Same Circle
----After dinner, Luigi finally drove me to my house. It's 10 in the evening kaya medyo nagmamadali kami. Nag-text naman ako kay Mama na late akong makakauwi ngunit hindi siya nag-reply.
"Damn. I didn't know you are that rich."
Walang mapag-lagyan ang pagka-mangha ko. I found out that Luigi's family holds plenty of automobile factories. Mayroon din silang franchise ng iba't-ibang fastfood chains, and restaurants. Kaya pala may sariling sasakyan si Luigi at noong tumungo kami sa parking lot nila, mayroon pang sports car!
Just imagine how much they earn in a month? I've never been slapped by poverty real hard. Ngayon lang!
"Pasensya ka na kay Mommy. Madaldal kasi talaga 'yon. But I swear she's not trying to brag. Mabait naman siya," he defended.
Both of his hands were holding the steering wheel. Focus na focus naman ang mata niya sa daan. I simply smiled. Hindi ko naman naramdaman na nag-yayabang si Tita Minerva. In fact, I was surprised to know that their employees joins them for dinner. They were like a family in that big house--no, mansion!
"I think your Mom is cool. Mukhang close na close kayo. Parati ba siyang nariyan?" I asked.
Tumango siya. "Pinatigil na siya ni Daddy sa pag-tatrabaho."
"Huh? Bakit naman?"
"Uhmm... pangako ni Daddy iyon sa kaniya."
"Pangako?" I was lost.
He nodded gave me a quick glance. "He promised her na kapag tungtong ni Mommy ng 40, hindi na siya magta-trabaho."
"Really? Why?" tanong ko na naman.
"Dad is a bit romantic. He wants to do everything for Mom. Kahit noong hindi pa sila successful, nangako siyang pagbubutihin niya para hindi mas-stress si Mommy pagtanda. That's also the reason why I'm their only child."
My mouth slightly parted. Dahan dahan akong tumango.
"Did your parents came from a wealthy family?"
"Yes. But still, they started from zero," aniya. "Kaya proud si Mommy mag-kwento ng istorya nila."
"Why? What happened?"
Iniharap ko ang buong katawan sa kaniya. Napatingin siya sa akin nang gawin ko 'yon. He bit his lower lip and hid a smile. What? I'm so intrigued by his story. I love hearing stories! Isa pa, hindi na siya nauutal kaya plus points sa'kin 'yon.
"Na-scam ang Daddy ko ng mga ka-sosyo niya sa negosyo noong nag-sisimula pa lang siya. Nawalan ng tiwala si Grandpa sa kaniya so he pulled out all his shares from Dad's company. Na-bankrupt siya at nabaon sa utang. But he didn't stop there. Sinubukan niya ulit bumangon. Mom was there through all his battles. She never left his side hanggang sa maging matagumpay ang kanilang business."
Napatunganga ako sa mukha ni Luigi. Now that I heard that from him, I suddenly want to meet his father.
"Kamukha mo kaya ang Dad mo?" I asked out of nowhere.
Sinandal ko ang ulo sa headrest. Nakatagilid ako ngayon dahil naka-harap pa rin ang katawan ko sa kaniya. His face blushed. Ngumiti ako nang maloko.
"Shy type rin kaya siya?" I teased.
Tumingin siya sa akin ngunit umiwas agad nang makitang naka-ngiti ako at naka-taas ang kilay.
"S-saan banda rito ang bahay niyo?"
"Ideretso mo lang," wala sa sarili kong sagot.
"Uhm... baka lumagpas tayo."
"E'di mas matagal tayong mag-kasama."
BINABASA MO ANG
No Ordinary Love
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