Umangat ang ulo ko nang mapansing may paparating sa gilid ng mata ko. When I realize that it was my aunt, I immediately rose from my seat. But then my eyes move towards the people she's with.
Napatingin sa direksyon ko si Tita at maya-maya'y may sinabi sa mga kasama. She then signaled me to come to them. Tinagpo ko sila sa gitna ng lobby. The man and woman with intimidating aura look at me curiously. I look at them the same.
"Ah, Director Cuevas, Doctora, this is my niece." si Tita Emilia.
With that, I immediately held out my right arm in a respectful manner. "I'm pleased to meet you, Director, Doctora. I'm Akila Tresvalles," pagpapakilala ko sa sarili.
Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pagsulyap nila kay Tita habang tinatanggap ang kamay ko. They look pleased, making me feel relieve.
"It's seems like another Emilia Mazariegos we have here," the Director commented, smiling.
Napangiti naman ako. It wasn't the first time someone said to me. Sa katunayan ay ilang beses na akong dinala ni Tita Emilia sa opisina niya at maging sa ilang social events ng kompanyang pinagta-trabuhan niya.
An arm then wrapped around me. "Of course Director! Akila was like my mini me," she said proudly.
I felt a caress in my heart upon hearing the pride laced in Tita Emilia's tone. Nahagip naman ng mata ko ang pagngiti ni Doctora habang pinagmamasdan kami. When she touched the arm of the Director and brought her lips close to his ear, probably to whisper something, I was dawned with realization. They are married!
"Let's continue in the restaurant? I bet everyone is hungry now, right?" the Director said, still smiling.
I pursed my lips. They look intimidating but they are quite warm. Habang palabas ng building ay hindi ko maialis ang tingin sa ginang. She has this air around her that feels familiar. Hindi ko nga lang mapunto kung bakit ito pamilyar sa akin.
We convoy going towards the seafood restaurant that's ten minutes away from the office. Sa sasakyan ay sinabi ni Tita na pagkatapos naming mananghalian ay babalik na kami sa Lucena. Mabilis lang pala. I thought we're going to spend the whole afternoon here.
Pagkarating sa restaurant ay sa VIP room kami dinala. A gushing sound of water welcomed us upon stepping inside a room. Napatitig ako sa wall fountain sa isang parte ng kwarto, pero naagaw din agad ng atensyon ko ang view sa labas. Maganda ang pagkaka-landscape ng garden. It was colorful. Gusto ko sanang kuhanan ng litrato. But they are already seated on the table.
Habang umuupo sa katabing upuan ni Tita ay palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga nakahaing pagkain sa lamesa. The king crab is at the center. There's a lot of food. Mauubos ba naming lahat ito?
"I hope the food we ordered are into your liking," Lady Cuevas said gently.
The Director then told us to eat. But before digging in, I said my thanks first to them. It was different from what I'm used to, because we don't eat in silence. They are talking as we eat. Paminsan-minsan ay isinasama nila ako sa usapan.
"Ilang taon ka na ulit, hija?" biglang tanong sa akin ng ginang nang mag-usap na sina Tita at ang Director tungkol sa business ng kompanya.
I quickly reach for a table napkin to wipe my mouth. "Fifteen po," I politely answered after. Hindi ko inaasahan ang biglang pagkausap niya sa akin.
"Really? I also have nephews your age…"
It's really weird. She look intimidating but she talk gently. Her eyes are even gentle. Is it because she's a doctor?
"Grade nine din po sila?" I curiously asked.
"Yes, nasa Lucena sila e." Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko. Lucena?
"Baka schoolmate mo sila. Saang school ka ba pumapasok?" dugtong niya.
Mabilis ko namang hinalukay sa isipan ko kung may kilala ba ako sa school na may family name na Cuevas. But because I only have few acquaintances, alam ko agad na wala akong kilalang gano'n ang apelyido.
"The student population in my school is quite big po e. Saka hindi rin po kasi ako ganoon ka-sociable," I shyly said.
Sa sinabi ko'y kaunting napahakhak ang ginang. "Oh, they are the opposite. They are so sociable. I think it may even do you good if you hangout with them."
Napangiti ako. That, I am not sure.
Napakwento tuloy si Doctora tungkol sa mga pamangkin niya. She told me some of their mischievous doings. Siguro ang pinakatumatak sa akin ang iyong takas na pagte-taste tasting ng mga pamangkin niya sa produkto nilang lambanog. Boys and their adventures.
"Visit us sometime again, Akila. I'll tour you in our house the next time," si Doctora nang nasa harap na kami ng sasakyan namin.
Napasulyap ako kay Tita. She gave me look. Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Doctora.
"Sure, Doctora. I'll come again next time."
Ngumiti siya at tinapik ang kamay kong naka-angkla sa braso niya. "I wish I have a daughter like you."
I stared at her and notice the sadness in her eyes. Pero agad din iyong nawala nang ngumiti siya. It took a while to bid our goodbye. Sa sasakyan, pabalik ng Lucena, ay hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang lungkot na nakita sa mata ng ginang. Wala rin ba siyang anak?
"They are my boss."
Napatingin ako kay Tita. "Sina Director, po?"
She nodded, her eyes remained on the road. "Anak ng presidente ang Doctora. Pero dahil mas interesado sa medisina, ang asawa ang binigyan ng posisyon."
Napatango-tango naman ako. Wala naman talaga akong gaanong alam sa RSJ Industries. Other than knowing that they are the biggest manufacturer and distributor of coconut and bamboo products in the country, there's nothing followed by.
