Unify Series #3: Verdicts of Yesterday

27

"Nirene Aentice, right?"

Mariin akong lumunok upang alisin ang parang malaking batong nakaharang sa aking lalamunan. I tried to open my mouth to answer the question but I can't even let out a voice. Pinilit kong magsalita pero putangina, para akong natameme. Wala pa rin ako sa sarili ko dahil sa biglaang bungad na ito.

"Yes, Mom. Nirene Aentice Briones. Call her Niae, she prefers that way." Good thing Amanda saved me from the verge of drowning. Nabunutan ako ng kaunting tinik.

I stared to the both of them. A man and a woman. They look so rich big time. Sa damit pa lang na suot nila, sobrang bigatin na. Kung titignan, mukhang ang bata pa nila na nasa 20s. They look so strictly fresh and I can't help but to admire them. May kaiiba sa kanila na hindi ko maunawaan. Seems like they are comfortable to be with but not at the same time.

"Have a seat, babe," Amanda whispered to me. Hindi ko namalayang kanina pa pala ako nakatitig sa mga magulang ni Amanda at ni hindi ko man lang namalayang ginagaya na niya ang upuan sa akin. This is so embarrassing as fuck! May Finnick pa talaga akong karga na panay tahol.

"A-Ah, okay. Sorry. Thank you," wala sa sarili kong sabi. Hindi ko man lang naisip ang mga salitang 'yon at kusa na lamang lumabas sa aking bibig. Amanda pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling in this kind of situation. Subukan lang talaga niyang tumawa, kokotongan ko siya.

Nang maayos na ang lahat, saka ko lang napansin ang mga maids sa gilid na may mga dala nang mga pagkain. They started to put the foods in the table silently, still with respect for us especially for the Vallentino's.

"So," Amanda started as the maids left the garden area. Nakaayos na ang lahat at may mga pagkain na sa plates namin, also wine. Amanda seemed to prepare this well. Medyo nakaiinis lang dahil hindi man lang niya ako sinabihang ngayong araw pala ang dating nila. Naka-uniform pa talaga ako! Tangina neto. "I guess we're all fine? Anyway, again, this is Nirene Aentice, my childhood best friend and soon to be my girlfriend."

Mahina kong sinipa ang paa niya sa ilalim ng mesa dahil sa sinabi niya ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin. She grinned to the Vallentino's that are currently staring at us with their unreadable face. Hindi ko man lang mawari kung masaya ba ang mga itong makilala ako o hindi.

"Nirene, this is Vlianca Vallentino, my mother. And George Vallentino, my father."

I smiled even if I am nervous. "Pleased to meet you, Ma'am Vlianca and Sir George." I bowed my head a little bit. Heck, how awkward this is.

"Vlianca and George will do," said Amanda's mother. Gulat akong napatingin sa kaniya.

"P-Pardon?"

She just smiled, a little smile. "Let's eat."

Fuck.

Gusto ko na lang ipukpok ang sarili ko sa pader. She smiled at me. What the hell? The way they look, para nila akong sinusuri pero bakit parang mababait naman sila? They were like angels that aren't used to interacting with people, and they don't have time to do so.

Good thing I have Amanda with me. She looked at me and smiled. "Don't be too nervous. They are nice, hmm?"

"Yeah, we are," singit naman ni Vlianca. "Your hands were shaking. Calm yourself down, Nirene —"

"Mom! Call her Niae!"

Vlianca then chuckled. "Too possessive, Amara. I love to call her Nirene. Shut yourself."

"Mom, don't call me Amara anymore. I am Amanda, and Nirene is Niae."

Vlianca and George looked at each other, sabay silang napailing sa aming dalawa ngunit napangiti rin sa huli. We started to eat. Tahimik lang ako habang si Amara ay nag-e-entertain sa kanila. Sumasabat lang ako kung kailangan.