ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"Siyam na buwan kitang dinala, iniri sa sangkalibutan, unang nakarinig sa matinis mong iyak, pinakain, pinaaral, pinatira sa magandang bahay, binuhay at inaruga. Tapos ngayon ko lang malalaman na may nanliligaw na pala sa'yo?!"

Mom exclaimed dramatically, pacing back and forth like she was delivering a monologue, her voice growing louder with every word.

I slouched deeper into the couch, absentmindedly nibbling on a slice of carrot while trying to avoid her piercing glare. Ang aga niyang nambulabog dito sa apartment.

Bumyahe pa talaga siya dito sa Maynila para lang isumbat sa akin lahat ng ginawa niya mula nung nasa sinapupunan niya ako!

"Nauna pa talagang malaman ng ama mong minsan na nga lang umuwi dito, pati na rin ng mga kabarangay natin?!"

I had expected her to overreact-she always did. After all, I usually told her everything. But this? The way she was acting now? Para akong nagtago ng pondo ng bansa.

"Sasabihin ko naman, My."

"Kailan? Pag nasa hukay na ako? Katabi ng lolo mo?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Mommy, seryoso?"

Finally, she let out a loud sigh and plopped down beside me. Ako na ang nangangalay sa kakatingin sa kanya habang palakad-lakad siya!

"Ang unbothered pa nung sinabi sa 'kin ng dad mo when I asked where you were," she muttered, suddenly shifting her tone and posture to mimic Dad's calm demeanor. Straightening her back, she deepened her voice in imitation.

"'Went to his grandmother with his suitor.' Ang seryoso niya, ah! Tapos laglag na yung panga ko. I was like, huh?"

I burst out laughing at her storytelling. I could vividly imagine how relaxed and nonchalant Dad must've been when he said it. As I've mentioned before, Dad was supportive of everything as long as we weren't reckless or irresponsible.

Judging by how he seemed to like Stefano, I wasn't too worried about Mom's reaction. I had a feeling she'd love him, too.

"So, who's the guy, huh?" she finally asked, grabbing the cup of tea I had made for her earlier.

"Stefano Valentino," I said casually, watching for her reaction. I already knew she'd recognize the name.

"Valentino?" she repeated. "Sounds familiar. Yan ba yung anak ni doktora Celestine?"

"Yes, siya nga," I replied, leaning back.

Mom covered her mouth dramatically. "Hindi ba tayo masasabihan ng, 'Itong sampung milyon, layuan mo ang anak ko'?"

I chuckled at her joke. "What if they do offer that?"

Mom made a serious face and crossed her arms. "Itong sampung bilyon! Kulang pa yung ten million sa sessions ng dermatologist ko."

My eyes widened before we both burst out laughing, exchanging a playful high-five. She reached for my plate and stole a bite of my carrot.

Of course, she was joking-her money often went to charities. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang dami pa ring taong may nasasabing masama tungkol kay Mom, na akala mo naman mga santo sa sobrang perpekto kung maka-judge.

She's such a generous, genuine, and helpful woman. Lagi siyang tumutulong, but still, some people always find something negative to say about the help she gives.

"You know his parents?" I asked.

She seemed to recognize the name, so maybe she had met them before.

"I had a small interaction with his parents," she shared, brushing crumbs off her fingers. "They hired our company for one of their nephew's weddings. I can say his mom's intimidating-lalo na yung dad niya. Mas seryoso pa sa daddy mo."