Status: in-progress.
LOVE-NAT, isang makulit na lovestory!
Chapter 40-3. Big BAG Theory!
Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan
Five hours. Oo five hours. Siguro naman sapat na yun para isiping hindi na sisipot si Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde. Sinabi ko naman na sa inyo noon pa, hindi ako martir kaya wala akong balak na maghintay dito hanggang sumapit ang dilim at tuluyang magmanhid ang pwet ko sa kaka-upo. Malapit na nga sigurong isipin ng mga tao dito na may balak akong bilin ang Starbucks. Atchaka, masyado na din na-eexpose ang likod ko sa suot kong damit. At higit sa lahat, nanginginig na ko sa gutom. Wala akong balak mamatay sa gutom dahil lang sa paghihintay kay Sef nuh. So, siguro naman, I have enough reasons to leave.
Come to think of it, hindi naman talaga ito ang unang beses na ginawa niya toh... nung sa EK pa lang ee, iniwan na niya ko in exchange for Bea. Haha. The only difference back then was that nakasama ko siya kahit papano. Yung ngayon naman, pinaasa lang ako. Hahaha.
Okay lang nuh!! Well at least, I made my part sa pustahang ito. Siya itong hindi tumupad. It’s his loss.
Pero Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan... ito na. Tapos na ang lahat ng ito. Kapag lumabas ka na, make sure everything will end. As in lahat... pati yang... nararandaman mo!! Okay?? Wag na si Sef, wag na sakanya... utang na loob lang...
Ito pala ang mahirap sa lahat... yung... kapag... UMASA ka?? Haha. Ellie, hindi porket sweet siya, hindi porket niregaluhan ka niya ng guitara, hindi porket niyaya ka niyang makipag-date sa kanya, hindi porket inattempt niyang i-kiss ka dati... hindi porket nag-spend kayong dalawa ng Christmas, o kaya hindi porket nakuha na niya ang loob ng pamilya mo... hindi ibig sabihin nun GUSTO KA NA NIYA. None of it means anything... Just because Sef seemed to like you doesn’t mean he really does.
Yan, ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko ee... ang problema kasi sa mga babeng kagaya mo Ellie... you make them believe that you don’t like him, but the truth is you really do... at si Sef naman?? Sus. Lalaki yan... and you know what they say... the problem with boys is that, they can make you believe that they love you, even if they don’t. As simple as that.
Kaya pwede ba?? Itigil mo na ang ilusyon mo jan. Nagmumuka ka lang tanga.
Kaya go na Ellie. I think it’s time for you to go.
Pagkatayong-pagkatayo ko, there was this familiar figure standing beside me. “Ellie,”Goodness, parang gusto kong yumuko, parang nahulog puso ko. Haha. Pano ba naman kasi it was Sef. He looked as usual, stunningly handsome.
Ano ba toh?? Ang alam ko nagiilusyon lang ako kanina, pero hallucination?? Haha. Hindi naman ako naka drugs. Sef looked rather serious, yung parang hindi mo pwedeng i-joke. “Kanina ka pa?” Parang natapakan ang pride ko sa tanong niya!! Kasi parang... first time kong maghintay ng ganito!! KAINIS!!
“Ano ka?” I answered defensively. Nakasimangot na nga ako ee, kasi nanginginig ako sa INIS!! Gusto ko sanang paduguin ilong niya!! GGrrrr... “Kararating ko lang nuh!!”
Napatingin sakin yung security guard. Yung tingin na parang, Kararating lang daw oh, ee halos ikaw na nga nagbukas nitong Starbucks.
Nakita din ni Sef yung tingin ni manong, “Sorry, I wasn’t supposed to be late. But something came up and...”
“Sinabing kararating ko nga lang ee!” I hissed angrily as I tried to walk pass him but he blocked my way. Sef grabbed my hand and dragged me with him papalabas ng Starbucks. Seryoso pa din yung muka niya. Hindi na lang ako nagreklamo. Hawak niya kamay ko ee. Hahaha. Grabe Ellie, diba galit ka? Galit ka!! Haha. Sandali, mamaya nga hawak pa nga kasi nya kamay ko!!
