Chapter 55

Fairygodmothers

"It's your choice if you're going to ask him further." Pagtatapos ni Mama.

Napahimas ako sa aking noo, halos hindi ko maiproseso ang lahat ng narinig ko mula sa kanya. And it was just a part of what had happened, paano pa ang buong kwento?

Everthing I've heard was too impossible to imagine! And Wayto's--- all I could say was why...

"I-I think I need to rest." I said. I really don't know what to do next, marami pa akong katanungan but my mother insisted that it was him who has the rights to tell me everything.

Isa pa, wala na silang mas malalim pang nalaman sa pagitan ni Wayto at ni lolo. Yes, Wayto's last few words in the cemetery matched my mother's. Si lolo na inakala kong malaki ang galit sa kahit sinong Arellano ay may ugnayan mismo kay Wayto.

I don't understand at all. My grandfather suggested to everyone that I should be sent away to other country just to put a good distance away from White Arellano, was that really his reason or it was just part of his plan with Wayto?

I felt betrayed again. Not just by Wayto, my family but my also my favorite person. Buong akala ko ay tanging si lolo na lang ang kakampi ko, but it turned out that they were accomplice.

What the hell is going on?

All I thought was this whole thing was crafted through dirty politics, but everything was beyond that.

My mom kissed my forehead. "I hope you were enlightened."

I wanted to say no, but I just let it slide. My rest turned into thinking and asking, but I still have no strength to move and ask him. Because it would put another pool of tears.

It's not yet healthy to talk with him.

I spent my last few weeks in the Philippines a little bit better, hindi na ako umiiyak o nag-iisip ng tungkol sa nakaraan. I never bothered myself checking social medias, they could go to hell with my scandal.

For the first time, Kito and I had a proper date. Ako mismo ang nagyaya sa kanya bilang pagbawi sa lahat ng kalokohang ginawa ko at pandadamay sa kanya.

We watched movie, eat dinner, walked in the park and laughed with each other with different stories. He's really my ideal prince, he's almost perfect, gentleman, handsome and all.

But... well, there's always buts.

"So after your graduation, babalik ka pa ba?"

"Yes." Mabilis kong sagot.

"For another-" ngumisi ako sa kanya at umiling.

"No silly acts again." Napahinga siya ng maluwag.

"Good to hear that."

Nagpatuloy kaming dalawa sa paglalakad. "What's the feeling of in love?" he asked na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"It's been what? Two years, right? Sa two years ba nating hindi pag-uusap, wala kang nakilalang babae?"

"A lot."

"And nothing got your interest?" saglit siyang natigilan.

"Is that love?"

"I think that's the start."

"Hmm..." sagot niya.

"Kito, I have a question..."

"Did you ever had you know... a slight interest in me? Hey, don't get me wrong, I am just curious."

"Yes, of course! You're pretty and funny." My eyes narrowed.

"That funny again." He laughed.

"And if you're right about the love, that it will start with interest I think it is quite acceptable, because I didn't push my interest on you."

"Why not? You told me that I am pretty." Nagbibirong sabi ko sa kanya.

"You know why." Tipid niyang sagot.

I rolled my eyes. He's right.

Bumalik na rin sa dati ang samahan namin ni Kuya at ng dalawa kong pinsan. Though, ngayon ay mas abala na sila kumpara sa dati nagagawa pa rin ng mga itong magpakita sa akin ng madalas.

My family didn't open up the wedding topic as well as any sensitive topic that might trigger my past. It was like everything was brought back from where it was before.

People were helping me to heal.

Wala na rin akong naririnig mula sa kampo ng mga Arellano o maging kay Wayto. I spent my last few days with Tanya and August. Parlor, shopping, massage and other maarte ways.

"We will miss you, Autumn!" sabi ni Tanya habang nagtitingin ng signature bag.

"Ilang buwan lang ako mawawala. I will work here."

"Sure?" tanong ni August.

"Yes."

"How about Arellano?" hindi napigil na tanong ni Tanya, I saw how August rolled her eyes.

"I don't know."

