Serendipity (Dauntless Series #3)

Chapter 37

Manilka went upstairs immediately when we arrived at the house. They're acting a bit strange than usual and I don't know if I should be worried or not. Pinabayaan ko na lamang siya dahil baka mamaya kinakabahan pala iyong makaharap ang pamilya ko tapos kukulitin ko pa siya. Nagtungo na lamang ako sa kusina para tingnan kung tapos na bang ayusin nina ate Flora iyong mesa. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang magluto dahil late na kaya naman umorder na lamang ako ng mga pagkain galing sa paboritong restaurant ni Papa.

Nagtungo ako sa aking kwarto para magbihis pagkatapos kong masigurong preparado na ang lahat. I am wearing a white jumpsuit with plunging neckline paired with suede block heels. Lumabas ako ng aking kwarto para hanapin si Manilka dahil wala siya roon nang pumasok ako. I bit the insides of my cheeks. Don't tell me they ran away?

I found them on the garden, sitting on the rattan chair while staring at nowhere. They sat there with their inscrutable face, not realizing that I'm approaching them. I cleared my throat.

"We can cancel this dinner if you want..."

"And risk myself getting hated by your family? No." they shook their head. I sighed before sitting on the other chair beside them. "It's fine. You don't have to worry about me."

"How can't I worry when you're acting so strange? Konti na lang iisipin kong iba na pala ang kinakatakot mo."

They looked at me with shock written on their face. Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo at pinilit na ngumiti ngunit hindi niya ako maloloko. This is the first time I've seen them terrified and I don't know if I should too. Naningkit ang mga mata ko.

"What's really happening, Manilka?" seryoso kong tanong. 

Their mouth opened but no words came out of it. Seconds later, the bell rang. We both got up on our knees. We went to the foyer to welcome my family. Si ate Reign lamang ang hindi sumama sa pamilya ko. Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kirot dahil doon ngunit hindi ito ang tamang oras para magdrama. Sinalubong ko sila at isa-isang hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Look at you all grown up, mija! Baka sa susunod na kita ko sa'yo, ikakasal ka na ha!" komento ni Mama Adela habang inaalalayan ko siyang maglakad. 

I held Manilka's waist to prompt them. On the very far side I saw Tita Odette froze. Agad namang naagaw ng pansin ko ang pagbati ni Manilka sa pamilya ko. I can sense that Mama Adela liked them immediately. It's obvious by the way she keeps asking questions about them and her yearning stares on my partner.

"So, Manilka..." sabi ni Papa nang makapasok na kami sa loob. "You're French, right? Were you born in France?"

Tumango si Manilka. "I was born Brittany though my father is originally from Cannes. We moved in there when I was 3 years old, then lived here in the Philippines for good when I turned 5."

"I saw your father once in an event. We only exchanged a few words but I can tell that he's a good man. I'm sure you are, too." dugtong ni Mama Adela. Nagkatinginan kami ni Manilka at mas lalong humigpit ang kaniyang hawak sa aking kamay. When I looked back at my family, I caught Tita Odette looking at our intertwined hands. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa banda ni Gustin na tulad ko, nagtataka rin kung bakit ganoon ang inaasta ng kaniyang ina.

Hinayaan muna naming makipag-usap sina Manilka, Papa, Mama Adela at Gustin sa sala habang kami ni Tita Odette ay nagtungo sa kusina para tumulong sa paghahanda ng mga pagkain. Kumpara kanina ay medyo umaliwalas na ang mukha niya. Kaya lang hindi ko pa rin maiwasang isipin iyong nangyari kaya naman tumikhim ako para maagaw noon ang pansin niya. Tita Odette looked at me quickly before putting the steak on the table.

"Ayos ka lang po ba, Tita?"

"Yes, mija. What makes you say that?" she chortled. I passed the juice to her.