Apartment Series I: Seraphine

Simula

Maybe for some girls they dream to be a successful businesswoman, professionals in different league, lawyers, doctors, engineers, teacher, name it. Maybe most girls dream to travel the world, be a vlogger, have their dream house and car. But not for me, I'm not like most girls because my dream...

My dream is to be a good wife for my husband and good mother for our children.

Pangarap kong magkaroon ng pamilya iyong masaya. Iyong... I will wake up in between of my husband arms. I will make breakfast for him and for the kids. I'll prepare for their clothes to wear in work and school and then I'll wave them goodbye standing in front of our door saying my "take cares and I love yous."

Kaya noong nalaman ko na nakatakda akong ikasal sa anak ng best friend ni mommy. I feel like my dull world turn into a Disney. I was 17 that time when mommy tell me of her plan about pairing me to her best friend's son, Alejandro.

"But mom, Alejandro is an old name. I don't want to marry an old man!" I protest.

"No, Sera. He's not that old though years older than you but he's a good man. I already met him and I know he will be a good husband for you. Plus, he's handsome," mom said whispering the last statement.

My ears ring when mom said not the handsome part but he being a good husband. Though on the second thought...

"Still, he's a stranger. I don't even know him."

"That's why we will attend their company's anniversary next week. Don't worry, hija. I will not force you if you don't like him but give this a try, okay?" mom plead.

I trust mom decision. She's rational in everything and I know she just want the best for me. Maybe, Alejandro is really a nice guy for my mommy to like him this much.

My eyes got wide when I look at my reflection. I never imagine na babagay sa akin ang halter peach dress. I'm really not fond of wearing dresses. I usually wear shorts or jeans but today is an exemption.

"I told you. You're stunning tonight, darling. I bet he will like you."

I look at my mom and smile at her doubting her last statement. "Thank you, mom."

She smiled back. "O sya bababa na ako. Sumunod ka na rin baka ma-late pa tayo."

I nod at her and take a glance at my reflection before I go.

When the car park at the entrance ay bigla akong ginapangan ng kaba lalo na ng makita ang mga media sa entrance pa lang. They keep on taking pictures and interviewing the guests. I never thought na ganito ka bigtime ang companya ng mga Castillejos. Our company is also big and influential pero ang pagkaguluhan ng media ay masasabing nasa iba silang level.

"Are you okay, honey?" tanong sa akin ni mommy ng tuluyan na kaming makapasok sa loob ng venue.

I cleared my throat before I nod forgetting the crowd outside. Sumunod ako sa parents ko thinking of sticking with them the whole night. I'm not that sociable. Minsan pa nga ay nasasabihan akong snob ng ilang mga kabatchmates ko.

It is not that masama ang ugali ko but I'm picky to the circle of group that I want to be in dahil ayokong nakikipagplastikan. I'm transparent of my feeling kung galit ako galit ako, kung ayoko ayoko.

Inikot ko ang paningin sa buong venue. It looks very expensive and elegant. I can't help but to praise it. Nakuha lang ang atensyon ko ng huminto kami ni mommy sa isang table. Tinignan ko isa isa ang mga taong nandoon. Stoping my eyes to a man wearing a white tuxedo. I watch how he patiently put food in to the plate of a little girl besides him. They look cute. Like a father feeding his daughter.

Nang nagangat siya ng tingin ay sya namang agad kong pagiwas at nginitian iyong mga taong ipinapakilala sa akin ni mommy.

"This is my daughter, Seraphine."

"Good evening po. It's my pleasure to meet you."

"Napakaganda ng anak mo Grace. Manang mana sa iyo, wala man lang yatang namana kay Federico," biro ni senyora Gretta.

Tinawanan lang iyon ni daddy at lumapit kay Tito Markus. Mukhang babati sa mga business partners nilang kararating lang.

"May boyfriend ka na ba hija?" dagdag pa ni senyora na ikinapula ng mukha ko.

"Naku si mama talaga. Andro comes here," si tita Isadora.

Napatingin ako kay mommy ng sikuhin nya ako at binigyan ako ng malisyosong ngiti. Standing in front of me is a lean man with a pair of intense hazel eyes in his white tuxedo. May manipis na mapulang labi na bagay na bagay sa pangahan nyang mukha. His diamond earring contradicts his angelic face. He looks like a bad ass angel.

"This is my son, Alejandro and my niece Andromeda but she prefers Ada so."

They both greet mom politely. Ada smile at me so, I smile back at her. She's really cute. I think she's just 7.

"Andro," he reaches out his hand for a hand shake.

"Uhm... Sera," pakilala ko sabay abot sa kamay nya. His palm is rough and warm. Napatingin ako sa kamay namin at hindi malaman kung bakit ako kinakabahan ng ganito.

We shared table with them. Marami ang lumalapit sa lamesa namin lalo na ng bumalik sila daddy para kumain. Kanina pa pala nagsimula ang event.

Panay ang paguusap nila sa bagong project na sisimulan yata next month. I don't know much about our business. But I know in the future I'll be the one who will manage it since nagiisa akong anak but my parents don't pressure me about it.

I slowly eat my food. I'm bored. Umalis din kasi sila daddy ng matapos kumain at sinama si Andro. While, Andie is with his nanny playing with the other kids here.

"I heard from Rico na magmamaster daw si Andro sa states. Kakapasa lang nya ng board last month diba?"

"Yes, gusto rin yatang pagsabayin ang pagaaral at pagmamanage ng site sa states. Suportado ni Markus kaya hindi ko na din mapigilan."

"Hayaan mo na Isa. Kilala mo naman yang anak mo pag may gustong gawin hindi papaawat. Diba nga at gusto mong kumuha ng arkitekto pero tignan mo at sumunod din sa yapak ng amang mag inhinyero," si senyora.

Napakagat ako ng labi habang nakikinig sa usapan nila. He's an engineer and graduated as Summa Cum Laude plus he tops in the board exam. He's just six years older than me yet he achieves so much.

Kaya naman ng mapunta sa akin ang usapan ay wala akong masyadong maisagot kay senyora. I feel small na kahit ang kursong kukunin ko sa kolehiyo ay hindi ko pa alam. But then thinking of him being an engineer gives me courage to decide what I should take in my college.

"Architecture po, senyora," desidong sabi ko na kahit si mommy ay nagulat. Panay ang puri nila at bilin sa karerang tatahakin ko. I listened intently to them dahil desidido na ako.

Gusto kong maging karapatdapat para kay Andro.