Built Specially For You

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 : Engagement

I woke up the next morning to a loud knock from the door. Kinusot ko ang mga mata ko at saka tumayo para buksan iyon. Nakita ko si Mama na nag-aalala ang itsura.

"Good morning, Mama!" I greeted.

"It's afternoon, hija. I thought something happened!" She said as she went in to open the curtains. The striking light of the sun blinded my eyes. I looked at my phone for the time and saw that it's already twelve in the afternoon.

"I overslept. Kumain na ba kayo?" Tanong ko.

"Tayo na lang ang hindi. I thought I'll wait for you to wake up." Sagot niya na ikinangiti ko.

Nang makapag-ayos ako ay bumaba na kami sa dining area para makakain. Napansin kong nakahain na ang mga pagkain at bawas na ang ibang putahe. Naalala ko si Zack. Did he eat with Papa alone? Where is he, anyway?

"Your Papa is giving him a tour around." Mama said as if she read my mind.

Tumango naman ako at saka sumabay na sa pagkain kasama si Mama. I thought Papa is mad at the two of us. What is he doing with Zack right now? I doubt if it's a sudden change of heart. Tinapos ko ang pagkain at saka lumabas para hanapin sila. Nakita ko ang isang hardinero na pamilyar sa akin kaya nilapitan ko siya.

"Good afternoon po! Nakita niyo po ba si Papa?" Tanong ko. Agad na sumilay ang ngiti sa mukha ng hardinero nang makita ako.

"Magandang hapon, Miss Pia! Naroon si Sir sa bukid kasama ang bisita niyo." Sagot niya.

Ngumiti ako at saka nagpasalamat. Tinignan ko ang suot kong pangbahay at naisip na hindi iyon naaayon sa bukid. Bumalik ako sa bahay at saka nagpasyang maghintay na lang sa sala. Sakto naman at naroon si Dada. Napangiti ako nang makita niya ako. He spread his arms widely for embrace.

"Pia! I didn't see you yesterday. You've grown prettier!" Ani Dada.

"You've grown older, Dada!" Biro ko nang kumalas ako sa yakap. Tumawa naman siya at saka ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Despite of it, I'm still better looking than your father." Aniya.

Natawa na lang ako at saka kami umupo sa couch. Nana and Dada are old but they managed to keep their appearances the same. If I didn't know them, I doubt if them being a senior citizen will ever cross my mind.

"I saw your boyfriend today. He's a great man." He commented.

He is, Dada.

"Naroon siya sa bukid kasama ang Papa mo. Noong iwan ko sila roon ay pinaglilinis siya ng kabayo ni Felipe." He added.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Zack is a city kind of guy.. or that's what I know. He can't be bathing a playful horse as Apple and Cabs! I wish he's not cleaning off their stools too!

Narinig ko ang halakhak ni Dada kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Ewan ko ba riyan sa ama mo. Mukhang balak pang pahirapan ang boyfriend mo."

"He got it from you." Napatingin ako kay Nana na pababa ng hagdan. Umupo siya sa tabi ko nang marating ang pwesto namin.

"I remember how my father challenged you and how you exaggerate things when you story-tell your kids." Dagdag pa niya habang umiiling.

"I didn't exaggerate anything, sugar." Ani Dada na halos ikinabaliktad ng sikmura ko dahil sa endearment nila.

"You know, we used to be arranged on a fixed marriage but he called it off over a lame reason that his focus is on his company itself. He said he can't be able to give me the attention I deserve. Until one day, he found himself following me around and went back to my father to ask for my hand. Unfortunately, your great grandfather refused and challenged him whether he'll stand up to his decision until the end." Kwento ni Nana.