Still Hoping (Epitome Series #1)

Kabanata 15

"Is it really going to happen?"taas kilay akong tinanong ni Mama habang abala siya sa pag-gagardening. I don't know why she's doing that here. Ang buong akala ko ay bibisita lang at kakamustahin ako but she's doing the chores here. Nanatili akong tiim-bagang habang pinagmamasdan siyang naaaliw sa mga bulaklak na tinatanim niya. Early this morning, Silvestre went to the market with Mama at laking gulat ko nalang pagbalik nila ay may dala na siyang mga paso at cuttings ng iba't-ibang klase ng halaman. Hinatid din nila si Lexie sa port habang ako naman ay naiwan dahil marami pa akong tinatapos na designs at proposals. Papa called me also and he keeps on telling me na umuwi sa Iloilo kasama si Mama. I rejected his calls and texts.

Biglang tumayo si Mama atsaka lumapit sa akin. Seryoso ko naman siyang pinagmamasdan habang umuupo sa chair na nasa tapat ko lang.

"When did he proposed to you?"tanong ni Mama kaya biglang bumagsak ang tingin ko sa suot kong engagement ring. Napakagat ako ng labi habang iniisip ang nangyari sa amin kagabi ni Enzo. He finally proposed. We even talked about the details of our wedding. Halos hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos kagabi dahil sa excitement.

"Last night Ma"tipid na untag ko kaya napatango siya.

"I'm so happy for you"she said dramatically sabay hawak sa kamay ko. I smiled sweetly. Agad niya akong niyakap at hinalikan sa may noo.

"Thank you Mama"untag ko.

"You're finally settling to the right man, hija."aniya pa.

"You know, puppy love is different. Dating life is more different, relationship between boyfriend and girlfriend is far more different to marriage life. In that stage of your life, you should know how to compromise with your husband. Learn to trust and understand each other. I know Silvestre will be a great husband and a father to your soon to be children ."pangaral niya kaya I nod silently.

"Yes po Mama"I response.

"Gusto ko limang apo, Hezzha. Bawiin mo ako, I only have one child and that's you. Spoiled brat pa"she chuckles kaya umismid ako.

"Mama naman!"saway ko kaya tumawa siya.

"I'm just kidding, Hezzha. Pero kung totohanin mo, I'll be so glad."pang-aasar niya pa kaya umirap nalang ako.

After Mama is done with her plants, tinulungan nanaman niya ako sa mga plano ko. I have so many contracts to sign and I have some proposal to review. May mga designs pa akong tatapusin at irereview. I already sent some emails to Lexie about my reports. Nakausap ko na din ang last contractor ng Cat for some business negotiations. The remaining money I have will be invests to Cat. Tinulungan naman ako ni Venice na kausapin si Chester tungkol doon and he agreed to meet with me.

"Not yet done?"malambing ang boses ni Enzo habang niyayakap ako patalikod. I was standing while my two hands are on the table for support. Namomroblema kung paano gagawin ang interior ng isang client. Their house is too small to even put the said foyer. Ang kinonsulta kong design ay pinakealam pa ng asawa niya that's why I have to start again from scratch.

"Let me see"aniya Enzo kaya binigyan ko siya ng space para matignan ang plano sa blueprint. He's a professional architect that's why I'm comfortable on laying my trust in him. Kitang-kita ko ang seryoso niyang mukha habang sinusuri iyon nang maigi. He even make sure that the measurements are detailed and accurate. Kumunot pa ang noo niya bago ako binalingan.