Chasing The Universe [Cosmos Series#1]

Kabanata 18

We're heading in front of the crowd. Sa unahan ay nakita ko ang isang round table kung saan naroon nakaupo sina Astrid at Hoax. Naroon din ang isang babae at lalaki. The man and woman's features says that they are Vynz's parents.

Nang makalapit ay agad kaming napansin ng babae at agad itong ngumiti. Vynz kissed his mom's cheek at tinapik naman ng dad niya ang kanyang balikat. Si Hoax ay nakatingin lang habang si Astrid ay nakangiti sa akin.

Nabaling sa akin ang atensyon ng mga magulang ni Vynz. Napawi ang ngiti sa mukha ng ginang at naging seryoso ito.

"Mom, Dad, this is Mirae Lozano, my soon to be girlfriend." Pakilala ni Vynz habang ang braso niya ay nakapulupot pa rin sa aking baywang.

"Welcome to the family!" Masiglang bati ng Daddy ni Vynz habang nakangiti.

"Let's settle down, the party will start in a while." His mom ordered using a flat tone.

I saw Vynz's jaw tightened. "Mom." Vynz called ngunit hindi siya pinansin ng ina. Muli itong bumalik sa upuan na para bang walang nangyari.

"Sorry for my wife. Umupo na kayo." Vynz's dad apologetically said.

"Sorry for her attitude." Vynz whispered on my ear.

"It's okay, maybe your mom is just shocked?" I muttered. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinalikan tuktok ng aking ulo.

Ipinaghila niya ako ng upuan sa tabi ni Astrid na katabi ni Hoax at umupo naman si Vynz sa kaliwa ko. His dad gave me an apologetic smile na katabi na ang ginang.

I was talking to Astrid the whole time na hindi pa nagsisimula ang event. When the event started, the master of the ceremony spoke and gave a little speech bago tawagin ang CEO ng kompanya.

Vynz rose up and went to the stage to give a speech.

"The achievements of our company are the results of the combined unconditional dedication of every individuals in this event. In behalf of my family, I want to thank all of you for being part of our company's success for the past fifty years. We greatly appreciate and value your hard work. Thank you for not letting the Devaughne Enterprises fail even for once. You all have proved in all these years why you are all the best in the field. Let's hope for the best in the coming years. Good Evening everyone, let us all enjoy the night." He muttered and the crowd gave him an applause.

Pagbalik ni Vynz sa upuan ay nagpaalam ako para pumunta ng restroom. I rose up at ganoon rin ang ginawa niya para samahan ako. Sinabi ko na ako nalang but he insist.

We're heading to the restroom when someone approached him kaya naman binulungan ko siya na ako nalang ang pupunta sa restroom. He told me to wait pero wala na siyang nagawa ng umalis ako sa tabi niya dahil may kausap siya.

Dumiretso ako sa restroom at inilabas ang lipstick galing sa white pouch na dala ko. I was retouching my makeup when the door opened at pumasok roon ang Mommy ni Vynz.

She walked elegantly papunta sa tabi ko. Tinitigan niya ako gamit ang salamin na nasa harap namin bago siya nagsalita. I can't see any emotion on her face.

"You know what I keep on telling to my son, Vynz?" She eyed me on the mirror. Good thing kami lang dalawa ang nasa restroom.

"Don't bring any of his women to an important event." She continued.

"Excuse me, Ma'am but-" She raised her hand, signalling me to stop.

"I don't know why women keeps on entertaining my son knowing that he has a different day different woman reputation. Minsan ay babae pa ang nagbibigay motibo." Looks like may naaalala ang ginang sa huli nitong sinabi dahil sandali itong tumigil bago muling nagpatuloy.