Luscious Man Series 1: Zaimon Luther Suarez

KABANATA 12

Maghapon ulit ako sa planta nang araw na 'yon. Sa tuwing kailangan na ni Zaimon na magtrabaho ay nagpapaalam siya sa akin kaya pumapayag nalang rin ako dahil hindi ko naman siya pinapasahod.

Nang mag-alas singko ng hapon ay nagpasundo na ako kay Kuya Lester. Nasa labas ng van si Zaimon habang pinagmamasdan akong pumasok sa loob. Hindi ko na siya nilingon, lalo na nang paandarin na ni Kuya Lester ang van pauwi sa mansyon.

Pag-uwi ko sa mansyon ay naabutan ko si Mommy at Daddy na masinsinang nag-uusap. Mahina at tila gustong walang makarinig. Nang marinig ang yapak ko na palapit sa kanila ay natigil sila sa pag-uusap at napabaling sa akin.

"Mom, dad." Lumapit ako sa kanila at humalik sa pisngi nila.

This is the first time that they went home early. What's with them? I mean, I didn't want them to go home early but it was just… so sudden.

"Kumusta, hija. Maayos ba ang paglilibot mo sa planta?" Tanong ni daddy. Iginiya niya ako paupo sa tabi niya.

Nakamasid lang si mommy sa amin habang umiinom ng tsaa. Bumaling ako kay daddy at ngumiti.

"Yes, daddy. I enjoyed roaming around the plantation. Ang ganda at nakaka-relax, kaya hindi ako na-bored doon." Ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

Bumaling ako kay Mommy pero seryoso lang siya habang nagtsa-tsaa sa kabilang sofa.

Nag-kuwentuhan kami doon ng tungkol sa planta. Nag-kuwento rin si daddy at mommy tungkol sa kung paano nila nabili ang lupa at kung paano nila napalago iyon. I admire them because of their passion in their own business. Oras at pawis ang iginugol nila doon. Na hindi ko naintindihan noon.

Inabot kami ng kuwentuhan hanggang sa hapag kainan. Nakisali na rin si Ate sa kuwentuhan namin habang kumakain kami ng hapunan.

Hindi ko alam, pero parang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko sa simpleng kuwentuhan namin nina daddy, mommy, at ni ate. We eat while mom and dad telling a story about the plantation. Even their childhood, and when they met each other and how they became together. They had a hard time because dad's parents was strict, I know that because even now, our grandparents are strict as hell. Mom and dad need to stop their relationship for a while because they're still a college student that time and are not successful. So, they strive and strive until their parents agreed with their strong relationship. And after graduating college, they married. And years had passed, they had ate Kate and then… me, afterwards.

"That's why, we want the both of you become a successful woman first before marrying a man who deserves you. Your body, soul, and heart. And we want a man who's successful and deserving one for you two. So please, don't disappoint us by having a mere man in your lives. Gusto namin na maging maayos ang buhay ninyo, bago kami mawala sa mundong ibabaw. That's why we're strict too. But not in your relationships right now because we know that you two know your limitations." Mom heave a sigh, "we love so much that's why we're doing our best to give you a better life. Kaya pinapalago namin ang planta at ang sakahan para sa inyong dalawa. Kayo rin naman ang makakapagmana ng mga 'yan, kaya sana… gawin niyo rin ang lahat para hindi kami mabigo sa inyo." Her eyes held hope as she look at the both of us.

"Yes, mommy." I answered, smiling at her sincerely.

"We will do our best, mom." Ate Kate said in a more serious way but still smiling at our mother.

"So, we can call it a night. I'm tired now. Nakakapagod palang magkuwento sa inyo." Si daddy habang hinihimas ang tiyan at nakangisi sa aming tatlo.

"Well, I call it a night then. But this is the best night we ever had, mom, dad." I smiled sweetly at them.

"Yeah, you were always jealous because of our business, Dane." Ate said teasingly.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata pero tinawanan lang niya 'ko.