The week flew by so slowly for us left here in Bicol.
Wala kaming ibang ginawa ni Tita kun’di ang maghintay sa paglipas ng oras. Si Tito Mateo ay hapon na rin nakakauwi dahil abala sa negosyo.
The family is in the steel industry. Maraming inaaral si Tito na mga kontrata kaya hindi rin maharap si Tita Chona.
I shared her joy when we’re leaving for Manila. Umaga pa lang ay lumuwas na kami.
“Are you ready, Achie? Bagay na bagay sa’yo! Wear the clothes I bought for you so often!”
Inikot pa ako ni Tita sa balikat at manghang-mangha sa naging itsura ko.
I wore the black playsuit she bought me. The tube is heart-shaped. The details are just three gold buttons in the middle and one each on the pockets. I just partnered it with a strappy black heels.
I straighten my hair and bangs down. Naglagay lang ako ng isang hair clip sa itaas ng kanan na tainga.
“Thank you for this, Tita. Ang ganda po.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m so glad that it fits! Picture na tayo. We look so alike!”
Nagpakawala ako nang marahan na tawa. Tita looks elegant with her classic Chanel tweed jacket and a tight bun.
Ilang kuha pa ng litrato ang ginawa sa aming tatlo. It looks like I am their child. Si Kuya Maddox na bida ngayong araw ay nando’n na raw sa resto niya.
Tumulak na kami papunta sa Newport World Resorts. That is where Kuya Maddox’s restaurant opened.
I heard that he’s really planning to open one when he came back to New York three years back. Ngayon ay nagkatotoo na at naisabuhay.
“Ma’am, ang daming tao!” Manang exclaims.
That is so true. Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata ko habang sinusundan ang linya na nabuo sa harap ng resto.
A light up letters in cursive and gold spelled out Loz in Peña.
“Tita! You’re so gorgeous! Dito po tayo! Tito, hi!” salubong ni Emma sa amin. Bumeso sa mga matatanda at inalalayan sila palapit.
Kuya Maddox is in front of the establishment. Maliit na ngumiti at sinalubong din ang mga magulang.
He looks very formal with his coat and tie. His hair is brushed up. Lalong nakita ang maamong mukha. His mouth is slightly-opened as he grinned.
“Congratulations, son,” si Tito.
Agad humalik si Tita sa anak at tuwang-tuwa. “Mom is so proud of you. I love you, Dox.”
“Love you too, Mom,” sukli niya kay Tita. His eyes then darted at me.
“Achie,” si Kuya Maddox sa akin.
I smiled. Nataranta pa ako noong balak akong abutin ni Kuya Maddox. I went in for a hug and said my congratulations too.
“Thanks for coming,” he mumbled in my ear as we hugged.
Kumalas din agad ako at maliit na nagpakawala ng ngiti. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa nasa likuran niya. I can somewhat see the inside of the resto.
“Ang ganda. That looks homey and historical,” I said as a diversion.
“I know,” he shrugged his shoulders and smirked at me.
Maraming binabati na mukhang mga kakilala naman si Tita. She never let go of my hand though. She introduces me as well. Para akong tinatangay ng agos.
“Chona? Who’s that? Is that Maddox’s girlfriend? Naku, ang ganda! Balingkinitan at mukhang manika!”
Uminit ang pisngi ko. I wanted to say no and thanks at the same time. Si Tita naman ay giliw na giliw.
“My daughter! Mana-mana lang iyan,” pakikipagbiruan ni Tita.
“Auntie, she’s Miki’s girlfriend,” paglilinaw naman ngayon ni Emma sa kausap ni Tita.
I am left with her as Tito called Tita Chona to greet some investors.
“Really? Akala ko ay kay Maddox na! Or is it you, Emma?” tukso ng matanda.
Natawa si Emma ro’n at kaunting naiiling. She motioned me to come with her as she greeted people too.
Naging malikot ang mata ko at naghahanap ng pamilyar na mga mukha. Kahit si Manang man lang sana ay makita ko. I wanted so badly to get out of the scene.
Halos manigas ang panga ko sa paggagawad ng ngiti sa mga kinakausap ni Emma.
I look through the crowd again. I roamed my eyes and I saw Kuya Maddox waving his hand. Tinuro ko pa ang sarili at tumango naman siya.
Para akong nabunutan ng tinik at tinapik si Emma para magpaalam.
“Tinatawag ako ni Kuya Maddox…”
“Oh?” baling niya sa lalaki. “Okay. You can go ahead, Kashina. Pakisabi kay Dox na susunod na rin ako.”
Tumalilis ako at agad lumapit kay Kuya Maddox.
“Nakita mo si Manang, Kuya?”
Mapaghanap pa rin ako at nahihiya na. I’ve met a lot of eyes and I don’t know what to do anymore. Pinagsiklop ko ang mga palad dahil nanlalamig na.
“Achie,” Kuya Maddox, out of nowhere, rubbed my cheek.
My eyes widened a fraction and I stiffened. He’s trying to get my attention and succeeded. Kinalabit niya ako. Naninigas ang leeg kong lumingon sa kanya.
“You can stay here. Magsisimula na rin naman dahil marami na ang tao. I’ll make this ceremony short.”
“O-okay…”
“May mga kausap pa rin sina Mom,” lumingon siya kay Tita tapos ay sa akin ulit, “dito ka na lang muna.”
“Uh, oo. Okay…” tumango ako.
Unti-unti ay kumalma ako. I tapped my foot on the ground as I waited beside Kuya Maddox.
Kalaunan ay sinimulan na ang ceremony. He started his speech. Welcoming everyone, saying thanks, introducing himself, us, his investors, some officials, and the resto.
Someone started to assemble us for the photos to be taken. Inabutan na si Kuya Maddox ng malaking gunting. He’s the one behind the ribbon.
“Ma’am, dito po muna kayo sa gilid,” ani sa akin ng organizer.
I gladly nodded. Lalo akong napanatag doon. But Kuya Maddox has other plans.
“No. Achie, dito ka lang. She’s family,” paliwanag niya sa nag-aayos sa amin.
“Sorry, Sir! Ma’am, sorry po. Dito po tayo. I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
“Okay lang,” mahina kong bulong sa natatarantang babae habang bumabalik ako sa tabi ni Kuya Maddox.
On Kuya Maddox’s left is Tito, Tita, Emma, and some investors.
Narinig ko pa ang paghahagilap sa akin ni Tita Chona kaya agad akong nagpakita.
“Si Achie? Where’s Achie?”
“Mom, nandito sa tabi ko.”
BINABASA MO ANG
Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)
RomanceThe thing about Kashina Eve Natividad is you'll never see her struggling. People though, don't realize that just because she appears strong, quiet, and calm doesn't mean she doesn't have much to say. She'll never be your favorite sunshines or sunri...
