Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 33

Chapter 33

"Dra. Attina, pleasure to meet you again." magalang kong bati sa kanya.

She gave me a subtle smile and put her glass down. "It's nice to see you again, Atty. Monteves. This was the first time we met in Manila. Right?" she said back in a clean and professional way.

I glanced at Rohen on my side before I brought my eyes back to her. "Yes, Dra..."

"Call me, Tita. You're the girlfriend of my son now, we should drop formality." playfulness was hinted at in her tone.

I swallowed but covered it with a small smile. How can I casually talk to the remaining Ronoua of their generation?! I still see her as one of the indestructible bloodlines not just in Astalièr but in the whole country.

I felt Rohen squeezing my hand under the table. "I-I'll do my best... Tita," my words almost didn't come out of my mouth.

She satisfiedly nodded at me. "Congratulations on your newly opened law firm. I'm sorry we couldn't attend the opening... the business was pretty busy in the province."

I bit my lower lip and inhaled sharply. "It's fine, Tita. Rohen..." I looked at him and then to his Mom, "Helped a lot. It was more than enough, po." I answered.

"That's good to know. I admire your bravery to open your own law firm outside your family's influence. That was actually a big leap."

Tumango ako. "Yes, Tita. But I need to start at something somehow..."

She smiled at me again. My heart flutters. "You're a good lawyer. It will be okay." her tone was so assuring.

I blinked as I stared at her longingly.

Buti pa sila. Nakikita nila 'yon.

"What brings you here in Manila, Pa? Paano ang Coffee Farm sa Astalièr?" tanong ni Rohen sa ama.

Natigil ito sa pagkain at humarap sa anak. My eyes won't also leave him the moment my gaze darted on his face. Until now, it gives me goose bumps that he looked exactly like Rohen except he aged so well. Salt and pepper clean cut hair, a bit fairer than his son. He just looked more collected than Rohen... who looked rough and unruly.

"Sandali lang ako dito, anak. Hinatid ko lang ang Mama mo. Babalik rin ako mamayang gabi." paliwanag nito. His tone also doesn't change. It was calm, but raspy and thick.

I pursed my lips and inhaled silently. I felt like I've been put in between their family conversation. It feels illegal for me to hear it. My family... we usually don't talk like this. We always throw fits to each other trying to prove who's better.

This is like a culture shock for me.

Maybe, where you grew up really has a massive effect on who you became as a person. It will always take a toll on the characteristics you carry as you grow older. Your perspective in life and... what you desire.

"You have a client, Mama?" masuyong tanong nito sa ina na kaharap lamang niya. Hindi niya pa rin binibitawan ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

She nodded and wiped her mouth with the table napkin. "Yeah... just for monthly consultation. I'll be quick too. Uuwi rin ako agad sa Astalièr matapos ito."

"You didn't inform me earlier. Dapat ay nakapaghanda ako sa pagpunta niyo ni Papa." mahinahon ang tono ni Rohen.

Now I realized why it sounded so familiar. That's how he talked to me even when we were in Astalièr. Baka sinanay talaga nila siyang ganyan simula bata.

Dra. Attina, or Tita just laughed. But it sounded so expensive and collected. My eyes drifted on her.

Her face was just shining. Even if she laughs, the lines showing on her forehead and side of the eyes, didn't make her less beautiful. It actually showed that her beauty does not depend on time. Her beauty is timeless.