Billy's mom and he used to visit Inang's house when I was a kid. The reason I knew was about vacation and summer breaks. Tita Cel was . . . she worked in the government, as far as I remember. Papa attempted to be her running mate, nakalimutan ko lang kung ano'ng position ang tinakbuhan nila. Basta ang alam ko, it was about keeping the land of the Adajars kaya tumakbo si Papa for a government position. That was one of the million reasons why Mama left the Philippines. The danger of elections was rampant back in those days, and Mama didn't want us to end up as casualties.

Billy was bragging about Manila and Colegio San Agustin, where he spent his elementary days. That was a clear memory kaya alam kong city boy siya compared sa mga bata sa province. He used to tell me everything about the tall buildings of Makati and the ghosts of their school every summer. But this time, Tita Maricel didn't bring Billy. It was in the middle of October, so hindi 'to summer break. She visited Inang not for the usual reason I knew.

Madalas, sa receiving area sila o sa living room nag-uusap, lalo kapag may bisita. Kahit sa previous visitors ni Inang, sa receiving. Kung hindi man, sa ballroom parati. Not today, because they went to the closed office almost at the back of the house. It was Inang's office.

Manang Terry told all the helpers and maids not to go to that side of the house, and if ever there was an assigned cleaning in the back rooms, maghintay muna sila hanggang mag-lunch.

That earned my curiosity 'cause it sounded like a private talk . . . and I guess it was.

After the announcement, na wala munang lalapit sa hallway papuntang back rooms, I grabbed the chance to go where my father and Tita Cel went along with Inang. Beside that room was a small space for another Mother Mary's mini grotto. Two candles beneath the statue were lit, so I quickly assumed that the maids had been here earlier. I hid beside the grotto and listened inside the room.

"Ma, are you sure about this?" Papa's annoyed voice could be heard where I was.

Inang was talking, but it was so low, I barely heard anything from inside the room.

"Oo nga! Pero bakit nga gano'n ang decision mo? Wala pa ang abogado, ha? Next week pa." Papa again.

I heard Tita Cel intervene. "Hintayin na lang natin ang lawyer, Ismael. Auntie, baka naman nalilito ka lang . . ." The following words weren't almost inaudible, I couldn't understand a thing they were talking about.

Bakit may laywer? What's happening?

I was confused, and the talk lasted for an hour. Paulit-ulit ang conversation about waiting for the lawyer, if serious ba si Inang, kung gusto ba niyang magbago ng isip. I wasn't getting the gist.

Hindi ko alam kung makukulong ba si Inang dahil may lawyer, o kung ano ba ang decision niya na paulit-ulit na kinokontra ni Papa saka ni Tita Cel. It took Papa more than three weeks to go back here in Laguna, and this wasn't the conversation I was expecting to hear today.

Tita Cel went out first, saying something in a low voice.

"Gusto mo bang gawin na lang natin ang suggestion ni Daisy? Hindi ko lang alam kung papayag si Ping."

Papa guided the back of Tita Cel as he closed the door of Inang's office.

"Itanong mo sa anak mo kung papayag siya bago si Ping," kontra na naman ni Papa. "Hindi ako against sa anak mo, and I know he's a good man. Pero, Cel, hindi ko naisip na aabot sa ganito ang desisyon ni Ma."

"Magtatagal ka ba rito sa Laguna?"

"Hindi ko pa tapos ilakad ang mga papeles ni Estella. Magre-request pa 'ko ng ibang documents niya sa embassy. Hindi ako puwedeng magtagal dito sa Laguna, tapos ito na naman si Mama na nagdedesisyon nang hindi ako kinukunsulta."

"Kaya nga maninimbang muna tayo ngayon. Wala rin akong alam dito! Kung hindi pa nakuwento ni Daisy, wala akong malalaman!"

Sinilip ko sina Papa at Tita Cel habang papalayo sila.

Who's Daisy? And Ping? And what about Billy?

I didn't want to worry about it because I thought Papa would explain the agenda of the talk with Inang. Maybe he would inform me about Billy and why he said what he said about him. But Papa left with Tita Cel.

I was about to follow them outside of the house when Ate Melba called me up just to tell me, "Aalis daw muna ang papa mo, Teray. May kakausapin lang daw sila sa Batangas."

"What else?"

"Ha?"

"Ano pa po ang sinabi?" ulit ko.

"'Yon lang."

"'Yon lang?" My forehead creased. What did she mean by 'yon lang?

Nothing more?

Nakalabas na ako ng bahay nang matanaw ang Tamaraw ni Papa na nakalayo na at papunta sa gate.

That was it? Umalis nang walang paalam? Hindi man lang ako tinanong kung gusto kong sumama?

I went back inside the house and saw Manang Terry pushing my lola's wheelchair. It was almost nine in the morning, and surely, Inang would prefer staying on the wooden swing in the backyard until lunchtime.

Inang sweetly smiled at me. "Nakapag-agahan ka na?"

"Yes po." I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Gusto mong mamasyal? Isang beses ka pa lang nakakalabas dito sa bahay."

If she were to ask Jessa to accompany me, I'd rather rot here.

"Okay lang po ako, Inang," sabi ko na lang, because I didn't like my option so far.

But I guess she didn't hear me. Inang whispered to Manang Terry, and the latter nodded. Care to tell me what was up? Sobrang clueless na 'ko sa lahat mula pa kina Papa.

Manang Terry and Inang left, and I was in the middle of the foyer, wondering what was with the people this morning.

My casual clothes were washed without a warning. I saw Billy's mom with Papa. They left with questions in my head. Inang was being suspicious. What now?

I sat on the front porch, waiting for Papa to come back. Ate Melba said Papa and Tita Cel went to Batangas.

Batangas sounded like a nearby town. I had no idea where Batangas was, but if that was walking distance from Santa Rosa here in Laguna, maybe I could pay a visit today. Maybe.

The sun rays were flashing light yellows again, like yesterday. The sky was clear, illuminating a darker shade of the usual sky blue. I was watching the birds fly from one tree to another when I heard hooves from afar. The moment my eyes landed in the direction of the gate, I immediately saw Snooty Guy and his thoroughbred. They decelerated soon after they entered the iron gate.

Compared to his clothes yesterday, he wore a dark brown muscle-hugging shirt, showing every curvature of his torso. Brown leather belt kept his slightly ripped stonewashed jeans in place, and the end of it hid the upper part of his brown leather boots.

Maybe my brain was anticipating his presence like he said last night to Jessa before leaving, so I wasn't surprised he was here.

I kept my eyes on him, and I guess he did likewise since he was grinning from ear to ear as soon as he saw me on the porch. I fucking hate how his face screamed of arrogance and every right to be it.

"Kahapon ang party, a," mayabang na sabi niya bago bumaba sa kabayo. "May lakad ka?"

"Why do you care?" I raised a brow, challenging him with my attitude.

He then crossed his arms and rested his back on the body of his well-behaved horse. "May pinuntahan daw ang daddy mo. Ipasyal daw muna kita ngayon."

Daddy? Nakausap siya ni Papa?

"I'm not interested," I answered, crossing my arms like him.

"That's not a question. You're coming with me."

WHAT?!