The Coño Boy 6: Ten Lifetimes With You

Chapter Twenty-One: The Not So Grand Lady of San Angel

Casa Arrastia
Poblacion
San Angel
26 May 2019
6:25 am

Drake: Good Morning.

Drake greets Don Vicente. He is surprised to find him up this early, seated by the open window, holding a pair of pruning shears, working on the leaves of one of his prized bonsai plants. Don Vicente's penchant for soft linen shirts with amusing prints have been a staple sight at breakfast time for Drake.

Lolo Cente: Good morning, Drake.

Don Vicente returns his greeting.

Lolo Cente: You're up rather early.

He comments.

Drake: We got back around 4:00 am na po from Dangwa. I tried sleeping a little more but all I got is an hour's worth.

He explains.

Lolo Cente: Sumama ka sa Dangwa?

Don Vicente asks before taking a sip of his coffee.

Drake: Opo. Miguel thought it would be a good idea because of the flowers—and because it was gonna be my first time there— uhhh we did not bother you na po because Miguel said you were sleeping na.

Drake is apologetic about being unable to inform Don Vicente about leaving Casa Arrastia that late.

Lolo Cente: That's perfectly fine, hijo. Did you enjoy Dangwa?
He asks as gestures Drake to take the seat across him.

Drake: Yes po.

Drake sits.

Lolo Cente: Well, you are young. You have the youth and the energy para mag-puyat. One night in Dangwa won't do you any harm.

He says as he snips one of the leaves off the bonsai's crown.

Drake: Lolo Cente, may I ask, were you always fond of bonsai?

He asks.

Lolo Cente: When you reach a certain age, you acquire quiet hobbies. Luis has local history, mine is bonsai and Candy Crush —mind you, I have been playing for eight years now.

Don Vicente chuckles. Drake could not help but laugh as he imagines the sight of Don Vicente swiping candy pieces on the screen of his iPad.

Drake's curiosity gets the better of him as he dares ask Don Vicente a question.

Drake: You once told us that this is Casa Segismundo de Arrastia. Do you know anything about your late ancestor?

Don Vicente puts down his pruning shears.

Lolo Cente: From what I recall, Segismundo de Arrastia died during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 —or was it 1897?

Don Vicente rotates the bonsai tree's pot to see if he missed anything.

Lolo Cente: He fathered three children: Lazaro, Iago, and uh— Maria— Maria Catalina. Lazaro Alvize de Arrastia was my grandfather.

He points to a faded oil portrait of mestizo hanging on the wall directly above the escrotorio.

Lolo Cente: His brother Santiago or Iago never married but he fathered many illegitimate children and ang isa nga sa mga naging apo sa tuhod si Dexter ang napangasawa ni Sylvia. While Maria Catalina married a Delgado —she's the direct ancestor of Mirza.

Don Vicente takes another sip of his coffee.

Drake: Speaking of which, mamaya po pala ang interview ko kay Señora Mirza.

Don Vicente smiles.

Lolo Cente: Well, you're in for an interesting afternoon.

Drake: Feeling ko nga po, umaga pa lang interesting na. I have Tita Sylvia at 10:00 am.