Dinala nya ko sa Pajero niya na naka double parking. Hawak pa din niya kamay ko as he opened the door sa passenger seat. “Get in.” It was a direct command but I just stood there, not moving. Nakakunot ang noo ko, di nya ko madadaan sa mga ganyang galit effect niya nuh!! Mas di hamak na intindihin niya dapat ang GALIT ko!!
But Sef has his own way of retaliating, yung left arm niya idinantay niya sa may kotse nya while the other hand was holding the door. Ako? Ito, I was sandwiched between Sef and the car. Oh boy, napalunok ako. Punyemas, kahit sobrang hot nyang pagmasdan, I won’t give in!! Dios por santo, tulungan niyo kong itaboy ang tuksong ito!! Yikes.
Sef sighed. “Look, we don’t have much time. Tumakas lang ako Ellie.” He looked straight at me, his eyes in some way were pleading, asking for me to listen to him as if everything is a matter of life and death. “I’ll explain everything later. Just get in the car.”
May rason naman pala kung bakit siya na late ee... naniwala ka naman?? Ni hindi nga niya masabi ee... Lechugas ka talaga Ellie!!
Normally, magmamaldita pa ko parang mas enjoy kung magpapa-pilit pako ng konti. Pero... ewan ko ba... kung anong nangyari as I silently went in the passenger seat. Walang reklamo, walang comments or violent reactions. Napaka masunurin ko din palang bata ano?? Hahaha.
Sara Louisa Dela Rama decided to make some shopping spree sa Singapore bago siya tuluyang dumiretso sa Philippines. Sabi niya, konti lang daw bibilin niya. But by the time she got to the five star hotel she was checked in, sobrang dami na niyang bitbit na shopping bags.
Naeexcite na nga siyang makita ulit ang mga kaibigan, well most especially si Darren Max Sanchez. Ang dami nga niyang biniling shirt para sa binata kahit nung nasa America pa siya. She entered the elevator and struggled ng maipit ng elev door yung hawak-hawak niyang mga shopping bags. “Argh,” She hissed, still trying to pull. The lady on her left then said in a friendly voice, “Wait, I’ll go get the button.”
Sara smiled, “Thanks.” and looked at the kind lady who seemed just like her age, only she gave off an air of elegance Sara immediately noticed.
Fashionista din. Hm, maganda din naman. Porcelain skin and unlike Sara na may pagka maldita at mataray ang dating, yung dalagang tumulong sa kanya looked friendly and approachable except for the fact that she seemed someone of higher authority. Yung tipong, hindi mo pwedeng i-under estimate. Take note, meron pa nga itong kasamang body guard – yung malaking muscular na lalaking naka-shades sa likod nila.
“Oh,” Sara blurted out when she looked down on her feet. “I love your shoes.” Sara meant it. It was the exact same shoes na dapat bibilin niya kahapon, but she already reached the limit of her card. “Versace right?” At ng kinulit niya ang dad niya, he wouldn’t give her the money kasi daw andami na niyang napamili.
The young lady nodded. “Yes. Yours is Armani?”
Sara likes this girl may taste sa fashion and boy yung mga damit niya... it surely costs a fortune. “My name’s Sara.”
“Lianne.”
Tahimik lang si Ellie sa byahe. Even though she was curious kung bakit binabaybay nila ang Antipolo. San naman kaya siya dadalin ng lalaking ito? At halos tumalon ang puso niya sa pagmamaneho ni Sef na kala mo nakikipag karera ito sa isang non-existent race car.
Sef wasn’t talking either. Naka concentrate lang ito sa daan. Kahit nung pumark ito sa isang grocery store, he didn’t even ask for Ellie to go with him. Dali-dali lang ang binata sa pagbaba. And after ten minutes, bumalik ito with at least seven grocery bags in hand. Nagmamadali itong nilagay sa likod ng Pajero. Napaisip si Ellie kung papanong nakuha lahat yun ni Sef within ten minutes.
Gustong-gusto na ni Ellie magtanong kung san ba sila pupunta at kung para saan ang binili nito. But Sef seemed too serious to even be bothered about. Para bang halatang nagmamadali ang binata, like he was running out of time. And talking to her now would be just a waste of time.
