Adi's POV
"Van, nandito ka na pala." Mom popped out at my back to welcome Gio. She clearly looked so excited, bitbit niya pa yung sandok.
"Since when did you call him Van?" I looked at my Mom with squinting eyes. Sinasadya ba nila 'to?
"Mula nung mga bata pa kayo, ikaw lang naman tumatawag sa kaniya ng Gio. Gumilid ka na, Adi. Hinaharangan mo yung pinto."
Gio walked past me and headed straight to our house kasunod ni Mom.
"Feel at home, Van. Hindi naman nabago bahay namin from five years ago saka hindi namin pinabago yung kwarto mo sa tapat ng kwarto ni Denise." Yung totoo sinong anak ni Mom?
"At ikaw naman Denise, inuutusan kita diba. Umakyat ka doon, tingnan mo nga yang damit mo." Napagalitan pa ko, grabe yung change in personality.
My protests were all washed away upon realizing my get up. I'm currently wearing a black camisole and dark brown athletic shorts that expose my legs and arms.
"MOM!" I can feel my cheeks heating up as I run through the stairs trying to reach my room.
"Ano? Bilisan mo na't magluluto pa ako ng caldereta."
I hurriedly fixed myself and changed my clothes into a more presentable one. I also put some lush on and lip gloss to match my red crop top and denim shorts.
"Hurry up and go to the convenience store, malapit na umuwi yung Daddy mo." Mom said while pushing me out the house. Before the door shut, I saw Gio wearing an apron and a small amount of batter reached his cheeks. Mom surely asked him to help in the kitchen just like how things work five years ago.
***
"I'm sorry. I'm late." Dad uttered after hanging his coat on the rack.
"Its fine, Dad. We just finished setting up the table." pagpapagaan ko ng pakiramdam ni Daddy saka nag-mano.
"Good evening, Tito." Magalang na pagbati ni Gio matapos makarating ni Dad sa dining table.
"Van, hijo. Kanina ka pa ba?"
"Hindi naman po." talaga ba, Gio? Six o'clock in the evening ka dumating samantalang 10 o'clock na ngayon.
"Did your Tita give you a hard time while I was away? She didn't ask you to cook, right?"
"It's fine po. I insist." Gio answered Dad with a smile.
"Take your seats now before the dishes turn cold." I took a seat perpendicular to Gio in the rectangular dining table that could accommodate six people.
We utter some prayer to thank Him for the meals presented to us and the chance He gave us so that we could gather for this important day.
"So, how was Germany? Matagal-tagal ka ring nawala sa Pilipinas." I better shut my mouth, family bonding nila 'to. Dad is asking for his son's life progress.
"I've been doing well, Tito. I also saved up a lot; they give a good salary for part timers after all."
"Really? That's good to hear. Mabuti naman at maayos ang kalagayan mo roon pero bakit ka bumalik sa Pilipinas kung maayos ka naman." Oo nga naman, he'll have a great future in Germany.
"May mga kailangan lang po akong ayusin kaya ako bumalik."
"Then you'll come back to Germany after you settle your matters here in the Philippines." inquired by Mom. I could feel a lump on my throat, making it hard for me to breathe.
"Yes po." Saktong nabilaukan ako pagkatapos ng sinabi niya. I received the glass of water presented right at my face and took large gulps.
"Denise mag dahan-dahan ka baka ikamatay mo pa yang katakawan mo. Alam ko namang paborito mo yung lasagna, madami pa sa oven so eat slowly." I looked at my Mom after what she said; she's clearly holding her laughter because of what happened to me. How cruel!
"If you're going back to Germany, would you like to invest in our subsidiary there? It would be good to have stable work; you don't need to worry about your future family's finances." Dad said to Gio, he wants to have the prodigy in our company.
"About that, I may just invest in your company here in the Philippines. I'm just planning to finish my course there and establish my career in the Philippines." Eh? I thought he's going back with Danica.
"I thought you'd stay in Germany, ayaw ba ng mga magulang mo mag-migrate?" Mom just let him be, baka magbago pa isip niya.
"Ayaw po nila, mas gusto nila sa Pilipinas. Isa pa po, I could only feel warmth in my hometown." He smiled at me upon answering my Mom's question kaya napayuko.
"That's good. Ipapakilala kita sa anak ng business partner ko, she's of marriageable age." I made a loud noise after dropping my fork on my plate that made them stop chattering and look at me.
"Denise, okay ka lang? May masakit ba sa'yo?" dad asked with concern. Dad should just stop it; he is clearly doing this on purpose. He knows how much I like Gio. I'm even willing to throw away all my possessions just to find him.
"Hindi, masakit yung puso ko." I mumbled under my breath.
"Speak louder para naririnig namin, how will we know kung may masakit sa'yo?" pag segunda ni Mom.
"May mali po ata sa niluto natin Tita. Gusto mo pa ba ng tubig Adi?" even Gio's voice is full of concern.
"Your phone is lighting up. The call seems important." What a lame excuse!
***
"Do you really need to go Van? You could stay in your room for the night." Pangungulit ni Mommy kay Gio matapos nitong sabihin na may kailangan siyang puntahan.
"Hon, stop that. Van could come back anytime he wants." Dad said.
"I'm really sorry Tita. I'll just come back when the time allows. I really need to tend to her this time." Her? Is it Danica?
"Ow, you have a girlfriend already. Sorry for being insensitive, inalok pa kita ng kasal sa anak ng business partner ko."
"But she's n-" Mom pushed him out the gates matapos malaman na may girlfriend pala na naghihintay sa kaniya.
"Be safe! Aren't you saying goodbye to Van, Denise?" sinasadya mo ba 'to Mom.
"I'm going to my room now, Mom and Dad. It's getting late."
YOU ARE READING
LOVER 1 | Papers and Golds
RomanceLoving Adi, Means having a woman of beauty, She's the heir from the house of the county, Capturing her is the same as taking a substantial duty. Chasing Gio, Means yearning for a man who's willing to die with you, He's known as the heaven's perfect...
