Deprived

Deprived 6

Manners

Days and months passed. Our Junior year was over. Madalas na bumisita sa San Ilaya si Gael, sometimes his even with Kael. Magugulat na lang ako paglabas ng gate ng school ay nabalandra na ang kanyang pulang Audi.

I must admit that I've gotten pretty close with him. I still got my trust issues with my family. Ngunit mukhang determinado naman sina Abuelo at Abuela, whenever I see the happiness and hope in my father's eyes wala akong magawa but give hand another chance to them.

I found myself outside the gates of a big spanish style mansion. It screams of money, sophistication and extravagance. Ngumuso ako ng maisip kung nagkikita pa ba ang mga tao sa loob ng mansion na iyon.

My right hand pressed the door bell while the other one carries my luggage. Sweat trickled down my forehead. Paano ba naman mag pasok mo ng gate ay kay haba haba pa ng lalakarin mo just to get to the front door. Hindi pa nakatulong ang mainit na panahon ngayon.

Kaunti lang ang dinala ko because I don't plan to stay here for long. Maski ang nasa usapan ay buong summer break. I'd probably create some reasons why I wanna go back home immediately.

This isn't the main mansion of the Salcedo's dahil nasa Barcelona iyon, the origin of our family. We are Spanish descents but our ancestors decided to settle in the Philippines. Which is still a big question for me. I shrugged the thought of ng may nagbukas ng double doors.

Isa itong butler based on his black and white vest and long black slacks. He's probably in his late thirty's. He didn't looked like filipino, maybe my Abuela hired him from Spain?

Yumuko ito saakin to pay his respects, sa likod naman niya ay anim na katulong na nakapila na magkaharap. Tulad ng butler ay mukhang mga foreigners sila. Papasa na nga silang mga model with their long legs, natural pale skin, foreign colored eyes. Mukha tuloy akong dumadaan sa isang prestige na parada.

Iisipin kong prank lang ito at mga babae talaga ito ni Adamian kung hindi lang dahil sa uniporme nila. Napaka judgemental ko naman ata ngayon? I sighed and asked for their apologies in the back of my mind.

Pare-parehas ang suot nilang blouse na kulay white na may halong blue na hanggang siko ang sleeves. Ang kanilang palda naman ay kulay itim, may nakatali ditong parang puting apron na maraming bulsa.

May headband rin sila na gawa sa tela, nakabun ang kanilang buhok na tila ba galit sa mga tutyang dahil sa pagkakaayos nito. Nakasuot rin sila ng pare-parehong kulay puting sapatos.

Napangiwi ako, komportable kaya sila sa kanilang suot? Kung ako nga at naka sphagetti strap na blouse at faded jeans matched with a basic white sandals naka light brown pa ako na fedora dahil sa tindi ng sikat nga araw, sila pa kaya? Maybe I should voice out that opinion to Abuelo.

"Buenos dias Señorita Gabriela." They all greeted in unison.

Napanguso ako ng maalalang hindi nga pala ako tinuruan ng basic spanish ni Dad. Kaya hindi ko alam kung paano sasagot sa bati nila. So I did what I thought was the appropriate thing to do.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at magdirediretsyo na lang ng pasok sa loob ng mansion.

The elagant living room with a chandelier on top of the ceiling greeted me. Mayroong mga mamahaling muwebles na nakadisplay sa paligid, the walls were painted in cream and brown colors. May mga nakasabit na portraits and some paintings. The floor was carpeted that matched the color of the sofas.

I was in awe as I appreciate the interiors, kaya nagulat ako ng biglang mag salita ang butler.

"Por pavor, Señorita Gabriela. This servant has wronged you and deserve a punishment. We were unable to fetch you from the gates."