Vitamin U

11-Allergic reaction

Nicolas' POV

I couldnt take my eyes off of Lala while she's busy preparing dinner. She seems very active and energetic considering she just had an eight-hour laborer's job. Akala ko'y diretso tulog na siya at magpapahinga dahil sa pagod but no. She doesnt seemed to mind the chores at all.

Masipag at matiyaga si Lala according sa feedback ni Bartolome at ng supervisor niya sa kanya. I was surprise to know that because I knew her to be a cunning woman. My first impression to her was wrong.

Had she attained any degree, I could have given her a high paying job.
I appreciate those small employees working hard for my company. For me they are the real heroes.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I thought someone's calling me but it was just a sound that my phone had ran out of battery. Napabuntong hininga ako. I cant charge my phone because Lala's house doesnt have any electricity.

They just use this thing called gasera to illuminate the place. Rain waters were also dripping from the holes of their iron roof. They just placed a plastic dipper and bucket on the floor to catch the drips. I cant imagine how they survive to this kind of life.

"Dito ka na matulog, hijo. Malakas ang ulan sa labas at baka mapaano ka pa."

Dumako ang tingin ko sa Lola Sabel ni Lala. She's busy grinding something in a huge wooden mortar and pestle. I must commend her amazing endurance despite her age. This old lady is freaking seventy seven years old and still got a strength of a cow!

Medyo napalagay na ang loob ko sa matanda nang makausap ko siya kanina. Napakabait niya at maalalahanin. Lagi din siyang nakangiti. Namiss ko tuloy ang grandparents ko na nasa America.

I'm still in their house waiting for this unforeseen storm to stop. It's past eight o'clock in the evening. Kanina pa maraming missed calls si Caroline pero dahil empty na nga ang cellphone ko, hindi ko na siya matawagan. I can imagine her face fuming mad right now. Ayaw na ayaw pa naman ni Caroline na pinaghihintay.

Oh, well. There goes your sex life, man...

"Tumatawag ulit 'yong dyowa mo?" tanong sa akin ni Lala nang mapansing tiningnan ko ang cellphone.

"N-no."

"Ay naku, Nicolas, hiwalayan mo na kasi 'yan at maghanap ka ng iba!"

Sisitahin ko sana ang katabilan niya nang sumingit ang Lola niya.

"May kasintahan ka, hijo?"

Sumabat ulit si Lala.
"Ay, oo, Lola! Maganda, sexy, pero may asawa!"

"Ay, Diyos ko po!" mabilis na napaantanda si Lola Sabel sa narinig.
Pumalatak ang matanda na tila dismayado. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung mapapahiya o ano.

"Hijo, alam kong ika'y mabuting bata ayon na rin sa kuwento nitong si Lala. Ang iyong hitsura ay wala ding tulak kabigin sa kaguwapohan at kakisigan. Iyon nga lang, pumili sana ang puso mo ng kabiyak na 'di pag-aari na ng iba."

I was left speechless. I'm not used to this. Lagi akong nasesermonan ng parents ko about my womanizing pero lagi ko silang sinasagot. But this old lady is diffirent. She's very kind. I dont want to argue with her so I kept my silence. Ayokong magbitaw ng salita na puwedeng ikasama ng loob ng matanda.