Sunset of Times

Kabanata 14

"Bakit ang tagal niyo? Kanina ko pa gusto kumain. Sa tingin niyo ba masaya sa buntis ang hindi kumakain?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Tito Cole and seconds later, sabay kami natawa bago tuluyan lumapit kay Tita Tanya na tinataasan kami ng kilay. So this is why Tito Cole mentioned about reserving tables for three. Nandito rin si Tita Tanya.

Nakipagbeso ako sakanya bago kami tuluyan umupo. Nakita ko pa kung paano pinatay ni Tito Cole ang cellphone niya para siguro walang tumawag at madistorbo kami that made me smile a bit. May tatlong menu naman ang nakalatag sa mesa so we all immediately look into it.

"Huh. They now serve omelette." Sabi ko nang makita ang bagong dishes sa menu nila

"You want some, Steph?" Tanong ni Tito kaya inangat ko ang tingin ko sakanya at umiling

"Believe me or not, the only omelette that I eat is Dad's omelette. And his sinigang." Sagot ko sakanya at bahagyang natawa ng mapakla. "Oh please, huwag niyong sabihin na mas prefer ko ang mga luto niya sakanya." Banta ko at natatawang tumango na lang siya

"Hindi naman niya specialty iyon."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Tito Cole kay Tita Tanya na nakatitig lang sa menu. She probably noticed that something is staring at her dahil inangat niya na ang tingin saamin. Puno ng pagtataka ang tingin ko sakanya, she saw my reaction and then suddenly, tumikhim siya ngumiti saakin.

"What I meant was... Favorite ni Andrei ang mga pagkaing iyan. That's why he always cooks it everytime he has time. Pero hindi niya iyan specialty, Iha." She said and awkwardly stared back on the menu

Umismid ako at tumitig na lang ulit sa menu na hawak ko. For a second, thinking about my father made me went into a bad mood.

"Whatever. Let's not talk about the person who is not even here." Mapaklang sabi ko

"Stephanie..." Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Tita Tanya after hearing her warning tone. I mouthed the word 'what' and then she just gave me a sigh

"Stephie, understand your father. I believe it is also hard for him to be away especially on occasion like this." Mahinahong salita naman ni Tito Cole at nag tawag na ng waiter.

Napansin na niya siguro na wala akong maorder na pagkain kaya siya na ang nag order para saaming dalawa while Tita Tanya said her order.

After that, he gave me a sorry look that made me roll my eyes and then look at him with an attitude.

"Why do I have to understand him all the damn time? What about me?!" Halos mapataas na ang boses ko pero nakuha ko parin naman magpigil

"Minimize saying inappropriate words, Stephanie Calitheya." Madiin na sabi ni Tita kaya umismid na lang ako at umupo

"I bet he doesn't even know that it's his dear daughter's birthday today." I sarcastically spoke

"He has too much on his mind. Pagpasyensahan mo na ang daddy mo, iha..." Tito Cole's soft and calm voice sent a little irritation into my ears kaya hindi makapaniwalang tinignan ko siya

"Why do you guys always defend him? Can't you once, just once... Defend and understand me too?" May halong hinanakit sa boses ko

Natahimik siya at hindi na makatingin saakin. He even sigh and just drink his water saka dumungaw sa ibang direksyon. Tita Tanya on the other hand, gave me a stare like how Mothers give look at their children na para bang sinasabi na 'lagot ka saakin pag uwi sa bahay'.

Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin at pinakalma na lang ang sarili. I know that I was disrespectful to them but I guess I don't need to go very far. Enough already with my last words on asking for understanding. Baka masira pa ng tuluyan ang gabi ko. They did effort on giving time for me, I should appreciate it instead on questioning their purpose as my Tito and Tita.