Pagkarating sa bahay ay itinuloy ko ang hindi pa natatapos na assignments. When done, I browse for a movie in an app to watch. In the middle of watching, a certain scene made me suddenly remember the incident happened yesterday.
I had an interaction with Kaiden! I wonder if I could see him tomorrow at church...
Maybe not this time.
I extended my right arm to feel the warmth of the sunlight that managed to pass through the window wall. Hindi pa nag-iisang oras mula nang sumikat ang araw.
"Kumain na kayo."
My attention shifted towards the plate of strawberry waffles that just been placed in front of me. I said my thanks before digging in my plate.
It's Sunday, as usual we attended Eucharist. But this time, we had the first mass at the cathedral. It's because Tita Emilia wanted to try the newly opened breakfast restaurant in town. Kaya naman pagkatapos ng misa ay dumiretso na kami dito. The ambience is good, as well as the food. They offer breakfast staples from France and a couple of Filipino classics.
"Ate, what's that for?" Napatingin naman ako itinuro ni Soliya.
She's referring to the colorful banderitas hung up on the streets outside. Ilang segundo akong napatitig dito.
"Niyogyugan Festival," I turn to her then glance at Tita Emilia.
Ngayon nga pala ang pagsisimula ng Niyogyugan Festival. And the thing my friends asked me last Friday, I'm not sure kung mapagbibigyan ko sila. I haven't asked yet my aunt. More so, I don't know what to tell her. Papayagan kaya niya ako kung magpapaalam ako?
"Tita," I called her just when she's about to enter the house.
I can't help it. It's the right time to ask her.
"What is it, Kila?" she turn her body to fully face me.
Pinisil ko ang daliri ko. "Uh, can I attend the Niyogyugan Festival? The agri-tourism trade fair to be particular po."
Tita stared at me for several seconds. "Sinong kasama mo?"
I cleared my throat as I shift on my heels. "My friends, Tita. Clarissa and Tricia."
She hummed, her eyes still watching me. Nangiwi ako. Is what I am thinking it is? Hindi kaya ako papayagan?
"Okay."
My jaw dropped. "O-Okay?" When Tita raised a brow at me, I quickly regain my composure. "Thank you, Tita!" I grin.
"Mmm," she hummed and turn on her heels. "Baka naman you're meeting with you boyfriend, Kila, ah. You're just fifteen."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "I don't have a boyfriend, Tita." pagdepensa ko sa sarili.
Sinabayan ko siya sa paglalakad papasok sa bahay.
"Look at your Ate Ileana, mage-eighteen na pero wala pang boyfriend. If the boy really like you, he would wait for the right time. Walang mabuting naidudulot ang pagmamadali, Akila."
Napanguso ako. Tita Emilia shouldn't be anxious of me getting a boyfriend. Ni wala nga akong manliligaw. And it's not like Kaiden Gomez would reciprocate my feelings for him anytime soon. Or maybe not even in this lifetime.
Pagkatapos mananghalian ay naghanda na ako. I already chatted my friends earlier. But I didn't tell them frankly that I am going because I plan on surprising them. I only gave them subtle hints.
"Tita, aalis na po ako." dumaan pa muna ako sa patio kung nasaan siya upang magpaalam.
She nodded without taking his eyes off her iPad. "Be home before the sun sets."
Natigilan ako pero sa huli'y sumang-ayon na rin. I made sure to ride the right jeep. Nang makarating na ako sa bayan ay muli kong chinat ang mga kaibigan para tanungin kung nasaan na sila. Ten minutes after two, I am already at the park.
Hindi magkamayaw ang mata ko sa pagtingin sa paligid. Ang daming tao! It's my first time attending the festival's opening so I don't really have an idea that it will be like this. Habang papunta sa kung nasaan ang mga kaibigan ay naaagaw ng atensyon ko ang mga nadadaang coconut-themed booths. There are a lot of interesting things to do here.
Pagkarating sa cave-like waiting area ng park ay agad kong hinanap ang mga kaibigan. Pero sa mga nandoon ay wala ang mga kaibigan ko. I picked up my phone and tried to call them both. Nang walang sumasagot ay tinext ko na sila para tanungin kung nasaan sila. I even checked our group chat, pero hindi rin sila naka-online. I wonder where they are. Nag-iikot na kaya sila?
I began to walk mindlessly. Patingin-tingin ako sa paligid sa pag-asang baka mamataan ang mga kaibigan. Nang tumatagaktak na ang pawis ko ay sumilong muna ako sa ilalim ng isang puno. I glance at my wristwatch. It's already quarter to three.
Ipinasada ko ang tingin sa paligid. They are really a lot of people. Nakakahilo ang tumingin sa iba't ibang mukha. I uttered a sound when I saw a familiar face in the crowd. Inayos ko muna ang pagkakasukbit ng mini backpack ko bago ko nilapitan ang nakita.
"Rej!" I called his attention when I'm already a foot away.
Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at hinanap ako. When he saw me, he called my name. Tuluyan ko na siyang nilapitan.
"Alam mo ba kung nasaan sina Tricia?" He probably know because he's also a member of the choir.
"Sina Tricia? Umuwi na sila. Sila ni Clarissa."
Umawang ang labi ko. What?
"Sige mauna na ako, Akila."
Nagpasalamat ako at hinayaan na siyang umalis. I sighed in dismay. Now what? Inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Nagpasya akong bumalik nalang sa sinisilungan ko kanina. But because the crowd earlier suddenly doubled, I got stranded in the middle of the crowd unable to cross the crowd of people.
Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang straps ng bag ko. It's so stuffy here. Is there no other way out?
I look for an exit. But instead of one, I caught a pair of orbs among the crowd.