Pero hindi alam ni Ellie, kabado lang ang binata. Oo, ganyan si Sef kapag sobrang kinakabahan, kapag alam niyang TIGRE ang naghihintay sakanya pag dating sa mansyong tinatahak nila.
Kahit sa pagmamaneho, parang kulang na lang paliparin ni Sef ang Pajero. Napakapit na nga si Ellie sa upuan niya ee. But she still didn’t utter a word.
After a minute or so, nasagot din ang mga katanungan ni Ellie... nag-park si Sef sa isang napaka laking mansyon... no exaggeration pero it was ten times bigger and grander than the one Sef owned, walang match yun sa laki nito. Para ngang kelangan mo pa ng sasakyan bago mo malibot ang buong hardin nito. There was a small lake, too. Tapos may view ng mga bundok sa background. It was magnificent. Akala nga ni Ellie nasa ibang bansa siya ee.
Sef let out a deep breath the moment he turned his engine off. “Just...” He said, still looking ahead. Hindi tuloy sigurado ang dalaga kung siya ba ang kausap nito. “Just don’t say anything. It would be safer that way.”
Ellie was confused. Ilang minuto na ding naka tikom ang bibig niya, panis na laway niya at balak pa din ni Sef na huwag siyang pagsalitain?? C’mon, hindi dapat isang Eleonor ang isinama niya dito... pipe dapat!!
Sef went out and opened the door for Ellie, who was actually rendered speechless ng makatapak na siya sa lapag. Deym, parang paraiso... kahit wag na ko i-uwi ni Sef okay lang. Haha.
And what took Ellie by surprise was when a small old man came out to greet them. Yung mga itsurang napapanuod niya sa TV. Yung mga tipong may itim na ribbon sa may leeg. It was a butler.
“Good afternoon, Sir Josef, ma’am.” He slightly bent his head low in greeting.
“Ikaw na bahala George,” Sabi ni Sef as he handed the car keys to him. “Andyan sa loob yung groceries.”
“Yes sir. I suggest you go in quick.”
Ellie smiled with amusement at the butler. Naalala kasi niya agad si Yaya Kusing. Mga trabahador talaga nila Sef pwedeng-pwede sa call center. Ang titindi mag-english. Haha. “Hello po, ako si Ellie.” Nakipag-shake hands pa ito sa matandang katiwala. Nagulat si George and was forced to acknowledge it with a hesitant smile. “Sabihin niyo nga, nakakapag-pabagabag.” She whispered in George’s ear. It was the exact same Tagalog word na sinabi niya nun kay Yaya Kusing.
“Nakakapag-pabagabag.” Butler George clearly said with a triumphant smile. Yung tipong, Haha, kala mo di ko masasabi aa!
“Nice.” Ellie chuckled.
Pagpasok nila, parang kasing-laki ng isang building yung mismong entrance door. It was a huge oak door, perfectly coated with varnish. Parang kelangan nga limang tao pa ang dapat magbukas nito.
Nag-exhale ulit si Sef. It was as if trying to calm himself.
Bakit kaya mukang kinakabahan siya? Ano bang meron? Natanong ni Ellie sa sarili. But she doesn’t need to ponder that long... kasi nalaman din niya agad ang sagot.
“Josef,” a strong commanding voice came behind them. Buo ang boses, but there was a touch of finesse that goes with it.
Sef looked around, “T-tita Yolly.”
Ellie simply smiled in greeting, “Hello po.” But she only gained herself a piercing gaze. Parang tumitira ng bala ng baril ang mga mata ng Tita Yolly ni Sef. Parang linta na hindi maalis-alis ang tingin nito kay Ellie. Pinagmasdan niyang maigi ang dalaga, her sharp eyes that seemed to see everything run from Ellie’s hair down the tip of her toes.
She wasn’t smiling.
Ladies & gentlemen, meet Yolanda Monteverde. Oo, mga kaibigan siya mismo... hindi si Bea... at mas lalong hindi si Lianne ang dahilan ng pagiging late ni Sef sa usapan nila ni Ellie kanina.
Yolanda Monteverde stood firmly before Ellie & Sef. She’s a beautiful woman, hindi mo nga mapagkakamalang nasa mid-thirties na ito ee. Isang tingin pa lang sa damit nito, halatang galing pang Paris. She wasn’t wearing any jewelry except for the ring that seemed to get anyone’s attention. The ring looked rather vintage, it seemed rare at siguradong mamahalin.
