Uncovering the Camouflaged Daughter

26

Inihain ko agad sa hapagkainan ang pagkain pagkatapos kong magluto. Marami akong niluto cause I know Kuya Alfy will surely bring some, home. Minutes later, Mommy arrived. She squished my cheeks and kissed me.

"How was the hunting for your clinic?" aniya.

I smiled. "It was fine, 'mmy. But I'll get the one near the company na lang, since I didn't like the other one."

Tumango siya. "Okay, good choice. Ilalagay ko lang ito sa taas at babalikan kita dito, hmm?" tukoy niya sa mga paper bags na dala niya.

"That's... a lot, 'mmy!"

"Yeah, marami akong nagustuhan kanina eh. And you have yours here too," sabi niya.

"Really?" lumiwanag ang mukha ko.

She held my chin and said, "Of course! How can I forget my baby?"

I just chuckled and she went upstairs after saying that. Kumuha muna ako ng inumin namin sa refrigerator at inihanda iyon sa lamesa. Then I suddenly heard footsteps coming inside the house.

"Ellie, we're here!" rinig kong sigaw. That's Kuya Alfonso for sure.

"I'm at the dining!" I yelled.

He came inside with a box on his hand and Andy behind him. Tumakbo agad si Andy sa akin para yumakap, he pulled away after.

"Wow! My favorite!" Andy exclaimed as soon as he saw the food at the table. I chuckled and sat at my chair.

Nilapag ni Kuya Alfonso ang box na dala-dala niya sa lamesa.

"What's that?" Tanong ko.

"Decadent truffles and Cinnamon Palmiers," sabi niya sabay ngiti.

Napangiti ako agad ng marinig si Kuya, tumayo ako at kinuha iyon para ilagay sa ref.

"Oh, you guys are here pala... You didn't tell me," rinig kong sabi ni Mommy. Nilingon ko at nakita na nasa dining na din pala siya, nag-mano si Kuya sa kanya at humalik sa pisngi.

"Baba!" Tumayo si Andy sa pagkakaupo at mabilis na lumakad para yakapin si Mommy at mag-mano. I smiled.

Bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo sabay ni Mommy. Mommy's sitting beside Kuya Alfonso in front of me and Andy. Dad's chair is usually at the head of the table.

"Is Dad going to come and eat here?" Tanong ni Kuya habang nakatingin kay Mommy.

Mommy sighed and just shrugged. "I don't know, why don't you text your Dad?"

"No need, I'm here." I flinched when I suddenly heard Dad's voice. Dumating na siya.

"Wowo! You're here na!" masayang ani ni Andy at tumakbo para yakapin si Daddy.

"I'm here na, big guy!" Sabi ni Daddy at ginulo ang buhok ni Andy. Sumimangot si Andy at bumalik sa upuan. Tinawanan namin siya.

Lumapit muna sa akin si Daddy at hinalikan ang ulo ko. Sinunod niyang lapitan si Kuya Alfonso at nag-mano ito. Kuya Alfonso and I kept on glancing at each other when Dad went towards Mommy. My heart is beating so fast hoping for him to greet my mother.

I smiled widely when Dad approached Mommy and kissed her on her cheek. Napangiti kaming dalawa ni Kuya Alfy, halatang kinikilig. Dad sat at his usual chair after.

Biglang nawala ang ngiti ko noong magsalita si Mommy. "Alfonso, lead the prayer na, kumain na tayo. Lalamig ang pagkain," malamig niyang sabi.

She would usually greet Dad and ask him on how his day went. Pero parang wala lang sa kanya yung pahalik ni Daddy. Kuya started the prayer and we ate after.