Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 43

Everyone was stunned for a moment, Lead's aura is just like his father. It's light, he's a ray of sunshine as he was described by his own mother.

The seats around the table are all occupied, they even had to add one seat. Dad's on the edge of the table, on his right is Mother. On his left is Mama, and beside her is Papa. On Mommy's side, Comet and Celestine, Aster and Ate Carina. On Mama's side, our eldest and his family. Lennon occupied the seat on the other edge of the table, I sat beside him.

In front of me is Kuya Meteo's family, I even refused to look at them and I glued my eyes upon our father.

"It's rare to see us complete," Dad spoke, his meaningful gaze went to me. "Buti at umuwi si Dale," Aster laugh, I tilted my head to look sharply at him. Tumigil siya nang bawalin ng fiancé, muli akong tumingin kay Dad at tipid na lang na ngumiti.

"We were supposed to be here last night, it's just that the rain was too heavy." Paliwanag ko, uuwi naman ako kung hindi. Ramdam ko ang pagtingin sa akin ni Kuya Meteo, inilipat ko na lang ang tingin kina Mama. She slighly smiled at me, I think she already heard what happened from Manang.

"Akala ko nga ay papauwiin mo si Lennon," I heard Kuya Meteo mockingly said, nakita ko pang binawal siya ng asawa. Napatingin ako sa katabi, nakatitig din siya sa akin. Gumuhit ang pag-aalala sa mata nito, mabilis na lang akong nag-iwas.

"Shall we eat? It's an early dinner, maybe we can talk about the few things later." Mommy remarked, my eyes drifted to the foods that are already served in front of us. I feel like I lose all my appetite since yesterday.

Manang Violy went inside to serve the other ulam, the grilled chicken looks delicious.

"Manang," Napatingin ito sa gawi ko, itinuro ko ang baso at sumenyas. "Château, please. Thank you," Ngumiti siya at tumango, nakita ko naman ang pagtanaw sa akin ni Aster. Si Ate Carina lang naman ang pagitan namin.

"Kumain ka muna," Bulong niya, itinuro niya pa ang plato ko at sumenyas. Ngumisi siya at ganoon din si Ate Carina kaya sinundan ko ng kanilang tingin.

Tahimik na nilalagyan ng pagkain ni Lennon ang plato ko, napakunok ako't pinagmasdan lang siyang gawin iyon. Ramdam ko rin ang pagtanaw nina Mama, kahit gusto ko siyang pigilan ay huli na. Nakita na nilang lahat! He looked at me, then he motioned something.

"Salamat," Mahina kong sabi, kinuha ko ang kutsara't tinidor at nagsimula nang kumain. Dumating si Manang Violy at isinalin na ang wine, ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat.

"Kailan ang kasal, Kuya?" Tanong ni Aster sa nakatatanda naming kapatid, ipinagpatuloy ko ang pag-kain habang nakikinig sa kanila.

"Next year, perhaps." Kumunot ang noo ko't bumaling sa kanya. "We're still planning it, we're not in rush of anything."

"Sabagay, you already married her in Spain." Comet spoke, nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Kuya at tumango. Nahihiya namang nagbaling sa anak ang asawa nito. "But still, if Dad wants to see it. So be it," Our bunso added. They're married already? In Spain, and Kuya Meteo never call, at least once? 

Napatingin ako kay Lennon, he sipped to his apple juice and his eyes immediately drifted to me. Nagtatanong ang tingin niya, umiling na lang ako at itinuon ang atensyon sa mga nag-uusap. 

"Sa susunod na taon," Wika ni Dad. Hindi na tanong iyon, isang pahayag. "Make it happen next year," We have few months left for this year, they can stage that. "Dale, you should be the bride's maid..." Our parents smiled at me, they all looked excited.

"She's tired being a bride's maid," Biro pa ni Aster ngunit halatang malaman iyon. "Then, can you be a bride now?" Matamis ang tawa ng mga nakatatanda, halatang nagusutuhan ang sinabi ni Aster. Ngumiti ako't umiling na lang.