Works of Love (Hiraeth 2: Max And Chanel)

Chapter 10

"Kumakain ka ba nito?" Max' mother asked her as she put a plate with full of fried eggplant.

"I haven't tried it but I will eat po." She said and smile.

"Plastic. Nagpapagood shot lang 'yan, Ma." Pang-aasar ni Max sa kanya.

She glared at him and kick his feet under the table.

"Max, puro ka talaga kalokohan." Sita ng Mama nito.

Umupo na ito sa tapat nila. Max' sibling is on the neighbodhood playing. Kaya silang tatlo muna. Magkatabi sila ng binata.

Max put rice and ulam on her plate. She waited until he's done before she start eating.

It's new to her but it's delicious naman.

"Mukhang mayaman ka, hija. Paano kayo nagkaibigan nitong anak ko na ayaw sa mayayaman?" Tanong ng Mama nito.

She glances at Max with a bit of confusion. He hates rich people? But Max is focus on his food so she look back on his mother.

"Uhm, we have few interactions before on his different work." She said.

Napatango-tango naman ito.

"Hmm, siguro taga-rito ka lang sa malapit? Anong apelyido mo, hija? Alcarez? Guazon? Sila 'yong mayaman dito na hindi naman sobrang yaman tulad ng Benjamin at Sebastian. Ayaw ni Max sa dalawang pamilyang 'yon." Her mother said.

"Ma," seryosong pigil ni Max sa ina nito.

Nagtataka namang tiningnan nito ang anak. While her mind is already overthinking why Max hates the Benjamin. If he hates being a Sebastian that's understandable, but hating the Benjamin?

"Bakit? Hindi ka naman siguro Benjamin, hija?"

She drank her water first before answering.

"I'm Chanel Hope...Benjamin po." She revealed.

Bakas ang gulat sa mata nito saka napatingin kay Max. She look at Max, too but Max shook his head to deny the idea forming on her head.

"Hindi sa ayaw ko ang Benjamin, Mama. Ayaw ko lang sa mga taong may kapangyarihan na sindakin ang mga taong wala n'on. Pero dati 'yon, 'yon ang interpretasyon ko sa nangyari dati pero nag-iba na ngayon. They remain powerful and use their power to protect their loveones." Seryosong paliwanag ni Max.

And even if Max didn't directly tell it, she know that she's pertaining about Kuya Tres. What really happen before? Bakit hindi na nagpakita si Max?

After that, they didn't talk na. When they finished eating. Max volunteered to do the dishes but his mother refuse. Mukhang alam nitong nais niyang maka-talk si Max.

"Mag-aalas siyete na, ihahatid na kita." Kalmadong saad ni Max habang papalabas sila sa bahay nito.

She held Max' arm to stop him from walking. Nasa labas sila ng bahay nito.

"What did Kuya Tres told you? Do you keep on appearing because you wanna get even? Revenge, perhaps?" She asked directly.

Max chuckle as if she's saying something ridiculous. Umiling ito.

"Advance mo talagang mag-isip, star magic. Enough na pagbabasa ng libro, please." Max said.

Napairap siya dito. Max smile again and shook his head.

"Hindi ko binali ang pangako ko, Chanel. Binalikan kita..." Max said while there's a hint of sadness on his eyes.

"B-but I didn't saw you.."

"Kasi hindi ako nabigyan ng pagkakataon... Bumalik ako dala ang taho pero si Tres na ang sumalubong sa 'kin. Sabi niya nag-shopping ka raw at nais niya ring makipag-usap."