Up Where We Belong

Chapter 24

Impact

"Nasa isang lugar lang kami lumaki ni Stanley. Nang nag-high school na kami, lumipat ang pamilya ko sa ibang lugar kaya naputol ang ugnayan naming dalawa. Years after, we saw each other in law school," Cheryl shared. She paraded past experiences, happy and hilarious ones, they had as children who grew up in the same environment. Nagkwento pa ito kung paanong pinagtagpo ulit sila ni Gab pagkatapos ng ilang taon.

"Oh, I didn't know that, love," ani Dad sabay hawak sa kamay ni Cheryl at marahang hinimas iyon.

I couldn't believe Dad would turn mushy after meeting this woman.

"We became classmates," Gab added.

Nakita kong tumayo si Kuya Terron at sumensyas sa waiter.

Umangat ang isang kilay ko. "So, you're a lawyer?"

Cheryl shook her head. "No, I stopped halfway. I realized I didn't really want to be a lawyer."

"She's a businesswoman, hija. She's a top producer of cosmetic products locally and abroad," sabad ni Dad.

"Oh, you make it sound so big," aniya at tipid na tumawa.

Dad smiled and like a proud man, said, "Because... it is."

Cheryl smiled hesitantly. "Well, it wasn't an overnight success."

"Allure's the name, Tiff. Maybe, you're using her products, too," sabad ni Kuya nang umupo ulit.

"Really?" I sounded indifferent instead of amazed.

Right, I have a set of her products at home. Mamaya mismo itatapon ko ang mga iyon.

Cheryl nodded, smiling. Then, they talked purely about business like it was a normal thing to do. I found out that she worked as a model before launching her own cosmetic line. Marami din itong kilalang artista and some of them are her endorsers, too. She must love the limelight. But, I wonder, how I didn't come to know her before this? Was I too mired in my hang-ups and overly keeping a lowkey life that I didn't get a glimpse of the world around me? Or should I say, wala lang talaga akong hilig sa media.

"And you're getting married, Dad? To her?" hindi ko naiwasang itanong.

"I am... And Cheryl's going to be your stepmom," Dad said coolly. Matiim ang anyo nito.

"Stepmom?" I mocked. "Dad, are you kidding? Didn't expect you'd let someone my age be your wife next to Mom," I laughed bitterly.

"Tiffany," tunog pagbabanta ni Kuya.

Cheryl gaped her mouth as she looked at me, rather surprised at what I said.

"Hey," Gab whispered like he was warning me. "That's over the line."

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyeballs.

"She is, Tiffany Sheen. So, I expect you to be nice to her," mahina ngunit mariing wika ni Dad.

I shook my head and smirked. "I can't promise that."

"Tiffany!" Dad's voice slightly raised.

"Roman," mahinahong agap ni Cheryl. Malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ni Daddy nang hinawakan ni Cheryl ang kanyang kamay. "Let's give your daughter time to process everything. She must have been surprised."

"Cheryl and I are getting married in two weeks," baling niya sa akin at hinilot ang sentido.

Nagtagisan ang mga ngipin ko sa narinig.

"Two weeks?" ulit ko sa huling dalawang salitang sinabi niya. "Did you really think it through, Dad? You barely know this woman," halos duruin ko si Cheryl. "Kailan ba kayo nagkakilala?"