Sa Kama ni Bayaw

16

Claire's

It is the family's tradition to have a dinner once in every month no matter how busy the Altamiranos are. Amalia Altamirano made sure to always check on her boys. Hindi niya hinahayaang mawala sa radar niya ang mga anak na lalaki.

Niu and I made our way into the mansion's entrance. Mayaman ang mga magulang ko pero namamangha talaga ako sa desinyo ng mansyon ng mga Altamirano. Every design was well-thought and the details are extravagantly beautiful. Mula sa sahig na gawa sa mamahaling marmol, sa mala-palasyong grand staircase at ang mga antiques na naka-display sa bawat sulok ng mansyo ay lahat magaganda.

Amalia Altamirano always had an eye for exquisite things, and Don Manuelo spoiled her.

I glanced up at Niu who was silently walking beside me, his right hand rested on the small of my back. One thing I noticed about him was that he's sweet no matter how stoic his expression was. Kahit na si Sebastian ay ganoon din.

Niu and I never talked about what happened. It was like we have a common understanding not to open the topic to avoid further awkwardness, which was fine with me also. Pero sa kabilang banda, I also wanted to clear things with him, asked for an apology, and hoped that we could still be friends despite what happened.

"Good evening po ma'am, sir, nasa dining area na po sila," magalang na bati sa amin ng isang naka-unipormeng maid. She slightly bowed her head as we made our way to the dining.

Maliwanag ang buong bahay at mas nagmumukha itong homey kahit na napakalaki ng sitting area. A chandelier hung on the center making the whole place look majestic.

Masayang tawanan ang bumungad sa amin nang marating naming ang dining.

Kompleto na sila. Don Manuelo Altamirano sat on the head of the table, on his right was his wife, Amalia. Sa kaliwa naman ay nakaupo si Sebastian and beside him was the same girl he brought with him to his mother's birthday party. Sylvie Amores, his Mexican girlfriend.

Parang gusto kong tumakbo paalis nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin. He has a pleasant vibe today, very far from the intimidating and dominant Sebastian I knew. Maybe because his girlfriend is here kaya masaya siya.

Bile rose from my stomach at that thought. Hindi ko gusto na masaya siya dahil nandito ang nobya niya. I sounded so selfish but that was what I felt. Just thinking that another woman makes him happy made my heart weak.

"Hija, nandito na pala kayo," bati ni Don Manuelo na unang nakapansin sa aming dalawa ni Niu. He waved his hand at us inviting us in.

"Good evening po, mom, dad," I greeted them.

"Claire, hija. Dito kayo maupo ni Antonius sa tabi ko." I kissed her cheeks before settling on the vacant chair beside her, Niu sat beside me.

Magkaharap kami ng nobya ni Sebastian. I have to admit this woman is really beautiful. Her presence in front of me made me wanna sulk and hide under the table. Sobrang ganda niya talaga. No wonder Sebastian was so head over heels on her. My confidence was sinking as I turned to her and my eyes went down to her cleavage.

She wore a plunging neckline spaghetti-strap satin dress in emerald green which complimented her tanned skin. So Sebastian was into women with that kind of skin color.

And you're white as snow! Hindi ka type n'yan!

"You already met Sylvie at the party, right?" tanong ni mom sa akin. Her smile is contagious.

Foods are now being served. Isa-isang lumabas ang mga maid para ilagay ang mga pagkain sa lamesa.

"Yes, mom. Sebastian introduced her to us," nakangiti kong tugon.

Tumingin ako at ngumiti kay Sylvie, we've been introduced to the party. She seems nice and friendly but no matter how nice she is, the fact that she is Seb's girlfriend, I still don't like her. Pero ngumiti pa rin ako sa kaniya. I never intend to display my disgust on her.

One thing I learned from my father was to never show what you feel to your enemies. Giving them a hint of your emotions is a sign of weakness, and they will grab that weakness to use against you.

"Let's eat," Don Manuelo said. His voice was friendly and light.

Niu led the prayer. I bowed my head and closed my eyes as he said his thanksgiving prayer.

When I opened my eyes after the prayer, I saw a pair of dark orbs staring at me. His gaze was fixed on my face and that made me conscious. Kanina pa ba nakatitig sa akin ang isang 'to? Why is he looking at me like I was one of the food on the table?

"Well, Sylvie told us that she'll be staying here for a while since she's on vacation. Sebastian can accompany her while she's here. These two lovebirds here are inseparable," kinikilig na sinabi ni Amalia. I can see how she was happy that Sylvie was here. I can see how she wanted Sylvie to be the woman for Sebastian.

Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Sylvie na mahinhing ngumiti sa komento ni Amalia. She liked being praised by her.

I looked at Sebastian who was still looking at me. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. Why does he keep on fixing his eyes on me? Hindi ba siya takot mahuling nakakatitig sa'kin? Ano ba'ng gustong palabasin ng lalaking 'to?

"And I think Sebastian wanted to propose to her," Amalia continued.

"Mom, please don't go ahead of things," Sebastian stated with a hint of disapproval.

"Oh, my bad," humagihik na tugon ng ina nito. I bet she's happy now that her boys are finally settling down, especially Sebastian who's almost forty.

Bigla akong nawalan ng ganang kumain. They continue with their discussion, Don Manuelo asked his boys about business while mom and Sylvie were talking about fashion.

Hindi ko na kinain ang natirang pagkain sa plato ko, I just keep on stirring and playing with my food as I listened to them talk.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Niu sa hita ko, agad akong napatingin sa kaniya.

"Are you all right?" he asked me worriedly. Napunta ang tingin niya sa plato ko at agad kong itinigil ang paglalaro sa pagkain. Tumikhim ako bago sumagot.

"Um, yeah. Busog na ako," I told him.

"Hija, you didn't finish the food. Hindi mo ba nagustohan ang pagkaain. I can tell the chef to cook another," mom said.

Nakatingin na silang lahat sa akin. Regret filled me.

"Of course not, mom. The food is great. I'm a bit full already. Nagkape kasi ako sa bahay bago pumunta dito." I looked at her with an apologetic expression. I don't want them to get the wrong idea. Masarap ang pagkain pero ko lang talaga na-appreciate ang lasa dahil sa pait na nararandaman ko ngayon.

"Are you sure? You don't look good," Niu insisted. His face was now laced with concern.

Niu and I don't love each other but I always felt his concern for me.

"Oh my, god! Are you pregnant, hija?" mom exclaimed with pure joy in her voice. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she lovingly took my left hand.

Naguguluhan akong tumingin kay Niu at umiling. I wanted to correct her, tell her I'm not pregnant but I can't seem to bust just yet the happiness that was seen on her face. Ngayon ko lang napagtantong gustong-gusto pala talaga ni mama Amalia na magka-apo na.

Humigpit ang hawak ni Niu sa kamay ko.

"Please, excuse me," paalam ko sa kanila at tuloy-tuloy na lumabas sa dining area. Mabilis akong lumakad patungong comfort room.

Para akong nakahinga ng maluwag nang makapasok ako sa banyo. I heaved out a deep sigh and stared at the mirror.

Halos mapatili ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at suwabeng pumasok doon si Sebastian. Agad niyang tinakpan ang bibig ko, my muffled scream died down on his hand.

Ang bango!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko no'ng mapagtanto ko kung gaano kadikit ang mga katawan namin.