“I don't remember telling you to bring a...this.” Her voice was like thunder as she only eyed Ellie with apparent disgust. Ellie was now looking on her dress wondering kung meron bang dumi ang damit niya.
“I already got you your groceries in the car.” Sef said trying to divert the topic. He quickly gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek. She still didn’t smile. Obvious naman sa muka ng tita ni Sef, hindi ito marunong ngumiti. Laging magkasalubong ang noo at mapag-mata ang tingin. “Hm.” She only muttered in a tone bathing with authority. Tumaas ang kilay nito as she continued to study Eleonor, who was now checking her shoes baka kasi nakatapak daw siya ng tae kaya ganyan na lang kasama ang tingin sakanya ng tita ni Sef.
Umirap ang Tita ni Sef,“Lunch is already prepared.” With that she turned around heading towards the dining area.
Napa-exhale ng malalim si Sef when his aunt was already out of earshot. “Whew. Akala ko magagalit.”
“Bakit? Ano bang ginawa mo?”
“She asked me to get her some ingredients sa grocery store.” Sef explained. “Then I ended up driving all the way to Manila, para lang sunduin ka.”
Napangiti naman si Ellie dun. Kala mo totoo, she thought, pero sige na nga, kanwari naniniwala ako. Haha.
Sef let out another deep breath. Alam niyang hindi pa tapos ang kalbaryo niya... he knew, MARAMI pang mangyayari... lalo na kakain na sila ng lunch... Yeah... lunch... na niluto mismo ng Auntie niya... which would only spell one thing: TROUBLE.
Ah, deym. Bakit nga ba kasi niya ulit naisipan pang sunduin si Ellie?? Siya lang mismo ang humanap ng ikasasakit ng ulo niya!!
Obviously, hindi naman papasa si Ellie sa tita niya...
No, no, no... wait... what was he thinking... WALA NAMAN TALAGANG PUMAPASA SA TITA NIYA!!
DEYM!!
To be continued.
Five hours. Oo five hours. Siguro naman sapat na yun para isiping hindi na sisipot si Miguel Josef Uy Monteverde. Sinabi ko naman na sa inyo noon pa, hindi ako martir kaya wala akong balak na maghintay dito hanggang sumapit ang dilim at tuluyang magmanhid ang pwet ko sa kaka-upo. Malapit na nga sigurong isipin ng mga tao dito na may balak akong bilin ang Starbucks. Atchaka, masyado na din na-eexpose ang likod ko sa suot kong damit. At higit sa lahat, nanginginig na ko sa gutom. Wala akong balak mamatay sa gutom dahil lang sa paghihintay kay Sef nuh. So, siguro naman, I have enough reasons to leave.
Come to think of it, hindi naman talaga ito ang unang beses na ginawa niya toh... nung sa EK pa lang ee, iniwan na niya ko in exchange for Bea. Haha. The only difference back then was that nakasama ko siya kahit papano. Yung ngayon naman, pinaasa lang ako. Hahaha.
Okay lang nuh!! Well at least, I made my part sa pustahang ito. Siya itong hindi tumupad. It’s his loss.
Pero Eleonor Malicsi Dimaculangan... ito na. Tapos na ang lahat ng ito. Kapag lumabas ka na, make sure everything will end. As in lahat... pati yang... nararandaman mo!! Okay?? Wag na si Sef, wag na sakanya... utang na loob lang...
Ito pala ang mahirap sa lahat... yung... kapag... UMASA ka?? Haha. Ellie, hindi porket sweet siya, hindi porket niregaluhan ka niya ng guitara, hindi porket niyaya ka niyang makipag-date sa kanya, hindi porket inattempt niyang i-kiss ka dati... hindi porket nag-spend kayong dalawa ng Christmas, o kaya hindi porket nakuha na niya ang loob ng pamilya mo... hindi ibig sabihin nun GUSTO KA NA NIYA. None of it means anything... Just because Sef seemed to like you doesn’t mean he really does.
