"OH, Artemia's here," Luz smiled, which made Stacey more nervous.

I wonder what she is up to... now that she can meet my mother face to face here...

Bumalik sa kasalukuyan ang diwa niya nang makitang nagpapaalam si Renante sa mga magulang. In an instant, he was already heading toward her direction.

"No, stay here," aniya rito. "Ako na ang bahala kay Mama."

He smiled at her. "Sure."

She nodded to his family to excuse herself. Pinagbuksan niya ng pinto ang ina at namilog ang mga mata sa hitsura nito.

Did she really have to... really dress up?

Artemia looked ageless. It was as if she was looking at a Greek athlete that wears a modern version of their look—an off shoulder dress of bright burgundy and white thigh-high boots. The tips of her short layered hair was styled in this fly-away fashion like Glee's Jane Lynch. While scanning her mother, Stacey only remembered one thing—the first time she shared the dining table with Renante's whole family. She wore something almost the same as her mother's outfit—a maroon one-shoulder knee-length dress! Pinigilan niya ang matawa sa naalala. She never knew that she and her mother could be alike in some ways.

Stacey stepped aside from the door to give way to her mother.

"You're rarely late," aniya rito sa magaan na tono. Nang makapasok ang nanay niya ay isinara agad ni Stacey ang pinto.

Artemia sighed faintly. "I know. Pero dahil malapit na ang alis ko, ibinalik ko na iyong kotseng ni-rent ko para gamitin sa stay ko rito sa Pinas. So, now, I had to commute."

"Nagpasundo ka na lang sana sa akin."

Artemia waved a hand. "Ano ka ba? That's too much. Ako na nga itong nag-request ng dinner na ito at naabala ko na kayo, dadagdagan ko pa."

"Well," she shrugged. "Do you need to prepare first? Do something? Get refreshed? I'll show you to the restroom."

"Yes, Stacey. That'll do. Thank you."

Hindi niya napigilang mapatingin sa daan patungo sa dining room. Abot-tanaw kasi mula roon ang sala. Nahuli niyang napatingin sa kanila si Ronnie at Luz, dahil kitang-kita silang mag-ina mula sa kinauupuan ng mga ito. None of them called them or spoke about Artemia's presence though. Their eyes just followed them until they are out of sight. Sa pagmamadali ni Artemia na sundan siya ay hindi na nito napansin ang mag-ina.

Nang makapasok si Artemia sa restroom, sumandal si Stacey sa pader katabi ng pinto nito. Katulad ng napaghandaan na nila ni Renante, bibigyan muna nila ng briefing ang kani-kanilang pamilya bago magkita. They both wanted the night to be pleasant, if not perfect. They wanted this to work as much as they wanted for their relationship.

Pagkalabas ni Artemia ng banyo ay mas maaliwalas na ito tingnan. Stacey could not really tell if her mother retouched her foundatin or red lipstick.

"Let's go?" anyaya nito sa kanya.

Humarang siya sa harap nito. "Ma, before we join them..." She hesitated for a minute. Napaiwas siya ng tingin sa ina kaya rumehistro sa kanyang isip ang imahe ni Renante. His face alone was enough to regain her courage. She met Artemia's eyes once more. "I am asking you for a favor, Ma. Please, be more patient with everyone. Especially Tita Luz."

Artemia smiled at her gently. Inayos nito ang pagkakahawak sa bag nitong itim.

"Come on. Ako ang nag-request nitong dinner, hindi ba? Ibig sabihin, naihanda ko na ang sarili ko. I'm already on my best behavior."

She nodded, still feeling uncertain, but maybe the only choice left for her at this moment was to trust her mother, right?

"I will be really thankful to you if this evening turns out really well."

"Nagkulang man ako ng oras para sa 'yo, Stacey, but trust me when I say that... I love you."

Naguguluhang napatitig siya sa mga mata ng ina. It was so rare for her mother to tell her those words, it really surprised her.

"We haven't really talked about the choices I made in the past. The lifestyle I chose that affected you and your relationship to me. But believe me, it is for our best. Sa ganitong paraan ko lang kayang maging mabuting ina para sa 'yo."

"Maybe we can talk about it while waiting for your flight. On Wednesday," yuko niya ng ulo. Halos mapugto ang kanyang hininga nang haplusin ni Artemia ang kanyang pisngi.

Lingid sa kanyang kaalaman ang pamamasa ng mga mata nito habang nakatitig sa kanya. Artemia's lips almost quivered as she studied her face. Then, at last, after swallowing the forming lump in her throat, she managed to respond.

"Will you really spare time for me? Para ihatid ako sa airport?"

