Art of being a Player...

In- laws

"This way to your table Ma'am."

Nakangiti akong sumunod sa butler ng restaurant kung saan may reservation si Travis, nauna na syang dumating at kasama na nya si Mama Tamara, kaya ng sinabi nya na susunduin nya ako sa labas ay hindi ako pumayag.

Italian Restaurant ang napili ni Travis, isang fine dining na sikat dito sa Bonifacio Global, dapat ay Restaurant nalang nya kami pero we decided na sa iba naman.

"Carra? is that you?"

Bigla akong napatigil sa paglalakad ng marinig ang familiar na boses, dahan dahan akong lumingon para tiyakin kung sakanya nga galing ang boses.

My smile vanished when I was able to confirmed my hunch.

"Oh my! It's really you! Honey..look it's Carra!"

Napatingin ako sa kinauupuan ng asawa nya at kaswal na ngumiti.

"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Collins.."formal kong bati sa magulang ni Cian.

Halata ang gulat sa mukha nila.

"Carra? why are you being formal to us? You used to call us Mommy and daddy.."halata sa mukha ni Mrs. Collins ang pag tatampo.

"Uhmn..yes po, I used to call you Mommy and Daddy when your son and I were still together, but...we already broke up, hindi naman po yata tama na yun parin ang itawag ko sainyo.." medyo naiilang kong sabi.

Tumikhim ang daddy ni Cian at tumango tango.

"But Carra dear, you are like a daughter to us, kahit na wala na kayo ni Cian, sana Mommy and Daddy parin ang tawag mo saamin, who knows baka sa huli kayo parin ng anak namin."
umaasang sabi ni Mrs. Collins.

"I don't think so Ma'am. I think Margaux should be the one to call you Mommy and Daddy, besides po..Cian and I will never be together again—"

"We're so sorry hija." Putol ni Mr. Collins sa sinasabi ko. "You were our son's girlfriend and yet, we let Margaux and her parents took Cian away from you." Malungkot na sabi ni Mr. Collins.

"We really thought that Margaux was sick, her Mom is my bestfriend.. I never though that they can deceive us..I know it is not a good excuse but I want you to know that my husband and I really like you for our son. We know everything that happened hija, lahat yun sinabi saamin ni Cian."

"And we are partly the reason why he did that, because we told him that he should stay by Margaux's side."

Napahinga ako ng malalalim, kaya pala malakas ang loob na iwan ako ni Cian dahil suportado sya ng magulang nya. Hindi na ako magtataka kung ipakasal nila si Margaux at Cian someday dahil mukhang close talaga ang pamilya nila sa isa't isa.

Tumango tango ako at ngumiti ng pilit.

"Its ok po Ma'am and Sir, It's already water under the bridge..wag na po nating ungkatin pa. Hindi lang po talaga kami para sa isa't isa ni Cian, siguro po sila talaga ni Margaux ang para sa isa't isa..hindi na rin po kayo lugi dahil parang anak nyo narin naman po si Margaux diba?" mapait kong tanong.

"Carra.." tawag ng Mommy ni Cian na mukhang anytime ay iiyak na."Wala na ba talaga kayong pag asa ng anak ko? he still loves you and—"

Pinutol ko ang sasabihin ng Mommy ni Cian dahil baka kung saan pa mapunta ang sinasabi nya.

"I already have a boyfriend Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and I'm happy with him, you might think I just used him as a rebound but that's not true because I love him the way that I loved Cian before..." nakataas noo kong sabi.

Tumango tango ang magulang ni Cian, halatang marami pang gustong sabihin pero hindi na nila itinuloy.

"Carra darling?"

Napalingon ako sa likod ko at nandoon nakatayo ang Mommy ni Travis.

"Mommy Tamara!" excited kong bati.

Lumapit ito saakin at nagbeso kami, pagkatapos ay hinawakan lang nya ang kamay ko na kanina pa nanlalamig.

"Enrico, Xythia..how are you?" bati ni Mommy Tamara sa magulang ni Cian. Nagkamustahan ang mga ito, magkaibigan pala ang daddy ni Cian at Travis kaya kilala na nila ang isat isa. Nagkwentuhan sila saglit bago ako inaya ni Mommy Tamara sa table namin.

"So paano mauna na kami ng future daughter in law ko.."nakangiting sabi ni Mommy Tamara.

Kitang kita ko kung paano nawala ang ngiti sa labi ng Mommy ni Cian at ang pag igting ng bagang ng Daddy ni Cian.

Tumango lang sila at ngumiti ng pilit.

"Goobye Ma'am and Sir.." paalam ko.

Bago pa kami makaalis sa kinatatayuan namin ay nahagip ng paningin ko ang madilim na mukha ni Cian na mukhang kanina pa nakatayo sa isang sulok ang pinagmamasdan ang reunion namin ng magulang nya.

The dinner went well, as usual Mommy Tamara had been a sweet mom not only to Travis but to me as well. I excused myself to go to the rest room. Nag retouch lang ako saglit and nagdecide nang bumalik ng table namin ng magulat ako kung sino ang nakasandal sa pader na katapat ng wash room.

Saktong pag labas ko ay napatingin ito saakin. Napahinga ako ng malalim at naglakad para lagpasan sya pero nahuli nya ang braso ko kaya agad akong napahinto.

Tumingin lang ako sakanya without showing any emotion.

"Do you really have to hurt my parents' feelings?" he said in a cold voice.

Automatic naman na napataas ang kilay ko sabay bawi ng braso ko sakanya.

"What are you talking about? I did not do anything except to be honest." I said in a cold voice too.

"You know how much you mean to them."

"I know, but there are things na hindi kayang ibalik sa dati so wag na nating pagpilitan." Taas noo kong sabi and I swear I saw him winced upon hearing what I have said.

"They love you Carra.."

"Maybe, but we both know that they love Margaux more, right?" nakasmirk kong sabi.

"That's not true!" magkasalubong kilay nyang sabi.

I rolled my eyes.

"It doesn't really matter now Cian.."balewala kong sabi.

"Why is it because you found a new in-laws?" magkasalubong kilay nyang tanong.

"Well yes! I found a new soon to be in-laws..and do you know what made them so special? It's the fact that I know they will choose me over other girls, and their son will stick with me no matter what! He has no special girl in his life after all...because I'm his ONLY GIRL!" I told him furiously. "That's what made Travis different from you! And that's what makes his parents special to me! I know I'm being unfair to your parents..but what can I do? Life is really unfair, and that's what I learned from you!" I said then I left him.