Meanwhile—
"Here they go again, bukambibig na naman nila ay etong stepcousin ko, jusko..."
That's what Elaine would keep on mumbling to herself—she just couldn't stand on hearing the family, lalo na ang mga magulang at kapatid neto na si Anna ang pinag-usapan nila for the past few weeks.
She remained quiet for the whole dinner and all she could do was to roll her eyes inwardly whenever her stepcousin was brought up to the table. Well, what's so special about Annaliese anyway? She'd disappear for more than a decade tapos nag-comeback sa pamilyang eto na parang artistang naglaos—tapos? Huh! she thought, digging her fork hardly on her plate.
"Ela, why so quiet pala?" Alfonso asks, noticing how unusual the silence his sister had lately.
Elaine flinched before she could open her mouth. "W—wala lang 'to. Just not in the mood, no?" she lied, trying to cover up the feeling she has right now.
And that is jealousy, jealousy~🎶
"You sure, Ela?" tanong naman ni Luis, she nodded eagerly. "You can tell us naman kung naiinggit ka kay Anna—"
"No I don't! Don't worry about me, okay?" Elaine assured her brothers with a smile—though fakely.
"If you say so."
"By the way," Greggy began, drawing the attention of Irene and his children. "We'll be having a family gathering at Mama Meldy's dun sa San Juan—tomorrow."
"Will Anna gonna be there, Dad?" tanong ni Alfonso.
"Of course!" Greggy replied, maalala niya nung gaanong excited sila nang makita si Anna for the very first time in years—and now they wouldn't want to miss their chance to bond with her again.
"Oh, wow. I'm excited for that..."
"And you shouldn't miss it this time na, Ela." sabi naman ni Irene. "Napakaganda at napaka-sweet niya sa mga bata. Especially to her nieces and nephews. And I know that magkakasundo kayo in no time." she smiled.
"And as what your mamita says, she entrusts sa inyo magpipinsan—lalo na ikaw, Elaine—na gawin niyo ang makakaya ninyo just to make her feel welcomed." dagdag pa ni Greggy na siyang kinatanguhan namang ng tatlo.
"Yep yep."
"We will, don't worry Pa."
"Of course. Why would I?" Elaine said, her voice dripping in sarcasm.
Well, can't wait to see you, stepcousin. What have you've done pa naman that you've made their hearts break? Hay. Kasalanan talaga ng kulto na nagpalaki sayo; she thinks with a smirk on her lips.
༺ ･ ❀ ･ ༻
Forbes, Makati—
"Yum! Ansarap po pala ng mechado de adobo mo, 'mmy!" Anna exclaimed, relishing the flavor of the dish.
It's already her fifth night living as an Araneta-Marcos, and she's slowly progressing into the adjustment period.
"Thank you, 'nak!" Liza replied, giggling. "Actually, kaming dalawa nga ni Daddy mo ang nagluto nyan kanina."
"That's right, honey." ngumising sabi ni Bongbong sabay kindat, enough for his wife to go kilig with her sweet smile, na nagbigay ng mixed signals para sa apat nilang puslit.
"Uuuuyyyyy... mukhang may halong honeymoon habang nagaluto po kayo, no?" Anna said, couldn't hold back her giggles while teasing her parents. "Haharowt harowt po ninyo!!" she exclaimed.
YOU ARE READING
Where My Heart Lies Between
Fanfiction| revised version & under editing | Annaliese Thalia is known for being an active member in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Growing up from the conservative, yet a big, happy, and a loving family of the Executive Minister; her life revolves around school, ch...
