Reigning Battle Beyond Greed

Chapter 2

Sinubukan niyang kargahin si JJ at patahanin in a playful way. Kita ko ang kasabikan niyang magka-apo just like what I thought. Hindi na ako magtataka kung ilang beses na niyang pinilit ang anak  na mag-settle down.

But Altair won't retire yet from being a bachelor in his mid-twenties. And we will see about that at the end of this month. I can't stop myself from thinking in advance about the ways and means to have him rolling in the palm of my hands.

Ilang beses niyang inalo si JJ pero ayaw pa ring tumigil. Malikot ang mga mata niya at pabaling-baling ang ulo. He's even looking at the old lady holding him then back at me.

"Oh, my little Altair... Hush... I'm your Grandma. And you are?" Tumingin sa akin ang ginang at nagtanong. "What's his name?"

"Jemster... Mendez."

"Mendez?" Magkapanapay na tanong ng mag-asawa.

"I'm sorry po. Altair doesn't want the child. He even wants me to abort him-"

"What?! He's my grandson! He's a Narvaez! And no one can change that. No one can't lay a finger on him! Not even his father!" Halata ang pagkabigla at pakalungkot sa mukha niya at ang pinipigil na galit para sa sariling anak.

Totoo yong sinasabi ng mga nanay na kapitbahay ko. Mas mamahalin ng mga magulang ang apo kaysa sa sariling anak.

"Do something, Alfon!" The old lady's eyes burn in anger as she looks at his husband beside her. Inakbayan siya ng asawa at kinalma.

"I'll do something about it, honey. Don't stress yourself too much. Why don't you let them go inside? I'll call our son."

Seems like the old man, despite the dignified look and authoritative aura, knows how to listen to what his wife says just to please her.

Tumango ang ginang bago ibinalik ang paningin sa apo at sa akin. "Yes, hija. Come on in. Nagpahanda ako ng pagkain para sa inyo."

Nginitian ko siya at nagpasalamat. "Let me carry my grandson for a while." Paalam niya. Tumango ako bago sumunod sa kanya. She's ordering and asking the maids about the preparation.

The receiving area was very accomodating and elegant. There's nothing simple inside. Mula sa ceiling na napakataas at napakalawak hanggang sa mga chandeliers at kasangkapan na napaka-engrande. Everything is mesmerizing. So perfect.

Sa mga movies lang ako nakakakita ng ganito kagarang bahay. And most of the time, I dream of waking up and living in this kind of palace with maids who are all at my beck and call. This will be the start of making that dream a reality.

Bumungad sa akin ang isang mahabang mesa sa gitna ng dining room. Nakahilera na ang mga katulong sa isang side at ang mga pagkain ay nakahain na sa mesa. I am not even familiar with the foods in front. Sa mga food magazine ko lang nakikita ang mga ito. Pang-mayaman. Mukhang masarap. Hindi lang three-courses. Kompleto, from the appetizer to the desert.

This is just a glimpse of the life I want to live. And I am confident that I'll live the way I wanted to live, from now on. No more worries about money. Pa-swipe-swipe na lang ng card. No need to beg for help, for support.