Mimi Turns Pretty - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED ✅

Chapter 47

"We hope you have a pleasant stay. Thank you for flying Skylight Airlines, Mabuhay at Salamat."

I remove my seatbelt and smile while I look at the faces of all the Filipinos in this flight. It already feels like home.

I check my phone and see a text message from Kuya: Welcome home. Let me know which Bay you're at so I can get you.

I text a quick "Ok. Love you, Kuya" since I'm feeling emotional about coming back home.

All the long lines in the airport and waiting for my luggage didn't at all deter my excitement, and I all but run to the car when I see Kuya's grinning face.

He hops out of the car and opens his arms up for me and I hug him tight. I don't say anything kasi feeling ko maiiyak na ako. I've missed him so much.

He hugs me and lifts me off my feet a little bit at napatili ako.

He puts me back down and smiles at me, "Welcome home, Mi."

I smile back at him, "It's good to be back."

***

We get to Lola's house and I immediately see Lola waiting by the door.

I get out of the car and walked towards her with a big grin, "Lola! I'm back!"

Lola just smiled and when I get to her I give her a big hug, "Dito na po ako Lola. Na-miss ko po kayo."

She touches my face again, ini-inspeksyon na naman ang mukha ko and she finally says, "Sigurado ka na ba? Dito ka na talaga maninirahan?"

I nod, "Opo Lola. Sorry po kung natagalan akong makabalik."

Ngumiti lang s'ya, "Sakto lang ang balik mo, apo. Sakto sa birthday ko. May uwi ka ba sa akin?"

Natawa lang ako, "Syempre naman po, Lola. Kayo pa makalimutan ko."

Naglakad na kami papasok ni Lola, with my arms around her.

Over lunch pinag-usapan namin ang naging buhay ko sa US, Kuya updates me on the business.

I look at Kuya, "I know may mga plans ka na siguro Kuya on how I will help out with the business, and I'm ready with that. I took up a bit of business courses sa US while I was there these past few months. I also found out that I'm more of a baker than a cook, so if pwede I would like to explore in expanding the patiserrie in the branches."

Conchita's restaurants are known for the good Filipino dishes, I want to put my touch on it by creating desserts and adding a sort of branch that focuses on pastries and good coffee.

Kuya smiles, "That's a great idea. We're thinking of adding branches pero we wanted to have something different to offer when we do."

I look at Lola, "What do you think, Lola? I'm thinking of naming the pastry side-business or the Café – 'La Conchita Café.

Ngumiti si Lola, "Pwede naman pangalan n'yo ni Marky ang ilagay, sa inyo na ang negosyong 'yan."

Umiling ako, "Nope. Walang dating kung name namin Lola. Yung name n'yo po kasi may dating. Iba ang impact."

Tumawa si Lola, "S'ya kayo ang bahala."

Sumingit si Kuya, "Nga pala, Mi. May local magazine na gusto tayo i-feature tayo nila Lola. Actually, gusto nila si Lola talaga pero gusto n'ya tayo isama. I said I'd run it by you first bago ako mag-decide."

I look at Kuya and scoff, "Magazine? Siguro naman article ano, hindi naman siya pang-cover?"

Kuya presses his lips together, "It's actually for the cover story. Front page ang gusto nila with a five-page spread about Lola's restaurants, it's a pretty big deal. Maganda rin for our branding and marketing."

When he puts it like that, it seems like there's no other decision than to do it. I mean it will be good for our business.

Napalunok ako, "May pictures natin, gano'n?"

Kuya sighs, "Of course there are going to be pictures. You, me and Lola."

I look at Lola, "You want to do it, Lola?"

Natawa ako nang tumaas ang kilay ni Lola, "Sino ba naman ang hindi gustong maging cover ng magazine?"

I smile and think about all the good reasons to do it, so I nod, "Sige. Pero gusto ko may branding na tayo at least for the Café side of the business para maisama sa article."

Kuya grins, "Alright. Pa-schedule natin 'yung shoot next month. Enough time na siguro 'yon for you to do the planning right?"

He's challenging me and I like it, so I smile, "Of course. Piece of cake."

***

It's the weekend we're at home celebrating Lola's 71st birthday. It's just me, Kuya, Lola and some of my Aunties and Uncles. Mom and Dad stayed in the US dahil medyo busy sila sa business this year.

We're sitting and chatting sa long table na naka-set up sa garden when Kuya suddenly asks, "Nagkausap na kayo ni Ollie?"

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko when Kuya mentioned his name. After the night we talked I haven't heard from him again. It was like that was the last straw for him, when I chose to walk away. Siguro naisip ni Ollie that when I left noong bata pa kami, it was my family's choice, hindi ako ang pumili na umalis – it was just the circumstances that pushed us to be apart. Pero itong huli kong pag-alis, pinili kong iwan siya.

Sumimangot lang ako kay Kuya, "Not yet."

He sighs, "Ano ba ang plano mo?"

I bite the inside of my cheek. I want to talk to Ollie, it's one of the things I said I'd do when I get back home, pero itong mga nakaraang araw I'm doubting if I can do it.

I shrug, "Hindi ko pa alam."

He rests his elbows on the table, "I thought you left para kilalanin ang sarili mo? Hindi mo ba naisama 'yan sa pinag-isipan mo?"

There was nothing to think about though, I didn't leave because I was doubting my feelings for Ollie. Wala namang nabago doon. I still love him. I had a problem with myself, not with him.

So, I shake my head, "That's the only thing I didn't need to think about, because when I left, I already knew what he meant to me."

He nods, "But you had to leave, right?"

I smile sadly, "Yes. For myself."

Kuya leans back on his chair and purses his lips like he's deciding something.

"Bakit ka ganyan makatingin, Kuya?"

He sighs and pulls something out of his pocket and slides it over to me on the table.

It's a calling card.

I immediately recognize the logo in the front of it.

Ang lakas kaagad ng kabog ng dibdib ko as I stare at it.

Kuya says, "I'm not telling you what to do, Mi. But if you decide to take that step, you'll need that card."

I touch the necklace that I'm now wearing and it's the same logo on the card.

+++

AN 11/16/2020