Play Pretend

Chapter 55

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 55
Crying

The press conference was about to commence when I arrived at the lounge room. Kasama ko si Atty. De Alban na siyang nag-ayos ng pakikipag-usap ko kasama si Mrs. Dela Vega.

I told them that before filing the criminal case against her, gusto ko siyang makausap nang personal. I wanted to hear her reasons. Hindi sapat sa akin ang mapakulong lang siya at makuha ang hustisya para kay Papa. Gusto ko ring maintindihan kung bakit at paano niya nagawa ang mga bagay na 'yon.

I guess, being Cami's grandmother, I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. At kahit na alam kong malaki ang naging kapalit, siya ang tumulong sa amin ni Mama. Kahit papaano, mayroon pa rin akong utang na loob sa kanya.

Xaiver didn't want to come with us. He said he was done talking to her. Wala na siyang dapat na sabihin pa. The grudge he held with his mother was way deeper than I expected.

Pagkapasok ko sa kuwarto, agad kong natanaw si Mrs. Dela Vega. She was sitting in the breakfast nook with a cup of tea in her hands. Mag-isa lang siya at walang kasama. Her eyes slowly drifted toward me.

I didn't expect her to be so calm. I thought she would look like a mess, but she was even well-dressed with her designer pieces from head to toe. She didn't seem regretful about what she did.

"So, it's true..." Bumuntonghininga siya at dahan-dahang ibinaba ang tasa sa platito. "You're really back."

I slightly bowed my head to greet her. Hindi ko magawang ngumiti at lokohin ang sarili ko. I didn't come to meet her for a friendly meeting. Nandito ako para maningil ng kasgutan. I came here to be enlightened.

Nilingon ko si Atty. De Alban. Isang tingin ko pa lang ay nakuha niya na ang gusto kong mangyari. She immediately excused herself and left me inside the room with Xaiver's mother.

"Come and have a seat. I heard you wanna speak with me," aya niya sa akin nang makalabas si Atty. De Alban.

I held onto my patience as much as I could. Her nonchalance was pushing my limits. Para bang wala siyang pakialam sa nangyayari.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to accept her invitation. Gusto kong makapag-usap kami nang maayos. Lumapit ako sa lamesa at naupo sa harapan niya.

"If you want something, we can call for room service. Nandoon ang menu nila sa coffee table," sabi niya.

"I'm fine, thank you. Nakakain na po ako," sabi ko na lang.

Nagkibit-balikat siya saka inangat ulit ang tasa. "Suit yourself."

I watched her elegantly sip on her tea and noticed how she couldn't look at me straight at first. Siguro ay kahit papaano, may nararamdaman pa rin siyang konsensya sa ginawa.

"Are you back with my son now?" Mrs. Dela Vega asked all of a sudden, finally meeting my gaze.

"Hindi po."

Nagtaas siya bahagya ng kilay. "Kung gano'n, bakit ka bumalik?"

Napakunot ang noo ko sa pinaghalong inis at pagkalito. Is she really asking me that?

"Nandito po ako para kay Papa at alam kong alam ninyo kung bakit," walang pag-aalinlangan kong sagot.

"Of course, of course..." A small smile touched her lips. "I just thought you were also here to rekindle your relationship with my son. I'm glad to know that you didn't come home for that and kept your word."

Seryoso? Hanggang ngayon ay ang relasyon ko pa rin kay Xaiver ang pinoproblema niya gayong may mas malaki siyang problema na dapat haharapin? Is that how much she doesn't want me to end up with her son?