The Past or The Present?

Chapter 31

"Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen it is now 11:15am with a temperature of 28 degree celsius. In seven minutes we will be landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Thank you."

I looked at my side and saw the tall buildings in Pasay Area, Finally I'm back and staying for good. I felt his hand hold mine and smiled at me.

"accueillir à la maison mon amour" [Welcome home my love] and he kissed the back of my palm, He's Charles Tavin Sandel, I met him 1 year ago when I was in the public library at Paris, he's a student just like me when we first met then later on we became best of friends na madalas e pagtampuhan sa akin ni Rean.

Hindi alam nila Mommy na uuwi ako dito sa Pilipinas they want me to stay in Paris for good pero hindi ako pumayag sa gusto nila. Mas gugustuhin ko pa kasi ang makasama sila dito kaysa doon na magisa lang ako. Hindi din nila alam ang tungkol sa pinapagawa ko na Bakeshop along Makati Area and Tavin is my business partner he's half filipino but he can't speak fluently but he can understand some of the Filipino words.

Hindi naman na ako gaanong nanibago sa environment dito dahil madalas din ako umuwi dito sa Philippines. I texted Manong Bert to fetch us pero di ko pa rin makita ang sasakyan namin. I felt a hands cover my eyes "arrêter Tavin!" [Stop it Tavin!] I tried to remove his hand I heard him laugh but not that close to me.

Hindi si Tavin ang may takip sa mata ko. "Who is this?! I'm gonna kick your ass! Remove your filthy hands off me!" Pagkatanggal nung lalaki sa mga kamay nya sa mata ko ay napapikit ako, adjusting to the light I saw my crazy brother laughing as if there's no tomorrow.

"Too fierce my little girl, didn't you miss me?" I raised my brow to him and looked at Kai "Did you inject his medicine?" Kai just laughed and hugged me, I hugged her back "Welcome home".

"Why so mean sis?" Elton told me sabay akbay nya kay Kai, I really don't know the real score between them pero alam kong may something na.

"Let's go, your mommy and daddy are waiting." Tavin interrupt and guide us towards the car. While on our way sa restaurant na pupuntahan namin ay di ko maiwasan ang kasweetan nila Kai at Elton sa sobrang kati na ng dila ko at sobrang irita ko sa kanila ay napatanong ako ng wala sa oras.

"Kuya Elton, kayo na ba?" Their intertwined fingers apart at bigla silang tumahimik. Kuya Elton didn't look at me he's attention is in the road while Kai looked outside.

"So it's complicated?" I told them as if stating a fact.

"Where in the adjusting period sis, at bakit ba may tono ng kabitteran ang pagsasalita mo?" Elton told me and I swear I saw him grin! "The nerve!!! Excuse me di lang kasi ako sanay na may asukal ka sa katawan." They just chuckled di ko nalang sila pinansin hanggang sa makarating kami sa restaurant.

I saw mommy and daddy, they are both laughing like a teenager. You can see the love aura between them kahit na may edad na e makikita mo na mahal nila ang isat-isa.

Kuya Elton kissed mom in her cheeks at umupo sa harapan nila mommy. The whole restaurant is decorated with glass kaya naman agad akong nakita ni mommy sabay tayo nya at lapit sa akin.

"Oh my God! Diba next month ka pa dapat babalik?" Mommy told me, I just hugged her back and whispered "I miss you momma, I'm staying for good." She just looked at me and say "Okay."

The lunch went well, I already introduced Tavin to them through video chat kaya di na sila nagtaka kung bakit ko sya kasama ngayon. We just talked about random stuff and my plan.

"You and Tavin will stay in one condo unit?" Mom asked me.

"Of course not mom, We will be staying at the same building and floor but different unit." I explained to them.

"Where is the exact place Fatima? Do you mean that starting from now you will stay there?" Dad suddenly asked without looking at me.

"Somewhere in Makati Dad, don't worry I'll inform you right away para naman di na kayo mag-alala sa akin." I explained to them, Tavin is just listening to our conversation, halata mong kabado sya based on his gestures and breathing. He keeps doing that when he's not comfortable, I hold his hand and squeeze it to give him an assurance that I'm here.

"So.. Tavin right?" Dad asked him

"Yes Sir" Tavin replied with a low tone of voice.

"Are you also staying here for good?" Then dad looked at Tavin.

"No sir but I hav-"

"Okay." Dad interrupted him and continue on what he is doing, my jaw dropped literally on how he treat Tavin. We finished our meal with an awkward atmosphere.

While on the parking lot I went to Dad and Mom's car and I told to Tavin to wait for me in the car.

"What was that?" I asked him and I know na alam nya kung anong ibig kong sabihin.

"I don't like him." Dad told me without any hesitation.

"You don't know him." Mom hold my hand and smiled, I know she want me to stop but it's unfair for Tavin that they judged him already.

"Okay. Di kita pipilitin na magustuhan sya but one thing is for sure I love him." then I closed the door and went directly in the car. Humiwalay na sa amin sila Kuya Elton dahil may dadaanan pa daw sila ni Kai.

Binaybay na namin ang kahabaan ng EDSA para makaabot ng Makati and knowing the status of the Philippines when it comes to traffic? Geez. kailan kaya magbabago ang ganitong sitwasyon?

Tavin break the silence,

"Ho-how was it?" He asked me

"Well, they were not convince that were a couple." I knew from the start na di talaga sila maniniwala.

"We have a lot of backup plan right amour?" I just smiled at him.

"que nous allons monsieur" [Sure we will sir] then I winked at him.