Three Steps To You ✔︎

Chapter 45

DANDELIONS

“Ano bang ginagawa mo rito?” mataray na tanong ni binibining kakagising lang.

“Binibini, magpalit ka ng magandang damit ngayon din.” sabi ko sa kaniya. Ang aking tono ng pagsasalita ay parang nasa palasyo. Parang kausap ang isang prinsesa.

“Hindi ba maganda ang suot ko?” tanong niya saka biglang ngumuso.

Napatingin ako sa suot niyang pajamas. Really? Pajamas at this time? Evening hasnʼt arrived yet.

“Wear a dress.” I told her. “Your favorite dress if youʼd love to.”

She absolutely stood up and stomped her feet. “You went here just to tell me that?” her voice raised.

“Weʼre going somewhere else.”

“Where exactly?” she asked, with her right brow raising with doubt.

“If I tell you, itʼs no use going there anymore.” I chuckled and lend a hand. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes I do.”

“Then go to your walk-in closet and wear the most beautiful dress you have.” I said with a grin on my face. She sighed after then. She was just adorable peeping at the closet to check on me with doubting look on her face.

Lumipas ang limang minuto at hindi pa rin siya lumalabas ng closet. Tinignan ko ang relo ko para malaman kung anong oras na. Baka naghihintay na ʼyung dalawa kong tamad na kapatid sa mansyon.

“Howʼs this?”

Napaangat ako ng tingin nang marinig ko ang tinig ni Lorraine. Napanganga ako sa ganda niya habang suot ang maganda niyang bistida. Sa bawat araw na nakikita ko siya, mas lalo siyang gumaganda. Umikot siya ng mabagal para maipakita ang kabuuan ng bistidang suot niya.

Wait it was kinda familiar. Have I seen this dress before?

“Oh my...” my mouth went round after seeing such a goddess in front of me.

“Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?” she asked, her lips curved downwards.

Mabilis akong umiling. “I really love it. It fits perfectly on you.” I said.

She showed me that smile that I rarely see these days. Her sweet and innocent smile that made me flattered everytime she shows it.

“Tara na?” tanong ko sa kaniya. I held her hands slightly tight. Agad siyang tumango.

Lumabas na kami ng kaniyang kuwarto. Pababa na sana kami ng hagdanan nang makasalubong namin sa hallway si Mrs. Lopez.

“Leonardo...?” paglinaw ni Mrs. Lopez nang magsalubong ang tingin namin. Ngumiti naman ako. “Saan kayo pupunta?” tanong niya at napatingin sa bawat isa sa amin ni Lorraine.

“Tita Kataleya, pwede ko po bang isama si Lorraine sa mansion namin?” pagpapaalam ko.

Nagkatinginan ang mag-ina. They were switching glances with a confused look. Nagkibit-balikat si Lorraine.

“Why so sudden? Weʼre preparing for Christmas eve. Is it urgent?” she asked.

“It is important, Tita.” I clarified.

“Hmm...” muling napatingin si Tita Kataleya sa anak niya at bumalik din naman ang tingin sa akin. “Sure. Basta ihatid mo siya rito before nine.”

“Thank you, Tita.” I said.

Meanwhile, Tita Kataleya kissed her unica hija at her cheek and whispered something on her ear. Then, she winked at her. I saw haw flushed, Lorraine was after hearing her Mama whispered.