Take Me to My Funeral

33: Around The Lake

"Are you serious, Shiekah?"

Tumango ito. "Yes! I am really, really serious! Halika na, sumabay ka na sa aming mag-dinner ni Mama."

Sheika will not leave Wross' car until he is not going with her. He is being dragged out of his car by her. Hindi mawari ni Wross kung bakit ganoon-ganoon na lang ang kabang nadarama niya. They'll be having a dinner with her mother, that's all, yet why does it bother him so much?

"You said, you ate together rarely because she's busy. Baka mamaya makagulo pa ako sa bonding ninyo?" nag-aalangang alibi ni Wross.

"Please, Wross! Mama wants to meet and to get to know you too. Huwag ka nang tumanggi," pagpupumilit ni Sheika.

Wross threw his head back and sighed. Wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang sumabay sa mga ito na mag-dinner. Kahit pa tumanggi siya kung ganoon siya kung pilitin ni Sheika ay wala na siyang ibang choice kung hindi ang pagbigyan ito. Isa pang inaalala niya na wala man lang itong dala upang ibigay sa ina nito dahil biglaan din ang lahat. He just didn't expect his night would be as surprising as this.

Sheika excitedly held his hand as they walked inside their house. Pagbukas nila ng pinto ay sumalubong agad kay Wross ang ina nito na naka-apron pa at halos katatapos lang maghain ng mga pagkain sa mesa. May dala pa itong mga plato at tila ba pinaghandaan nila ang pagbisita ni Wross at siya nama'y walang kaalam-alam.

"Hi Wross!" pagbati nito saka inilapag ang bitbit na mga plato sa mesa saka siya binalikan nito.

Dumadagundong ang puso ni Wross sa sobrang kaba. Paano niya ba pakikitunguhan ang ina ni Sheika? Naiisip niya pa lang ay parang nagiging stiff na ang mga kilos niya. He just can't loose himself and be casual. How was he able to act normally? Naroroon na siya at wala nang magagawa upang tumanggi... he can't go back anymore.

"G-good evening... Mrs. Tuazon," Wross greeted her back, stuttering.

Why the heck am I feeling this way right now? Ikinatatakot ni Wross na baka mag-nervous breakdown siya sa kalagitnaan ng hapunan kasama ang mga it. He doesn't want it to happen, he just takes a deep breath, composes himself up, and act normally as if everything is fine... he's just exaggerating things.

Bakit ba ganoon na lang ang kabang kanyang nadarama?

"Halika na kayong dalawa. Umupo na kayo rito. Let's have dinner," alok nito at ngumiti sa gilid niya si Sheika na kanina pa nahahalata na hindi siya komportable.

She took his hand. "Hey, relax. It's just my mother. You look so stiff and not like you... just loosen up," she told him, shaking her hands.

Wross gave her a light smile and nodded.

Nang magtungo sila sa dining area ay masasarap na mga pagkain ang nakahain sa mesa ang nadatnan nila. Tila pangtatlo hanggang limang tao ang serving.

Naupo na sila at mabuti na lang ay magkatabi sila ni Sheika habang nasa harapan nila ang ina nito na abala sa paglalagay ng soup sa bowl. Kanina pa nahahalata ni Sheika na hindi talaga komportable si Wross lalo na't napilit lang itong sumama sa kanya. She then gently caressed the back of his hand while holding it beneath the table to make him feel at ease. Kahit man lang doon ay matulungan siya nito.

Sheika kept whispering in his ear that everything would be fine if he just acted casually. Sinabi rin nito sa kanya na tatlo lang silang sabay-sabay na maghahapunan at wala nang inaasahan pang ibang bisita.

Sa kabila ng kabang nararamdaman ni Wross, nang makita niya ang mga nakahain sa harap nila ay hindi niya maiwasang matakam. Halos lahat ay masasarap. Quinoa chicken salad, spring pasta with salmon, grilled sausages, and black bean soup are all available on the table. Mayroong ding sweet side dishes doon at tangerine juice.