Naka-set up ang malalaking round tables sa buong yard. Don Pablo asked us to join his table. Hindi nag-atubiling pumunta si Lola Esmeralda roon at habang naglalakad ay nagawa pang batiin ang mga kakilala. Some faces are familiar—they were right when they said that only the most influential people in Laguna were invited.
Ate Elise clung her arm to our father's and they walked together. Someone from behind cleared his throat and I smiled when Billie offered his arm to me.
"Let's go, Ate," he said gently.
Umupo kami at tanging pagmamasid ang ginawa ko. The elders are now talking about Don Pablo's new farmhouse. As an architect, Lola Esmeralda was very pleased on how it turned out.
"No, it's my gift for Mario. My grandson deserves it after working so hard all these years," ani Don Pablo habang umiinom ng red wine.
Tumikhim si Lola. "Where is he? Haven't seen him yet."
Nabitin sa ere ang kamay ng nasa kanan kong si Ate Elise. Her hand was shaking as she sipped some water to calm herself.
"Ah, he's inside the house. Inaasikaso ang ibang panauhin. Don't worry he'll come out soon," sagot ng Don at napangiti nang naabutan akong nakatingin sa kanya.
"Nasaan ho si Menandro? Matagal-tagal ko nang hindi nakikita ang batang 'yon," ani Daddy.
I felt Billie's gaze on me as I drank the wine until its last drop. Tumawa si Don Pablo at pinunasan ang kanyang bibig bago sumagot.
"Wala pa siya, Gonzalo. But he's on the way now. He has to be here," mariin niyang sinabi.
Nagtiim-bagang ako at huminga ng malalim. I stopped the waiter to get another glass of wine. Napadaing si Lola Esmeralda nang dire-diretso kong nilagok iyon. Maging sina Daddy at Don Pablo ay napahinto sa pag-uusap upang tingnan kung ano ang ipinag-aalburoto ng aking lola.
"My gosh, Hailey! Are you thirsty?" eksaherada niyang saway at inutusan si Billie para humingi ng isang pitsel ng tubig.
Then I heard Ate Elise's soft chuckle, enjoying what she was seeing especially the part where our grandmother lost her cool.
Namumungay ang mga mata, nginitian ko sila at humingi ng pasensya. What should I do, then? My heart's aching again. It will never stop hurting and I've got no choice but to endure the pain until it fades away...
Lumapit ang photographer at ilang pekeng ngiti ang ibinigay ko para sa picture taking. After that, we noticed the guests near the stone stairs were having a commotion. Buong-buo naming ibinigay ang aming mga atensyon sa kanila, may pagtataka rin sa kung ano ang tunay na nangyayari.
Napatayo si Don Pablo. "Excuse me."
Nakaramdam ako ng guwang sa tiyan ko nang nakita ang pag-akyat ng Mayor ng Calamba City. Escorted with four bodyguards and standing proudly beside her was her daughter and Menandro's bride-to-be. Tila ba ipinapamukha ng puting dress na suot sa lahat ng narito na ikakasal siya sa nakababatang Silverio. Minus the veil and the tiara, it almost looked like a wedding dress.
"Oh..." tumalikod si Ate Elise nang nakita kung sino ang nasa likuran ni Ate Lizzy.
Like a Maid of Honor, Hera smiled at the guests confidently. Nagbubulungan at naghahagikgikan silang dalawa ni Ate Lizzy. Natigil lang iyon nang sawayin sila ni Mayor dahil papalapit na sa kanila si Don Pablo.
"For God's sake this isn't a wedding! What are they wearing?" nakangiwi at maarteng sinabi ni Lola Esmeralda pagkaharap ko sa kanya.
I smiled bitterly and drank Billie's wine. Soon, Lola, there will be a wedding.
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