"Ako na dito, Mom," I insisted."Hindi anak. Bisita kita kaya ako na ang maghuhugas ng pinggan," iling ni Mommy at bahagya akong tinulak."Mom, let me do it. Hmm? Kaya ko naman atsaka nakakahiya na kasi pinapakain niyo pa ako sa bahay niyo," I said."Ikaw pa yung nahiya e dapat ako nga kasi ikaw pa yung naghugas," she giggled. "Anyway, I didn't expect you to wash dishes. Saan mo natutunan 'yan?""Tinuruan ako ni Manang," I replied."Si Manang? Yung yaya mo simula pagkabata?" She asked which I nodded. "Wow! Kung ganun dapat ko siyang pasalamatan. She raised you well."Napangiti ako habang sinasabunan yung mga pinggan. Manang did raised me well."Hindi lang naman ito yung tinuro niya sa akin," I said."Oh? Ano pa yung tinuro sa iyo?" Sabik niyang tanong."She taught me house chores. Minsan ako na yung naglilinis ng mansyon, well kasama din yung ibang katulong. Ayaw niya kasing lalaki akong spoiled," I replied.Naalala ko nung sabi niya ay tuturuan niya daw akong magwalis. I was hesitant
"Sir Timothee!" I exclaimed. "Ano po yung ginagawa niyo dito sa labas? I thought you have a shoot?"Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata habang nakahalukipkip pa rin. Tumaas ang magkabila kong kilay. Anong tiningin-tingin niya? Galit kaya siya? Pero nagpaalam naman ako sa kanya."Sir?" I asked.Hindi siya sumagot, sa halip ay itinaas niya yung kamay niya. He gestured his fingers for me to get closer. Naguguluhan man ay lumapit ako sa kanya."What took you so long?" He asked."Because I was bonding with my Mom," I replied. "Sabi niyo tatawagan niyo lang ako kapag papauwi na kayo. That's what I did--""Are you sure you're with your mother?" Taas-kilay niyang tanong. "From what I saw, I don't think you're with your mother."Kumunot ang aking noo at tumalikod. My eyes landed on the wheel tracks from Peter's motorcycle. Napakurap ako. Mukhang alam ko na kung ano yung iniisip niya."Ah. It's a misunderstanding--""I saw what I saw," putol niya sa sinabi ko. "Papayagan naman kitang gumala pero san
I woke up three hours later. Yup! Kento ended up cooking our dinner. Pagkagising ko ay wala na si Kento. He left a note saying that dinner is ready. Hindi na daw niya ako ginising kasi sobrang himbing daw ng tulog ko. Pagkalabas ko naman ng silid ay nakasarado pa rin yung pintuan sa silid ni Timothee. Mukhang nagpapahinga pa rin siya. I didn't bother to knock at naisipang bumaba nalang muna para kumain. The food was on the table. I opened the lid of the casserole. Agad kong naamoy yung malinamnam na luto ni Kento. Nakangiti kong punagsandok yung sarili saka naupo. I took my first bite and instantly fell in love with the food. Perfect package talaga si Kento. Aside from being a gentleman, he can also cook!Tinapos ko muna yung pagkain bago naghugas ng pinagkainan. Nilabas ko na din muna si Pixie para mapakain. Pinakain ko muna siya ng kanin since wala akong dalang dog food. Habang kumakain yung alaga kong aso ay lumabas muna ako para magpahangin. The cold breeze welcomed me the mome
"Welcome back, Ma'am!" Bati sa akin ng isang kasambahay sa bahay."Salamat po," I smiled at her.Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. Hindi ako sigurado kung sa hitsura ko ba o dahil sa sinabi ko. I am wearing the simple clothes that I used when I was with Timothee. Hindi na kasi ako nakapagbihis. Well, wala naman akong planong magbihis. Magtataka lang yung mga tao sa mansyon ni Timothee kapag uuwi ako na nakasuot ng branded na pananamit."Ano po yun?" I asked. "May nasabi ba ako?"Dali-daling umiling yung maid. "Naninibago lang po," she said.Kumunot yung noo ko. Ate Nena is five years older than me. Hindi ko siya palaging nakikita nuon dito sa bahay kasi nasa trabaho ako at umuuwi siya tuwing gabi."Ang alin?""Ngumingiti na po kayo ngayon," she replied, smiling. "Sana hindi na po mawala yung ngiti niyo sa labi. Mas lalo po kayong gumanda."Unti-unting nawala yung ngiti ko. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi pala talaga ako palangiti. Kahit yun ay napansin ng mga kasambahay namin. Hindi ako
