Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 18

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Chapter 18

Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang palabas lang ang lahat ng 'yon kanina. It was my first time to cry in front of so many people. Nakakahiyang sa harapan pa ng mga Monasterio at lahat sila, alam na mangyayari iyon.

I was the only victim and whenever my mind thought of it, blood went up and stayed in my cheeks. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang hiya.

"I still can't believe that it was only a prank. Your mother is good at that, huh?" naiiling na tanong ko habang nasa upuan kami.

We were still at the party. It went on after pulling that scene as if nothing happened. Si Mommy, para bang matagal na silang magkakilala ni Tita Tate kung magdikit silang dalawa.

Nakatayo kami parehas ni Terrence. Sa harapan namin ay isang cocktail table kung saan nakapatong ang dalawa naming wineglass. I was roaming my eyes around. Sa mga Monasterio lagi nagtitigil ang mga mata ko.

The third generations were like a clan of Gods and Goddesses. Walang tulak kabigin sa kanilang lahat.

"Tell me about it. There's no dull moments whenever she's around. Everyone loves her. Ang sabi ni Papa, literal na nagkakulay ang buhay niya nang makilala niya si Mama."

I wonder how the two of them met each other. For sure it's kind of memorable. Hindi ko pa man nakikilala si Tita Tate nang lubusan, alam ko nang kakaiba siya at totoong tao.

"Parehas sila ni Mommy. Parang hindi nauubusan ng energy. I think that's also the reason why Dad is so into her. Kahit naiingayan, halatang hindi mabubuhay kung wala si Mommy."

I sipped on my glass and continued roaming my eyes around. I saw some of cousins, if I remember it right, their names are Dustine and Skyler. Nakatingin sila sa gawi namin ni Terrence.

"That's why I disagreed when you told me that I might not be attracted to you if you have a personality like Tita Eula..." pukaw ni Terrence sa atensyon ko.

Nilingon ko siya at naabutang nakatungo sa inumin niya. He was swirling the champagne in it as if his thoughts were now ahead of him. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin, malamlam ang mga mata at may maliit na ngiti sa mapupulang labi.

"You are way far from your mother. But why am I still so damn attracted to you?"

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko, pinipigilan tumaas ang sulok ng labi ngunit sa huli, hindi rin nagawang pigilan.

"Maybe because I am hot?"

He made a playful smirk. "That's already given, ma'am."

Natawa ako. Sa isang banda, naisip ko kung bakit nga ba ako nagustuhan ni Terrence. I have never asked him about it. Hangga't maaari, gusto kong sabihin niya sa akin ang nararamdaman niya kasi gusto niya at hindi dahil pinilit ko.

Even the three magic words, he never tells me that. Sa text, sa tawag o sa personal? Wala. Ganoon rin ako. Ayaw kong mauna. Kahit pa alam ko sa sarili kong mayroon na. Na nahuhulog na.

What if this is just a game for him despite being in a relationship with me? What if this is just for fun even if he introduced me to his family?

Minsan, kahit pa may mga bagay nang nagpapatunay na seryoso at totoo naman ang pakay, kahit pa mabibigat na ang mga ebidensya na nakalatag sa harapan mo na gusto ka naman talaga niya, mas matimbang pa rin iyong maririnig mo mismo mula sa kaniya ang tatlong mahiwagang salitang iyon.