She nodded and met her mother's eyes. Hindi niya malaman kung bakit parang tumatagos mula sa dibdib ng ginang ang nararamdaman nito kaya tumutusok din ito sa kanyang dibdib. She could feel how it hurts, how heavy it is, but also how relieving it could be—strange feelings she never knew that could combine together at the same moment.

"I will," ngiti niya na awtomatikong nagpangiti sa ginang.

"Let's go," anyaya niya rito bago pa sila magkaiyakan. Mabilis na tumalikod si Stacey para mauna sa pagtungo sa dining room. Tahimik namang sumunod sa kanya si Artemia.

.

.

NASA HAPAG na ang lahat. Nagkaroon muna sila ng maikling kumustahan bago umalis si Renante para ipag-serve ang lahat ng inihanda nitong hapunan. Habang abala ang binata, nagpatuloy ang pag-uusap. Sa pagkakataong ito, nakatuon ang atensiyon ng lahat kay Ronnie na kinakausap si Stacey.

"What should we expect after this evening? A special announcement?" ngisi nito. Kung maka-side glance at makangisi—maging sa himig ng pananalita—ay halatang-halta na nanunukso.

She gave him a bored look. Itong taong ito, mag-uumpisa pa lang ang dinner, iniisip na agad ang ending. May importanteng lakad ba ito? But she chose to just smile at him civilly. Stacey had already grown to accept that Ronnie would not go easy on her, even if she's his little brother's girlfriend, kaya naman hindi na siya magpapaka-sensitive sa mga panunukso nito.

"Yes. Maybe, I should say it now," pabiro niyang sagot dito. "My mom—" she stole a glance at Artemia before returning her eyes to him, "—is going to leave this Wednesday. She's going to Budapest. So, I think this is a good time for all of us to be here."

"So, pa-despedida?" seryosong wika ni Ronaldo. He was still in his seat, reserved with his every word and action which made it evident that he didn't trust Artemia's presence.

"Not really. That's not my mother's style. She doesn't really like leaving places dramatically." Nagkatinginan sila ni Artemia at sabay na bahagyang natawa. Ibinalik niya ang atensiyon kay Ronaldo. "She just wants to meet you all. It's very important for a mother to know the family of her daughter's boyfriend."

"I know. I can relate to that," malumanay na saad ni Luz at makahulugang nginitian si Artemia.

Nginitian din ito ni Artemia pero pasimple pa itong nagpaikot ng mga mata. Nahuli iyon ni Stacey at natigilan ang nanay niya nang makita ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya rito para warning-an kaya tumuwid ito ng upo at inayos ang pagkakakandong sa dala nitong bag.

"How's my daughter, Luz? I hope you two are getting along better than us."

Mahinang tumawa si Luz. "We are. We went shopping together once and went to this cafe with her friend, Kylie and Paige, Ronnie's girlfriend."

"Oh, where is Paige?" pukol ni Artemia ng tingin kay Ronnie.

Pinigilan ni Stacey ang matawa sa gulat na reaksiyon ni Ronnie. Saktong pagtingin kasi nila sa lalaki ay nakakuyakoy na ito ng upo habang inaalaska si Renante na naka-apron at sinasalinan ng tubig ang tall glass nito. Nang makita nitong nakatingin silang lahat dito ay napanganga pa ito saglit at nanigas sa kinauupuan. He got back to his senses a few silent seconds later. Tumuwid ito ng upo. He even cleared his throat before he spoke.

"Sorry, what?" he spoke as if nothing embarrassing happened, to retrieve his dignity, probably.

"Sabi ni Luz, may girlfriend ka na raw. Where is she?"

"Biglaan itong dinner, so she can't make it. She already has commitments for this evening, before we even got the invitation here," pormal nitong tugon.

"I bet she's a very prim and proper lady. Very graceful with a closely-knit family. She must be also the quiet, serious-type who's always composed and unfazed."

Ronnie cocked his head to the side. "You guessed it right. Kilala mo ba siya... Tita?"

Artemia smiled. "Ah, no. Pero hindi ako pinanganak kahapon, no? Alam ko ang tipo ninyong mga business man."

It seemed like an inside joke. Paano kasi, sina Artemia at Luz lang ang mahinang natawa sa sinabing iyon ng kanyang nanay. Naguguluhang nagpalitan tuloy ng tingin sina Stacey, Renante, Ronnie at Ronaldo. Ronaldo seemed very clueless and became restless by this. Si Ronnie naman nalito at medyo nailang dahil first time yata nitong hindi na-gets ang isang bagay. Napainom tuloy ito ng tubig para kunwari, reasonable ang hindi nito pagre-react. Si Renante naman ngitian lang siya at nagkibit ng balikat bago lumapit sa kanya para ipagsalin siya ng tubig sa tall glass. Stacey smiled back at him and slightly shook her head as her reaction to the two laughing women.

