>Andre's POV>
Maaga akong nakarating ng condo dahil wala masyadong traffic sa EDSA. Sa may parking lot sa labas ko na tinabi ang sasakyan ko dahil medyo late na ako. Sa may 6th flr ang unit ko kaya kahit di na ako sumakay ng elevator.
Actually bihira lang akong umuwi dito dahil mas gusto ko sa may family house namin sa Corinthian Garden sa Quezon City mag-stay. Hindi ako komportable pag nandito ako dahil my Dad is the owner of WorldCom Tower. Kilalang kilala ako dito ng mga staff and they will treat you as their "boss", dinaig pa ang parents ko sa pag-aasikaso sa akin. He gave the unit after my graduation day. Kahit nasa varsity ako, I was still able to graduate with honors. #wink
Pagpasok ko sa unit ko, sinalubong ako ng masarap na amoy. Well, Mom is here for lunch. She is a chef and the owner of "Alla De Las Expectativas" ("beyond our expectation" in English). She has branches in Europe and na-featured na ang resto niya sa isang sikat na food magazine sa France and Italy. European cuisine ang specialty niya. Tonight is her flight going to Spain for the opening of her new branch. I'm so glad that she came here for lunch despite of having a busy schedule.
Dumiretso agad ako sa kitchen and she is now preparing the food.
"Hey Mom, good to see you here" I said
I give her a kiss on the cheek
"What to eat?" I asked then naupo na ako
"Arroz A La Cubana for the main dish and Creme Brulee for dessert, son" she answered
"Cool, perfect for brunch" I said
I love European cuisine especially Spanish dishes. What to expect? Never akong nagsawa sa mga luto niya. Naisip ko tuloy minsan na baka sa Spanish food niya ako pinaglihi.
She knows my favorite, Arroz A La Cubana (it's a dish with rice, a fried egg and tomato sauce) and Creme Brulee (a dessert consists of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hard caramel, with caramelizing sugar under a broiler). Ang galing ko diba? (KUDOS to the writer for doing the research!!!). #wink
When I was a kid, bonding moment namin ang magluto pero never kong nakuha ang talent niya. Lagi din niya akong sinasama sa mga demo niya sa mga sikat na hotels and culinary schools. She never fails me pagdating sa pagkain.
"How's the game, Andre?" she asked habang nilalagay ang mga pagkain sa mesa
"As expected, we won!" I answered with a smile
Umupo siya sa may tabi ko at sinimulan ko na ang pagkain. Wala pa akong breakfast kaya medyo gutom na ako.
"The food is beyond word, Mom. Ang sarap mo talaga magluto" I said
"Good, how about Dimples?" she asked
Napatigil ako sa kinakain ko. Ewan ko pero parang uminit bigla ang paligid.
"Mom, nakabukas po ba ang aircon? Bakit parang uminit bigla?" I asked
"I think it's because of Dimples" she winked at me
Ugh, I was trying to avoid the question. Tsk! Bakit bigla niyang natanong si Dimples? Is she aware na bumalik na siya from the States? I didn't respond to her and just continued to eat my brunch.
"So going back to Dimples. How is she?" she asked
"What's with Dimples? tanong ko habang kumakain
"She texted me a while ago and she mentioned na nagkita kayo after the game" she said
I didn't expect na kay Dimples mapupunta ang usapan namin, She texted Mom? For what? Is she crazy? Lakas naman ng loob niya after what she did to when we were in grade school. Now, Dimples totally ruined my day.
"Mom, ayoko siya pag usapan" I said with soft tone
"Why? Isang taon din kayo di nagkita. Is she okay? You probably miss her so much" she said
"This is absurd, Mom" I said with strong tone
"What happened? I'm just asking, son." she said
"I just don't like the topic. Mom, nakalimutan mo na ba yung ginawa niya sa akin?" I asked
"I'll never forget what she did." she answered
"And why are you asking if she is okay?" I said
"Nothing, concern lang ako sayo Andre. Mukhang hindi ka pa talaga nakapag move on kay Dimples" she said sabay inom ng tubig
Sh*t! Mom caught me. Nadala yata ako sa emosyon ko. Nagiging sensitive talaga ako kapag si Dimples ang topic.
"I'm so sorry, Mom. Nadala lang ako. I thought hindi mo pa alam na nakabalik na si Dimples" I said with soft voice
"Well, that's the reason why I asked you for lunch. Alam kong ikaw ang unang pupuntahan ni Dimples pagbalik niya from NY." she said
Mom is right. Dimples visited us after the game.
"I witnessed all the tears, Andre. I know this part of growing up pero I'm still worried for you, son" she said
"Mom, stop acting like that. Hindi ako sanay" sambit ko
"Gusto mo bang I-cancel ko ang flight ko tonight? she asked
"No! I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle the situation" I answered immediately
Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang mga balikat ko. #awkward
"Andre, I want the best for you. I know you love her and she has a special place in your heart pero it destroyed you. Son, you have to move on. Forget the past and Live the present. Enjoy what you have right now and believe that present time can offer something better. If forgetting her is the only solution to move forward, then you have to do it. It's for your own good, Andre" she said
I didn't expect na dito mapupunta ang conversation namin pero Mom is right. Nagpakain ako sa past ko kaya hindi ko na na-enjoy ang present. My love to Dimples destroyed me to the point na muntik ko ng kalimutan na may pamilya at kaibigan ako. Muntik ko na rin kalimutan ang basketball dahil sa kanya. Kailangan ko na siyang kalimutan. Past is past.
Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko at humarap sa kanya.
"You're right, Mom. Kailangan ko na po talaga siyang kalimutan. I promise na pagbalik mo from Spain, everything will be fine" I said with a smile
"That's my boy. Isang buwan ako sa Spain pero I'll try na bumalik dito ng mas maaga. I'm gonna miss you, son" she said with sweet voice
"Likewise!" I answered
"Okay, Andre! I have to go. Magkikita pa kami ng daddy mo. Sabay kaming mag lu-lunch" sabi niya
"Sweet! Ako na po bahala kay daddy" sabi ko
"Thanks, Andre! Bye and see you next month. Don't forget your promise" she winked at me
"Don't worry, Mom. Everything will be fine. Love you!" sabi ko
Binigyan niya ako ng isang flying kiss bago tuluyang lumabas ng pinto. Naiwan akong mag-isa sa unit. Ang daming naglalaro sa isipan ko. Paano ko uumpisahan na kalimutan si Dimples? Ugh, I hate this part.
"Kailangan ko lang ipahinga ito" sabi ko sa sarili
>Author's POV>
I know the feeling, Andre. Hindi mo basta-basta makakalimutan ang first love mo. T. T
YOU ARE READING
I Fall All Over Again
Romance"Does perfect relationship exist? tanong ko sa sarili ko after akong hiwalayan ng ex boyfriend ko. I was badly hurt by him to the point na muntik na akong mag-commit ng suicide, JOWK! Then I met Andre unexpectedly, star player ng basketball team. We...
