Aftertaste of The Night (Pereseo Series #3)

Chapter 23

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　CHAPTER 23　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Dumiretso ako kay Maddie pagbalik namin sa siyudad. Hindi na ako nagtagal sa mansion.

I called Jordan but he didn't answer my call. I also haven't received any messages from him since we left.

Dinamdam niya ba ang sampal ko?

Madaling araw pa lang kami umalis sa isla. Wala pang alas sais nasa mansion na kami. Hindi na rin umuulan nang bumiyahe kami mula Batanes pero makapal pa rin ang ulap.

Gabi pa ang celebration ng birthday ni Adrik na sa isang hotel gagawin.

Wala sina Vitto at Vancho pagdating namin. Wala rin si Tito Victor. Kung ano man ang pinagkakaabalahan nila, hindi ko na inalam pa.

Sinalubong kami ni Tita Olivia para yakapin si Bran. Pinaliguan niya ng halik sa pisngi ang anak ko at ginulo-gulo ang buhok. "Oh, sweetie! Look at your tanned skin. Did you have a great time on your vacation? How was it?"

May kung anong umiikot sa sikmura ko habang pinapanood sila. 'Yong mukha ni Tita Olivia, halatang sobrang namiss si Bran na akala mo sampung taon niyang hindi nakita.

From the start, I felt that their family had already welcomed us. They didn't ask anything. There was no interrogation. I had anticipated them to criticize me, judge me, and scrutinize me before accepting Bran as part of their family.

But life doesn't always align with what we read in books or see in movies. While we can typically anticipate outcomes in fiction, reality is often straightforward. Sometimes, it's predictable yet somewhat unpredictable. Reality can often take you by surprise, regardless of your expectations.

Akala ko kapag mayaman, sila na ang hari ng mundo. Pero ang kaibahan lang naman nila sa aming ipinanganak sa saktong buhay lang ay hindi sila nauubusan ng pera.

However, the fact that they are wealthy, influential, and admired by many in the limelight leads everyone to see them as flawless. Therefore, they are expected to uphold perfection consistently. There is no room for error, and every action, no matter how minor, is closely monitored. Any mistake is promptly rectified, and they have the financial resources to hide any imperfections.

Kaya nilang palabasin na perpekto ang lahat.

Because they need to be perfect. All. The. Time.

They are wealthy, not cold-hearted beings. Their feces also have an unpleasant smell. They encounter challenges as well. They get sick, feel pain, and ultimately pass away.

In the end, we all end up in the same place. We will all be alone beneath the ground and we will all turn into ashes.

Akala ko kasi nung una, maglalabas ng limpak-limpak na pera ang mga Zariego para layuan ko ang pamilya nila.

Kung binigyan nila akong sampung milyon umpisa pa lang, hindi ko talaga tatanggihan.

Barya lang 'yon sa kanila.

Now, I don't know what to feel because they are so kind to us.They provide everything for Bran. It's difficult to articulate, but their generosity is overwhelming. They're just too much.

At hindi ako sanay sa sobra-sobra.

"Look, mamila! I brought you a souvenir," Bran said, as he took out a small white heart-shaped stone from the pouch he was holding. I don't know where he found or saw it. I was also unaware that he had brought something like that. It appears he brought several small uniquely shaped stones and shells to give as souvenirs to them. "Where's dadiyo? I also brought something for him."