The rest of the evening went so well. Ronaldo didn't seem to change though—he kept his guard up all this time and barely smiled. He also frequently avoid his eyes from Artemia's direction and consistently checks on Luz from time to time. But Stacey managed to exchange a few polite smiles with him and short conversations. Si Ronnie naman ang pinakamadaldal sa hapag. He always talked about business, about his goals for VSMI, and Ronaldo looked at his son with brimming pride in his eyes and smile while listening to that. Stacey stole a look at Renante, but surprisingly, he seemed very happy and proud for his brother as well. Hindi niya akalaing dadating ang panahon na hindi kompetisyon ang tingin nito sa nakatatandang kapatid, at makaka-move on na ito mula sa pagkabigo na makakuha ng mataas na posisyon sa kompanya nila. Stacey helped her mother contribute a conversation to the table. Ipinaalala niya uli sa lahat ang pagpunta nito sa Budapest. When Luz asked Artemia what she was planning to do there, that's when her mother began talking a lot.

Stacey was left in awe as she listened. She hasn't heard her mother talk for this long, that was why it amazes her. She never watched her mother's travel vlogs, that's why she was only discovering in this moment why her vlogs gain so many views. Artemia was a natural storyteller—very articulate. She kept her listeners excited and interested. Kahit si Ronaldo na iniiwasang makipag-interaksiyon dito ay napapatigil minsan sa pagkain para makinig nang mabuti.

"I'll also try one of their public baths in Liget city park. It's one of the places in Budapest that you always see in the covers of travel guides and gets featured in magazines and online articles."

"I don't really have an idea what that is, but I'll check later sa internet," ani Ronnie pagkababa ng ininuman nitong baso. Then, he picked up his chopsticks to resume eating the beef ramen Renante prepared for them.

"Public baths, eh?" Luz reacted mildly. "Hindi ba nakahihiya maligo roon nang maraming kasama? I mean, all of you will be naked there like the ones in Greece?"

Mahinang natawa si Artemia. "It's just like a public swimming pool, Luz."

"Oh," anito bago tumango-tango. "So you are allowed to wear swimsuits there."

"Yes," ani Artemia at inubos na ang sabaw ng ramen nito gamit ang soup spoon. Renante really bought kitchen items and utensils that were specifically used for Japanese dining just like the chopsticks and the white soup spoon known as 'chirirenge' or 'renge.' Then, she put the spoon back in her empty bowl and turned to Renante who sat beside her. "Renante, this soup is great. Thank you."

"Ramen, Tita," her boyfriend corrected in a light-humored tone.

Mahina lang itong tumawa. "Ah, yes, ramen nga pala 'to."

"My son had this liking with Japanese food since the first time we brought him to a Japanese restaurant. He was, eight or ten, I think," Luz explained and stole a glance at Renante. It was as if, she was asking her son with her eyes if she got the age right. Mukhang hindi na rin maalala masyado iyon ni Renante dahil nginitian lang nito ang ina. Luz returned her eyes on Artemia. "Since then, sila ng tatay at kuya niya, sa Japanese restaurants na kumakain o niyayang mag-meeting ang mga clients nila. But it's still a surprise for me that he already knows how to cook this noodles."

"Ramen, Mom," magaang pagwawasto uli ni Renante, sa pagkakataong ito ay sa sarili naman nitong nanay.

Magaan lang na natawa ang dalawang ginang. Ronnie just smiled and shook his head while Ronaldo just nodded in agreement while his eyes were on his meal.

Then, Artemia said something to Luz that made everyone silent. "You're lucky you were there—" she lowered her eyes, "—on your son's first time to eat in a Japanese restaurant."

Tila wala sa kanila ang may maapuhap na sasabihin o itutugon doon. Mabuti na lamang at sinalo sila ni Luz.

"Lucky. Because we are not always there on our kids' firsts," ani Luz.

Tila ikinagaan iyon ng loob ni Artemia. Nag-angat kasi ito ng tingin at bumalik ang kumpiyansa sa mga mata. Malapad itong ngumiti.

"You're right."

Stacey shifted her eyes between the two. Everything was going too smoothly, it felt too good to be true.

Akala ko ba... magkaaway sila?

"Can I have seconds? Ang konti nitong serving mo, eh," nakangiting reklamo ni Ronnie na naubos na rin ang ramen nito.