Yan, ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko ee... ang problema kasi sa mga babeng kagaya mo Ellie... you make them believe that you don’t like him, but the truth is you really do... at si Sef naman?? Sus. Lalaki yan... and you know what they say... the problem with boys is that, they can make you believe that they love you, even if they don’t. As simple as that.
Kaya pwede ba?? Itigil mo na ang ilusyon mo jan. Nagmumuka ka lang tanga.
Kaya go na Ellie. I think it’s time for you to go.
Pagkatayong-pagkatayo ko, there was this familiar figure standing beside me. “Ellie,”Goodness, parang gusto kong yumuko, parang nahulog puso ko. Haha. Pano ba naman kasi it was Sef. He looked as usual, stunningly handsome.
Ano ba toh?? Ang alam ko nagiilusyon lang ako kanina, pero hallucination?? Haha. Hindi naman ako naka drugs. Sef looked rather serious, yung parang hindi mo pwedeng i-joke. “Kanina ka pa?” Parang natapakan ang pride ko sa tanong niya!! Kasi parang... first time kong maghintay ng ganito!! KAINIS!!
“Ano ka?” I answered defensively. Nakasimangot na nga ako ee, kasi nanginginig ako sa INIS!! Gusto ko sanang paduguin ilong niya!! GGrrrr... “Kararating ko lang nuh!!”
Napatingin sakin yung security guard. Yung tingin na parang, Kararating lang daw oh, ee halos ikaw na nga nagbukas nitong Starbucks.
Nakita din ni Sef yung tingin ni manong, “Sorry, I wasn’t supposed to be late. But something came up and...”
“Sinabing kararating ko nga lang ee!” I hissed angrily as I tried to walk pass him but he blocked my way. Sef grabbed my hand and dragged me with him papalabas ng Starbucks. Seryoso pa din yung muka niya. Hindi na lang ako nagreklamo. Hawak niya kamay ko ee. Hahaha. Grabe Ellie, diba galit ka? Galit ka!! Haha. Sandali, mamaya nga hawak pa nga kasi nya kamay ko!!
Dinala nya ko sa Pajero niya na naka double parking. Hawak pa din niya kamay ko as he opened the door sa passenger seat. “Get in.” It was a direct command but I just stood there, not moving. Nakakunot ang noo ko, di nya ko madadaan sa mga ganyang galit effect niya nuh!! Mas di hamak na intindihin niya dapat ang GALIT ko!!
But Sef has his own way of retaliating, yung left arm niya idinantay niya sa may kotse nya while the other hand was holding the door. Ako? Ito, I was sandwiched between Sef and the car. Oh boy, napalunok ako. Punyemas, kahit sobrang hot nyang pagmasdan, I won’t give in!! Dios por santo, tulungan niyo kong itaboy ang tuksong ito!! Yikes.
Sef sighed. “Look, we don’t have much time. Tumakas lang ako Ellie.” He looked straight at me, his eyes in some way were pleading, asking for me to listen to him as if everything is a matter of life and death. “I’ll explain everything later. Just get in the car.”
May rason naman pala kung bakit siya na late ee... naniwala ka naman?? Ni hindi nga niya masabi ee... Lechugas ka talaga Ellie!!
Normally, magmamaldita pa ko parang mas enjoy kung magpapa-pilit pako ng konti. Pero... ewan ko ba... kung anong nangyari as I silently went in the passenger seat. Walang reklamo, walang comments or violent reactions. Napaka masunurin ko din palang bata ano?? Hahaha.
Sara Louisa Dela Rama decided to make some shopping spree sa Singapore bago siya tuluyang dumiretso sa Philippines. Sabi niya, konti lang daw bibilin niya. But by the time she got to the five star hotel she was checked in, sobrang dami na niyang bitbit na shopping bags.
Naeexcite na nga siyang makita ulit ang mga kaibigan, well most especially si Darren Max Sanchez. Ang dami nga niyang biniling shirt para sa binata kahit nung nasa America pa siya. She entered the elevator and struggled ng maipit ng elev door yung hawak-hawak niyang mga shopping bags. “Argh,” She hissed, still trying to pull. The lady on her left then said in a friendly voice, “Wait, I’ll go get the button.”
