Kabanata 54
Lauren's Room
"Shall we start our late lunch?" itinuro ni Johansson sakanila ang papuntang dining area nang bigla akong hinila ni Ate Xena
"I think our parents are okay with this set up, are you?" bulong sa akin ni Ate habang sinusundan sila. Daddy and Tito Adam are asking Johansson some "Dad" stuff while Mommy is carrying Lauren and Tita Regina on their side.
Ang amo sa mukha ni Tita Regina ngayon ay hindi parin nagpapawala ng kaba ko, tahimik lang siya na pinagmamasdan si Lauren kahit na nasa hapag na. Lumipat ang tingin niya sa akin at tumikhim, mabuti na lang at nakaiwas agad ako ng tingin at may inutos kay Manang.
"Mommy, are they all gonna stay here with us?" napakagat ako ng labi sa inosenteng anak ko. Tumingin ako kay Johansson para humingi ng tulong.
"We are here to visit, apo. To finally meet you." si Tito Adam
"If you're also our Lolo and Lola then why are you not with us in France?"
Bakit ang talino mo, anak? Nakakainis na.
Nagkatinginan ang mga matatanda. I leaned towards her to whisper, enough for them to hear it also.
"They are also busy like Daddy here in the Philippines, they have to work suuuper hard to provide our needs." mukhang naging kuntento na si Lauren sa sagot ko dahil yun lagi ang sinasabi ko sakanya tuwing magtatanong siya about sakanyang Daddy.
"And since you are finally here in the Philippines, we can spend time together." si Tito Adam
"Our place has lots of butterflies and flowers." nakuha ni Tita Regina ang atensyon ni Lauren. Now all of her attention was on her and not on her food, I don't complain though. She really love pretty things like rainbows, butterflies and princess stuff.
"Do you have paplio ulys in your garden?"
"Papilio ulysses, darling. And yes, we have." She smiled to Lauren. She clapped and looked at me, mukhang alam ko na ang susunod na sasabihin niya.
"Can we visit Lola's house, Mommy? Please?"
"Call me, Mimi, darling. I just look like your mommy's big sister." she grinned and they all laughed. I then figured out that everyone is fine with this. I should be fine also, right?
"Ang talino ng bata, Shayne. She knows different species of butterflies!" Puna ni Tita Regina nang matapos na sa pagkain at lahat ay papunta na sa pool area.
"We were quiet impress of her intelligence. She's very interested in science at an age of two!" pumalakpak pa si Mommy na tuwang-tuwa para sa apo.
"Ah yes po Tita Regina, I want to expand her learning capabilities at a young age." kita ang buong atensyon ni Tita Regina sa mga impormasyong binibigay namin tungkol kay Lauren. She then look at her granddaughter in awe and as if she wants to go to her and hug her.
Pagkatapos kumain ay nag-unahan ang dalawa umalis sakanilang upuan at ti-nour ni Lauren si Dior sa kanyang kwarto habang kami namang matatanda ay lumabas ng balcony.
The outside is quiet big than I expected, hindi ko alam na pwedeng maging ganito ang labas ng penthouse. It has a private pool and jacuzzi na overlooking ang buong syudad, there's a big patio that can accommodate eight persons.
Napaisip ako, mag-isa lang siya dito sa sobrang laking penthouse na 'to? Hindi ba... malungkot? I have Ate Xena or my friends to accompany me even before. Only child siya and have limited friends so it must be really lonely for him.
Parang may humawak sa puso ko habang tinitignan si Johansson na kausap ngayon si Kuya Carreon. I am really guilty for hiding Lauren from him, wala naman siyang ginawa para maranasan 'to pero iyon padin ang ginawa ko.
