Tú Eres Mi Sol

IX

Earlier in the day, he was woken up by continuous knocks on his door. It was the helper, Mandy who told him that his mother had fainted. He rushed to his parents bedroom to find his mother in bed, his father assisting her with a glass of water and Albert, his cousin and a doctor. 

"Ma, what happened?"

"Hijo, don't worry about me. I'm okay, you know how you're father is, he's over the top."

"Kuya Albert, is Mama okay?"

"Nothing to worry, RJ. I was telling Uncle that it's just fatigue. She just needs to take it slow a little. The weather is not helping as well, it's too hot outside. I advise that she just stay here at home for a few days, very minor activities."

"You heard that, Honey, you have to stay at home. I'll ask my assistant to move all my appointments next week."

"No, you don't have to do that, Ricardo. I'm alright. But..."

"But what Mom?"

"I promised Dei that I was going to bring her to the farm today. We were going to pick up items, it's for the Mendoza Foundation. She wants to raise awareness on healthy eating. We're donating veggies, fruits, rice and corn. We're also sending school supplies, but your Dad's assistant will take care of it. It can't be moved, Hijo. Dei might be going back to London soon"

"What? Dei is going back?"

"Hijo, with all that your mother said, that's all you remember?"

"Dad! Okay, Mom. I'll do it. I'll ask Tom to move my appointments today."

"Oh, Hijo, I've texted Tom and you'll pick up Dei in an hour."

RJ left the room. 

"Do you think he bought it?", the old man asked his wife. 

"Oo naman. I'm a very convincing actress. You know I won awards for that!"

"And you, Albert. I will send you your favourite cakes, cakes with an "s" tomorrow!"

"Hahaha. Thanks, Auntie. Auntie, Uncle, I'm going. I still have to go to the clinic. Call me if there's a medical emergency!"

"Thanks, Hijo!"

"You! (pointing to her husband), you better start finding out how you can get hold of those limited edition balenciaga bags that I want", and Ricardo just laughs.

This is how at 7 in the morning, on a Monday, RJ Faulkerson found himself driving to the Mendoza Residence

***

"Oi, RJ, you're here! Are you looking for Dei?", a pregnant Nicoleen greeted RJ. 

"Oo, sana. Pinapasamahan ni Mama. She can't make it. Wait, bakit parang ang daming bulaklak dito sa inyo?"

"Ah, that would be Dei's fault"

"Ha?"

"You know Philip Arcilla right? These are all from him. Hindi ko nga alam kung bumili na siya ng flower shop or may flower farm na! Hahahaha", Nicoleen burst in laughter.

Dei was going down the grand staircase when she saw RJ. "RJ! Why are you here?"

"Bakit naman ganyan ang greeting mo kay RJ, Dei. Wala man lang Hello!? O, RJ mag-hello ka daw?"

RJ quickly walked to Dei and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Mama, won't be able to accompany you today. She's not feeling well. I will go with you to the farm"

"Ah, okay naman ba si Auntie Rose?"

"Nothing serious. Fatigue lang daw and sobrang init ng weather."

"Oh, okay.  Didi, (her pet name for Coleen), the kids are in the family room. Nanonood ng Moana. Nababaliw na nga ako sa kakaulit ng" she then sings, "See the line where the sky meets the sea. It calls me 🎶"

Nicoleen was laughing so much that she had to sit on the sofa. "Ganyan talaga yang mga yan, noong nanood kami ng Frozen, kaya from May to December, Let it go ang kinakanta ng mga bata! Sige, umalis na kayo baka gabihin pa kayo. Alam niyo naman ang traffic dito!"

"Sige Coleen, alis na kami ni Dei."

"RJ, wait lang!", Dei runs back to Coleen and hugs her tummy. 

"Baby, Ninang Dei will be leaving muna ha? We will play soon paglumabas ka na. And I will be your favorite Ninang! I will bring you many pasalubongs!", and she kisses Nicoleen's very pregnant belly.

RJ was standing in the living room and was watching Dei. She runs back to where RJ was standing. "Bye, Didi!"

The Mendoza Siblings are very close. Nicolas would tell everyone that Dei was his favourite, so did the older siblings, they would always tell everyone that Dei was their favourite sibling. She was the baby of the house. Everyone doted on her. 

When she was younger, her Swiss grandparents would always come and visit her, bringing her clothes, toys and chocolates. And it was not just for Dei, the older kids would have their fix, too!  

She was very shy and introverted kid. Nicolas, her grandparents and her older siblings are very protective of her. Dei was homeschooled. It worked well for her as she could travel often. She would visit Switzerland every year and spend a few months there, until she moved to Europe when she was almost 18. Sometimes her siblings would accompany her on her travels. Her grandparents had an open invitation for the whole family. 

Whenever there would be conferences in Europe, Nicolas, Nicollo, Nicolette or Coleen would always sway by Switzerland, Dei's grandparents would not have otherwise, they always welcomed them with open arms.

After their father passed away, the siblings decided to renovate the house to have a wing for each of them, that way, they'd be closer to each other and look after each other.