Resisting her charm

Chapter 1

Finally I'm back.

After a year or two of working, I'm back now in my own country where I actually grew up.

I suddenly missed the place, the ambiance, the heavy traffic, and the people around the area. Only minutes left before I'll arrive in the airport. I can now feel the excitement in my family's reaction that I've been waiting for. Feeling ko hindi na ako makakatagal ng ilang minuto at ipapaalam ko na talaga kina mama ang sudden arrival ko. But masisira ang plano ko kapag ginawa ko iyon kaya let's stick on the first plan.

After hours of flying that feels like forever, I arrived at the airport. I quickly dragged my things off the transportation. I waved my hand when I saw a taxi's approaching. I wasted no time and open the car's door and get in.

Not planning on standing forever in front of our house's gate. I pressed the doorbell. After the second attempt, a woman in her late 50's opened the gate. She's creasing her forehead as if she's thinking if she knows the visitor and then she opened her mouth after recognizing me.

"Ay ma'am kayo po pala pasensya na at hindi ko kayo agad nakilala." sabi niya at agad inagaw sa akin ang mga gamit ko.

I smiled at her. "It's okay po, nandyan po sina mama?" I asked as I entered the house.

"Ah, opo nasa dining room po at naghahapunan." napansin kong balak nitong ipaalam sa pamilya ang pagdating ko ay inunahan ko siya sa paglakad.

I walked pass the housemaid and go to the dining room.

"I'm back!!!" bungad ko pagkapasok ko palang sa loob. There were three of them, my father and mother with my younger brother. They were talking, bickering, and laughing at the same time but they all stopped after hearing my loud voice. They turned quiet. Shocked was written all over their faces. Astonished is now evident.

"Hey I said I'm back, aren't you happy?" and now I'm filled with remorse. Nagsisi kung bakit sinurpresa pa sila. Papangit ka bonding. Di nakikisama.

"Oh goodness your back, why didn't you tell us so that we can fetch you right away. You really surprised me anak." exaggerated na bungad ni mama na mukhang unang nakarecover sa kanila.

I mentally rolled my eyes. 'Surprise nga diba'.

"Xi'an?" and here comes my brother na feeling mature, batukan ko 'to eh. I glared at him.

"Pakiulit?" banta ko sa kanya.

"Ate?" ulit niya na parang hindi ako tinawag sa pangalan kanina.

I ignored him and looked at my father who is now smiling. "Pa, don't you miss me, or did I surprise you now?" I reached him and enveloped him in a loose hug.

"God, I missed this little brat. Look at it now, you didn't even preannounced that your back." he replied as he hugged me back. I chuckled at his remark.

I admit, I'm a daddy's girl. Very closed naman ako kay mama but mas clingy ako towards papa. Noon kapag may gusto akong bilhin kay papa ako lumalapit dahil alam kong pagbibigyan niya agad ako. Wag lang siyang magkamaling sabihin kay mama dahil alam kong pagagalitan ako no'n. Kesyo ang dami ko ng mga gamit at di ko na kailangan ng gan'to, ganyan. Whatchamacallit.

"I missed you pa." and then I heard mama cleared her throat.
I looked at her and grinned.

"Ma, nagtatampo ka?" I walked towards her and hug her too. She didn't respond at first pero dahil alam kong di niya kayang patagalin ang tampo niyakap niya rin ako.

"I missed you anak.And your gone for too long tapos di mo pa sinabi na uuwi ka sinong di magtatampo." When I embraced her she got emotional and by the way she talks, I know that she's crying. Nah, I miss my crybaby of a mother.

"Haha, it's not that long. It's just two years." I correct her.

"Hey." baling ko naman ngayon sa kapatid ko.

He leered at me. "Don't talk to me." I laughed.

Niyakap ko ang kapatid ko. "I missed you too lil' bro." then showered him kisses.

"Kids that's enough. Xi'an kumain ka na I know your hungry since you had a long ride earlier." mama interrupted.

"Yucks, you monster. Your saliva is all over my face now." my brother complained as he wiped out my kisses using his bare hands.

Umupo ako sa bakanteng silya at kumuha ng kanin at ulam, binalewala ang saway ni mama.  'Hano daw, kids?' "Wow, fried chicken my favorite." kumuha ako sa bowl at agad nilantakan.

And now I'm finally lying on my bed after a long lament that I received from my mother. Pinakain nga ako pero mas lalo akong nabusog sa rant ni mama. Kung bakit daw meron pa akong surprise na nalalaman. So I'm gonna take note that that mama is a big of a killjoy and I'm not gonna surprise her anymore.

I used the rest of the night thinking what will I do the next day. And as expected isang tao agad ang naisip ko.

"Ah ma'am, do you have an appointment with Mr. Palmer?" tanong ang sagot ng secretary nang tinanong ko sa kanya si Tau.

"Wala eh."

She looked at me apologetically. "Unfortunately, Mr. Palmer has a currently meeting right now, ma'am. And It will take time po but if you can patiently wait then you can sit there while you wait for him." turo niya sa sofa dun sa lobby.

"Thanks." I shortly replied then sauntered towards the lobby.

Umupo ako sa two-seater na sofa dun at nang medyo nawalan ng pasensya sa pag-antay ay kinalikot ko na ang phone at naghanap ng pwedeng laruin. Tiningnan ko sa phone ang time and it's already 10:13 am, I came here 9:20 earlier. So, I'm almost 1 hour here waiting for him, huh. But again, it's usual and I'm already used to it.

Tatayo na ako at balak ng umuwi pero bago ko pa magawa iyon ay biglang may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

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Jinxhealer