Song: Good Friend- JP Cooper

Dinner

I woke up to Jeya's non-stop messages. Nagmistulang alarm clock ko na ata iyong sunod-sunod niyang mensahe.

I groaned as I reach for my phone on my bedside table. Mulat ang isang mata kong binuksan ang cellphone. Nagulat nalang ako nang mayroon nang fifteen messages si Jeya sa akin!

Jeya:

Oh my god!

Nag comment siya sa post mo!

Pero bakit sad react? Weirdo.

Wow! Pademure naman 'yung comment mo!

Nagtuloy-tuloy pa iyong mensahe niya tungkol sa naging comment ni Benjamin sa Facebook post ko kagabi. She can't stop on telling me how much she finds us cute! Ngumiwi naman ako.

I read more of her messages.

Jeya:

Kels, I stalked him on Facebook and look what I've got!

Tumaas ang kilay ko nang sinendan niya ako ng picture ni Benjamin na nakacorporate attire. He was smiling a little in this picture at kung papansinin ng maigi, para na siyang nakangisi dito. Is that his normal smile?

Jeya:

And also, this!

Then Jeya sent me another picture of Benjamin at the beach. Ito 'yung profile picture niya. I shut my eyes. Hay nako, Jeya! May time pa talaga siyang i-stalk ang isang 'yun ha?

Jeya:

Oh my god! He's a topnotcher! Civil Engineering board exam topnotcher in 2014!

My eyes widened at that. Akalain mo nga naman ang isang 'yon. Kahit loloko-loko, may utak naman pala kahit papano. I'm quite impressed.

Jeya:

Kelsey, HE'S THE ONE!

Doon ako napilitang magreply sakanya. What is she talking about?

Me:

HE'S NOT. Stop pushing it.

Jeya replied minutes after I sent her that message.

Jeya:

Well... good morning to you, too, Kelsey.

Why not? Di ba 'yun naman ang gusto mo? Handsome and intelligent guys?

Umirap ako. Why is she suddenly becoming a cupid? She needs to stop pushing me with Benjamin because that will never happen.

Me:

Marami pang ganyan na lalaki sa mundo. Hindi siya nag-iisa.

Jeya:

Sus! Indenial pa siya, e. Pag talaga kayo nagkatuluyan... sinasabi ko sa'yo!

Hindi na ako nagreply pa sa chat niyang iyon dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na hinding-hindi mangyayari 'yon.

Isinama naman ako ng magulang ko sa kompanya namin sa araw na iyon. They told me that they want to introduce me to their board members as early as now. Dadating raw kasi 'yung araw na ako na ang magiging boss nilang lahat.

Medyo napressure naman ako doon. As much as I want that to happen, I don't want them to expect a lot from me as early as now. Syempre dahil nakatakda nang ako ang mamamahala ng kompanya kalaunan, iisipin nila na parehas kami ng pamamalakad ni Daddy. Or worst... they'll expect more from me!

Oh gosh! Kung ngayon palang nastrestress na ako, ano pa kaya kung dumating na 'yung araw na ako na ang boss nila? I couldn't imagine.

Pagkababa palang namin sa kotse ay binati na agad kami ng ilang gwardya.

"Good morning po, Ma'am at Sir!" sabi nila nang makita si Mommy at Daddy.

"Good morning po." Bati nila sa akin. Ngumiti ako pabalik sakanila.

"Good morning rin po."

Marami pang empleyado ang bumati sa akin at sa magulang ko. Sa tuwing makikita naman nila ako ay sinusundan nila ako ng tingin o hindi kaya ay ngingitian ako. I try my best to smile back kahit na medyo minamadali na kami ni Daddy.

May meeting kasi sila ngayon at medyo late na si Daddy. He said that the board members are probably waiting for so long now.

Nang makarating naman kami sa tamang palapag ay agad na sinalubong sila Mommy at Daddy ng kanilang sekretarya. May ipinapakita sila dito gamit ang isang tablet. I pursed my lips and roamed my eyes around.

