Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

Breaking the Rocks

"Anak! I'm so glad to see you!" I rolled my eyes secretly as I heard that voice. Humigpit ang pagkakahalukipkip ko nang makita na ang ina ni Exodus na agad na niyakap ang anak.

"Nangangayat ka yata? Kumakain ka ba nang maayos?!" she exclaimed, almost in panic. Lumipat ang tingin niya sa akin, parang nang-aakusa pa.

I smiled at her. "Good day, Mama," I greeted with the endearment. Ang sabi sa akin ni Exodus ay pwede ko siyang tawaging gano'n kapag nakarating na kami rito.

Her smile vanished. Humiwalay siya sa anak at agad namang bumalik ang ngiti niya. Ah, how fake naman.

"Hija, I'm glad to see you again. Unlike my son, you're looking good," puna niya at tinitigan ang kabuuan ko. The way her eyes raked me is enough to put me in a hot seat. Pero ako naman si Muriel. Sanay na ako riyan.

I smiled more, showing that I appreciate her half-baked compliment. Nope, it's not even half-baked. Peke talaga iyon.

"Thank you po. You're looking good too, Mama." Diniinan ko ang pagtawag sa kaniya. Her sharp eyes darted on me but her smile never faded.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sinabi kong natatakot ako sa kaniya. Hindi naman siya nakakatakot but Exodus warned me about her and what she could do to ruin us. She's like obsessed with her son that she didn't want to give him away to just any people. Dapat ay pinili niya.

Too bad. Exodus married me.

"You're staying here? For good?" her cheery voice echoed inside the manor. Kahit ang naglilinis na nasa malawak na sala ay napatingin sa amin.

"Yes, Mama. Well, not until Muriel finishes her project here." Sinulyapan ako ni Exodus. Iniwas ko ang tingin at inilipat iyon sa mga kaaya-ayang muwebles ng bahay.

"What project? Is that one of your properties here in Marina?"

"No, it's the Balsameda's. They're building a hotel at the Costa."

I sighed. I ended up accepting the project that Rye offered. May pumalit na project engineer sa project na hina-handle ko. It was easy to transfer the job because I barely even started the project. Tinanggap ko na rin kasi magandang posisyon naman ang matatanggap ko kapag bumalik na kami sa Manila.

We could also go back to Manila from time to time due to Exodus' work. Pero ang sabi niya, kung hindi naman importante ay hindi naman kailangang kasama ako. I want to always go with him. Ayaw kong maiwang mag-isa rito.

Hindi ko masyadong na-enjoy ang pagbisita namin sa manor. Bukod sa puro kwento lang ng Mama ni Exodus ang naririnig ko, mukhang wala rin siyang balak na isama ako sa usapan. It was fine with me because I have no idea of what they're talking about.

"Is there any problem?" untag sa akin ni Exodus habang tinatahak na namin ang daan pauwi sa bahay niya.

"Nothing," I told him.

"Galit ka pa sa akin?" he asked carefully.

"I'm always angry at you." I sighed. Hindi ko siya binalingan ng tingin. I'm not angry. I am just contemplating if it's a good decision to come and live here.

As usual, pumayag na naman ang mga magulang ko. Nandoon pa rin sila sa ibang bansa at nag-extend pa ng gawain. Pinagbigyan ko na kasi matanda na sila. They could already have their time in this world. Hindi naman na ako bata sa paningin nila. They even gave me away for free.

I sighed. My parents were so fascinated of the fact that I will be living with my husband in a far away place. Mom said that I am old enough and that I don't need their permission to something. Parang ganoon naman palagi. My parents let me choose whatever I want to have.