Aeipathy

Chapter 13

Tris

I can't help but to steal glances at Eris. She's really so stunning with her simple green dress that compliments her creamy skin. Bumagay dito. Mas lalong lumutang yung natural na ganda at kulay nito.

Unlike all of the Silvas, Eris is undeniably the simplest. No fancy signature branding of clothes. Not a piece of jewelry to brag her social status. Just a light make up to make her look presentable. A perfume to make me crazier about her own scent. A smile that's lighting up her whole face.

And much as I hate to admit it, I find her simplicity, refreshing. Charming. Utterly alluring.

Every day, she's making me realize how opposite she is from the tons of women I've dated. Not a bit close to them. Not a bit. Maybe that's why she outstand them all.

They aren't as simple as her.

Parang si Mama. Simple lang pero nag-uumapaw yung charm. Something that my other Mother is smitten of.

That thing made me smile out of the blue.

"Tris?"

Tila nagising ako sa pagkakatulala kay Eris nang marinig yung tikhim ni Grandpa.

"Po?"

Napalingon ako sa mga ito. I saw how Mommy chuckled while Mama is frowning even more. Si Grandpa at Grandma naman ay pareho lang nakangiti habang nakatingin sa akin.

Nahuli siguro ako ng mga ito na nakatitig lang kay Eris.

"She's surely in love, Marcus. See those stares and stolen glances? Ganyan na ganyan ka." My grandma commented while suppressing a laugh.

Grandpa proudly smiled as he winks at me. "That's my grandkid, Salina. You know how we melt infront of the woman we love."

Mommy made a snide remarks that made my grandparents laugh whole-heartedly. I am just here, sitting across them as I watch how happy they are. Pati na din yung pasimpleng paghalik ni Mommy sa kamay ni Mama. Parang sinusuyo.

That's so sweet.

It makes me wonder how they fall in love with each other. It's too magical, I bet.

Parang sa pamilya lang namin nangyayari yung mga ganoon. Sa kanila lang. Sa mga magulang ni Mommy at sa mga ito mismo.

Ako kasi ay matagal nang sinukuan iyon. I have long accepted that Elle and I aren't as magical as them. As long as tanggap namin yung flaws ng isa't isa, that's fine.

Until Harrice came back and put me in the position where I have no other choice but to face the consequences of losing my betrothed. Lalo na yung pagkakapasa ng betrothal kay Eris.

Paglingon ko kay Eris ay nakangiti lang ito habang nakatingin din sa pamilya ko. She has a geniune smile as if she's also happy for them for being together.

Nang mapadako yung tingin nito sa akin ay napalis yung ngiti nito. Tumikhim at saka nag-iwas ng tingin.

"As your Grandpa was asking, Tris." untag ni Grandma na tumawag ng atensyon ko. "When are you planning to make this engagement official? Mas mabuti siguro kung bukas na bukas din ay pumunta na tayo sa Isla ng mga Silva. Mukhang hindi na mapagkit yung tingin mo sa nobya mo at gusto mo ng solohin." kantyaw pa nito na ikinangiti ng husto ni Mommy.

"I told you, Mom. Tris is surely beaten off. Hindi na ako magtataka kung sakaling susugurin tayo dito ni Grant para madaliin na makasal yung anak nya dito kay Tris. Look at the way she stares, she can't even keep her eyes off Eris."

"A bedroom gaze indeed." tumawa pa ng malakas si Grandpa. Halatang aliw na aliw. "Good thing Tris isn't one of us. Kung sakaling naging kagaya natin 'tong batang 'to, tiyak na ibabalik yan ng mapapangasawa nya."