Sara smiled, “Thanks.” and looked at the kind lady who seemed just like her age, only she gave off an air of elegance Sara immediately noticed.
Fashionista din. Hm, maganda din naman. Porcelain skin and unlike Sara na may pagka maldita at mataray ang dating, yung dalagang tumulong sa kanya looked friendly and approachable except for the fact that she seemed someone of higher authority. Yung tipong, hindi mo pwedeng i-under estimate. Take note, meron pa nga itong kasamang body guard – yung malaking muscular na lalaking naka-shades sa likod nila.
“Oh,” Sara blurted out when she looked down on her feet. “I love your shoes.” Sara meant it. It was the exact same shoes na dapat bibilin niya kahapon, but she already reached the limit of her card. “Versace right?” At ng kinulit niya ang dad niya, he wouldn’t give her the money kasi daw andami na niyang napamili.
The young lady nodded. “Yes. Yours is Armani?”
Sara likes this girl may taste sa fashion and boy yung mga damit niya... it surely costs a fortune. “My name’s Sara.”
“Lianne.”
Tahimik lang si Ellie sa byahe. Even though she was curious kung bakit binabaybay nila ang Antipolo. San naman kaya siya dadalin ng lalaking ito? At halos tumalon ang puso niya sa pagmamaneho ni Sef na kala mo nakikipag karera ito sa isang non-existent race car.
Sef wasn’t talking either. Naka concentrate lang ito sa daan. Kahit nung pumark ito sa isang grocery store, he didn’t even ask for Ellie to go with him. Dali-dali lang ang binata sa pagbaba. And after ten minutes, bumalik ito with at least seven grocery bags in hand. Nagmamadali itong nilagay sa likod ng Pajero. Napaisip si Ellie kung papanong nakuha lahat yun ni Sef within ten minutes.
Gustong-gusto na ni Ellie magtanong kung san ba sila pupunta at kung para saan ang binili nito. But Sef seemed too serious to even be bothered about. Para bang halatang nagmamadali ang binata, like he was running out of time. And talking to her now would be just a waste of time.
Pero hindi alam ni Ellie, kabado lang ang binata. Oo, ganyan si Sef kapag sobrang kinakabahan, kapag alam niyang TIGRE ang naghihintay sakanya pag dating sa mansyong tinatahak nila.
Kahit sa pagmamaneho, parang kulang na lang paliparin ni Sef ang Pajero. Napakapit na nga si Ellie sa upuan niya ee. But she still didn’t utter a word.
After a minute or so, nasagot din ang mga katanungan ni Ellie... nag-park si Sef sa isang napaka laking mansyon... no exaggeration pero it was ten times bigger and grander than the one Sef owned, walang match yun sa laki nito. Para ngang kelangan mo pa ng sasakyan bago mo malibot ang buong hardin nito. There was a small lake, too. Tapos may view ng mga bundok sa background. It was magnificent. Akala nga ni Ellie nasa ibang bansa siya ee.
Sef let out a deep breath the moment he turned his engine off. “Just...” He said, still looking ahead. Hindi tuloy sigurado ang dalaga kung siya ba ang kausap nito. “Just don’t say anything. It would be safer that way.”
Ellie was confused. Ilang minuto na ding naka tikom ang bibig niya, panis na laway niya at balak pa din ni Sef na huwag siyang pagsalitain?? C’mon, hindi dapat isang Eleonor ang isinama niya dito... pipe dapat!!
Sef went out and opened the door for Ellie, who was actually rendered speechless ng makatapak na siya sa lapag. Deym, parang paraiso... kahit wag na ko i-uwi ni Sef okay lang. Haha.
And what took Ellie by surprise was when a small old man came out to greet them. Yung mga itsurang napapanuod niya sa TV. Yung mga tipong may itim na ribbon sa may leeg. It was a butler.
“Good afternoon, Sir Josef, ma’am.” He slightly bent his head low in greeting.
“Ikaw na bahala George,” Sabi ni Sef as he handed the car keys to him. “Andyan sa loob yung groceries.”
“Yes sir. I suggest you go in quick.”
