Serendipity (Dauntless Series #3)

Chapter 36

It's been two months since Manilka moved in with me. My life became much more easier now that we're living together. I wish we'd done it sooner.

"Is it okay if Eli will stay with us just for today? Gusto raw noon mamasyal pero busy lahat ng kasama niya sa bahay." panimula ni Manilka habang nag-aalmusal kami. Huminto ako sa pagkain at tiningnan siya.

"Oo naman. When will they get here?"

"Actually, I'm going to fetch them after breakfast. Mayroon din kasi akong kukunin sa kanila."

"Ano?"

Ngumiti siya. My forehead creased because that smile was so out of the blue. They made a straight face after realizing that I am not buying their excuses.

"Basta! You'll know once we arrived."

I am not convinced about what they're up to, but I'm still going to give them the benefit of the doubt. We cleaned up the house after they left and hid any sharp and breakable objects that Eli might reach. Ayon kay Sheena, mapapasuko ka na lang daw sa sobrang kakulitan ng pamangkin niya. Eli once broke an antique Belleek China which was probably a hundred years old and was passed down to every elder child of the Mandeville generation. Hindi niya na kinwento sa akin kung anong nangyari pagkatapos noon pero nabanggit niya na galit na galit daw ang Papa niya noon.

Naupo muna ako sa sala at nanood ng Downton Abbey habang naghihintay sa pagdating nina Manilka. I was able to finish one episode until I heard a noise outside. I will never not recognize that familiar voice. Tumayo ako at sinalubong sila sa labas.

"Tita Guia!" masayang bati ni Eli at tumakbo patungo sa akin. Nakasunod naman sa kaniya ang kaniyang Nanny Daisy. I spread my arms widely and waited for her to throw herself on me. I carried her but then I was caught off guard the moment I saw what Manilka is holding.

"Oh, my..." hindi ko alam kung ano ang sunod kong sasabihin.

"Do you like Tita Manilka's gift, Tita Guia?" tanong ni Eli sa tabi ko. Hindi ko na siya magawang masagot dahil nakapokus ako sa dalawang kuting na panay ang ngiyaw sa magkabilang kamay ni Manilka. Lumapit ako sa kaniya para matingnan nang maigi ang mga pusa. Hindi ko alam pero naiiyak ako habang tinitingnan ang mga itong inosenteng nakatingin pabalik sa akin.

"Seamus rescued them from the streets last week. He asked me if we're willing to adopt them and then I remember you mentioned wanting to have a pet so I agreed immediately. They're a boy and a girl," said Manilka. The other kitten, who is a boy, has a mixture of white, orange, and black complexion. His sister on the other hand, has a white and black shade. 

Pumasok na kami sa loob. I sat on the floor as I examined my new babies. Nakaupo rin sa tabi ko si Eli at pinanood ako sa aking ginagawa habang si Manilka naman ay nakatayo sa harapan namin at nakangiti kaming pinagmamasdan. 

Tumingala ako kay Manilka. "Thank you. I am so happy I could kiss you right now," 

They chuckled and switched their gaze to Eli's direction. She obviously enjoys playing with the kittens so it's impossible that she heard what I just said. Naupo si Manilka sa sofa sa likuran ko. I flinched when they bit my ear then kissed me on the cheek afterwards. I pouted when I realized that that was it. 

"Why didn't you kissed Tita Guia on her lips, Tita Manilka?"

Sabay kaming napalingon nang biglang magsalita si Eli. Napasapo na lamang ako ng aking noo. Wala talagang takas pagdating sa batang ito. 

"Because you're here..."

"It's okay. I know you love her so you should kiss her more. Now na, please!"