Bitter Sweet and Strange

Chapter 26

Beleza

Sa wakas ay natapos na ang pakiramdam ko'y pinakamahabang dinner na dinaluhan ko. The whole dinner went well and silent. Sure, there were conversations, but only minimal. It's so obvious that they're preserving the holiness of a meal while eating, especially Mrs. Christina.

Buendavid and his father went to his study to discuss important matters. Kahit hindi ko tanungin ay alam kong tungkol sa business ang pag-uusapan nila. Si Mrs. Christina ay nagpaalam na mag-aayos ng sarili. Si Allerick naman ay agad na sumama kay Christina Daine sa sala upang manood ng TV at maglaro. Pansin ko agad ang pagkahumaling ni Allerick kay Christina Daine.

I'm surprised when Mrs. Christina appears in the living room and starts helping me do the chore.

"Mrs. Christina, don't bother yourself. Ako na lang po ang maglilipit nito."

Napangiti lang siya at nagpatuloy. "I can manage. I still do this on a daily basis. I am hands-on in Cion's Selections, and I still serve my family."

Napatango na lang ako nang alanganin. Ibang-iba talaga ang ipinakita nila sa akin sa naiisip ko noon tungkol sa kanila. Before, I was expecting them to be some kind of carefree, I-am-the-king, and boastful type of people. But, they are the opposite. They act like normal people. And they're cautious about good conduct.

"Alam mo ba na sa magkakapatid, si Buendavid ang pinakamagaling magluto? At such a young age, he's already a culinary expert. In fact, not only in culinary, but he's quite exemplary in many fields." Napatango lang ako. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na marami pa pala akong dapat malaman tungkol kay Buendavid.

"Buendavid is also his father's favorite. Ang ate niya, lumayo sa amin at tumayo sa sarili niyang mga paa dahil ayaw i-handle ang VS. Ganoon din si Davin na mas pinili ang medical field. Obviously, si Daine ay hindi rin gusto ang business. It's just Vid who carries his father's talents and will."

"I think... I still have more to know about Buendavid. Honestly, we're just starting our relationship."

"That's nice. But don't leave him once you discover all our colors," she says meaningfully.

"What do you mean, Ma'am?"

She places the plates on the sink before looking at me seriously. "We are not as dashing and splendid as what you might expect. The Villasuarez Family has also great share in many evil deeds. Pero ito lang ang masasabi ko, lahat gagawin namin alang-alang sa pamilya namin. We're good people maybe, but we can be devils when needed."

Bigla akong kinabahan sa sinabi niya. Ano pa ba ang dapat kong malaman sa kanilang pamilya? Sa pamilya na magiging pamilya ko na rin?

"Let's not talk about it, it's obviously making you uncomfortable," she says honestly which I respond with a nod. "I have so many things to talk to you. But now, you can ask me questions. Any question, go on."

"I just want to know it, and I want you to be honest." I collect all the guts in my system before asking her the question I'm dying to know the answer.

"Don't hesitate."

"Ayos lang ba sa inyo na ako ang magiging asawa ni Buendavid? O pinapakisamahan niyo lang po ako dahil nabuntis niya ako nang hindi inaasahan. I mean, Buendavid deserves someone better. I came from nothing compared to how filthy rich your family is. I'm not yet successful. I am an undergraduate st---"

"Don't narrate your life because I already ran a background check on you. I already knew a lot about you." Napatigil ako at napatango na lang. "First, I don't care where you came from, or what your standing in life is. Mayaman na ang pamilya namin, and my children can love who they want. Second, you're already successfull enough because you're a good mother to Allerick. Third, taming a Villasuarez takes great courage and talents, and you have tamed one. Fourth, my son deserves the woman she loves who will love him too. And I believe, I know, that you deserve each other."