𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝐈𝐧 𝑴𝒚 Dʀᴇᴀᴍs

Chapter 8

Not in less than 40 minutes, we arrive at Saldevia's mansion. It feels great to be back here. Although we just stayed here for 3 weeks, somehow I enjoyed my mini-vacation here. I even met a very beautiful angel then that I now want to see.

What does she look like now? I can say that we have become both private and elusive on social media. I hate it when someone takes a picture of me. I do post on Instagram, but rarely, and my account is private.

“Welcome back, Tita! ” Chaarvi greeted me cheerfully as we entered their main door and suddenly pulled me in for a hug, which slightly caught me off guard.

Hugging is not really my thing, if you can say that.

After I recovered from the shock, I let go of her embrace and gave her a small smile.

“Thanks, Vi. You have grown into a beautiful woman... How old are you now, 26?” This kid has grown so fast. Beautiful woman. I even heard that she and her boyfriend have been together for a long time.

No, I'm not trying to be nosy, but ate Amanda told me that. As I said, I don't use social media often because people are too toxic, and I don't want to see people's dramas on the internet.

I saw the girl's cheeks flush before she nodded shyly at me.

She is still shy. I can see.
“And how old are you now, 30?” She said back as if she were making fun of my age, which made my eyes roll.

“Stop there. Now you're making me feel old," I said to her in a snarky tone, but in a joking manner.

“What commusion is this? Welcome back, guys.” Kuya Jaycob greeted us when we reached their living room.

I was about to speak when we heard voices and footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Mom, ano bang meron? And you are in a hurry. Inaantok pa po ak—" I saw the girl's eyes widen. She was now with ate Charmaine who had just arrived, probably from the girl's room. She was looking straight in my direction, as if she'd seen a ghost.

Based on her appearance, she seems to have just woken up. but I will admit that she looks hot from her messy hair and... And wait, is that a bulge?

Holy cow, that's bloody big—wait, why am I staring at there for too long? Gosh! Now I sound like a sicko.

I shook my head at those thoughts and adjusted my posture. I looked again at the face of the girl in front of me and looked straight into her eyes. It seems that she has stiffened in her position, and her cheeks get flushed red.

Hmm.. She looks familiar.

“By the way, this is our youngest daughter, Jay. Say hi to your Tita's, Tito, and your cousins, anak.” I hear ate Charmaine clearing her throat.

All eyes were on her, and they seemed to be waiting for her to speak. She turned pale while her gaze was still on me.

“Hello, nice to finally meet you, Ja—” I thought I'd start the conversation. I extended my hand and was about to shake her hand, but we were shocked when she suddenly fell down.

They immediately picked her up and ate Charmaine motioned for them to take her to her room.

Ate Charmaine has sent us to the guest room, where we will stay. They have many rooms here. Instead of gossiping about how the girl is doing, I just decided to go to the room where I will stay. After I fixed my clothes, we were called to come down to eat.

While we were eating, I noticed Charmion was hurrying downstairs and was about to go out, but her mother called her and motioned for her to come to the dining room.

“You forgot to say goodbye. Where are you going? You seem to be in a hurry,” Her mom's asks her.

“Can I go to Kia's?” She asked her mother for permission.

“Are you not going to eat?” 

“Nagpapasama po kasi si Kia mom. But don't worry, I'll be right back.” 

“Pero kararating lang ng mga tita mo anak, at least eat with us first before you leave—”

“I know mom." She looked embarrassed at us, and she immediately looked away when our eyes met. “Sorry about what happened earlier; that's so embarrassing, but I'm happy to finally meet you, really. I have to go, though. Bye mom, bye guys.” She didn't wait any longer for her mom's response. As if she's really in a hurry.

“Please say hi to your Tita Clio for me," Ate Charmaine shouted after her daughter.

“I will, mom," Charmion shouted back to her mom.

