In Whose Love?

CHAPTER 20

(Jasmine's POV)

Third day living in the Araneta Mansion. Wala akong friends? Bakit? Paano ka magkakaroon ng friends kung lahat kami nakamukmok sa kanya-kanyang kwarto. They have provided us with reviewers but I still brought with me dad's books, some include law and most of them include military information. Hindi naman siguro sila magtatanong about military info, but still I prefer reading bits of information. 

Ang sad ng atmosphere dito. Walang nagsasalita, like pure silence lang talaga. Wala din naman view so wala talaga, building lang nakikita mo. May garden sila, dun na ako nagtatambay since day 1, nakaka walang gana naman kasi sa room. Lagi mong katabi yung bed, so parang tulog lang pumapasok sa isip mo. Excused nga pala ako sa lahat ng school activities ko, so kelangan talagang manalo ako. Nakakahiya naman pag bumalik ako na walang medalyang dala. Nakakahiya kay dad.

Tahimik akong nagbabasa nang biglang may naki upo. Lumingon ako at nakita si Zoe Aguinaldo (representative ng Region 3) na nakatulala habang hawak ang reviewer niya. 

Zoe: "Ayoko na." she complained.

"Bakit, anong meron?"

Zoe: "Pinapatawag daw tayo ni Ma'am Irene. Kakain daw sa labas."

"Naman pala, kakain lang. Hindi naman siguro tayo yung kakainin." I joked and look back at my paper.

We are sitting when one of the Araneta's maids approached us.

"Magpalit na daw po kayo. Utos po ni ma'am Irene."

Zoe: "Okay po ate." she said and we both stood up and went upstairs to change.

Ano nanaman bang sasbaihin. May kutob akong kakaiba. Hindi naman ako kinakabahan pero iba. 

Irene: "Okay everyone, in 5 minutes we will leave." she shouted as we hear her voice on the other side of our doors. I hurriedly gathered my things and put on my shoes.

I exited my room and went downstairs. I sat down the sofa while waiting for Kirby Faustino, the representative of Region 12 and Renz Dela Cruz representative of Region 9.

I am still reading my reviewer like everyone else. After 3 minutes, both of them arrived then we all went inside the van. I am sitting beside Mrs. Araneta. Kapag nga naman sinuswerte ka noh. Ewan ko ba kung bakit lahat ng kibo ko palagi niyang tinititigan. Pati nga pagbabasa ko ng papel eh.

(Irene's POV)

I can't believe I am in a car with her. A like bit exaggerated but what do you expect? I haven't seen her for years. I know that she can sense me staring at her. I can't avoid doing that.

Kirby: "Ma'am saan po pala tayo pupunta?"

"You'll know when we get there. It's a 20-minute ride so you can take a nap if you want to."

It is so quiet, I don't know if they are reviewing or sleepy or just shy to talk. 

"So, how is your reviewing so far?" I asked.

Zoe: "It's good naman po ma'am."

"Masyado kayong formal. Call me tita nalang. How about the rest of you? How are you doing?"

Renz: "Everythings fine tita."

"It's good to hear." and as usual, everyone went back to being silent.

***After 20 Minutes***

"We have arrived everyone!"

(Jasmine's POV)

Sa totoo lang, antok na antok na ako pero pinipigilan ko lang. Nakarating kami sa isang lugar na halos walang building. Meron lang nag-iisang restaurant at lahat ay patag na lupain na may puno at halaman. Meron palang ganitong lugar sa Manila? Or baka wala na kami sa manila. Well...ayokong magtanong at nakatayo lamang harap ang restaurant.

"Okay everyone,, let's all go inside and eat. After that, you can explore the place."

Pangmayamang restaurant. Yung walang pancit na sineserve. Sino ba naman kami para unorder diba, edi siya yung nagorder. Nang dumating, wagyu beef! Nagsitinginan kami ng mga kasama kong contestants. 

Kirby: "Walang kanin?" he whispered but loud enough for me to hear as I am siting beside him.

"Ano ba, hindi ko karinderya para may kanin."

Irene: "It there something wrong?" 

Kirby: "Wala po ma- este tita." 

Irene: "If you need something, feel free to tell me." she said with a smile.

Kirby: "Jassy, hindi ko na mapigilan. Tita, wala po ba silang rice?"

Mrs. Araneta chuckled.

Irene: "Yan lang palang pinaguusapan ninyo. Sinong may gusto ng kanin?" the five of my fellow contestants raised their hands. "Ikaw, Jasmine? You dan't want rice?"

"Hindi na po tita." I simply replied. She called the waiter and asked for rice which the waiter brought immediately.

We are currently eating when Vera came holding what I believe are 6 long-sized thick envelopes. Ano nanaman tayang laman nang mga toh?

Vera: "Hi ma'am. I brought it all just like what you've said."

Irene: "Thank you, I'll give it to them once we're finished. Have you eaten?"

Vera: "Yes ma'am."

Irene: "Okay then, you can take the day off." said then Vera exited the restaurant.

Ano nanaman yan. Hindi ako mapakali. Tinititigan ko lang yung anim na ang kakapal na envelope.