"I thought I saw you," sabi niya. "Anong ginagawa mo dito? And what are you wearing?"Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. I bit my lower lip. Sa lahat ng puntahan niya, bakit pa dito? I didn't expect him to be here! Wala ding sinabi si Dad. I should've thought earlier na business friend ni Dad yung Daddy ng celebrant. Of course Sir Vincent would be here. The possibility of Timothee to attend is high!"Ah. Ano kasi Sir. Kaibigan ko yung maid ng celebrant. Oo. She invited me," palusot ko.Lame, I know. Pero wala na akong maisip na magandang palusot. "But look at you," turo niya sa sarili ko. "You look different!"Sinipat ko yung suot ko. "Hindi po ba bagay sa akin?""I didn't say that. I can't believe that a maid like you could look like that," sabi niya.I frowned at his statement. "Are you insulting me?"He smirked and said something else. "Saan ka nakahanap ng pambayad para magpaganda?""Malaki po yung sahod na binigay ng Daddy niyo sa akin. Bakit po? Wala na ba akong karapata
I finally saw who the birthday celebrant is. Sure, she's pretty, tall and looks rich. Masasabi mo talaga na marangya yung buhay nila. Although she's not familiar. Hindi ko kasi tipo yung kilalanin ang mga anak ng kaibigan ni Dad. I mean, am I even a daughter to begin with. Yes. I have a father pero hindi naman tumayong ama. After the ceremony, we finally had our dinner. To be honest, ito lang naman ang hinintay ko dito. Ang kumain. Hindi naman ako patay-gutom but eating something that's free is more delicious than buying it with your money. Mas masarap talaga yung libre.As I was eating, I felt Timothee's stares. Hindi ko ito pinansin kasi baka sabihin namang nagfi-feeling ako. I'm not in the mood to bicker kaya pinabayaan ko nalang."I'd like to raise a toast to my daughter," said the father of the debutant as he raise his glass. "And to her fiancé, Edward Reyes!"Everyone started gasping. Nanlaki ang mata ng lahat habang nakangiti naman yung lalaking nakatayo sa gitna. Unti-unting
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. I was surprised by his question. Sobrang random nito at hindi ko magets kung bakit niya ito tinanong sa akin."Bakit niyo po naitanong?" I asked, trying not to sound rude.Tumaas ang magkabila niyang balikat bago niya ako sinagot. "You seem close."Napa-ah nalang ako at tumango. "Okay lang na pag-usapan natin 'to?""Why not? Magkaibigan naman tayo, diba?" He asked.I nodded which he responded with a small smile."You like him?" He asked again.I bit my lower lip and nodded. "I have a small crush on him. I mean, it's not that serious--""Stop," putol niya sa akin.Kumunot ang aking noo. "Huh?""Stop feeling whatever you are feeling," he warned me."Bakit, Sir?""Hindi mo pa kilala si Kento. You just met him lately at nahulog ka na agad," he said."Kita ko naman na mabait siya. He's sweet, hardworking, and kind. Bonus na siguro yung pagkapogi at pagkamayaman niya," I replied. "What's not to like?""Basta. Tigilan mo na hanggang crush pa 'yang nararamdaman mo,"
"Anong sabi mo? I'm your fiancé?" Timothee asked in the middle of me dragging him outside.Hindi ko siya pinansin kasi alam ko naman na lasing na siya. Sinigurado ko talaga na hindi siya magkakaroon ng sugat habang sumusingit sa mga tao. He's a model and I need to protect that. Nang makalabas na kami ay saka ko na siya binitawan."Magta-taxi nalang po tayo, sir. We can't wait for your driver. Baka dadagsa fans niyo," I said as I look around for a taxi."Fans? Who said I have fans?" He asked.I turned to him and caught him smiling playfully. Napairap nalang ako. Mas nagiging annoying siya na nakainom. Unfortunately, ako pa yung kasama niya ngayon. Malas talaga.Pumara na ako ng taxi at agad kong pinapasok si Timothee before anyone could recognize him. Buti nalang at masunurin siya. I sat beside him and told the driver Timothee's address."Bakit ikaw yung kasama ko?" Tanong niya sa akin. I face him and he's looking at me as if he's confused. "I'm your maid and I should be. Saka sabi m
"Happy Birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday our Ava~ Happy Birthday to you!"Everyone clapped their hands after I blew the candle. It's my 25th birthday at kasama mo ang buong pamilya. Sina Daddy, Mommy, Tito Diego, Peter, and Sofia. Kasama ko din si Timothee, his Dad Tito Vincent and her mother, Manang Abby. Nasa isang beach resort kami at sinadya kong dito kami kasi naaalala ko na nangako ako sa sarili na dalhin si Manang Abby dito as this is one of her dreams.After Timothee told the world about our relationship, the media keeps on tailing me. I became one of the most recent searches in the country. Inuungkat nila yung buhay ko later found out that I am a businessman's daughter. Nalaman din nila yung clothing line ko. Akala ko ib-boycott nila business ko pero sa katunayan mas marami pa akong naging customers.It was hard for the people to accept the fact that Timothee is courting me. Pati 'yung company na naghandle kay Timothee ay hindi inaa
