Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)

20

"Pasado na ba?" Kuya Maddox asked excitedly.

One can know that the oyster is definitely fresh even though it's smoked and I can taste the tanginess of lemon. It's unique and refreshing.

"So good, Kuya Maddox…"

I thought I saw a flicker of light on Kuya Maddox's face after I said that. Tumalikod siya at agad bumalik sa niluto.

I've learned that Emma will stay in the mansion for the next few days. Naging abala sila ni Kuya Maddox para sa bubuksan na business nito.

I am also shocked as Kuya Maddox announced that he will go to Manila again and this time with Emma.

"Malapit na ba, Dox? Just tell me if you need anything. That's going to be a stressful week," si Tito.

I chew on my food silently as we're having dinner. Kanina ay pangiti-ngiti pa ako at tumitingin sa mga kasalo pero ngayon ay nayuko na.

I just felt… sad.

The house is huge. Kung kami na lang ang maiiwan dito ay para kaming aalog-alog. Bihirang magkita at magkausap.

But isn't that what the past few years were? What changed?

I pouted a bit. Maybe I just got used to having someone to talk to or bother with. Si Kuya Maddox ay matiyaga akong harapin.

Si Manang ay hindi maabala minsan dahil sa ginagawa. Ganoon din naman si Kuya Obeng na laging umaalis dahil nauutusan at kasama kung saan.

Tita grew fond of her bed and sleeping. Minsan na lang din kaming magharap.

"Narinig kong kinausap si Ma'am ni Dox, e. Noong nagkatampuhan kayo. Sinermunan na naman ni Dox na huwag ka na ngang kulitin pa," Manang said to me one time.

Nagtataka kasi ako dahil mukhang iniiwasan ako ni Tita noon. That answered it. Kaya siguro matiyaga si Kuya Maddox sa akin dahil baka maburyong na ako rito sa bahay.

"I think we can handle it, Tito. Dox is very good at it. Hands-on. And with his experience and business abroad? Just out of everyone's league."

"Mabuti na lang ay naisipan mo nga na rito rin mag-venture, Dox. Only if you did that in the first place after what happened to Miki…"

"Mom."

Umangat ang tingin ko kay Tita.

"I'm just saying," kibit-balikat ni Tita pero halatang naluluha na.

Maliit akong lumabi. I stopped and straightened my posture when I saw Kuya Maddox stealing a glance. Parang sinasabihan ako na huwag na naman maawa kay Tita.

"Sabihan mo na lang kami agad kung luluwas na kami ro'n. Or maybe we can stay with you? Ipalilinis ko na ang bahay ro'n."

"You can go ahead, Chona. Si Achie rin ba ay gusto na rin do'n? Susunod na lang ako kapag natapos ang hinihintay kong isang deal dito," si Tito naman.

"Achie, what can you say?"

Napalunok ako at umawang ang bibig. Narinig ko ang pulso dahil sa akin sila nakatingin ngayon. This is so sudden. Hindi ko rin alam na kasama ako ro'n.

"May aayusin ka pa ba sa school? You can go with us," panghihikayat ni Kuya Maddox.

Halos manginig akong ngumiti. "Naghihintay pa kami ng announcement, Kuya Maddox, uh… about our graduation and some requirements. Uuwi po muna ako kay Mama kung matuloy po kayo, Tita…"

"No! That's a no no," iling agad ni Tita. "Sabay-sabay na lang kaming pupunta, Dox. Sa grand opening. Please, I remember the hustle too in Manila. Dito na lang muna kami at payapa…"

My stomach dropped about the topic at the dining table. Dahil hindi naman ako agad makakatulog ay pumuslit ako at nakitulong sa kusina.

I found some of our Ates cleaning. Kahit binabawalan ay tumulong ako sa pagliligpit. Kasalukuyan akong nagpupunas ng mga plato noong pumapasok din si Kuya Maddox do'n.

Nagkatinginan kami at agad siyang ngumiti. Dumiretso sa ref at may kinuha at nilapag malapit sa akin.

"Look at what I made," pagpapangaya niya.

He's holding a watermelon but not the normal one. Wala na ang nagsisilbing takip. Inside the watermelon were various fruits making it more alive in colors. They're frozen in place because of what seems like a white gelatin. Making them look like floating around.

"Hiwain ko ba? Or you can scoop it," agad siyang naglahad ng kutsara sa akin.

"It's not very hygienic to just scoop it."

"Sa'yo naman ito."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I almost snorted. "Hindi ko mauubos iyan, Kuya Maddox."

"I heard you love fruits. Lahat ito paborito mo," turo niya at silip.

There are slices of muscats, pineapples, mango, berries, and honeydew. The watermelon itself is on the top of my list.

"I'll make slices. Bibigyan ko rin sila Manang. At ikaw rin."

"But this is yours. Gagawan ko rin sila."

"Ang dami niyan, Kuya," bahagya akong natawa hanggang sa may dumapo sa isip. "Am I supposed to eat that for a week?"

Halos isang linggo raw sila ro'n sa Manila. Kaya siguro akin lahat iyang ginawa na iyan.

Tumagilid ang ulo ni Kuya Maddox at napatingin na lang sa pinapangaya niya.

"Or you can come with us. Para hindi ka mabagot dito, Achie. I'll tour you around."

Marahan akong umiling kay Kuya Maddox. Napag-usapan na iyon kanina sa lamesa. 

"We'll be fine here. Abala ka dapat do'n sa ginagawa niyo ni Emma. I shouldn't be a bother. Okay lang kami rito."

"A bother? Achie? Never a bother."

Tumango-tango ako. Balak kong abutin ang hawak niya pero nilayo niya sa akin. He walked past me and got a knife and placed the fruit on a cutting board.

"Okay. I'll slice it up. Sumama ka kina Mom sa grand opening. You should be there."

Nagtahi ang bibig ko at tango na lang ang naisagot. I watched him make slices out of the jello. Ang ingay lang na maririnig ay ang pagtama ng kutsilyo sa cutting board.

I decided to go near him. Kumuha ako sa mga nahiwa na. I bite it like a sliced watermelon. The jelly's soft but the fruits inside are crunchy and sweet.

Namilog bahagya ang mga mata ko. This is so good and my type. Lahat pa ay paborito ko at nakakatuwang kainin.

Surely, a smile slipped off my lips. I glance at Kuya Maddox wide-eyed and amazed.

"Parang ang hirap ipamigay nito, Kuya Maddox."

That earned him a laugh. "Ayaw mo pa, e. Gagawan ko na sila para wala kang kahati rito, Achie."