Del Rico Progeny #1: Embers Of Devotion

Chapter 14

Stressed

We went home after that day. As much as we both want to extend our stay in Baguio, we can’t. Una sa lahat, tatlong araw lang ang paalam ko habang siya naman, may business na kailangan asikasuhin.

We parted ways on my condo unit. Siyempre, pinapasok ko siya roon. We stayed there for the whole night at umalis lang siya noong madaling araw kinabukasan. I went to my parent’s house to show myself as a way of telling them I am already here in Manila.

Si Daddy agad ang sumalubong sa akin kasama si Kuya Max.

“How’s your vacation?” Ginulo ni Kuya ang buhok ko habang nakayakap ako kay Daddy.

“It went fine. Tumaba ako ‘no?” tanong ko habang nakangiti.

Kuya Max let out a slight gasp and gave a nod of agreement.

“I’m pleased to hear that. Nagtitipid siya sa mga pagkain, Dad,” sumbong niya kay Daddy kaya binalingan ako nito.

I gazed up at him, my smile spreading wide.

“Ngayon hindi na. I’m bringing back that body na,” I said my excused and wink at my father.

Umismid siya.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body. Why do you need to go on a diet before, Briallen?” Dad asked.

Nginiwian ko si Kuya at tinaliman ng tingin. Ngumuso siyta bago naunang maglakad sa amin ni Daddy papasok sa kusina.

“Dad, it’s because I just want to know how it feels to have such kind of body. Pero mas masaya pala ako sa dati kong katawan,” nakangiti kong sambit.

“Do not ever change yourself for someone, hmm, ‘nak?” paglalambing niya.

I nodded with certainty.

“Of course, Dad! I am the standard,” mayabang kong sambit.

Dad brushed my hair off of my face. Nakangiti siya at mukhang proud sa narinig sa akin. When we headed to the kitchen, we saw Mom cooking.

“Allen, nakauwi ka na pala,” aniya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

“Yup! May schedule ako mamaya, Mom. Umpisa ulit ng trabaho,” sabi ko.

“Uhuh. What kind of swimwear is that now?” si Dad.

Ngumisi ako sa kaniya.

“Hindi na swimwear, Dad. Makeup and jewelries. Sabi ko stop muna ako sa swimwear kasi iyon na ang ginawa ko sa U.S.”

“Gratitude to the Lord, Allen!” si Kuya Max na tila nakahinga nang maluwag. “My colleagues hold you in high esteem, and I admit that I find it somewhat disheartening to hear their praises as they peruse your magazines.”

Umawang ang labi ko at nagsusumbong na nilingon si Mom at Dad.

“Can’t he just speak normally?” I dramatically asked.

“This is how I speak normally, Briallen. What fault do you see in my way of speaking?”

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Naiiling sila Dad at Mom habang si Kuya Tarian ay nakangisi lang.

“That way! Magtagalog ka na lang, Kuya. Much better. Hindi na dudugo ang ilong ko,” sabi ko at hinilot ang sintido.

Nagkukulitan kami sa ganoon hanggang sa sinuway na kami ni Mommy. So far the whole day is fine. Kinabukasan ay sinundo na ako ni Valeria para pumunta sa studio. Ngayon magkasabay ang photoshoot for the makeup. Hindi ko alam ang trip ng dalawang brand na iyon. Sa magkapatid ito, kambal.