LUZ MOTIONED HER HAND TOWARD THE SOFA, OFFERING HER A SEAT. Nang makitang paupo sa kabilang dulo niyon ang ginang, tumalima siya agad.

Dinampot ni Stacey ang mga paper bag at iginitna ang mga iyon bago umupo sa dulo ng sofa. She tilted her body, facing Luz. Samantala, nilapag ng ginang ang pocketbook nito sa mesita bago umayos ng upo. Her glance at the paper bags were short. Dumaan lang ang mga mata nitong sa kanya talaga sadyang tumingin.

"This is about what happened the last time," walang paligoy-ligoy niyang saad.

"For a second, I thought you will stand firm about what you said that day," hilig nito ng ulo. "I never expected that you'll apologize for it."

"I still stand by it," paglilinaw niya. But this time, Stacey's tone was more compassionate, compared to their last meeting. "But the way I said it... I should have said those things better. Or..." she wasn't sure what word fit best, "kinder." For growing up independent, Stacey was conditioned to have this pride. Now she had to swallow it. "That's what I am apologizing for."

Gumawi sa ibang direksyon ang tingin ng ginang. Something was definitely running at the back of her mind, it kept Stacey on her toes.

Luz, for some reason, was so hard to read.

Her name meant light, but never shed any of that on her actions and expressions. Malumanay ito. Maingat. Which she didn't expect. Because Luz had been quite loud on their last meeting. Expressive. Reactive.

In her own space, Luz was comfortable.

So, is this who she is?

A quiet, mild-mannered woman who moved like a gentle breeze? A still water in perfect equilibrium?

"Well, I am considering your apology," nasa malayo pa rin ang tingin nito. "I understand how we tend to react when we are being defensive."

Defensive? Paano'ng-?

"I am not a fool, Stacey," Luz turned to her, eyes were soft yet chilling. "No matter how hard they tried to be careful, nauulinigan ko sa mga staff ng Hibla na... hindi na raw ikaw ang may-ari niyon?"

She froze on her seat.

"I also visited their website. Walang trace ng pangalan mo roon," komportableng sumandal ito ng patagilid sa mababang backrest ng sofa. Luz placed a thigh atop another then locked them in place with her hands down on top of her right knee. "Tell me, Stace, what is the truth about all of this?"

Stacey took in a deep breath. She got used to resorting to lying to make things easier instead of arguing to prove her point. Since no one believed her when she tells the truth. She lies tl protect herself. To avoid hurting the people around her. To keep things normal and uncomplicated.

But she was already cornered.

If she lies to someone who already knows the truth like Luz? She was fooling no one here but herself.

Inamin ni Stacey ang lahat sa ginang tungkol sa Hibla.

"Huwag ho muna sanang makarating ito kay Renante." Iyon lang ang kanyang pakiusap.

"That's really odd. How can you manage to keep this from my son?" naghalo ang pagtataka at pagkamangha sa mukha ng ginang. "He really trusts you an awful lot, no?"

Nagbaba ng tingin si Stacey. Sa mga sinabi ni Luz, lalo lang siya nakonsensya.

Pagkatapos ng pinagdaanan nila noon ni Renante tungkol sa stalker, she promised to change. Titigilan na niya ang pagsisinungaling. But that was only easier said than done. Lalo na kung ang nakataya ay ang kaligayahan at kapanatagan ni Renante. He had been through so much because of her. Ayaw niyang maramdaman ni Renante na wala siyang ibang hatid dito kundi hindi mabatid na panganib. Problema. Gulo.

"Makakapagtayo rin naman ho ako ng bagong negosyo. I have already done this many times."

"Done, what? Lying to my son?"

She didn't know how to react. Luz didn't look or sound mad. May pagmamaang-maangan na maaaninagan sa ginang. Pero mahirap namang mag-assume nang ganoon lang.

No wonder Renante could not find the right words to describe his mother. Luz was just simply... vague.

"I meant, establishing businesses," mapagkumbaba ngunit matatag niyang saad. "Marami na akong negosyong naitayo at naibenta nang mapagsawaan ko na."

"Madali ka pala magsawa sa mga negosyo."

"Sa mga negosyo. Let's just say, I am very capable with things that don't interest me."

"Must be hereditary. Your parents are business giants, right? Artemia and Derrick Vauergard?"

She was pleasantly surprised. Renante's mother knew her parents?

Tumuwid ng upo si Luz. "Yes. I know them," ngiti nito na hindi umabot sa mga mata. Stacey waited. Umasa siyang magkukwento ang ginang kung paano nito nakilala ang kanyang mga magulang. Pero bumaling lang ang mga mata nito sa mga paper bag. Luz checked the one with the pastries, then glanced back at her. "These ones will taste good with some refreshing drinks. Doon natin ito kainin sa veranda."