Ellie smiled with amusement at the butler. Naalala kasi niya agad si Yaya Kusing. Mga trabahador talaga nila Sef pwedeng-pwede sa call center. Ang titindi mag-english. Haha. “Hello po, ako si Ellie.” Nakipag-shake hands pa ito sa matandang katiwala. Nagulat si George and was forced to acknowledge it with a hesitant smile. “Sabihin niyo nga, nakakapag-pabagabag.” She whispered in George’s ear. It was the exact same Tagalog word na sinabi niya nun kay Yaya Kusing.
“Nakakapag-pabagabag.” Butler George clearly said with a triumphant smile. Yung tipong, Haha, kala mo di ko masasabi aa!
“Nice.” Ellie chuckled.
Pagpasok nila, parang kasing-laki ng isang building yung mismong entrance door. It was a huge oak door, perfectly coated with varnish. Parang kelangan nga limang tao pa ang dapat magbukas nito.
Nag-exhale ulit si Sef. It was as if trying to calm himself.
Bakit kaya mukang kinakabahan siya? Ano bang meron? Natanong ni Ellie sa sarili. But she doesn’t need to ponder that long... kasi nalaman din niya agad ang sagot.
“Josef,” a strong commanding voice came behind them. Buo ang boses, but there was a touch of finesse that goes with it.
Sef looked around, “T-tita Yolly.”
Ellie simply smiled in greeting, “Hello po.” But she only gained herself a piercing gaze. Parang tumitira ng bala ng baril ang mga mata ng Tita Yolly ni Sef. Parang linta na hindi maalis-alis ang tingin nito kay Ellie. Pinagmasdan niyang maigi ang dalaga, her sharp eyes that seemed to see everything run from Ellie’s hair down the tip of her toes.
She wasn’t smiling.
Ladies & gentlemen, meet Yolanda Monteverde. Oo, mga kaibigan siya mismo... hindi si Bea... at mas lalong hindi si Lianne ang dahilan ng pagiging late ni Sef sa usapan nila ni Ellie kanina.
Yolanda Monteverde stood firmly before Ellie & Sef. She’s a beautiful woman, hindi mo nga mapagkakamalang nasa mid-thirties na ito ee. Isang tingin pa lang sa damit nito, halatang galing pang Paris. She wasn’t wearing any jewelry except for the ring that seemed to get anyone’s attention. The ring looked rather vintage, it seemed rare at siguradong mamahalin.
“I don't remember telling you to bring a...this.” Her voice was like thunder as she only eyed Ellie with apparent disgust. Ellie was now looking on her dress wondering kung meron bang dumi ang damit niya.
“I already got you your groceries in the car.” Sef said trying to divert the topic. He quickly gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek. She still didn’t smile. Obvious naman sa muka ng tita ni Sef, hindi ito marunong ngumiti. Laging magkasalubong ang noo at mapag-mata ang tingin. “Hm.” She only muttered in a tone bathing with authority. Tumaas ang kilay nito as she continued to study Eleonor, who was now checking her shoes baka kasi nakatapak daw siya ng tae kaya ganyan na lang kasama ang tingin sakanya ng tita ni Sef.
Umirap ang Tita ni Sef,“Lunch is already prepared.” With that she turned around heading towards the dining area.
Napa-exhale ng malalim si Sef when his aunt was already out of earshot. “Whew. Akala ko magagalit.”
“Bakit? Ano bang ginawa mo?”
“She asked me to get her some ingredients sa grocery store.” Sef explained. “Then I ended up driving all the way to Manila, para lang sunduin ka.”
Napangiti naman si Ellie dun. Kala mo totoo, she thought, pero sige na nga, kanwari naniniwala ako. Haha.
Sef let out another deep breath. Alam niyang hindi pa tapos ang kalbaryo niya... he knew, MARAMI pang mangyayari... lalo na kakain na sila ng lunch... Yeah... lunch... na niluto mismo ng Auntie niya... which would only spell one thing: TROUBLE.
Ah, deym. Bakit nga ba kasi niya ulit naisipan pang sunduin si Ellie?? Siya lang mismo ang humanap ng ikasasakit ng ulo niya!!
Obviously, hindi naman papasa si Ellie sa tita niya...
No, no, no... wait... what was he thinking... WALA NAMAN TALAGANG PUMAPASA SA TITA NIYA!!
DEYM!!
To be continued.