Timothee and I stayed inside their hotel room. Hindi pa kasi bumalik si Kento and Timothee insisted for me to stay. I couldn't say no matapos niyang sabihin na magc-cuddle kami. It's something that I need right now. Nakayakap ako sa kanya habang siya naman ay nilalaro ang buhok ko habang nakahiga. "Ava," he called."Yes?""I've been meaning to tell you something," sabi niya.Kumunot 'yung noo ko at nilingon siya. "Ano 'yun?""Ano kasi. I don't want to keep secrets from you and I am getting more guilty as time goes by," he said.Nagsimula na akong kabahan. Is it something that would upset me? Kaya ko bang magalit kay Timothee? He's the only person I have left and when I feel betrayed by him, kanina nalang ako tatakbo? Sino ang natira para sa akin?"Say it."He sighed. "I'm sorry but I've been in contact with your parents."Napakurap ako. "Since when?""Since yesterday," kamot niya sa ulo. "They know where we are. Alam nila na sa akin ka lalapit. Your Dad knows kasi na nililigawan kita
Lumapit ako sa kanya at ganun pa rin 'yung tingin niya sa akin. I decided to get a lipstick that would look natural on his lips. I took a brush para sana lagyan siya ng lipstick sa labi pero umiwas siya.I sighed. "Timothee...""Anong pinag-uusapan niyo ni Kento? Did your little crush on him came back now that you see him after a long time?" Tanong niya.Hindi nga ako nagkakamali. Nagseselos nga siya. I saw it coming."Hindi," iling ko. "I was apologizing for fooling him as well.""Bakit siya nakangiti sa'yo?""Turns out alam na niyang nagpapanggap lang ako noon pa," iling ko. "Now I understand why he's always been so understanding to me before.""Psh. Mas understanding pa ako," he whispered but I heard him anyway.I smiled. "So, can I put on your lipstick now?"Umiling siya. "Doon ka sa Kento mo.""Timothee naman. Let's not fight, okay? Maraming naghihintay sa'yo," I said.Hindi siya sumagot. His face is facing on the other side as if ignoring everything that I just said. Alam ko nam
"Ava," I heard someone calling my name softly.Hindi ko pinansin ang boses na 'yun. I am sleeping comfortably in a soft bed. Dala siguro sa pagod kaya ako nakatulog agad. I remember after dinner, I felt so sleepy that I instantly fell asleep the moment I closed my eyes.After kong pinakilala kay Rosie and sarili ko, in a harsh way, Tito Vincent told us to eat instead of roasting each other. Of course nag-sorry naman ako agad. Ang bastos kaya nun sa harap ni Tito Vincent. Hindi na siguro kami magkakabati ni Rosie. Hindi naman din akong umasa na magustuhan niya ako. Well, kung ano 'yung ipapakita niya sa akin edi yun din ang ipapakita ko sa kanya."Ava," I heard it again.I groaned and turn to the side, away from the voice. Ayoko munang bumangon. Nagulat nalang ako nang may malambot na bagay na dumampi sa labi ko. Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata at doon ko nakita si Timothee na nakangisi."Halik lang pala ang makakagising sa iyo," he said.Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at napaatras habang
"Paano ko malalaman kung nagsasabi ka nga ng totoo? Nakita ko kung paano umiyak si Timothee. Hindi ko akalaing makikita ko siya nang ganun," Manang said as tears started forming in her eyes. "Kung pwede ko lang akuin ang sakit na nararamdaman niya ay ginawa ko na.""I'm sorry," yuko ko.Hindi ko na alam kung ano 'yung sasabihin. Saying sorry was what I think is the best thing to say. "Bakit ka sa akin nagso-sorry?"Huminga ako nang malalim. "Kasi alam kong nasaktan ka din na makitang ganun si Timothee." I paused. "Timothee and I settled our differences. Okay na po kami ngayon. We promised to be honest from now on at hindi ko na po siya sasaktan."She sighed. "Nakita ko kung gaano kalaki ang mga ngiti niya kamakailan. Siguro dahil din sa'yo," she said, looking at me. "Kapag narinig kong sinaksaktan mo ulit siya, huwag kang magpapakita sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magagawa ko sa'yo."Bahagya akong yumuko. "Hinding-hindi na po 'yun mangyayari."She stared at me one last time befo
