The Reveal

When the pilot announced that they were about to descend, may kung anong kirot na naramdaman si Ainara. She was enjoying his company so much that she did not want it to end. Bakit nga ba hindi sila nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na kilalanin ang isa’t isa?

May panahon naman na wala pa silang karelasyon noon.

Maybe, it’s not just meant to be. Just like now— fate has decided to make them step-siblings. 

“I didn’t even get to kiss my date.” 

Narinig niya ang sinabi ni Andres bago habang naghihintay ng checked in baggage nila sa carousel. The plane has landed at nakalabas na rin sila ng eroplano. 

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

May kung anong ibinulong ito na ang date raw dapat may goodbye kiss.

“Ikaw ang nagsabi na kung anong nagtake place sa flight, hanggang doon na lang ‘yon. Nasa Pilipinas na tayo— you have to stop talking about it.”

“And if I don’t want to?” hamon na naman nito sa kanya.

This time, she rolled her eyes and stepped away from him. She really created a distance, like an arm’s length. 

Andres just chuckled. Naunang dumating ang luggage nito at iniwan s’ya ng walang sabi-sabi. 

Napatingala na lang s’ya at nagdasal na habaan ang pasens’ya niya. After all, bukod kay Santino ay magiging kapatid na rin niya si Andres. Magiging middle child na s’ya at ito ang panganay. 

She doesn’t even want to think about it. It felt wrong. 

Ten minutes later, her baggage showed up at dali-dali s’yang naglakad palabas. Naabutan pa niya si Andres sa may exit. Nakatigil lang ito roon na parang may hinihintay. She gave him a friendly smile, but he didn’t smile back. Nagbalik na ito sa dating aura— pormal, suplado at nakakainis. He left when his ride came. Hindi man lang s’ya tinanong kung gustong sumabay kahit pabalat bunga. 

“Ma’am Ai,” bati ni Mang Poldo sa kaniya nang makita s’ya. Hindi naman s’ya matagal na naghintay. 

“Mang Poldo, hello po. Salamat sa pagsundo.”

Ngumiti ang matanda. “Walang anuman, Ma’am. Ito lang po ba ang dala mo?” 

“Opo. Hindi naman po ako magtatagal dito sa Pilipinas. Saka may damit pa naman po ako sa bahay kaya hindi na ako nagdala masyado pauwi.”

“Ganoon po ba? Sige po, sakay na kayo at ako na ang bahala rito.”

A few minutes later, they were on their way to the Del Carmen residence. Sa isang exclusive subdivision sila nakatira. The house is a modern two storey and mostly made of glass. Disenyo ito ng kanyang ama. Pero ang pinakapaborito niya ay ang estate nila sa Batangas. It had a Spanish Colonial design. 

“There you are,” bati ni Celia sa kanya. Her mother looks stunning although the weight loss is noticeable. “How was your flight?” 

“It was fine.” Tumikhim s’ya. “Andres was on the same flight as mine.”

Celia swallowed a little. “Really? I can’t believe your boss took the same flight. What a coincidence.”

Iginiya s’ya ni Celia papuntang kusina. Naupo s’ya sa isang bar stool. 

“You must be hungry. Nagbake ako ng lemon loaf. Favorite mo ‘yon, ‘di ba?”

Ainara wasn’t very hungry, pero dahil nag-effort ang ina na magbake ay titikim s’ya ng niluto nito. Kahit beauty queen ang kanyang ina, marunong itong magluto at palagi silang may treat ni Santino kapag umuuwi galing school nang mga paslit pa sila. 

She watched her mother move in the kitchen. And even though she was moving with grace, guilt was all over her. 

“Is there something you’d like to say to me, Mama?”

Saglit s’yang tiningnan ni Celia at saka inilapag ang platito ng loaf sa harap niya. Then she left to get a glass of water for her. Nang magbalik ito ay pormal s’yang tiningnan.

“I know you’re disappointed that I’m getting married again,” panimula nito.

“You made a promise to me and Santino, Mama. But promises are made to be broken, so I can’t do anything about that.”

“Anak, sa maniwala ka at hindi, I am doing this for the both of you. You and Santino are my life.”

“Like I said, Mama. Promises are made to be broken. So care to tell me who’s the lucky guy?” Sumubo si Ainara ng loaf.

Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Celia at tinimbang kung anong magiging reaction ni Ainara. 

“Ma, you’re engaged to a man I don’t even know. At least tell me a name.”

Ainara knew about Jaime. Andres spilled the beans before she even took the flight home. 

“It’s J-Jaime.”

Confirmed. Kahit alam niyang hindi magsisinungaling si Andres kanina, nagtira pa rin s’ya ng kaunting pag-asa sa sarili na baka mali lang ang lalaki. Pero ngayong alam na niya na totoong si Jaime ang pakakasalan ng ina, she’s feeling unwell.

“Why him?” tanong niya sa ina pagkaraan. Malapit na niyang maubos ang loaf pero hindi na niya malasahan.

Ngumiti si Celia. “He’s a good man, anak. Hindi niya tayo pababayaan.”

“We don’t need protection, Mama. We have enough money to live comforably for the rest of our life. Papa made sure that we’re going to be okay. Do you really need to remarry?” 

“Anak—“

“Mama, Papa knew Jaime. He would be rolling in his grave.”

“I beg to disagree. I think he would want me to be happy and he would also respect my decision.” Muling tumikhim si Celia. “So how is Andres treating you? Mabuti ba s’ya sa ‘yo? Marami kang natutunan?” 

“He’s arrogant, Mama.” Ikinuwento niya sa ina ang proposal na ni-reject ni Andres. She went on and on about it nang mapansin na nagpipigil ng tawa ang ina. “What is funny, Mama?” 

“Para kayong mga bata. Don’t tell me gan’yan pa rin kayo kapag ikinasal na kami ni Jaime?” 

Hindi nakasagot si Ainara.

“He’s going to be your older brother—“

“Stepbrother, Mama,” pagtatama niya sa ina. May kung anong pait sa dila niya nang sambitin n'ya ang katagang 'yon. 

“He’s older just the same. Try not to piss him off, Ai. Anyway, you should get some rest. I’ll wake you up at dinner time.”

She got up from the chair and walked slowly towards the stairs. Gusto na lang niyang matulog para pag-gising niya, tapos na ang engagement party. Ang alam niya, sa Hong Kong balak magpakasal ng kanyang ina at diretso honeymoon na. That means hindi sila kasama.