Since that night na nakita ako ni Von na nasa kwarto ni Wise palagi na siyang nakasunod sakin, kapag nakikita niya na lalapit sakin si Wise iniiwas niya ako agad.
"Aliana would you mind helping Linda wash those those vegetables tutal wala ka namang ginagawa" Utos ng mommy ni Von.
I simply nodded nagpunta ako sa kusina, pero lumapit siya sakin ulit para ituro kung anong gagawin, honestly hindi ako sanay sa mga gawaing bahay. Pero sumunod nalang ako para naman hindi niya sabihin na wala akong kwentang magiging asawa sa anak niya.
"Ma'am Aliana, ako na po gagawa nyan baka po hindi kayo sanay" Linda said.
"It's alright Manang, madali lang naman po tong ginagawa ko" sabi ko habang hinuhugasan ang fruits and vegetables.
"Kayo po bahala ma'am, Sabihin niyo lang po kapag pagod na kayo"
Nginitian ko siya
As we getting ready for lunch, nakita ko si Wise na papalapit, halatang curious siya sa niluto namin ni manang.
"You made this?" She asked the maid
"Si ma'am Aliana po nagluto nyan, madaling matuto si ma'am tinuruan ko Po sya magluto ng mga ito" Manang linda said.
Wise shook her head and smiled as she looked at me. Iniwas ko agad ang tingin ko sakaniya at nanatiling tahimik. I felt relieved that she's no longer bothering me.
During lunch. I ate silently, Von's mom continued to discuss about our upcoming weeding.
"Are you happy with the current state you're in?" Tanong ng mommy ni Von sakin.
"Balak ko po talagang kumuha ng master's degree pero may mga iba pa po akong priorities"
"Hija, you should be studying by now, dahil kapag nagka anak kayo ni Von baka hindi mo na yan magawa"
Hindi na ako nakasagot, Cause von defense me against his mom " Mom, it's okay, Aliana and i discussed everything regarding these matters"
Napatingin ako kay Wise, She was staring at me while eating quietly, until she put down her utensils and seemed ready to speak.
"Auntie, it's up to Aliana, let's don't make choice for her, it's her life, nonetheless, let them choose what makes them happy"
All of them got eye only to Wise, I bit my lip and slowly lowered my spoon. I love my appetite, I need some fresh air to calm myself. I understood that my status or background didn't align with theirs. I want as wealthy as them.
I politely excused myself pagkatapos kong kumain, at tumayo ako. I caught a glimpse of Von's mom frowning at me. Alam kong hindi niya gusto ang inasal ko. Strict kase ang manner dito sa bahay nila. But, her constant criticism is becoming unbearable. It's okay for me to teach me, cause i love learning new things, pero ayukong minamaliit ako, lalo na ang family ko, at higit sa lahat yung pinangungunahan kami ni Von sa mga desesyon namin.
I remained unbothered and went outside to clear my mind, I know I'm be fine later on, it's just that Von's mother can sometimes make me cringe. Whenever she sees me, she always bring up my profession and and family status in front of everyone. I'm aware that I don't have the same level as them. I Just wish she wouldn't repeat it over and over again. Nakakapangliit.
"Hey you okay? wag mo nang pansinin ang old hog na yun. ganon lang talaga yun" I look Wise na nag salita sa likod ko, but i immediately turn my head.
"I know na ganon talaga ang ugali ng step-mother mo. pero minsan hindi ko kinakaya ang mga sinasabi niya"
Wise took a deep breath before she sat by my side, I glanced at something she handed me. It was clorets. It's our favorite gum.
"Thanks" I snatched the gum out of her gasp, I popped it open and put it in my mouth.
"Kung anong gusto mong gawin yun ang gawin mo. Don't allow them to dictate your life choices. Ako nga hindi nakikinig sa old hog na yun" natatawang sabi niya.
I chuckled as i shook my head. Hindi parin siya nagbabago, ganon padin si Wise. She consistently creates pseudonyms for people she doesn't like. I stop laughing and took a deep breath. I closed my eyes as the cold breeze hit my face.
"Ang ganda ng panahon no? sana palaging ganito" i said before i open my eyes.
"Oo nga pala ayaw mo ng ulan"
"Yeah, I really hate it. Ang hassle tapos ang dilim pa ng paligid kapag umuulan"
"Me too, dati. Pero may nabasa ako na isang poem. It is said that god allows the rain to pour for cleaning, healing, and change"
"Talaga ba? Parang provisions for our innermost"
Wise nodded. Our conversation continued on various random thoughts. I didn't realize we had talking for an hour. Tumayo na ako at nagpaalam sakaniya na aalis na para bumalik sa loob. I was about to walk away nang tinawag ulit ako ni Wise.
"Aliana, you forgot this" sabi niya tsaka tinaas ang bracelet na hawak niya. It was the bracelet she gave me a year ago.
