Beautiful Trauma [feat. LeGine]

Nineteen.

One week later...

It was already Don Luis Sy's 80th birthday. The Sy family were gathered in the temple. All of the family members were wearing red.

Don Luis lit some incense sticks and offered prayers and food to the Gods.

"Anak, 80th year ang pinakamahalagang birthday ng isang chinese," Tyrone told Lea in a whispering manner as they stood side by side, "kaya dapat magpasalamat na binigyan pa nila ang angkong ninyo ng mahabang buhay para makasama at masubaybayan tayong lahat. Lalo na ikaw, Lea dahil sigurado akong aabutan pa ng papa ang magiging kasal mo. Bihira sa magulang ang umaabot sa edad na 80, anak. Kaya 'pag mawala ang magulang, ang haligi ng tahanan, para na ring nagiba ang bahay."

Lea just intently listened to her dad as he went on with his pep talk.

When they went out of the temple, Aris and Gail were assisting Don Luis while Lea assisted her ama – Benilda.

"Saan niyo po gusto maglunch, papa?" Tyrone asked.

"E sa bahay na lang siguro. Tutal naman may handaan mamayang gabi for the engagement of Lea and Aris here," Don Luis responded.

Lea and Benilda were behind everyone else. They were the last ones who got out of the temple.

"My darling, Lea, awang-awa ako sa iyo, apo ko. Magpapakasal ka sa lalaking hindi mo naman mahal," Benilda worriedly said.

"Ama, please, 'wag na lang ho kayong maingay," Lea said as Isaiah and Aris approached them.

"Hey, Lei, did you invite Congresswoman Vargas para sa engagement party natin?" Aris asked as he assisted Benilda which the latter refused.

"Don't worry yourself too much about Congresswoman Vargas. If she told you na busy siya, then maybe she is. H'wag na natin kulitin. Hayaan mo na," Lea irritably said.

"Why, Lei? Don't worry, don't worry. I'll just try to invite her again," Aristotle said cooly as Isaiah was there with them.

Isaiah assisted Benilda going to the car instead because she refused Aristotle's assistance.

Suddenly, Lea's phone rang.

"Oh? Who's calling you?" Aris asked as Lea looked at her phone screen.

"Sagutin mo na shobe then sumunod ka na sa car," Isaiah said.

Lea answered the call. It was Leni who's ringing her.

"Hello." Lea started.

"Hello, Lea. Have you decided yet?" Leni asked.

Lea thought for a moment and kept silent for a while until Aris approached her.

"Lei, let's go," Aris said as he approached.

"I'll see what I can do, ma'am," Lea said then immediately hang up.

After hanging up, Lea walked with Aris to the parking where the rest of the family were.

"Magkita-kita na lang daw tayo sa bahay ha?" Tyrone stated.

"Pa, Ma, can I borrow the car then you guys just hitch a ride with Aris? If okay lang naman," Lea asked.

"Bakit Lei? Where are you going?" Aris asked her.

"To work. I just have to deal with some papers. Urgent lang," Lea said.

"Lea, apo, ako na ang bahala kumausap kay VP Robredo. It's my birthday and your engagement party, make time for family. Family first bago trabaho," Don Luis said.

"But angkong..." Lea protested.

"No buts, Maria Lea Carmen. Ride the car and let's go. Your job can wait," Gail convicted.