Maraming empleyado ang nasa palapag na ito at karamihan sakanila ay napabaling ng tingin sa akin matapos nila batiin si Mommy at Daddy. I tried my best to smile at them despite the surprised look in their faces.

"Iyan na pala 'yung anak nila Sir. Grabe ang laki na!" narinig kong bulungan ng ibang empleyado.

I also noticed that some employees are already in their 30's or 40's. Siguro ang iba ay nakita pa ako nung bata ako sa tuwing dinadala ako nila Mommy dito.

"Ang laki mo na, hija!" tumigil ako at napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. A woman in her 40's smiled at me. Ngumiti rin ako pabalik sakanya.

"Ay. Hello po!" medyo nahihiya kong pagkakabati. Tumawa siya nang mapagtanto na hindi ko siya nakilala o naalala man lang.

"Ako iyong kalaro mo lagi sa tuwing dinadala ka ng Mommy mo dito." mas lumaki ang ngiti ko nang dahil doon.

It's overwhelming to know that some employees chose to stay with us for a long time. Ang iba, kagaya niya, nasaksihan pa ako simula nung bata palang ako. They're the loyal ones. My father should keep them. O hindi kaya ay ipromote at mas taasan ang sweldo!

That way, we can have a harmonious workplace and employees!

"Sorry po at hindi ko po kayo nakilala."

Tumawa siya dahil sa paghingi ko ng tawad. Hinawakan niya ako sa aking braso.

"Ano ka ba! Okay lang 'yun! Bata ka pa naman nun. Matagal na pahanon na pati iyon." ngumiti akong muli. Magsasalita na sana muli ako nang bigla naman akong tinawag ni Mommy.

"Kelsey!" sabay kaming napalingon ng kausap ko sakanya. She smiled sadly at us. "Sorry, Thelma, but I have to snatch my daughter away for a while."

"Nothing to worry about, Madame. Naiintindihan ko po." Ngumiti si Mommy sakanya at ganoon rin ang ginawa ni Thelma. Lumingon akong muli sakanya at malungkot siyang nginitian.

"I'm sorry but I have to go na po. I'll try and talk to you on some other time."

"Okay lang, hija. Mukhang importante ang meeting na iyon kaya maaari ka nang magtungo doon. Masaya kong makita ka ulit ngayon."

I gave her an apologetic smile again. Hinawakan ko siya sa kanyang balikat bago tuluyang magpaalam.

"I'm sorry, dear, but your Dad is in a hurry. We couldn't waste more time." sabi sa akin ni Mommy.

"It's okay, Mom. I understand."

Tumango si Mommy. Tumigil naman kami sa tapat ng isang glass door. My father was the first one to enter. Bago naman kami makapasok ni Mommy sa loob ay tumigil kami. Pinaharap niya ako sakanya.

"Don't get too shy to speak up, Kelsey. Those people already know your position in our company. They know you." tumango ako at tipid siyang nginitian. "And they expect a lot from you."

Hindi na nakita pa ni Mommy ang naging reaksyon ko dahil pinagbuksan na kami ng sekretarya niya ng pinto patungo sa loob ng conference room.

They expect a lot from me?! Gosh! The pressure is on! Hindi pa ako ang tumatayong chairman pero may ineexpect na agad sila sa akin? Advance sila?

Mabilis na bumaling ng tingin sa amin ang mga board members pagkapasok namin sa loob ng conference room. Ngiting-ngiti si Mommy habang patungo sa kanyang pwesto. Habang ako naman ay medyo naestatwa sa kinaroroonan ko.

Oh my god! I did not expect those who I frequently see during the business parties are also one of our board members!

I gulped at sinubukang wag ipakita na medyo kinakabahan ako. I smiled at them. Nagtungo ako sa pwesto ni Daddy. Ipinulupot niya ang kanyang braso sa aking balikat at tsaka hinarap sa lahat.

"This is my daughter Kelsey Alena. And starting from now, she'll be part of the board members. She's going to be the executive director and my daughter will also be the head of design for Architecture. Every design to be approved must be signed by her." sabi ni Daddy.

Tumango ang iba at masayang ngumiti sa akin. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ko. I roamed my eyes around.