"Okay lang talaga?" I asked Timothee as I parked my car in front of their mansion.Sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi ko alam kung paano haharapin sina Mommy. After everything I knew, hindi ko na alam kung paano sila tratuhin. I'm scared of avoiding them kasi ayaw ko din silang saktan. Timothee told me that I can stay in their house. I was hesitant syempre. How can I come back in that house matapos ko siyang lokohin sa ilang buwan kong pananatili doon. It would remind me of everything I've done."Ava, I thought that we left the past behind us?" He faced me."I'm sorry. I still feel ashamed of what I did.""Stop it," seryosong sabi niya. "Let's not talk about it, okay? Tapos na 'yun Ava. I forgave you already."I nodded. "Okay."Pumasok na kami ni Timothee sa loob ng mansyon at halos walang pinagbago. Nandun pa rin 'yung mga bulaklak na minsan kong dinidiligan araw-araw. The front lawn is still as wide as ever. I bit my lower lip as we get closer to the entrance. Nakakakaba. Alam ko naman na
I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. Timothee was stunned as I am."Sige 'yan!" Sigaw nung photographer. "Kiss her Timothee!"I bit my lower lip as tears continued crawling down my cheeks. Nanghihina na ang mga tuhod ko. Timothee immediately pulled himself off."What are you doing?!" He asked his partner."What? 'Yun ang gusto nila. Isn't it our job to do what the client wants," sagot nung babae."Timothee ano ba?!" Sigaw nung photographer. "We almost got the shot. What is wrong with you?!" He paused and faced the woman behind me which I assumed as the client. "I'm really sorry about that. I will make sure that we give you the shot that you want.""You better. Ano bang nangyari kay Chandler?" Tanong nung babae. "It's your job to model."Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Timothee and as if on cue, our eyes met. Nanlaki ang kanyang mata and all I could do was to smile forcefully with tears in my eyes."Ava," he mouthed.Umiling ako at tumalikod. I walked away kasi alam kong Timothe
"I have a shoot today."'Yan ang huli kong narinig mula kay Timothee. Pagkagising ko pa lang ay siya na agad ang hinahanap ko. The reason? Hindi ko din alam. I called him the moment I woke up. Ilang rings pa bago niya sinagot 'yung phone. Base sa boses niya ay parang nagmamadali. He said may shoot siya ngayon. I sometimes forget that he's a model.Napag-isipan ko na surpresahin siya. Alam ko naman kung saan sa kadalasang nagsho-shoot kaya hindi na ako mababaliw kakahanap sa kanya. Agad akong bumangon at dumiretso sa banyo. I took a bath and then brush my teeth. Matapos kong magbihis ay dumiretso ako sa baba kung saan naabutan ko sina Mommy at Daddy na nag-uusap sa kusina. Kumunot 'yung noo ko. Bakit silang dalawa lang? Natutulog pa kaya sina Tito Diego.Out of curiosity, sumilip ako at pinakinggan ang kanilang pinag-usapan. It was suspiscious enough that they are talking privately."I'm sorry about what happened last night, Adam. Nadulas ako. Excited lang ako na makita si Timothee.
I bit my lip as I dialed Timothee's number. Alam kong magugulat siya o maguguluhan kapag sinabi kong dito nalang siya maghapunan. Hindi naman nagtagal ay sinagot na ni Timothee yung tawag."What took you so long to call me?" Bungad niya.Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon alam kong nakanguso siya."Unexpected things happen," I smiled kahit hindi naman niya kita."Nakausap mo na Daddy mo?" Tanong niya. "Is everything okay?"Umiling ako. "Hindi. Hindi ko nakausap si Daddy." I paused. "Ano, Timothee. Kumain ka na ba?""Hindi pa ako kumain. Bababa na sana para kumain," he chuckled. "Concern ka sa akin no?""Sira!" I giggled. "I'm inviting you kase. Dito ka na kumain."There was a long pause. Paniguradong naguguluhan siya sa biglaan kong pagkasabi. If he'd ask me the same, panigurdong maguguluhan din ako."What's the occassion?" Tanong niya.I sighed. "Gusto kang makilala nina Mommy. Dad told them that I had a date with you kaya ganun nalang sila ka-curious sa'yo."I'm gonna meet your fam