Tipid ang ngiting tinanggap ni Stacey ang imbitasyon nito. Sa palagay niya, mahaba-haba pa ang pag-uusapan nila ng ginang.

At kahit hindi nito direktang sinabi, mukhang pinalagpas na nito ang nangyari sa kanila sa Hibla. Heto kasi at gusto siya nito makakwentuhan.

.

.

"I'M PULLING OUT OUR PURCHASE," mahigpit na wika ni Renante sa kapatid.

Kausap niya ito sa cellphone.

Come on. Delayed lang ang shipment ng stainless steel. Why so impatient? Hindi naman necessities ang relo para madaliin mo ang production.

He gritted. "We are running out of stock. At kailangan na rin namin magrelease ng latest design. It is none of your business how I run my company anyway. Your business is, to make sure we'll receive what we purchased!"

Will you still talk to me like that if I am not your brother? Nang-aasar nitong tawa.

"Probably, yes. Dahil shipments lang hindi mo pa magawan ng paraan!" Renante groaned, falling back to leaning at the backrest of his black swivel chair. "If I am not your brother, will you make me hold out this long? Fuck. Inuuna mo yata 'yong mga bigshot companies, Ronnie. It should be first come, first serve!"

His eyes looked around his sleek, modern-designed black themed office. Its daintiness. Limang hakbang sa lahat ng bagay. Limang hakbang mula sa pinto, nasa desk na siya. Limang hakbang pakanan mula sa desk, nasa file cabinet na siya at bintana. Limang hakbang sa harap ng desk, nasa display shelf na siya kung saan nakahilera ang first prototype ng mga relo ng VVatch.

Pinisil niya ng mga daliri ang isang sentido.

How frustrated he felt, wanting to remodel his office already.

Look. Hindi lang kasi basta-bastang stainless steel ang inorder ng VVatch, okay? Hold out a little bit longer, Renante. Mahirap nang i-cancel ito kasi naka-packaging na, eh. On process na ang mga requirements for shipment. I am closely monitoring the progress of this , don't worry. Then, Ronnie's tone took a more serious turn. How's Paige?

"She's good. Don't worry too. She seems loyal to you," ngisi niya.

Hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ni Ronnie ang pigil niyang tawa. Her loyalty is not really my concern. I just want to know kung natutulungan ka ba niya diyan?

"Absolutely. But, these days, she's obviously getting bored. Tapos na siya sa mgq designs niya. So, probably, she's sketching new ones now or, you know, working on her digital arts and Youtube stuff."

Napabuntong-hininga si Ronnie. So, you still want to pull out that purchase?

Nasapo na lang ni Renante ang noo.

Napailing.

"Magagawan mo pa ba ng paraan para ma-cancel? Kasi, may naisip na akong alternative para makapagrelease on time ng latest watch models namin. "

Hindi na gawa sa stainless steel ang mga bands ng relo niyo?

"For this latest collection, yes. Hindi na muna stainless steel." Napatingala siya. "Lugi at dagdag expenses kapag tinuloy ko itong sa stainless steel, eh."

Ituloy mo ang order. Use the stainless steel instead to reproduce your bestselling watches.

Napamulagat siya. That was actually a good idea.

Ronnie continued, unaware of his reaction. Reproduce a few. Tapos, stock mo na 'yong matitira. The good thing about your raw mats is that, they're non-perishable. Just make sure they are kept in a secure place to keep their quality.

Renante sighed in relief, managed to smile. "Thanks."

Ronnie proudly scoffed. I told you, if you need anything that has to do with managing a business... this CEO is in the house.

"At dahil diyan, I'll give you an advice in return."

Advice about what? natatawa nitong saad.

"Remember Pierre?"

Natahimik si Ronnie.

"I think," he continued, "he will visit you some time. So, get ready to meet him."

Pierre Gallardo?

"Who else?" he shrugged, smiling.

Naiimagine pa lang niyang magkita ang dalawa, natatawa na siya. Ronnie and Pierre used to share the same classes and be members of the same clubs during college.

Ronnie liked Pierre's company at first. Maaasahan naman kasi si Pierre sa lahat ng bagay, lalo na pagdating sa academics. But for some reason, Ronnie just started avoiding Pierre. It seemed to be not a mutual decision. Kasi may mga pagkakataong, pumupunta sa bahay nila si Pierre at pinipilit si Ronnie na sumama rito. Hindi kasi sumusulpot minsan ang kapatid niya sa mga club activities o projects na kasama si Pierre.

