyang naglalatag ng plate mats sa mesa. "Eh ano?"

"Bakit kailangan mo pa silang tipunin para sa party? Hindi ba magkakagulo kapag gan'to yung nangyari?" wika ko habang dahan-dahang binuksan ang ref upang kumuha ng leche flan habang nakatalikod siya.

"Isara mo 'yang ref."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I used to ask the same thing from my mother. It's not like it's some tradition, but it's sort of became one starting from your grandmother. You know, your grandmother is a playgirl in her prime." natatawang pahayag niya.

There's definitely something wrong with the last one. Like, is she just toying with any guy she's taken a liking to?

My mom has a thing for drama and aesthetics, probably that's why my father found her amusing. For me, that'll be one of those weird reasons why he chose to marry her. But I'm still grateful that I'm their kid.

"Well, this is what happened. Her boyfriends asked her for a date, she agreed and gave all of them the exact same schedule. Then the day came and all of them arrived on their charming appearances. And you know what?" she suspensed in motion as she faced me.

"What?"

"The guys showcased their most appealing assets against each other, butting heads. But the only answer she gave to them is 'no'. Some of them went with heavy hearts and decided not to show up again, some of them cursed her for wasting their efforts, and some are tenacious." she took out a glass decanter from the cupboard and placed it at the middle of the table.

"Tell me, is this the part where my grandfather is one who has actual tenacity to woo her?" naintriga ako at hinatak ang isa sa mga upuan.

"No. Your grandfather isn't even anyone of those suitors."

"Huh? Then, what—"

"Wala namang napusuan ang Lola mo sa kahit sino sa mga manliligaw niya. She realized that she's only limiting herself of the opportunity to find someone she really loves and that she'd rather die alone than settle on the limited options she's been given. Oftentimes, we trap ourselves just on the available choices because that would guarantee it would at least get us something." napatango na lamang ako habang patuloy siya sa paghahalo ng juice.