Whoa! I did not expect my father to give me thaf position. Hindi niya nabanggit sa akin iyon.

"Am I making myself clear?" dagdag ni Daddy. Tumango ang lahat. Nilingon ko naman si Daddy. He looks pleased. Nilingon niya rin ako.

"Welcome to our company, Kelsey."

I spent the entire day roaming around the building. My parents also introduced to me my secretary. She's years older than me at base sa unang pagkikita namin, alam kong magkakasundo kami.

"Hi, I'm Jona. It was nice to finally meet you."

"It was nice to meet you, too." I shake her hand at masaya siyang nginitian.

Kasama namin si Ate Thelma habang nililibot nila ako sa buong company. Lahat ng mga lugar na kailangan kong malaman ay itinuro nila sa akin.

The day ended with me getting exhausted from all the introduction and roaming around the company. Maya't maya kaya kaming akyat baba dahil sa dinami-raming floors ng building na 'yon!

Tumawa si Mommy nang makita ang itsura ko sa backseat.

"We still have a dinner to attend to, remember?" she reminded me. I groaned.

Right! We were invited over a dinner today. Hindi ko alam kung saan. I hope it's very far from here para makatulog pa ako.

"You have to fix yourself and look presentable, Kels. You look retarted." My mother teased. Tumawa naman sila pareho ni Daddy. I groaned again and chuckled a little.

"Saan po ba iyong dinner?" tanong ko. Nagkatinginan si Mommy at Daddy at hindi nagsalita. Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Malayo po ba iyon dito?"

"Yes. Kung gusto mo matulog ka muna sa byahe para hindi ka mukhang pagod na pagod mamaya." Sabi ni Daddy. Napangiti naman ako nang dahil doon.

I can finally rest! Yes! Thank you!

Napangiti ako at walang pag-aalinlangang humiga na sa backseat. My mother chuckled again.

"But you have to fix yourself once we wake you up, Kelsey Alena!" she reminded me again before I drift to myself to sleep.

My mother is very keen with our looks that she wants us to always look formally presentable.

"Yes, mom." I answered before I finally drift to sleep.

I feel like I've only been sleeping for an hour when my parents decided to wake me up. Unti-unti kong minulat ang mga mata ko.

"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked.

"For an hour, Kels. You have to get ready." Sabi ni Mommy habang iniaabot sa akin ang isang make up bag. Bumagsak ang balikat ko at nagsimula nang mag-ayos.

My parents patiently waited for me hanggang sa natapos akong mag-ayos. Lumingon sa akin si Daddy upang itanong kung okay na daw ba ako. I nod my head and I immediately opened the car door.

My mouth parted at the sight of a very beautiful mansion. I have never seen anything like this. I've only seen houses like this in movies. Hindi ko naman akalain na makakakita ako ng ganitong klaseng bahay ngayon.

"Where are we?" I asked.

I roamed my eyes around the whole mansion. I don't think there's a party that's going on today. Tahimik ang buong mansion at mukhang kakaonti lang ang taong nandidito.

Umikot ang tingin ko at nakita ang isang malaking water fountain sa gitnang bahagi ng front garden. My eyes widened. Wow! The owner of this mansion must be very rich! I feel like they also have a very wide back garden. I bit my lip. Feeling ko tuloy nasa Buckingham Palace ako.

"Just follow us, Kelsey." Sagot ni Mommy sa tanong ko. Iginiya naman nila ako papasok ng mansion.

When we knocked, three maids immediately welcomed us as we enter. "Good evening po!"

Ngumiti ang mga magulang ko sakanila. Iniabot naman ni Daddy sakanila ang dala nitong prutas at wine. Habang si Mommy naman ay iniabot ang binake niyang cake sakanila. Hindi na ako nakabati pa pabalik sakanila dahil sa sobrang pagkamangha ko sa buong mansion. It has a two grandstaircases. Napabaling naman ang tingin ko sa isang malaking family portrait.

Lumapit ako doon upang matingnan iyon ng mas mabuti. Tama nga ako. Malaki ang pamilya na nakatira dito. Or maybe this is just one of their many houses. Or maybe this is their ancestral house? I don't know.

