Captured Through The Lenses

Capture 21: Mrs Rios

Capture Twenty One

Tita Clementine's eyes started ogling around the house after her emotional breakdown.

"It feels cosy here," her eyes were nostalgic. "Ikaw ang tumupad ng mga plano natin noon."

Mama chuckled. "Oo nga. Naaalala ko pa dati, plano nating hindi na mag asawa para lang magkasama tayo sa iisang bubong."

I joined in. "This was your dream home, mama?"

Tumango si mama. "Mansions may be spacious, but it's suffocating. It feels so desolate. Sa halip na maramdaman mong mas malaki ang bahay, mas successful, you feel like the bigger your home, the more distant its occupants are."

"But why a bigger house if your dream is to have a simple home, tita?" tanong ko naman kay tita Clementine.

"Denzel is stubborn. Sabi niya, he wouldn't settle for less when he could give me more. But contrary to what we believe before, Denzel proved me wrong. A bigger house doesn't always mean bigger distance. Just more rooms where love could bloom. His words, not mine," she looked so embarrassed as she said the last two sentences.

My cheeks flushed. Isaac's just as cheesy as his father. They have such a way with words.

"I'm glad I found you, Isadora," she said with unfeigned longing. "Kahit ang mga imbestigador namin ay hindi ka nagawang hanapin."

Mama's lips set in a thin line. "Then tama lang ang lahat. The more hidden I am, the better. You know that, of all people."

"Nova wouldn't tell me the last time we saw each other," saad ni tita Clementine.

Mama snickered. "Kilala mo naman si Nova. Ako ang nagawaan ng masama, siya ang galit at hindi nagpapatawad."

And at the same time mama said the words, tita Nova entered the house. She always does that. Dire diretso nalang ang pasok sa aming bahay. Nasanay na rin naman kami sa kanya.

Tita Nova was an architect. Pero ngayong medyo may edad na siya ay nagfull time Unit Manager siya sa isang insurance company. Kaya para bang napakarami niyang oras para bumisita rito. She also has small businesses.

"Clementine? What are you doing here? Paano mo natunton si Isadora?" sunod sunod na bato ng tanong ni tita Nova.

"Turns out I don't need your help anymore," tita Clementine quarreled.

Tita Nova bit out a sarcastic laugh.

"You deserve that. Dapat talagang paghirapan mo ang pagpapatawad ni Isadora."

"She already did," tita Clementine sassed.

Tita Nova gave mama a scandalous look, as if she's offended.

"So easily, Isadora?"

"Biktima tayong lahat dito, Nova. We were manipulated," diin ni mama.

Tita Nova pointed her fingers at tita Clementine. "She's friends with Mildred,Isadora. Baka espiya lang 'yan ni Mildred dito," she rambled.

"I'm not Mildred's friend. I'm Ezekiel's friend! One person important to Isadora's life. She cares for him. Kung hindi napagtakpan ang issue ni Sandra, mapapasama ang Austra, ang kumpanya ni Ezekiel. Ayaw naman ni Isadora na mangyari yon hindi ba? It was the least I could do for her. Plus, Lilly was there with the family."

Mama shook her head as we watched the both of them argue. Mama pointed at the two of them.

"See that, anak? This is what I had to deal with back in the days."

"Ah! So you care for my niece now? Bakit ipinapares mo ang anak mo sa bruhildang si Gwyneth when my niece is in love with your son!" tita Nova burst out.