Hinintay ko na may sabihin si Tanya o August tungkol kay Wayto at sa mga ginagawa nito matapos ang hindi namin natuloy na kasal, pero wala akong narinig sa kanya.

It was like White Arellano just vanished in the whole system of Enamel, o tamang sabihin na sa akin. But I asked him for it.

I shouldn't be surprised.

Nagsimula na rin akong maghanap ng bagong bag, sayang naman ang punta namin dito kung wala akong mabibili. When I was about to grab a certain design that perfectly fitted to my taste another hand passed me, grabbing my bag.

"Excuse me? Nauna ako." Agad na sabi ko.

Mas lalo yatang uminit ang ulo ko nang makilala ang babaeng umagaw nito sa akin. Summer the bitch.

After hearing my mother's explanation, and when I tried to pattern everything up, isa si Summer sa katanungan ko. Why was she in picture? Ano ba talaga ang gusto nito? She seems so uninterested with Wayto, pero umaarte siya na parang gustong-gusto niya ito.

"Oh, the runaway bride. Such a small world, how are you?" she asked.

"Ah here, still plotting another wedding. I'll try to be a runaway bride again." I answered her with a mock.

"Oh, good to hear that. But the question is, may matatakbuhan ka pa ba?"

"I could run and run from wedding after another wedding, why? Because someone's willing to offer me a marriage. But how about you? Look at you... did someone try to ask your hand?"

Umasim ang mukha niya sa sinabi ko. Akala ko ay mananalo na ako sa kanya, but she stepped forward. "Marami... but no one surpassed my standards..."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Dream on, if you're really interested with my friend, Belo. Ayusin mo ang buhay mo, dahil sa sandaling malaman ko na sinaktan mo siya. Your summer will turn into storm, remember, I am a walking scandal and to create another one is no big deal for me. He already experienced worst of a heartache, huwag mong ulitin."

She scoffed. "Nonsense!"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Sa'yo na ang bag, too tired of fighting right now." I flipped my hair and turned my back on her.

Eksaktong nasa likuran ko na si Tanya at August na mukhang gusto na akong tulungan.

"No need."

Kasalukuyan na akong nakasakay sa eroplano, hindi ko itinatangging may mga katanungan pa ako, kalituhan at mga salitang hindi pa rin mapaniwalaan. But I think to hear more about it, means more time to heal...

Paano ko nga ba matatanggap ang katotohanan kung ang dahilan ng pagbalik ko ay paghihiganti? I was too occupied with my vengeance that it made me explode. Hindi ko alam kung may maganda sa mga ginawa ko nang sandaling umuwi ko, pero inaamin ko na hindi rin siguro ako mapapakali kung hindi ako makabawi.

No matter what his reason was. I couldn't just burn my in-born character, I am a pureblooded Olbes at paghihiganti ang isang bagay na magaling kami. It's just that it was too heavy if we didn't even try to hurt our enemies back.

Nakabawi ako, nasaktan, nakaroon ng mga katanungan pero muling nakahinga ng maluwag. The information was confusing, but time would make an easy pattern for me to understand everything.

I shall be back, and I'll face him. Not as the mess woman from the past but a renewed woman sharpened from the past.

I put up a small smile on my lips. Leaned my back on my seat and I closed my eyes for my sleep.

"I also have a very beautiful granddaughter." Natutuwang sabi ng isang matanda na mukhang kasing edad ni lolo.

He's smiling at me so sweetly. "I have granddaughters too, but I'm with my five grandsons now. Kasing edad din sila ni Stassi."

Nakakalong ako kay lolo habang nakasiksik ako sa dibdib niya. These two old men were my grandfather's friend and they liked to play cards again and again.

"Sabi ko sa inyo isama n'yo ang mga apo n'yo wala tuloy kalaro itong si Autumn."

"Sorry, my Florence is having a hard time socializing with other kids. You know what happened to her mother."

"Oh, sorry to hear that Rogelio." Sagot ni lolo sa kanya.

"But how about yours, Garpidio?" tanong niya sa isang matanda. The old man laughed.