Ronnie did not really say the reason behind it. Renante didn't ask too. Dahil sa edad niyang iyon, ayaw niya makialam sa buhay ng iba. Idagdag pang introverted siyang tao, kaya wala masyadong kaibigan.

But he was assuming it had something to do with a girl. Laging kasa-kasama ni Pierre noon ang babaeng gustong-gusto ni Ronnie.

Why would he do that? How would you know that?

Renante could already imagine Ronnie narrowing his eyes through his grim expression.

"Let's just say, I offered him a collaboration for VVatch's latest watch designs."

Fuck, Ronnie blurted.

"Look, it's purely business. Hindi pumayag si Stacey makipag-collaborate sa idea namin na woven wristbands para sa mga relo. And it's Pierre's company who accepted the collaboration."

Have you signed contracts already?

"On our next meeting, most probably. Pag-aaralan pa raw ni Pierre at ng company lawyer nila 'yong kopya ng contract na ginawa ng VVatch. I am expecting for some minor changes in the final draft of the contract, some negotiations from Pierre's side."

Bakit ayaw makipag-collaborate sa'yo ni Stace? She's your girlfriend!

Bakit ba parang naaburido si Ronnie sa kanya.

After all these years, buhay na buhay parin ba ang isyu nito kay Pierre? Parang hindi tama dahil kinasal sa ibang tao ang babaeng gusto ni Ronnie. Kaya, ano pa ang dapat nitong ikasama ng loob kay Pierre?

"I understand her point, Ronnie. Okay? Mixing work life with personal life just doesn't sit well with Stacey."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ito.

.

.

"TWO YEARS..." Luz pondered then sipped iced tea from a tall glass. She gently curled in her lips, dried from the tea as she popped them back out. "And Renante never thought of introducing you to us."

Kanina pa hindi magalaw ni Stacey ang pagkain. Dalawang piraso ng chicken floss bread ang nasa putting chinaware plate na para sa kanya. Nagpapawis ang tall glass ng iced tea na nakalaan para sa kanya, mga limang sipsip pa lang ang bawas.

Luz asked questions calmly, out of sheer curiosity. And yet, those questions gave her a weight quite heavy to carry. Umikot kasi ang tanong ng ginang sa relasyon nila ni Renante.

Kung paano naging sila.

Kung ano ang nagustuhan niya kay Renante.

Kung gaano katagal na ang relasyon nila.

"I am sorry if you feel bypassed..." she hesitated but finally said the word, "...Tita. It's just that, we're not rushing things naman."

"But you've known each other for so long!" Naguguluhan ito, may arteng dinampot ang tinapay nito sa platito. "It doesn't seem to matter kung two years pa lang kayo. He can introduce you to us the moment you became his girlfriend!"

Nangigiting napailing na lang siya. Gumawi saglit ang tingin niya sa maliit na garden na nakalatag sa harap ng veranda. Nakahanay ang nakapasong mga halaman. Natabunan ang pader sa harapan ng veranda ng mga hanging plants. Walang namumulaklak sa mga halaman, pero buhay na buhay at malago ang pagkaberde ng mga dahon niyon.

"To be honest, I don't feel ready to be introduced either."

"Why not? May mga pinagdadalawang-isip ka pa ba kay Renante?"

Ito na naman ang inosenteng mga tanong ng ginang na nagpapakaba sa kanya.

Stacey glanced at Luz. "I love Renante. It had been that way since I'm young and it never changed. It had always been the truest thing in my life."

"Then, what are you two waiting for? Why not get married?"

Walang laman ang bibig niya pero parang nabulunan si Stacey sa narinig. Buti at hindi nahalata iyon ng ginang. Naabala kasi ito sa pagkain ng tinapay.

"Don't give me that crap that you are still getting to know each other," tuloy nito nang malunok ang kinakain. "You've known each other for so long. At ako ang magpapatotoo nito, Stacey. Mas makikilala mo ang isang tao kapag nasa iisang bubong na kayo."

"Well, we are already living under one roof..."

Gulat na napasinghap ang ginang.

"Gano'n na lang? You are giving all access to my son without assurances?"

"Assurances?"

"Marriage," Luz said with a nod then took another bite of the bread she was holding. She drank iced tea to hasten swallowing it. "You see," angat ulit nito ng tingin sa kanya. "Iyang mga lalaki, wala namang mawawala sa kanila eh. Tayong mga babae ang laging lugi pagdating sa mga relasyon. All the consequences of it like pregnancy, babies, house care- they all fall upon our shoulders while men just work and earn money for the family as usual. Kaya dapat, may mga assurance tayong pinanghahawakan. Hindi iyong bigay lang tayo ng bigay por que mahal natin sila. You have to think about what's good for you too, Stacey honey."