Charmion 

“Grabe ilang araw na lang magpeperform na tayo nakakapagod din pala noh?" Reklamo ng isa sa mga kasama namin na magpeperform sabay salampak sa sahig. 

Nandito kami ngayon sa auditorium at kasalukuyang nagpapahinga katatapos lang kasi naming magpractice ng e ipeperform namin para sa nalalapit na Christmas party. Mahigit isang linggo din kaming nag practice para sa Christmas party performance ng section namin.

“Nakakapagod daw e wala ka ngang ginawa. Tabi nga dyan.” Nagulat ako ng pagalit na tinabig ni Kia si George pagilid tsaka sya padabog na naglakad palayo sa pwesto na pinagpapahingahan namin.

“Teka... Kia, anong nangyari?” Marahan kong hinigit si Kia papunta sa aming classroom tsaka sya pina-upo.

Wala akong nakuhang sagot rito. Kumuha ako ng silya tsaka umupo sa tapat nya.

Hindi na rin ako nagsalita at inantay na lang sya na maging komportable na mag-open up sa'kin.

Dumaan ang ilang segundo nang pananahimik ni Kia sa wakas ay nagsalita na rin ito.

Naluluhang tumingin ito sa'kin, kaya nagmadali akong lapitan ito.

“I hate them!” Iyak nito. Niyakap ko na sya tsaka marahang hinagod yung likod nya. Kahit pa man hindi nya naikukwento sa'kin kung anong problema nya ay mukhang alam ko na kung ano ito.

“They defend Kendra again, over than me.” Pagsusumbong nito.

Sabi na e 😒

Sa twing nag-aaway kasi sila Kiara tsaka si Kendra, mas pinapaburan pa ng mga magulang nila si Kendra, kesa kay Kia kahit na alam naman nila na laging nag-uumpisa ng away si Kendra, but anyway, ayaw kong makialam sa hidwaan nila. Sa bahay ko na nga lang minsan pinapatulog si Kia para iwas gulo na rin ayaw rin kasi magpatalo nitong isa. Parang gusto ko na nga na dun na lang sya tumira sa'min welcome naman sya dun, pero baka ano kasing masabi ng mga parents nya.

“I know it's not ok, but don't mind them na lang. Ok?” Sinusubukan ko syang aluhin kahit sa totoo lang, hindi talaga ako magaling sa mga ganito. I'm trying to think of the right word to say to her to maybe cheer her up. Naramdaman ko ang marahang pagtango nito sa balikat ko.

Sinubukan ko pang mag-isip ng mga pwede kong sabihin na makakapagpagaan ng nararamdaman nya ngayon, and I'm glad it worked.

“Eh baka nagsasawa na sa pagmumukha ko si Mommy Charm.” Natatawang saad nito sa'kin sinabihan ko kasi sya na dun ulit matulog samin.

“Ba't mo naman nasabi yan? Eh kulang na nga lang dun ka na rin nya patirahin.” Pag-aamin ko. Gustong-gusto nila mom na nandun si Kia, mas lalo lang umiingay yung bahay, but I'm happy na nagkakaroon ng bonding si Kia sa pamilya ko. Bagay na hindi nagagawa ng sarili nyang pamilya.

Ewan ko sa mga yun, naiinis ako kapag nakikita ko si Kiara na nalulungkot dahil sa kagagawan ng pamilya nya. Kulang na nga lang sabihin ko kila mom and dad na ampunin na lang si Kia parang tunay na magkapatid naman na talaga ang turingan namin sa isa't-isa.

"HAHA, that's true, but anyway, dinalaw ka ba ulit ni ganda sa panaginip mo?” Pag-iiba nito ng usapan sabay interesadong tumingin ito sa'kin at naghihintay sa sagot ko.

At dahil ayaw nya naman akong tigilan, kaya ayun kinuwento ko na sa kanya yung mga naalala kong nangyari sa panaginip ko pati na rin ang nalalapit na pag-uwi ng iba naming mga kamag-anak galing ibang bansa.