Gift.
Standing outside the mansion and waiting for my mother.
"You're not coming?" I tried to hide my disappointment.
I've already told her one week ahead about my recognition. She can't be busy because I've already informed her about this.
I'll receive my medal today, and here I am, fully prepared, waiting for her arrival.
"I'm really sorry,Tammy. I'm dressed up and on my way to fetch you, but something happened to the site....they need me, anak-"
I dropped the call.
Right. Bakit hindi pa ako nasanay?
Maybe I shouldn't come.
Medal lang naman 'yun. As if I will be kicked out if I don't attend.
Mommy can't come too. She flew yesterday to Singapore for her important arrangements with huge company.
"Wala pa siya?"
Nilingon ko si Angelica. Nasa loob siya at ilang hakbang lang ang pagitan namin.
She's wearing the usual blue maid uniform and holding a mop.
Bagsak ang balikat ko.
"She's not coming," sambit ko.
Kita ko ang gulat sa mata niya. She quickly let go of the mop and rushed to me.
Pinunasan niya ang kamay niya. She held me on my shoulders, "Bakit daw?" Bakas parin ng pagkabigla.
Nag kibitbalikat ako," It's okay."
It's just a medal.
"Gusto mo ako nalang ang sumama sa'yo?"
My brows automatically norrowed, pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. I even scanned her from head to toe.
Hindi naman pangit si Angelica, she's beautiful, honestly.
She waited for my response, "Pumayag kana, sayang naman kung hindi ka pupunta, hindi lahat nabibigyan ng medal,"aniya
"At isa pa, kung kapatid kita, sobrang proud ko sa'yo, ang galing mo e."
Umiling nalang ako.
Alam kong binobola lang niya ako.
Hindi ako magaling. Lahat kasi kami may medal.
"Anong susuotin mo?" I gave up.
Angelica can pass as my elder cousin,maputi siya at maganda. Hindi naman siguro nila mahahalata na-
"You'll pretend as my elder cousin," sambit ko.
Tumango siya.
"So, may susuotin ka ba? Baka malate na tayo," ulit kong tanong.
She bit her lip.
"Let's go to Mommy's closet."
We went to Mommy's room. Ako ang pumasok sa loob ng walking closet ni Mommy at hinanapan siya ng pwede niyang suotin.
"Baka magalit si Madame," she concerns.
Nakaupo lang siya sa vanity chair at pinapanood ako.
"Hope this can fit you," sambit ko. Ignoring what she just said.
I pulled a corporate khaki dress. It has a black slim belt.
"Baka mahal 'yan, hindi ko yan kayang bayaran,Tammy," pigil niya.
Umiling ako at inabot sakanya ang dress.
"Sasamahan mo ba ako o hindi?" Humalukipkip ako.
"Faster, malalate na tayo," sambit ko.
