Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Breaking the Rocks

"It's settled then, Hija. I'll come here Monday, Wednesday and Saturday every morning and you'll go to work in the afternoon. I hope there isn't a problem in your work. Kung mayroon man, please let me know right away." Sinundan ko ng tingin ang mga kamay ng Mama ni Exodus sa mesa habang nakapatong iyon. Her perfectly manicured nails tell me that she goes to a salon often to design and coat them perfectly.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kaniyang mukha. Her eyes were waiting for me to stay something. Ah, naalala kong may itinatanong pala siya sa akin.

"I'm still not sure about this, Mama. I'd still have to talk to my boss about this. But this will be the initial plan, if ever." Alanganin akong ngumiti sa mga sandaling iyon. I was quite nervous, to tell honestly. Sa loob-loob ko naman, hindi ko dapat katakutan ang babaeng ito. I mean, what harm can she do to me? Except that I think she wants me to stay away from her son and their family.

"Oh, Hija. It's fine. Tell me right away. You can ask Exodus for my number. I'm sure he'll give it to you." Ngumiti siya sa akin. Her perfect lashes moved a bit as she blinked at me.

Kumurap ako para siguraduhin kung tama ba ang nakikita ko. I don't know if this is a part of her act but she's doing it perfectly. Parang pinapakita niya sa akin na tanggap niya na ako para sa anak.

She stood up signalling that our plan is done for this household. Nanatili akong nakaupo at nakamasid lamang. Gusto ko siyang basahin but I can't seem to do it lalo pa at hindi ko naman siya gaanong kilala.

I sighed. I guess I just have to do what she wants in order to know what she's planning.

Kinagabihan ay kinausap ko si Rye tungkol doon. He said that I just needed to report to work when I am needed. Pinuri niya ang kasipagan ko dahil palagi akong nandoon sa site kahit na hindi naman sobrang kailangan. I can still do my work at home since mostly kapag nasa site, nasa office pa rin naman ako. I can still work overnight.

Nang sumunod na Lunes ay maaga pa sa bahay ang Mama ni Exodus. Maaga naman kami laging nagigising ni Exodus dahil pareho naman kaming may trabaho. Siya rito sa bahay at ako sa site. Siya ang taga-hatid ko kaya wala rin siyang choice kung hindi ang ihatid ako sa site bago niya pa simulan ang trabaho.

We had breakfast together with Exodus' mother. Nasanay akong simple lang ang ulam namin kapag umagahan at hindi ko naman napaghandaan ang pagdating niya kaya hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi kung ang tingin niya sa aming pagkain sa hapag ngayon ay parang nagtitipid kami.

She didn't comment on it. Kumain lang din naman siya ng inihanda ko dahil ako ang nagluto ng umagahan namin.

When we were done eating, Exodus excused himself because he will have an early meeting at his office. Naiwan ako kasama ang Mama niya sa dining area. Tapos na ako at hinihintay na lamang na umalis ito dahil tapos naman siyang kumain.

"Maghuhugas ka ba ng pinggan?" she asked me when she noticed that I was waiting.

"Opo." Tumango ako. She curtly nodded before pushing the plate aside.

"Then, we'll start here. Ligpitin mo ang mga plato at samahan mo ako sa kusina," utos niya na siyang agaran ko rin namang sinunod. I went to grab our plates. Walang tira ang mga plato kaya hindi na kailangang ipunin ko ang mga natitirang kanina. Surprisingly, her plate was clean like it hadn't been used. Kahit simple ang ulam namin ay naubos niya pa rin.

Maingat kong inisa-isa ang pagpatong sa mga plato para hindi makagawa ng gulo. Good thing my hands weren't shaking even though I can feel her dagger-like stares as if one wrong move, I'll be punished.