Villaverde Brothers Series 1: Taming the Ruthless✓

Chapter Twenty-three

"Fuck these onions for making me cry, tita!" I said exaggeratedly while blinking my eyes.

I heard her laugh. My eyes are still close. Nandito kami sa kusina ngayon at nagpapaturo ako kay Tita Meryll magluto. I said it's for her son. Hindi pa nila alam na kami na. I also don't know if they are aware that Cai and I are sleeping in the same bed.

Masyado kasi silang busy at minsan na lang talaga kami magkita rito sa bahay, tuwing umaga na lang at hindi pa gaano nakakapag-usap dahil nagmamadali sa pagpasok sa trabaho.

We're planning to inform them about our relationship in Cai's birthday. As per his brothers, I don't know if they know about it, too. Gusto lang namin maging official na rin sa kanila para in case na makita man nila kaming sweet kung saan-saan, hindi na sila magtataka.

"I told you, you could've ordered someone to cook for Cai then bring it to him. Pinahihirapan mo pa sarili mo," ani tita.

"Pero gusto ko ako magluluto, tita. Minsan na nga lang mag-effort, e."

Inayos ko na ang mga sangkap at hinanda na ang kawali. I'll cook adobo. Sa tingin ko kasi madali lang naman siya. Mag-uumpisa muna sa mga madadaling lutuin para matuto ako. Dapat wife material na ako bago niya ako maging wife.

"My son is too lucky to have you . . ." she said while she watched me put the onions on the hot oil. "And I am very thankful that you're still not giving up on him even if he's been so rude towards you."

"I love him, tita."

"You do. I can see it."

I sighed. Gusto ko nang sabihin kay tita but I also promised to Cai that we will say it together.

Nilagay ko na ang baboy katulad nang sinabi niya kanina at hinayaan na munang magisa.

I sat on the stool bar beside her. We're silent for a few minutes but I don't feel any awkwardness with her. In fact, it feels comforting to be beside the mother of the man I love. I'm also thankful to be accepted by her, that she likes me for her son.

"What about your friend Kylei? Jai often tells me about her. Mukhang patay na patay ang anak ko sa kaniya. Well, I can't blame him. Kylei is really pretty. Bold and looking fearless. Mukha ring mabait. Jai also told me that she's smart. That's the kind of girl I like for my three sons."

"So, why do you like me, tita? Why me if I don't have any of that?" I laughed. "Charot lang po! Wala po akong alam tungkol sa kanila but I can see that they're comfortable with each other."

"What about the two that are soon to be married?" she asked, pertaining to Raya and Zairus.

I shrugged. "They're silent po. Kung wala akong alam kina Jai, mas wala akong alam tungkol sa kanila. I don't know if they really want to be married."

"If they don't want it, we're not going to continue it. I don't want to put them in a situation where they're not happy. Puwede naman nila sabihin sa akin na ayaw nila at huwag nang ituloy, what's stopping them?"

"Hindi ko po alam."

She shook her head due to disappointment. Tumayo na lang ako at tiningnan ang niluluto ko. Nilagyan ko na ng ibang sangkap at hinayaan na ulit iyon. Nagkwentuhan pa kami ni tita habang nagluluto ako hanggang sa tulutan na nga 'yong maluto.

She said it was good when she tasted it. That's what I also think but I am not satisfied, kaya naman pinatikim ko sa ibang katulong. Ang sabi nila okay lang naman daw ang lasa.

Pagkatapos kong magluto ay nagpaalam na akong maliligo na. Sa office na lang din ako ni Cai kakain since busog pa naman ako at gusto ko kasabay ko siyang mag-lunch.