Aryana Solenn Valencia
“Good evening, Tita!” Gabbi greeted when they entered our dining room. Hawak nito si Georgianne sa kanan nitong palapulsuhan.
Georgianne smiled at me. “Good evening, ate Aya.” She greeted.
Umupo ako nang kaunti para magpantay kami. “Good evening, Yshna. How are you?”
“I am doing fine po.” She glanced at my Mom.
My Mom immediately walk towards her. Niyakap nito si Georgianne nang makapunta ito sa harapan ng bata. My Mom asked her a few questions regarding her cancer.
And Georgianne answered it without any hesitations. Maybe for her, the questions were nothing but a piece of cake.
Matapos naming umupo lahat ss kan’ya-kan’yang upuan, my Mom started to strike a conversation.
“So, how’s your life, Gabbi? After your mother died, I know that your life had been miserable.” Mom started.
After eating her favorite steak, Gabbi replied. “I am having a part-time job po, Tita. I am doing my best to topped the dean’s list. And, Mr. Simon Manuel paid for the hospital bills.”
My Mom’s eyes were immediately filled with amusement and confusion. “He did that? He’s amazingly good.”
“Yes po, Tita. I must say that he helped me survive this world.” alanganin pang sagot ni Gabbi.
Ngumiti lamang ako habang patuloy sa pag-aaliw si Sean kay Georgianne. Tila nilalayo niya ang atens’yon ng bata sa pinag-uusapan ng mas nakatatanda.
“You’re graduating architecture student?” My dad asked as he wiped his mouth.
Gabrielle respectfully nodded. “Yes po, Tito.”
“Oh. Did you found a good company na p’wede mong pasukan if you’re going to be an architect?” He asked again.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa po. Pero I am looking forward to it. Since I am having a hard time with my schedules, I can’t find pa.” Gabbi reasoned out.
Nilapag ni Mama ang tinidor saka pinunasan ang bibig. “Then, maybe Sean will assist you?” She glanced at Sean. “Right, son?”
Sean’s eyes were immediately filled with amusement and confusion. “Why me, again?!” He asked or should I say— complained.
“Why not?” nakangiti bagaman nakakalokong tanong ni Dad sa kan’ya.
Gaya nang inaasahan ko. Mabilis na tumanggi si Gabrielle sa sinabing iyon ni Mama.
“I will ask for Lolo’s help nalang po. I know that Sean’s also busy. He’s a graduating law student, I guess?” She reasoned out again.
I need to do something! I smirked playfully.
“Oh, Gabbi. Don’t disturb your Lolo. Si Sean naman ay always available. Plus, he have more access to any companies.” I smiled perfectly.
My Mom clapped, sign that she agreed of what I’ve said. Sean glared at me, but I just smirked at him as a response.
“Oo nga. Why don’t you help ate Gabbi? She’s always gutom because she ran out of time to eat. She's always tired and doesn’t have enough to time.” Georgianne talked.
Lahat kami ay natigilan sa sinabi ni Georgianne. Napatingin naman sa kan’ya si Sean, tila ano mang oras ay magbabago na ang isip niya.
My Mom smiled. “Listen to the kid, Sean. Don’t be stubborn.”
I smirked playfully. “Listen to Georgianne, Sean. She’s saying the real things.”
Gaya nang inaasahan ko, nakakalokong tumawa si Papa kasabay nang nangangasar at nakakalokong mga tingin nito kay Sean.
My Dad let out a had laugh. “Listen to her request—”
“Okay! Sige na! I’ll help her!” Sean said, nawalan ng pag-asa pang tumanggi sa sinabi ni Mama.
Ngumiti nang pilit si Gabbi sa kan’ya. Mula sa kabilang upuan ay ramdam ko ang hiya ni Gabbi kay Sean.
Ngumiti at kumindat sa akin ang batang si Georgianne. Sa paraang iyon, tila nagmamalaki siyang napilit niya si Sean nang gan’un gan’un lamang.
“I am sorry..” mahinang bulong ni Gabbi kay Sean, pilit na ngumingiti.
Ngumiti naman nang matamis si Sean sa kan’ya. “That’s okay,” he replied in a serious tone.
“If you’re unwilling, I can find naman by myself.” muling saad ni Gabbi kay Sean.
Sean shook his head. “No. I am willingly help you. I know how tight your schedules everyday.”
Bagaman nag-aalangan, napatango na lamang si Gabbi bilang pagsang-ayon. “Then, thank you.” She sincerely said.
“No problem.” Sean replied.
After that conversations, the dinner ended with Georgianne’s thank you prayer. Pero bago pa man umuwi sila Gabbi ay nagsimula na namang makipag-usap si Mama sa kanila.
“Take care of them, Sean.” pagbilin ni Mama bago tuluyang sumakay si Sean sa kotse nito.
“Babye, Tita!” Georgianne shouted.
Matapos nilang makaalis ay pumunta na akong muli sa living room para umupo. Ipinahinga ko ang katawan ko sa sofa saka inilabas ang phone.
“How’s your friendship with Ralene, Sol?” My Mom suddenly asked.
Natigil ako sa pangangalikot ko sa aking phone nang bumaling sa akin si Mama. Inilapag ko ang phone sa mesa saka siya sinagot.
I sighed. “We’re in a good terms.” I answered.
“Ralene's a medical student, right?” She asked again.
“Yes, Mom—”
She cutted me off. “And you too.”
I raised a brow and bit my lower lip as I stared at her. “I am not taking med...”
“You need.”
“I told you! I am not taking med—” I complained but she cutted me off again.
She rolled her eyes. “What? Do you still want to pursue your modeling career?”
Muli akong napasinghap. Paulit-ulit na nangyayari ang pag-aaway naming ito at nakakasawa na rin ang pagtutulak niya sa akin para maging doktor.
Mahirap sa aking maging doktor dahil una sa lahat, nahihilo ako sa amoy ng dugo. Hindi ko kakayaning pumasok sa isang operation room at mag-opera ng pasyente!
Nakakainis, wala na naman akong magawa! Mas’yado na niyang kinokontrol ang mga gusto kong gawin sa buhay!
“For Pete’s sake, Solenn! Be a doctor and not just a model!” She exclaimed.
Hindi pa ako nakakasagot nang talikuran niya ako agad. Naramdaman ko nalang ang pagtapik ni Papa sa balikat ko.
“Pursue what you really wants. If you want to be a doctor because you don’t want to disappoint your Mom, then that’s good.”
He stopped talking and smiled at me. “But if you want to be a model because that’s what your heart wants, then that’s better.”