Once Upon a Dream

5:

Arin's PoV

"And voila!" Lucy shouted at her masterpiece. Inabutan naman niya ako ng isang salamin kaya't nakita ko ang ayos n'ya saakin. I awed at my reflection, because dahil sa make up n'yang inilagay, nawala ang mga acne scars ko. Nagmukha din akong matangos at fresh.

Bumagay naman iyon sa nakacurl kong buhok. "Here's something for you Arin. For putting up with this." Alt said as he put an emerald colored flower clip on my head.

Bumagay naman iyon sa suot-suot kong halter dress na long back with bubbly skirt na s'yang kulay berde din. "Now you'll fit in." Lucy said at sinimulang ayusan ang kaniyang sarili.

"Uhh, thanks for this day. I enjoyed it." Sabi ko. First time ko lang naman kasi magayos ng bonggang-bongga. Hindi naman kami mayaman para kasi gawin ko 'yun araw-araw.

"No problem Arin. And the day's not over yet." Alt stated as he opened the door. He got down the car first and then touch my hand with his upang tulungan akong makababa. I immediately caught his arm and intersected it with mine, hindi naman kasi biro ang wedge na pinasuot nila saakin.

Tahimik at napakaganda ang paligid. May mga lantern sa paligid na nakasabit lamang sa mga puno-puno. When we reached the house porch, nakangiti doong naghihintay ang nanay ni Dalton.

"Don't mind my mother. She's the greatest pretender." Bulong n'ya saakin.

"Good evening ija. Glad you could make it." Malambing niyang bati pagkahalik saaking pisngi. "Shall we go in?"

Dalton silently answered with a nod. Sumunod lang naman kami. I can't help being in awe as soon as I found out what's behind the porch doors.

Napakaganda ng paligid, napakamodern, napakalinis, but there is still that feel of 'home.'

"Ma'am Lucy, please follow us." Biglang harang ng isang maid sa aming harapan.

"Lead the way please." Lucy answered in a modest and graceful voice. Tumungo naman sila sa iba pang lugar, my eyes left her and I immediately looked at Alt.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" I curiously asked in a low tone. Nasa harap kasi namin ang mother ni Dalton at nauuna, ayaw ko namang malaman niyang wala pa akong kaalam-alam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid.

"To my Lolo Miguel." Matipid na sabi ni Dalton at humawak saaking bewang. I flushed at the action. This is the first time someone ever touched me so gently that my heart's rate became fast paced.

"Ah! Anna and Dalton!" Masayang sigaw ng isang matandang nakaupo sa loob ng isa pang salas. Nakabukas ang kaniyang mga braso at tila tuwang-tuwa ng makita sina Ma'am Nazil at Dalton.

I was staring blankly at him when I recognized his face. Lolo Manong ng Pudding?

"I missed you pa." Ma'am Nazil said.

"How about you Dalton apo?"

"I missed you and your puddings Lolo." Dalton muttered and gave the old man a manly hug. The old man's gaze then shifted towards me, nanlaki ang mga mata nito at nagkaroon ng saya.

"Ija!" Tuwang-tuwa niyang tawag saakin. Ako naman, hindi ko alam ang ire-react ko.

I mean, s'ya ba talaga si Lolo pudding? "K-Kayo po ba si L—"

"Ako nga!" Tumawa ito ng malakas. "Lumapit ka at yakapin mo ako." Napangiti naman ako sa pagbati nito saakin. Agad akong lumapit sa kaniya at ginawa ang gusto n'ya.

"You know her Lo?" Asked Dalton as he sat on another chair. Tumango naman si Lolo.

"Oo naman, bumili s'ya saakin ng pudding noong isang linggo. Ay nako! Nakita mo na ba ija ang pagibig?" Nakakindat na sabi saakin ni Lolo na nagpapula ng aking pisngi.

"You are doing that again Pa, how many times must I tell you to stop selling pudding?" Mataray na sabi ng isang boses mula sa aming likuran. Napaikot ako ng tingin.

Napalipat naman agad saakin ang titig at pansin ng babaeng iyon. "Tita Pomela." Said Dalton. Kinilatis ako ng maiigi ng babae, doon ay napagtanto kong s'ya si Tita Pomela na nanay ni Pia.

"Hello po Tita!" Masaya kong bati at bumeso dito.

"You also know her?" Dalton asked. Klaseng nalilito sa mga nangyayari.

"Nanay s'ya ni Pia. Diba po Tita?" Ngumiti saakin si Tita at tumango.

"Well napakaliit ng mundo. This is the first time I came back from America after fifteen years and siguro hindi mo lang kami tanda ni Pia noon. But you're cousins." Paliwanag naman ni Tita kay Dalton at yumakap din sa aking bewang. Ang galing naman noon! Magpipinsan sila!

"Mom! Wait for m—Arin?? Kyaaah! Veshywapp!" Sigaw ni Pia at agad dumamba saakin upang yumakap. "Wait! Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"You guys are too loud!" Sambit naman ng isang baritonong boses. "Andrew! Come fast!" Tawag nito sa anak siguro. The man looked as if he was in his fifties, he is wearing a jet black coat and slacks, mukhang kakagaling lang sa trabaho.

"Look who decided to turn up." Mataray at nanlilisik na sabi pa ng isa na kasabay lamg dumating noong isa pang lalake. "Little Pomela, the brat."

"Oh Louise, hanggang ngayon ba ay naiinggit ka padin saakin? Ampon ka lang kapatid." Malditang sagot naman ni Tita. I bit my lip. That was harsh.

"Come on daughters, h'wag kayo magaway sa kaarawan ko." Pakiusap ni Lolo sa kanila. Tita Pomela and the other girl just gritted their teeth and looked away.

"Who are you?" Napalunok ako at napalingon sa isang babaeng humigit ng ilang hibla ng aking buhok. Doon ay napatingin saakin ang lahat, sino ang hindi magtataka? Ako lang naman ang hindi pamilya dito e.

My social anxiety slowly engulfed me for the fear of being negatively judged, I'm trying my best but.....

My trailing thoughts came to a halt when I felt a warm bony hand intersect with mine.

"Everybody, Arin Esquivel, my girlfriend."