Is that how Luz make endearments?

Is Luz getting comfortable with her?

She smiled politely. May mga gusto siyang linawin pero hindi ngayon ang tamang pagkakataon para roon. Nagsisimula pa lang sila magkaayos ng ginang.

"Huwag ho kayong mag-alala," sinimplehan niyang tugon. "I can manage."

Hindi ito kumbinsido. Pinasadahan pa siya ng tingin bago sumagot. "If you say so. Ang sa akin lang, I care for you as much as I care for my son. I care for people that my son cares about."

Napunta sa mga halamanan ang tingin ni Luz. She had that far away look in her eyes while sipping iced tea. Napatitig si Stacey sa ginang.

You can't really care for me at first meeting... That just doesn't sound... right to me. At sumilay ang matamlay na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. You must be just trying to be nice to me... All for the sake of Renante. Because you're his mother. And you love him.

For Renante's sake... I'll do the same.

I can do the same.

I'll be nice to you.

Makukuha ko rin po ang loob ninyo... Tita.

.

.

PAGKAALIS SA TAHANAN NG MGA VILLALUZ, NAKIPAGKITA SI STACEY KAY KYLIE.

They walked side by side inside a mall. Naghahanap sila ng restaurant o café na matatambayan. Sa kanilang paglalakad-lakad, nakwento na ni Stacey ang mga nangyari nang bisitahin niya si Luz.

"That's great!" malaki ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Kylie. "You know what? I'm impressed! Ang bilis mong nakapalagayan ng loob si Tita!"

Medyo nahiya siya sa isiping iyon. Siya? Madaling nakuha ang loob ng nanay ni Renante? She wasn't even confident about that yet. Pero napangiti pa rin siya ng sinabi ni Kylie. It gave her some kind of relief. She did her best, she needed a little sign that her best wasn't for nothing.

"Alam mo ba, I never thought about it this way before, pero sa tingin ko, may point 'yong mga sinabi sa akin ni Tita."

"What is it about?" lingon nito.

Stacey hesitated at first. Wala naman siyang ibang mapaglalabasan ng gumugulo sa isip niya kundi si Kylie. Kung kay Renante niya ito unang sasabihin, baka mawindang ito. She just needed to get someone else's reaction first, to prepare herself with Renante's.

"I think, Tita has a point when she said that Renante and I should be already considering marriage."

Namilog ang mga mata nito. "Marriage?"

"Yup," ngiti niya rito. "Matagal na naman kaming magkakilala ni Renante. We've been living under one roof as well. Okay naman kami, Kylie."

Naningkit ang mga mata nito. Nagdududa ang tingin sa kanya. "Are you sure you really want to get married?"

She stopped walking.

"Of course, I want to marry Renante!" hindi niya napigilan ang bahagyang pagtaas ng boses. She was slightly offended at Kylie for questioning her love for Renante. "Almost all my life, I loved him!"

Hinarap siya ni Kylie na tumigil na rin sa paglakad.

"Alam ko," seryoso nito. That only made her look like an impudent child, having that cute baby face and all. "Lagi ko ngang binabanggit na future mother-in-law mo si Tita." Then her face softened in worry. "Kaya lang, parang nito lang din, wala naman sa isip mo magpakasal kay Renante."

"Like what I said," Stacey calmed down, "I've realized things. Tita made me realize things."

"Baka naman nape-pressure ka lang," labi nito.

Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata."Of course not, Kylie." They continued walking. "Why would I be pressured? Para namang sinasabi mong kung hindi ako pressured, ayaw kong magpakasal kay Renante."

Her heart was saddened. O baka naman... ikaw ang may ayaw na ikasal kami ni Renante?

Stacey shoved the thought behind. "I mean, I wasn't in a hurry before but that doesn't mean I wasn't thinking about it. I have always thought of getting married to Renante."

Tipid itong ngumiti. "Kung ready ka na talaga, then," her smile grew bigger, making her youthful face glow, "you have my full support!"

Stacey beamed. "That's what I'm talking about! That's what I need, Kylie." She calmed again. "Thank you."

Despite her uncertainty about Kylie's real thoughts about this, Stacey faced straight ahead. Each step she took grew stronger and more confident.

I'll make sure we won't have problems before, during and after our wedding. I'll start establishing good relations with... first, Renante's family, her eyes shone with hope.

Kylie just stole worried glances at her.