My President

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

When I was a kid I got used to being a wallflower. The kind of person who always left behind. A fly in the wall. That everyone just couldn't notice you. Well, that is what the Valor wanted. So that was my rule on every occasion. Just beside the wall holding a glass of champagne. But tonight, it was different.

"Thean, can you slice this for me please?" I stood up as Abuela called me.

We're in the island kitchen cooking. She's cooking food as she wants me to slice some ingredients. Of course I stood up and obliged.

"Mama, we wouldn't mind if the maids cooked our food tonight." Tita Alena said putting down the class of wine.

Naka upo lang siya sa harap nang island counter katabi ni papa. Papa was also drinking rum while Alea was just using her phone on the sofa.

"Unlike you, Alena , I like cooking my own food. I'm not like you who doesn't even know how to use a knife." Abuela said as she tasted the 'pinakbet.'

I just continue slicing because of the silence. Tita Alena just cleared her throat as Papa just took a sip on his rum. I saw how Alea rolled her eyes at me. Kaya mas lalong tinoon ko ang pansin sa pag hiwa nang rekados.

"Should I prepare the plate,Mama?" Papa asked in the middle of a long silence.

"Yes go ahead at patapos narin ito." Ani ni Abuela na kinuha na ang slice kung rekados.

As I have said for being a fly in the wall or a wallflower. In a kind of situation like this I'm always on the wall, unlike right now Abuela is giving attention and acknowledging my presence. Which is very odd and unlikely like her. Kahit nagtataka ay ipinagpatuloy ko pa rin ang makipag halubilo sa kanila.

We eat our dinner with a small conversation asked by Abuela. She asked me questions and I answered it. Just a small question that pops up in her head. God knows what it is for. Maybe just to light up the table. Nakakabingi din naman kasi ang katahimikan.

"How about you Alea? It's your vacation, what are you planning?" Tanong ni Abuela kay Alea na agad naman siyang nginitian.

"We're going to Paris with some of my friends." Ngiting sagot siya sabay abot ng wine.

"Well that's a lovely place. Should I recommend some of the hotels to stay in?" Abuela said interested in the convention.

That conversation continued as we went on to our dinner. Tahimik lang din akong nakikinig sa usapan tungkol sa Paris. They were talking about different restaurants, hotels and a nice boutique to shop. 

"Have you been to Paris, Thean?" Napa taas noo ako nang biglang tinanong ako ni Abuela.

"I haven't been there." I simply said as I grabbed my wine and took a sip.

She chuckled.

"Well, isn't that interesting? You haven't been to Paris?" Nakangiting tanong niya. With so much amusement.

"Yes." I exclaimed.

She never asked another question after I answered her. They go on to another topic. Kaya nang matapos din kaming kumain ay ako ang unang nag paalam sa kanila. I head home first kasi ayaw kung ma traffic pa ako sa daan.

In that dinner they're also talking about another party by next week. It's the birthday of a politician. They were invited but Abuela said that she got an invitation for myself so I can also come. She said that it we'll be good to socialize with the politician that I'm taking law. Even though I don't like politics I'll just attend. I don't have a choice.