“Hi Mom.” I greeted my mom with a beso as I entered her office. Sinabi ko kay Thirdy na sa labas na muna, baka kasi magulat si Mom.
“Hi sweetie. Who you with?” nagulat ako sa tanong ni Mom.
I stared at my Mom for like 5 seconds before she figured out how confused i am right now.
“You smell like someone. A man's perfume, if i'm not mistaken.”
Napahawak naman ako sa shirt ko at agad ko yung inamoy. Shoot. Kumapit nga sa shirt ko yung pabango ni Thirds. Siguro kanina 'to nung nakaakbay siya sakin while we're making our way to the parking lot.
Mom chuckled when she saw what I did.
“Ah yes Mom. Kasama ko po si Thirdy.” nahihiyang pag amin ko naman.
“Talaga? Where is he?” mukha namang hindi galit si Mom or anything kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag.
“Outside. Should I let him in?” I asked.
“Where are your manners Beatriz? I don't remember teaching you that visitors should stay outside while you're inside.”
Napagalitan pa nga ng wala sa oras. Geez.
Hindi na ko nag explain kung bakit hindi ko agad pinapasok si Thirdy. Alam ko namang hindi din ako mananalo sa kanya. Nanay siya eh, anak lang ako. Sad.
Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay tumambad sakin ang likod ni Thirdy. Turned out na nakasandal pala siya sa pinto kaya ang ending, naging instant mop siya ng floor ng office ni Mom.
“Sorry sorry.” I apologized habang pinipigilan ang pagtawa ko. That was epic! Hahahahaha.
“Okay lang.” pilit siyang ngumiti sakin. I helped him to get up.
I was avoiding his gaze while biting my lower lip dahil alam kong matatawa lang ako if ever na magtama yung mata namin.
“Are you okay iho?” Mom asked Thirdy.
“Yes Tita. Uh, good afternoon po pala. Sinamahan ko lang po si Bea since wala din naman po akong gagawin.” Lumapit si Thirdy kay Mom at nagmano. Wow, good boy.
“What a thoughtful man.” pambobola pa ni Mom kaya hindi ko mapigilang mag make face ng palihim.
“Hindi naman po. Hehe.”
“Pfft.” muntik na akong mapatawa kay Thirdy, mabuti nalang at natakpan ko agad ang bibig ko.
Mukha namang nadinig pa din yun nilang dalawa dahil sabay silang napatingin sakin.
“You were sayin' something Bea?” Mom asked.
I cleared my throat. “I was just exercising my voice.”
My Mom nodded pero yung mukha ni Thirdy halatang hindi naniniwala sa excuse ko. Sinulyapan ko ng mabilis si Mom at nung makita kong hindi na siya nakatingin ay mabilis kong dinilaan si Thirdy.
“Mom why did you want me to drop by nga pala?” i asked as i sat down on her comfy couch.
“Oo nga pala. Your grandma Lily wants you to visit her in U.S.”
Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Mom. “Really? When? How long am I gonna stay there?”
Mom sighed. She looked like she's hesitating to tell me since Thirdy's around.
“Uhh, may I excuse myself po? I'll be waiting for Bea nalang po sa labas.” Thirdy stood up and smiled shyly.
“Sure sure, you can wait sa lobby and feel free to eat anything ha? It's on me.” Mom offered.
