what if we happened

19. Being Invisible

Chapter 19: Being Invisible

Seren

Tama si Elias, malapit ang bahay nila sa bahay namin. I was genuinely surprised to find out that we were in the same barangay, but since they lived inside a subdivision, it made sense why I didn't know him. Ilan kanto lang ang agwat at hindi manlang ako ganoon pinagpawisan sa paglalakad namin.

Hindi kalakihan ang bahay nina Elias, just about the same size as ours, but it was beautifully modern with lots of green plants around, making it very inviting. Paniguradong si Lola Elliona ang nag-aalaga ng mga ito.

"Halika, pasok ka," yaya sa akin ni Elias na kanina pa nakangiti. "Lola, nandito na po kami!" he announced as we stepped inside.

I couldn't help but look around the living area. There were a lot of family photos on the walls at marami rin babasagin na gamit na naka-display sa paligid. Nakakatakot tuloy gumalaw. Napaka-simple ng bahay nila, but well-loved.

Bumagsak ang paningin ko kay Lola Elliona noong lumabas siya sa isang kuwarto. She was smiling genuinely as she welcomed me. "Seren apo, I'm glad you're finally here!" she exclaimed.

I smiled back, feeling a bit shy. "Thank you po for inviting me in your home."

"You're welcome, dear. I thought you were having a celebration with your family too? Mabuti pinaunlakan mo ang request namin na pumunta rito?" she said in gentle, melodic voice.

I made a thin smile. "Akala ko rin po may celebration inihanda sa akin ang parents ko po. Unfortunately, they were too busy, so I decided na tumuloy na lang po rito when Elias invited me again," mariin kong sagot.

I saw her eyes softened. Sandaling lumihis ang paningin niya kay Elias at muling ibinalik sa akin. She gently touched my arms. "Don't worry, we're here to celebrate with you. Feel at home, apo. Ganda ng lips mo. Anong shade ng lipstick 'yan?"

Napangiti ako. "Actually, this is a glossy liptint po. Rose wine po 'yong shade."

"I love it!" she commented. "By the way, kumain ka na ba?"

"Hindi pa po," I answered politely.

"I'm sure gutom na kayo pareho, it's a bit late for lunch anyway. Let's go to the dining! Kumain na tayo habang hindi pa nalamig ang mga pagkain." Lola Elliona took my hand and led me to the dining area. Nakasunod sa amin si Elias na hanggang ngayon ay hindi humihiwalay ang ngiti sa labi.

Hindi ko maiwasan ikumpara ang lamesang nadatnan ko sa bahay sa lamesang nakahain sa harapan ko ngayon. Hindi ganoon karami ang handa nila, just enough for the three of us to enjoy the food together. Akmang hihilahin ko ang isang silya para umupo nang inunahan ako ni Elias na gawin iyon.

"Thank you," I uttured, and he sat next to me. "Nakakatakam naman po 'yong kare-kare," turan ko nang 'yon agad ang una kong napansin. Pinilipit kong huwag maging mahiyain dahil gusto kong pantayan 'yong energy na ipinapakita ni Lola Elliona sa akin.

Lola Elliona smiled. "Thank you. I cooked it myself. It's one of Elias's favorites."

My heart accelerated. I shot up my eyes as I looked at Elias, looking surprised. "Favorite mo ang kare-kare?"

He smiled. "Oo, bakit?"

Kare-kare wasn't just Elias's favorite; it was also one of mine. Walang pagpapanggap, hindi kagaya sa matcha. It was such a coincidence! "Favorite ko rin 'yon, eh!" I said with a giggle, little too esthusiastically.

"That's great! I'm sure magugustuhan mo rin 'yan since Elias loves my version. Give it a try," Lola Elliona encouraged me.

Akmang aabutin ko ang panandok nang unahan ulit ako ni Elias. Nahuhulog damdamin ko sa mga bare minimum na ginagawa niya. He's really gentlemen to me. "Ako na," he offered, making Lola Elliona smile even more. Elias carefully served a generous portion of kare-kare onto my plate and I thanked him after.