(WRITTEN SERIES #3)
Having their hearts broken after an expected affair, Penny and Clifford unexpectedly found comfort from each other. But as the bond between the two of them deepens, secrets resurface as conflicts wreck havoc to their present. Can...
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PENNY
Two months later...
"PENELOPE, have a taste of your momʼs cooking! Ayaw maniwala na nasobrahan sa alat 'yong luto niya."
Pababa pa lang ako ng hagdan nang umalingawngaw na ang pang-aasar ni Dad kay Mom. Hindi ko naman maiwasang mapangiti habang pinagmamasdan silang nagkukulitan sa dining room.
"Good morning," bati ko sa kanila nang makalapit ako sa pwesto nila at hinalikan sila sa pisngi.
"Wow, Mom. Totoo bang ikaw ang nag-prepare nito?" manghang sabi ko habang tinitingnan ang mga nakahain na pagkain sa lamesa. Mom was beside me wearing an apron, a proud smile plastered on her face.
"Yes, honey! Here, try some." She took a spoonful of the adobong manok at ipinatikim ito sa 'kin. "Nang-aasar lang talaga 'yang dad mo. Masarap 'to, I promise."
Natawa na lang si Dad na nakaupo sa upuang nasa tabi ko nang bigla akong masamid. Agad naman akong inabutan ni Mom ng tubig na dali-dali kong ininom.
"Told you itʼs a little salty," Dad added between his laughter.
I smiled sheepishly at Mom. "Well, itʼs good, just... yeah, Dadʼs right. Itʼs a little salty." I laughed.
"Ay, ganoʼn." Ngumuso lang si Mom at tinikman din ang luto niya. Kapwa kaming natawa ni Dad nang sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya pagkatapos itong tikman.
"Masarap naman siya, Mom. Sadyang nasobrahan ka lang ng konting asin," I said as I sat on the chair next to Dad.
"Sheʼs right, hon." Dad nodded, but I could tell that heʼs teasing her. "Konting asin na galing sa Pacific Ocean level lang."
Inirapan lang siya ni Mom at hinubad ang apron nito. "In my defense, Iʼm still learning," giit niya at taas-noong naupo sa tabi ko.
Napangiti naman ako. Totoo naman. For the past few weeks, todo aral siya kung paano magluto. She wasnʼt that skilled kaya lagi siyang tinutulungan nila Nay Elsa. She said she wanted to prepare nutritious meals for me and Dad, which to be honest, I found really sweet of her.
"By the way, Princess, are you going to stay here in the mansion for the next weekend?" Mom asked when we started eating. Thankfully, tama lang ang lasa ng ibang mga niluto niya. Sadyang minalas lang siya doʼn sa adobo.
I quickly gave her a disgusted look. "Mom! We talked about that name."
"Why? Whatʼs wrong? Itʼs your name?" she asked, but the rising corner of her lips states the obvious.
"Mas tolerable pa 'yong Penelope ni Dad, eh. I sound like a spoiled brat from the 90ʼs whenever you call me 'Princessʼ."
"Oh, I see. I could feel the favoritism." She dramatically rolled her eyes, prompting me to laugh.
