LYALL'S OBSESSION

CHAPTER 3

It's been one week since I stayed here in Cebu. There hasn't been much going on because Lyall isn't here either, which is perfectly fine with me because I feel like I'll lose my sanity around him. Ninang said he's busy. I've also made friends here in Cebu, and they are all kind-hearted. It feels so good to have Bisaya friends because they're not killjoys, and I never get bored when I'm with them. They're so lively, and they're not arrogant either.

Para rin akong nakatakas sa hawla kasi walang masyadong nakakilala sa akin dito sa Cebu. Well, not all models are known by everyone, and I'm okay with that because I won't have a hard time going out. But there are a few who recognize me.

"Nat, can you do me a favor?" Ninang asked as she came out of the dining area wearing an apron.

"Sure, Ninang. What is it?" tanong ko at tumayo sa kinauupuan ko.

In the week that I've been here, I learned how to cook various dishes. Like I've said, I wanted to learn. I didn't know that cooking could be enjoyable. I told my cousin and my manager that I know how to cook, as well as do laundry. And they were shocked. They didn't want to believe it, thinking that I might be joking. I know that my parents were so proud of me, seeing their unica hija capable of doing household chores, but I struggled with doing laundry because I got bruises on my hands, and Ninang was so worried that she asked me to stop for a while. They have katulong pala at stay out lang.

"Pasuyo naman ng patis. Diyan lang sa tapat ng bahay natin," sabi niya at binigyan ako ng ten pesos.

"Patis? What's that po?" inosenting tanong ko.

"Fish sauce, 'nak. In Filipino, that's patis," pagpapaliwanag niya.

"But you gave me only ten pesos, Ninang. It won't be enough," I told her while showing her the money.

Tumawa siya na ikinataka ko.

"Kaloka ka talaga, Nathalie! Hahaha! Mura lang ang patis dito; nasa 8 pesos. Well, depende na rin sa laki nito," aniya. "Hindi ito katulad sa inyo na nakakabutas ng bulsa ang presyo!" biro niya at tumawa ulit.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata.

"Wait, hold up! Is your patis seriously this affordable? How posh!"

Tumango si Ninang. "Yes, hija," sagot niya.

I couldn't help but be amazed. We should have lived here with Mommy and Daddy. 'Yung mansyon namin sa Manila inaamag na. We no longer stay there because we live in Italy now, and Dad's business is also there. But this year, we went back to our old mansion. However, something happened. After their burial, Ninang took me her here in Cebu. Our maids and guards are still in Manila. My relatives told me that I should sell our mansion since I'll be going back to Italy anyway. But I refused because our house has sentimental value to me. All my childhood memories with my parents are there. And one more thing, I will live here for good. I miss living here too.

I know I'm only twenty-two, and there's still a lot to come in my life, but I've always had the thought of getting married. I don't want to grow old alone. Now that Mom and Dad are gone, my life feels so lonely. But of course, I want my future husband to be kind, caring, and love me deeply.

"Hi, Miga!"

I flashed a smile upon seeing Elizabeth at Aling Brenda's store. She and her gay friend were the first ones to approach me and introduce me to their other friends.

"Hi, Miyga," bati ko pabalik.

"Grabe... ang expensive ng pagbati," biro niya.

Natawa ako. "What did you buy?" pag-iiba ko.

"Noodles," sagot niya at tumawa.

"Buti hindi ka nagkaroon ng UTI?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

She eats noodles almost every day.