"I can't bring them here, magtatakbuhan lang sila rito. Baka madapa pa, kagagaling lang rin ng bukol ni Aldus at Owen sa ulo."

"What happened?"

"Nagkaumpugan sila sa kama." He's still laughing.

"What's with that hat, Garpidio? Part of strategy to distract us?" umiiling na sabi ni Lolo Rogelio.

"Ah no, it's just style." But Lolo Rogelio pulled Lolo Garpidio's hat off.

And I laughed. "Lolo, why is he bald?"

Even Lolo Rogelio and my grandfather were laughing at him. "Garp, matatanda na tayo, mahihirapan ka na sa pagpapatubo ng buhok."

"What happened? Should I hire a gunman for your hairloss? Should I locate the barber?" my grandfather asked.

"Seriously! Garpidio! Ang tanda mo na sa kalokohan!"

"I-I think his head is smooth..." I said when I saw how it shines. Lolo Rogelio and my grandfather laughed again.

"It's all because of my grandsons."

"Ginupitan ka habang tulog?" Lolo Rogelio asked.

"No, I enrolled them in a painting class. Instead of painting the canvas, they colored their hairs." Tumawa ulit si Lolo at Lolo Rogelio.

"Hindi matanggal, pinakalbo ko na. Nagpakalbo na rin ako. So they won't feel bad."

"Kaya ba hindi mo sila isinama ngayon dito? Dahil kalbo sila?"

"Yes. And, I need to rest for a while, sobrang likot at pilyo nilang lima." Tumango si Lolo Rogelio at lolo.

"And I don't want them to get bullied."

"Bullied? Hey, my granddaughter is nice. She won't make fun of your grandsons, right Autumn?"

I didn't notice that my grandfather was talking to me. All I did was to stare on Lolo Garpidio's shinning head. I couldn't help but to giggle and laugh.

"I remembered the Buddha... lolo..." then I giggled again.

"And you are saying something...my dear friend?" Si lolo naman ang malakas na tumawa sa kanilang tatlo.

Pinisil ni Lolo Garpidio ang ilong ko nang tuluyan na akong umupo ng maayos sa kandungan ni lolo. Hindi na ako natakot sa kanilang dalawa, because they look nice, kind and always smiling at me.

The maids came out and served us foods, but mostly were fresh fruits. Sinusubuan ako ni lolo ng grapes, ilang beses pa niyang inilalayo ang ubos sa bibig ko para habulin ito.

"Lolo... you're making fun of me..."

"No, here." Akala ko ay susubuan na ako ni lolo but he moved his hand again.

"Lolo... hindi mo na 'ko mahal? I am starving." Lolo Rogelio and Lolo Garpidio laughed.

I cried with tears. "Oh, I think you'll earn a lot of money. She will be a great actress in the future."

"Silly. Starving, eh? Kawawa naman ang apo ko, inaaway ni lolo." When my grandfather tried to move his hand again, I immediately held his hand and I immediately ate the grape.

"Smart girl." Lolo patted my head.

The next thing I remembered, Lolo Rogelio and Lolo Garpidio offered me a slice of red apple. I declined them with one particular reason.

"I shouldn't accept apples from strangers."

"Oh my, they are not stranger Autumn."

"But the apple has a poison, Snow White got poisoned."

Ngumiti sa akin si Lolo Garpidio. "The apple came from a witch, we are no witch, hija. Right, Rogelio?" Lolo Rogelio nodded.

Ramdam ko na saglit humalik si lolo sa ibabaw ng ulo ko. "When the times comes that your original fairygod mother needed to somewhere... always remember that there are still two who are willing to guide you..." saglit na nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Lolo Rogelio at Lolo Garpidio, but they smiled again in front of me.

"Because they will not poison you the way your first fairygod mother did... Now say Ah, my princess... the apple tastes delicious..."

Sinubuan ako ng manasanas ng dalawang Don ng araw na 'yon, and they promised me that if someone dared to poison me, they will immediately rescue me.

When I opened my eyes, it was full of tears. This was when I finally realized that the Snow White story had started a long time ago. Not when I met Wayto... but when my grandfather had finally accepted his fate in the future.