"Kinontian ko talaga dahil honey-glazed roast beef ang main course," sagot ni Renante.

"But isn't rame supposed to be a main course meal?"

"I served little, because I am not sure all of you will like how I cook it. Lalo na sa inyo ni Dad na may idea na kung ano dapat ang lasa ng ramen, kaya testing muna."

His brother groaned. "Fine." He wiped his lips with a napkin then sat straight.

"I never knew you're a good cook, like Sam," Ronaldo casually commented.

"Sam?" Artemia cocked her head to the side.

"Oh, his best friend's father," Luz answered for Ronaldo. Hindi kasi nito inimik si Artemia at nagpatuloy lang sa pagkain.

Mukhang hindi ito kilala ng kanyang ina kaya hindi rin ito interesado. "I don't think it's fair to compare him to anyone."

"I wasn't comparing," mariing depensa ni Ronaldo habang naningkit ang mga mata kay Artemia. "I just happened to remember. It just slipped out of my mouth. It's not even comparing, I just said they're the same."

Artemia stiffed in her seat. Gustong abutin ni Stacey ang kamay nito pero natakot siya na baka mag-react ng kakaiba ang nanay niya at mamisinterpret iyon ng mga kasama nila sa hapag. All she did, which she rarely does, was rely on someone else.

Rely on her mother's ability to handle this.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound so serious," mahina nitong tawa. "Itong boses ko talaga minsan, parang galit kahit hindi naman."

Ronaldo just shook his head. Then, he glanced at Luz before Ronnie who was at the other end of the table. Lastly, Renante.

Renante finally handled the situation. "Is everyone done with their ramen? Para ma-serve ko na ang main course."

"Wait," ani Luz at binilisan ang pagkain. Ronaldo was close to finishing his ramen, but he ate slowly. Siguro ay para masabayan si Luz sa pag-ubos ng pagkain.

Siyang dikit ni Stacey ng braso kay Renante para pasimple itong bulungan. Binilisan niya ang pagsasalita para wala masyadong makapansin sa kanila. "I'm sorry, I cannot help you for now. Ayokong maiwan mag-isa si Mom dito sa table. But I will help with the dessert."

Mukhang naunawaan naman nito na ginawa niya ito dahil sa naging palitan nina Ronaldo at Artemia. Renante nodded and placed his hand on top of hers on the table.

"I can manage. Ikaw na lang ang mag-serve ng desserts mamaya at ako ang maiiwan dito sa table."

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag. That would be great. Siguradong maiiwasang magtalo ang mga mag-biyenan mamaya kung maiiwan sa hapag kasama ng mga ito si Renante, at makatutulong pa siya rito pagdating sa pag-serve ng mga pagkain.

"Thank you."

"Wala bang kiss?" ngisi nito.

Pinigilan niyang matawa at mahampas ito sa braso. "Ano ba? May mga kasama tayo rito!"

"Oh, ano naman?" pagpipigil din nito na matawa dahil sa reaksiyon niya.

"Anong 'ano naman?'" Gusto na niya itong kurutin sa tagiliran pero hindi puwede! She whispered her hiss. "Behave!"

"We're done," Luz announced.

Pinisil muna ng binata ang kanyang kamay bago ito binitiwan.

"You like it?" tanong ni Renante sa ina habang tumatayo mula sa kinauupuan.

"Should you even ask me that? Alam mo na namang nasarapan lahat ng kasama natin, so, of course, ako rin. I love it."

"Thanks, Mom," nakangiting wika ni Renante bago in-excuse ang sarili para kunin saglit ang tray mula sa kusina at gamitin

Stacey smiled at everyone as soon as Renante left the table. Looks like, for once, everything will turn out fine.

Nang maihain ang main course, halos tumahimik ang lahat. Naabala sila sa pagkain ng honey-glazed roasted beef na niluto ni Renante. Of course, everyone liked it. Even her. They even clinked crystal goblets that contained red wine that smelled like fresh sweet cherries. Stacey kept glancing at him from time to time, stifling her sweet smile from widening into a teasing one.

Of course, she had always known na masarap magluto ang lalaki, pero sa pagkakataong ito lang siya napaisip kung bakit hindi nito naisipan na sumalang sa mundo ng culinary. He seemed like a natural cook, but why does metal and silver interest him the most? Why haven't she even asked him about that?

Finally, it was time for dessert. Renante instructed her about the desserts—nasa ref ang dessert glasses kung saan nakalagay ang mga raspberry panna cotta para sa bawat isa. Habang dahan-dahang inililipat ang mga ito sa ibabaw ng tray sa counter na katabi ng ref, hindi niya mapigilan ang mapangiti. Hanggang sa puntong ito kasi, ay maayos pa rin ang takbo ng mga pangyayari.

