Downfall of Arabella

Kabanata 4: My Solemn Problem

Falling is never my intention

But the process is already in motion

What they saw is not what I was, people find me hard to read even those who's close to me. That's why when it comes to Alejandro, I find it hard to control my reaction, not to show any sign that he has this kind of effect on me that I'm totally foreign of.

Back then, when I first met him, I just fancy in making fun of him as a child I was yet still showed that I got the upper hand, a typical mischievous me. But little do I know that he will really have this impact that I'm afraid I cannot control if I let myself to be carefree or just go with the flow. Thank God, I am not, little by little as I grew up I learned responsibilities and obligations as the eldest heir, I learned what my surname can do and how to live in its reputation.

After that intimate dance we shared kung yun nga ang maitatawag doon 'cause that's definitely my first, hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako that Seb came to us to stole me from Alejandro just for us to dance pandango sa ilaw. Ang sarap lang hampasin ni Seb sabay magpalamon sa lupa dahil sa kahihiyaan, wala naman ako ka-alam alam sa sayaw na iyon and take note may props pa talaga siyang kandila na nasa baso, tinututruan pa niya ako as if he's really an expert.

Its one of the their kalokohan because later on the rest of my boy cousins hinila sila Chiara at ang iba namin kamag-anak to enjoy a folk dance such as tinikling and may kawayan pa talaga silang dala. Then after a while naging mass dance na with the old disco music on the background. It's a total chaos in the middle of the dance floor yet it was shared with full of laughters in between and I can totally see my whole family is enjoying especially our Lola Anggay, siya pa minsan nagiging pasimuno sa steps.

After that chaotic dance number courtesy of my whole family, some continued dancing, some went on eating and mingling from table to table.

I, on the other hand found myself in the table where Alejandro is seated together with her Lola I presumed that later on confirmed by Lola Anggay. Si Lola Anggay ang nag-dala sakin sa lamesa nila kaya naman nasa harap ko ngayon ang kanyang Lola at si Alejandro.

"Hija, meet Alejandro's abuela, Doña Ava Alcaraz"

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Doña Ava" I heard about her through Lola Anggay only 'cause even the media wanted to know more about their family they are also aloof as much as we are. I raise my hand to shake it with her when she hold it firmly and give me a tight hug instead.

"What a fine lady is, hawig na hawig mo siya nung kabataan pa natin Angge" Malumanay na sabi ng ginang na hindi inaalis ang titig sa akin. "And please call me Lola Ava, Hija" sabay haplos niya sa aking pisngi.

Naging emosyonal ang kanyang mga mata sa ginawa niyang iyon na sadya naman ipinagtaka ko kaya napalipat ang tingin ko sa mga tao namin sa paligid. I didn't notice that my parents is already at our table and some visitor are discreetly looking at us.

Napansin ata niya ang pagtataka ko sa biglang pag-iba niya ng emosyon kaya't nagsalita din siya agad "Pasensya ka na Hija, hindi ko maiwasan, you just remind me of my daughter back when she was just your age, Alejandro's Mom" at the mention of Alejandro's mom, hindi ko maiwasan tumingin sa kanya na kanina pa tahimik at may tipid na ngiti lang sa labi pero hindi naka-iwas sa paningin ko ang saglit ng pag-igting ng panga niya. Now, I wonder whats that action for. I turn my gaze back to Lola Ava and just simply smiled at her and telling her its okay when Mama and Papa greet her after.

They started talking while I just listening to them, Aljeandro on the other hand was talking to my father and one of our family lawyers who also approached our crowd. After awhile, I politely excused myself to attend the other guests which they totally understand.