Sa sobrang paninitig ko sa litrato ay bigla nalang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makakita ako ng isang pamilyar na mukha sa family portrait na iyon. He's beside a person—which I suppose was his cousin and he's smiling with teeth. What the hell?

What is Benjamin doing in this picture? My eyes widened more when I saw Brittany in this picture, too. Oh my god! Are we at...

Tatanungin ko na sana ulit sila Mommy kung nasaan kami nang bigla naman kaming sinalubong ng isang babae. She was smiling so wide at my parents at mukhang handang-handa na siyang salubungin ang mga ito. Napabaling ang tingin ko sa lalaking kasama niya. This must be her husband, I suppose?

I don't think I've met them before.

"Oh, Clementine and Bernard! It was so nice to finally see you again!" anito nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit sa magulang ko. She crashed my mother into a hug.

"Cecilia! It's been a while!" my mother chuckled.

Nakita kong mas lumapit na iyong asawa ng bumati kay Mommy. He smiled at my father and he welcome him into a hug, too.

"Ferdinand!"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Who are these people? Why didn't I met them before?

"Oh, wait! I almost forgot. This is our daughter, Kelsey," hinila ako ni Mommy palapit sakanila. Pilit kong nginitian ang mag-asawa.

"Hello po!" bati ko at tumawa nang kaunti.

"Oh my! This is her now? You've grown up so fast! Ang huling kita ko pa sa'yo noon ay nung eleven years old ka pa!"

Tumaas ang kilay ko nang dahil doon. So, I've met them before huh? But I just don't remember when.

"Ganoon po ba?" tumango siya sa akin.

"Napakaganda mong bata! I heard you graduated with a Latin Honor?" I nod my head. Hinawakan niya ako sa aking pisngi. "Naku! Hindi ka lang pala maganda, matalino ka pa! Your daughter is a total package, Tin!"

"I know! Kaya kailangan makilatis muna namin ng mabuti ang lalaking papakasalan nito in the future. Our daughter deserves the best!"

Hindi ko maiwasang maubo nang dahil sa sinabi ni Mommy. Why is she thinking about my future with someone so much? Matagal pang mangyayari iyon! I'm only twenty-one!

Nag-usap pa sila ng kaunti hanggang sa ayain na nila kami patungo kung nasaan ang dinner table. Today I've found out that my mother, Tita Barbara, and Tita Cecilia are childhood best friends! No wonder why they are so close.

Habang patungo naman kami doon ay tinanong ko si Daddy kung nakaninong bahay kami.

"We're at the Donovan's ancestral house, Kelsey."

Fuck. I knew it! Kung sa mga Donovan nga ito, ibig sabihin na nandito si Benjamin ngayon! Oh goodness! I just hope that he will not annoy me to death this night!

"Why didn't you tell me?"

My father sighed. "Alam naming hindi ka sasama kung sasabihin namin sa'yo kung saan tayo pupunta."

I pouted. He's right. I'd rather stay at home than see to that annoying man today. Pero dahil nandito na kami, wala na akong magagawa kung hindi ang harapin siya.

Maybe this is the right time to follow Jeya's advice before our graduation―ignore him until he stops annoying me. Ibinaon ko na sa utak ko ang advice ni Jeya na iyon.

I gulped when we finally entered the dining room. Una kong narinig ay ang tawanan. Tumaas ang kilay ko. Inilibot ko ang aking tingin at lumapat ito sa isang lamesa kung saan nakapwesto ang mga magpipinsan.

They must've noticed that the door opened kaya sila napabaling ng tingin sa gawi namin. I saw Brittany first. Nakangiti na agad siya sa akin.

"Kelsey!" kumaway siya sa akin. Tipid akong ngumiti.

Mamaya maya pa ay tuluyan ko nang nakita ang lalaking iiwasan ko ngayon. He's looking at us already at nang magkatinginan kami ay unti-unti siyang ngumisi. He waved fingers at me to probably tease me. I can't help but roll my eyes.

Ignore him, Kelsey. For this is going to be such a long night.