|| His Other Half || Camilo Madrigal {DISCONTINUED}

Chapter 2: The Invitation

(Play it!)

A month has passed and today is the gift ceremony of the youngest in the Madrigal Family, Antonio. You wake up as usual and got dressed before heading down stairs to do your indoor chores before proceeding to your outdoor chores. "Magandang Umaga, Apo." You heard your Lola said as you smile and kissed her on the cheek, "Magandang Umaga din po, Lola." You said as she smiles, "Doing chores today?" She asked as you nodded, "Yes po, Lola." You replied as you take the Walis Tambo and sweep the floors with it. You achieved so much dirt that you sweep it outside, that is when you heard Mirabel singing about her family. And since you are outside, why not do your chores while listening?

My Tía Pepa, her mood affects the weather,
When she's unhappy, well, the temperature gets weird.

Hearing that verse makes you remember the first time you have met her. She's really nervous that it had a storm inside the room.

My Tío Bruno— (We don't talk about Bruno!)
They say he saw the future, one day he disappeared

In that line, you wondered... You have seen Señor Bruno on the murals of the town but you haven't actually heard about him or even seen him.

Oh! And that's my mom, Julieta, here's her deal.
Oh! The truth is she can heal you with a meal.
Oh! Her recipes are remedies for real!
If you're impressed, imagine how I feel, Mom!

It is true, now that you think about it. Everytime, Señora Pepa invite to their dinner... The meals tastes special each time.

You then continued to do chores until the song finished when suddenly, you were approached by Camilo holding a baby. "Hola hermosa, I see you're also doing chores?" He said as I sigh, "Just a daily routine for a girl like me. How's that baby?" You said as his cheeks flushed. He misinterpreted the words right out of your mouth. "O-Oh... You mean the baby in my arms... Yes! He's fine." Camilo said having his cheeks still flushed. But then the baby started to cry again, "Ah! Not again." You heard Camilo mumble trying to put the baby back to sleep. You chuckled, placed the watering can to the side and offered your arms, "I'll take care of that." You said as Camilo raised an eyebrow then gave you the baby. You gently placed him on your arms and rocked him to sleep with a lullaby that you have came up with on the spot. Camilo just stares at you being able to let the baby sleep into your arms, he was just mesmerized on how you are excellent with babies that he visioned you to be a wonderful mother. Soon the baby fell asleep, "You're good at that stuff." Camilo commented you as you chuckle, "I used to take care of some babies at a previous village before here." You said as you gave Camilo the baby. "So, how is the preparations for your brother's... You know." You said as Camilo gave back the baby to his mother, "Well, hermosa, it is almost done... Here." He said giving you a piece of letter, "An invitation... Fancy." You said as he slyly smirked, "Since this is the first time you and your family will attend a gift receiving ceremony... I might as well make it fancy." He said as you chuckle, "Salamat, it's very thoughtful of you. And for that, I'll offer my help with the preparations." You said as your brother, Angelo came out of the house after helping your father. "Oh... Little sis, and Camilo." Angelo said as he looked very stern towards the male Madrigal, "Kuya, we have an invitation for Antonio's Gift Giving Ceremony." You said to your brother as he reads it but then he looks at you with a deadpanned face, "You're gonna help, aren't you?" He asked with his eyebrow raised, "Pwede ba?" You asked with puppy dog eyes that none of your brothers would resist... And also... It's the youngest effect... "Hay... Oo na! Sige na! I'll inform our parents and Lola about this." Angelo said and with a smile on your face, you went with Camilo to help with the preparations.

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While preparing, you were in charge of helping Julieta with the dishes to be served at the ceremony. You have learned a thing or two about cooking Colombian food but Julieta wanted to add a Filipino dish to the table so that your family can enjoy. You happily taught her one of the dishes that your mom taught you how to make, "Adobo? That sounds hard to make." Julieta said as you smiled softly, "It's not that hard Señora, I'll show you the steps." You said as you started to prepare the ingredients. You then checked if they have soy sauce, "Oh... You don't have soy sauce. It's fine! I'm gonna get at ours." You said as Julieta wished you luck. When you went out of the kitchen... Camilo, who is at the second floor of Casita, suddenly caught you on the corner of his eye and started to follow your movements. He smiled to see you being giddy that he leans over the fence and smiles brightly with his cheeks flushed, "Cami! Stop blushing and help with the preparations!" Dolores, his older sister, said as he jumped a little from the shock, "Ay! Dolores! You almost scared me!" Camilo said as he saw you coming back with a bottle of black liquid?

"Cami, I know you're in love with her but you have to keep it to yourself first because right now, Mamí is almost losing her mind." Dolores whispered, exposing his own brother about his feeling to you. "Alright! Alright! But don't tell her or Mamí!" Camilo demanded but, "Sorry Cami. Mamí and Papí already knows." Dolores informed him as she squeak before going back to what she was doing. Camilo sighs and decided to help Casita with the stairs.

Meanwhile, you and Julieta are in your lesson when Mirabel came in with a lot of decorations in a box... "Whoa, Mira! Careful!" You said as she desperately gets the box on the table. You helped Mirabel clear up the box of whatnots while she and her mom talk about helping. You were then tapped by Agustin, who has his bee stings, "Uh... Mira..." You said as Mirabel looked up and saw you pointing to her father, "Bee stings!" You heard Mirabel as you take out the rest of the stuff out of the box while the family in front of you talked. You then saw Mirabel leave by taking the box outside to put out the rest of her decorations, you smile to Julieta and Agustin, "Señora and Señor, she'll come around... I'm sure she'll be fine." You commented wanting to make the duo better and they did. "So, what's next for this recipe?" Julieta asked you as you help her with the food.

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Here are the translations!

•Magandang Umaga, Apo. - Good morning, grandchild.

•Magandang Umaga din po, Lola. - Good morning to you too, Grandma.

•Po - Filipinos use this to pay respects to the people who are older than us.

•Walis Tambo - It is a broom made with phragmites reed called tambo in the Philippines and it is used for the floors of our houses.

•Salamat - Thank you

•Kuya - Big Brother

•Pwede ba? - Is it alright?

•Hay... Oo na! Sige na! - *Sigh*... Alright! Okay!

•Adobo - Is a famous dish in the Philippines that involves meat, seafood, or vegetables marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns, which is browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade. (And it is honestly my favorite.)