Stacey took in a deep breath before she carried the tray. Tiningnan lang siya ng mga hapag dahil nasa kalagitnaan na ang mga ito ng pag-uusap. Tahimik na binigyan niya ng tig-iisang baso ng panna cotta ang lahat at pinakinggan ang mga nagsasalita.

"Stacey's here now," lipat ni Luz ng tingin kay Renante. "Siguro naman, puwede n'yo na sagutin ang tanong namin."

Stacey smiled at Ronaldo—the one who got the last glass of panna cotta. Magalang siyang nginitian ng ginoo bago siya umikot uli sa lamesa pabalik sa kanyang upuan.

"Mom, I swear, that's not part of the reason why we're having this dinner."

"What question?" upo ni Stacey sa kanyang silya.

Nilingon siya ni Renante bago inilapit ang mukha sa kanyang tainga.

"May ia-announce daw ba tayo."

Namilog ang mga mata niya at tiningnan ang mga kasama sa mesa.

"Please, believe him. Itong dinner na ito ay para lang ma-meet kayo na family ni Renante ng mom ko."

"And you want us to meet your mom because you're already planning to bring our families together, eh? Eh?" nanunuksong ngisi ni Ronnie bago in-inspeksiyon ang hawak nitong baso ng panna cotta.

"We'll get to that someday," ani Renante. "For now, let's savor the present." At nilingon siya nito. "Right?"

"Right," ngiti niya sa mga kasama sa mesa, lalo na sa kanyang nanay. "What's important is for all of you, who are special for me and Renante, to get along and get to know each other."

.

.

IT was already eleven when their intimate gathering finished. Sabay-sabay na umalis ng dining room ang lahat. Artemia, again, retouched in the restroom. Si Ronaldo naman ay naunang umalis para hanapin ang driver sa parking space ng condo building na hindi raw masagot-sagot sa tawag nito. Ronnie and Renante were already standing by the main door and talking—more like playfully bantering each other. Naiwan naman si Stacey na nakatayo sa tabi ng pinto ng restroom. Luz noticed her and left Ronnie's back to approach her.

"It's been a great night. I sincerely mean it," ngiti ng ginang sa kanya.

"Thank you po. I am glad you enjoyed this evening."

Tinitigan siya nito sa mga mata. Hindi niya alam kung bakit tila may lungkot sa mga iyon bago tumugon sa kanya ang ginang.

"Is everything really okay between you and my son?"

She didn't know how to feel. "Of course. We're okay, Tita."

Luz lowered her eyes and reached for her hands. "Kung ganoon kasi, bakit naghiwalay kayo ng tirahan ni Renante?"

Napalunok siya.

"I've been meaning to ask this, pero wrong timing naman kung sa hapag ko itatanong sa 'yo. This is the only opportunity I found to ask this."

Inalis niya ang isang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak ng ginang. Iyon ay para siya naman ang humawak sa malaya nitong kamay para magaang pisilin ito. Next, she looked intently into her eyes.

"Nakita n'yo naman po, okay kami ni Renante. Kahit naghiwalay muna kami ng titirahan, that doesn't mean we have already given up on each other. We still love each other..." At idinugtong niya sa isip ang kasunod nito. ...even if we are still working on our relationship.

Tumango-tango ang ginang. Ngumiti ito pero nababanaag niya na may agam-agam pa rin sa mga mata nito. "I understand. I just hope you won't think na nakikialam ako. It's just that... I want you two to be happy—together."

If only Luz knew how happy those words made her feel. Napakasuwerte niya na makuha ang approval nito. Her heart clenched with joy, it was making her breathless.

Renante suddenly came to her. "Just a minute, Mom," anito sa ina bago inilipat ang tingin sa kanya. "Hey, Stace. It's already late. Do you want to spend the night here?"

She smiled at him apologetically. "I would love to. Kaya lang, baka mahirapan nang mag-book ang mama ko nang masasakyan pauwi. Kaya ihahatid ko siya. I might sleep over to the place she rented too."

Renante nodded. Medyo tumamlay ang ngiti nito pero mapang-unawa naman siyang pinagmasdan. "Stay safe then. Call me when you get there."

"Thank you."

Habang magkatitigan sila, nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Luz sa kanilang dalawa. Their gazes only broke off when the woman spoke.

"Nahiya pa kayong mag-i love you sa harap ko," nanunukso nitong ngiti kaya natawa sila ni Renante.