The Minxes Series Book One: Asking for the Moon

Chapter Twenty nine

"Oh, so you're Sesha. You're more beautiful in person, hija. It's wonderful to finally meet you."

She gave the middle-aged woman a shy smile as she shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, maam."

The woman chuckled. "Tita Cali na lang ang itawag mo sa akin.

"T-tita Cali." Naiilang pa niyang sabi.

"O, Atticus. Dalhin mo muna si Sesha sa den, nandoon ang mama at papa. At ako'y magluluto muna ng mami-miryenda natin."

"Sinong lolo at lola mo ang nandito?" Tanong niya kay Atticus ng makaalis ang tita nito.

"My paternal grandparents."

She was surprised to learn that they are here. Akala niya ay sa Puerto Rico namamalagi ang mga ito. Hindi pa niya actually nami-meet ang paternal grandparents nito. His maternal grandparents, oo, dahil sa Maynila lang naman namamalagi ang mga ito. His paternal grandparents are a different matter because they seldom visit the Philippines.

Atticus ushered her to the den. She was all too aware of his palm placed at the small of her back as he was introducing her to his grandparents.

"Abuela, abuelo, I'd like you to meet Sesha."

"This is my abuela Romana and abuelo Bernard." Baling nito sa kanya.

The two elderly perked their heads up and smiled at her brightly. Kahit sa matandang edad ay kapansin pansin pa din ang bakas ng kagandahan at kagwapuhan sa mukha ng mag-asawa.

From drinking her tea, Doña Ramona glanced over the brim of her eye glasses. "Sesha, I'm glad to finally meet you."

She smiled at the way the old lady reminds her of her late grandmother. She smiled at her warmly. Ngayon alam na niya kung kanino namana ni Atticus ang asul na mga mata. Kung hindi siya nagkakamali, ang Puerto Rican part ng lahi nila ay galing kay Doña Ramona. His grandfather, Don Bernard is half filipino half American, hence, the surename Wright.

Kinuha niya ang kamay na inilahad nito at saka iyon marahang pinisil. "The pleasure is mine, maam." Sunod niyang kinamayan ang esposong nakaupo sa tabi nito.

"Forget the formalities, young lady. You can call us abuelo and abuela just like how Atticus calls us or just simply lolo or lola." Ang nakangiting turan ni Don Bernard sa kanya.

"Alright I will... lolo."

"Wonderful."

"It's good that you two could visit. We worried you were caught up by this bad weather." Wika ni Doña Ramona.

"We were fine, abuela. Nawalan ng kuryente kagabi pero napa-andar naman ang generator."

"Mabuti naman kung gayon. Ang akala namin ay hindi na kayo makakabisita."

She wanted to frown how his grandparents kept using the word 'kayo' as if they were really expecting her to come. Eh salin pusa nga lang siya sa pagbisita dito. Nagkataon lang na nag stay siya sa bahay ni Atticus dahil bumagyo.

"We are excited to know more about you, my dear. Lagi kang ikinukwento sa amin nitong apo ko." Wika ni Don Bernard.

"Talaga po?" Sagot niya pero ang nakakunot noong mukha'y nakabaling kay Atticus. At ang kumag ayaw salubungin ang nag-aakusang tingin niya. Bakit ba kasi siya nito ikwekwento sa lolo at lola nito?

"Why, of course! He told us of your many feats abroad. Graduated with flying colors in an ivy leage school. That's quite impressive." Turan ng lolo nito.

Namula siya. "Nagkataon lang po na gusto ko iyong kursong kinuha ko kaya naging madali sa akin na pag-aralan." Nahihiyang sabi niya.

"A woman of passion." Komento ni Doña Ramona habang tumatango tango pa. "It is very hard to find one like you these days." She added before looking at Atticus. "You got yourself a woman for keeps, apo." Proud na sabi nito habang maluwag ang ngiti kay Atticus.