Admiring Winter (Seasons of Love Series #1)

02

Aurelia Winter

I scanned the man who's with Tita Sylvie. He looks innocent yet intimidating. He's just wearing simple clothes but his aura says he's got something.

"Pero Tita Sylvie, hindi po ako sanay na may kasamang lalaki na hindi ko naman masyadong kilala. Baka po kung ano ang isipin ng iba sa amin," I explained while the man just remained silent.

Pinagdikit ko ang aking mga palad at yumuko. Hindi ko alam kung papayag ba ako o hindi. Ni wala akong kaalam-alam na ganito ang mangyayari.

"I already talked to your parents about this and they agreed. Kinausap muna ng Daddy mo itong si Keiran bago kami nagpunta rito, kaya huwag kang mag-alala," tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi.

My parents knew? I can't believe this! Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil sa nalaman. Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko habang patuloy na nakikinig kay Tita Sylvie.

"At saka galing kasi sa probinsiya itong si Keiran. He's not used to the city where we live right now. After finding a decent job here in Manila, bubukod din siya. Just give him a month or less," dugtong niya at bumaling sa pamangkin, na tila naninibago pa sa lugar. Inakbayan niya ito at ngumiti sa akin.

Gusto kong matawa pero ayaw kong maging bastos sa harap ng kaibigan ni Mommy. Gusto kong umangal pero alam kong sa huli, sila pa rin ang masusunod. She got my parents' consent at doon pa lang, talo na ako.

Hindi naman porket malaki ang utang na loob ng pamilya ko kay Tita Sylvie, ay maaari niya nang gawin lahat ng gusto niya. I won't deny the fact that if it weren't because of her, my brother and I cannot go to college. She was the one who offered scholarships for both of us, and my family is really thankful towards her.

Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay bakit kailangang umabot sa ganito? Ano ang pumasok sa isip nila Mommy and Daddy bakit sila pumayag? Kaya nga ako bumukod at namuhay mag-isa para lahat ng desisyon ko ay masusunod, pero bakit hindi ganoon ang nangyayari?

"Bakit po parang biglaan? Hindi man lang ako na-inform na may darating dito?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

I am really confused about what is happening right now. Dagdag pa ito sa mga problema ko, e. Sa mga sandaling 'yon ay hindi ako mapakali. This is the first time I am gonna live with someone I don't even know. At ang masaklap pa ay lalaki!

It's been years since I had a boyfriend and after that, I've been very uncomfortable with boys ever since. It was because my last ex-boyfriend left a huge trauma on me.

"Hindi ko na rin kasi naharap sabihin sa 'yo, Aurelia. Naging busy kasi ako nitong nakaraang mga araw," sagot ni Tita sa mga tanong ko.

I want to protest but I can't. Tita Sylvie got her things and was ready to leave.

"Tita, sandali!" I grabbed her arms before she got the chance to go out. She smiled at me like she's assuring me that everything is fine.

"Don't worry, Aurelia. Mabait na bata iyang si Keiran. Kung may gagawin man siyang masama sa 'yo ay isumbong mo kaagad sa akin. But I'm sure he's not like that. Even your parents put their trust in him." She squeezed my cheeks before turning her back, leaving me with this stranger.

Napaupo ako sa sahig at napahilamos ng mukha. Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ng kasama ko natauhan ako. Tumayo ako at padabog na lumapit sa kaniya. I thought he's gonna be scared but he remained his poker face.

Hinarap ko siya gamit ang matatalim na mata. "Kung para sa 'yo ay wala lang lahat ng ito, pwes malaki ang epekto nito sa side ko bilang babae. Mag-uusap pa tayo mamaya!" Dinuro ko ang mukha niya. I don't care if he sees me as a disrespectful person.

I left without hearing his reply and went to my room to change my clothes. May interview ako ngayon sa Flicks at nakakainis dahil ang pangit ng bungad ng araw ko. Sana naman swertehin ako mamaya.

I was already dressed up nicely when I heard him talk to me. "Saan ka pupunta?" tanong niya.

"Wala ka na roon!" I said in a bitchy tone and rolled my eyes at him.

Inayos ko ang laman ng bag ko at tiningnan kung may kulang ba sa aking gamit. I saw him just standing at the corner while watching my every move. My brows furrowed and looked at him like the way he did.

"I understand t-that you're mad... but we can t-talk this out," he affirmed and remained on his position.

Umirap ako at hindi na dinugtungan ang kaniyang sinabi. I sighed and continued to check my belongings.

"Hindi kita guguluhin, I promise. I will mind my own business while you do yours. Tutulong ako sa gawaing bahay para hindi ako magiging pabigat dito," he added.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Aba dapat lang!

I left the apartment without saying goodbye. While riding a taxi to go to Flicks Art Gallery, I thought of texting mommy.

Me:

Mommy, pumayag daw kayo na tumira kasama ko si Keiran? Bakit hindi man lang kayo nagsabi sa akin? Do you even know him personally?

After a few minutes, I received her reply.

Mommy:

Ikaw ba? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na nag-resign ka?

My eyes widened in shock when I read her reply. Marcus told them? Malilintikan talaga ang batang iyon sa akin. Just a few seconds, she messaged me again.

Mommy:

At oo, kilala ko siya. Isa siya sa mga inaanak ko.

I just sighed. Ano naman ngayon kung inaanak niya sa binyag ang lalaking iyon? That doesn't change the fact that he's still a stranger to me.

Hindi na ako nag-message pabalik dahil nakarating na ako sa main building. Itinago ko ang phone sa bulsa bago tuluyang makapasok sa loob.

"Good morning po." Pagkatapak ko sa interview room ay para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa kaba.

"Good morning to you too, Miss Solar," ani ng isa sa kanila.

The interview started immediately when I arrived. Dalawang panel ang nagtanong sa akin. They asked me the usual questions so I answered them confidently.

"How will you adjust to the environment since you're a former nurse and now you're taking a different job?"

Hindi ko inaasahan na itatanong nila iyon. I smiled and tried to hide my nervousness. Kinalma ko ang sarili at sinagot ang tanong na iyon sa abot ng aking makakaya.

I needed to get this job for the sake of my curiosity. Sana matanggap ako. After they skimmed my resume for the last time, one of the panel spoke, "Congratulations, Miss Solar. You may now start working tomorrow."

Napatayo ako sa gulat. Hindi ko inaasahang kaagad akong matatanggap. Parang ang bilis lahat ng pangyayari.

"Talaga po?" I blinked twice while asking. Sinisigurado ko lang dahil baka mali ang dinig ko kanina.

The both of them nodded while smiling. Pumalakpak ako at nagpasalamat sa kanila. They said that they are really in need of employees right now and luckily, I am qualified for the standards they are looking for.

"We will look forward to see you in the company, Miss Solar."

I think I am now one step closer to find the artist, and I can't wait for that moment to happen.

❄️