PMS1: President's Forgotten Wife

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 29: PAPA'S GIRL

JADE HAS BEEN worried the entire night, leaving her sleepless until the sun came up. The morning was an excellent start for everyone. And for her? It was dreadful! She barely had any handful hours of sleep, and Jade needed even just for a quick nap.

Her mind had wandered miles because of what happened earlier. Jade was bothered by Crystal's words yesterday about these three individuals asking where she lives. And her feeling got worse when an unfamiliar car decided to pay a visit, who she thinks was spying in front of their property—not just their property, but they could be the same person who was looking for her.

But what if it wasn't? What if two cars with people are following her and are planning to ruin this day?!

Still deep in contemplation with the events yesterday and overthinking how might it affect today's agenda, Jade failed to notice her aunt Rosalie approaching her destination, extending her hand to tap her shoulder.

"Good gracious!" Jade couldn't stop herself from the sudden shock she felt when a hand landed on her shoulder. Lucky enough, Jade didn't instantly attack the owner of the hand and cause any damages because if she does, she'll forever regret hurting her aunt Rosalie who was trying to pull her out of her daydream. "Aunt Rosalie. What's up?"

Jade casually diverted the situation by asking her aunt what's the matter and somebody suddenly needed her presence. "Well, I was planning to make you taste the dishes I prepared since you're good with judging tastes. But if you're busy, I could just—"

Jade shook her head in response, making her aunt stop her from finishing her sentence. Jade then hooked her arms on her aunt's arm as they march towards the kitchen, a warm smile glimmering on her face. "Nope. I want to help since all I did was cause blunders yesterday. And now, since everyone is pumping out and in a good mood, I want to make up for my mistake yesterday."

Her aunt smiled back at her as they venture towards the kitchen. And as soon as they arrived, different mouthwatering aromas overflowed in Jade's nostrils, wanting to dive into the freshness of the fruits and vegetables they used in cooking. "Okay. So, the pinakbet is almost done. Can you taste it for me, then let me know what's lacking?" Her aunt said, making her obediently nod her head.

"Sure, Auntie," Jade replied and grabbed a fork and stuck the okra, delicately biting the end of it. And as she munch at the slimy yet fresh okra, Jade simply let the aroma of it revive the fervor in her stomach.

"Does it taste good, Jade? Do I still have the skill of the best cook in this house?"  Aunt Rosalie asked her who had just finished mixing the ingredients for the pancit—one of her mom's favorite dishes for every occasion there is to celebrate.

"God, this tastes exquisite! I can't get enough of it, Auntie! Did you put some spell on it or something? Because trust me, you still have a spark of this cooking thingy."  Jade replied, mouthing 'oh wow' with a hand in an okay sign to show how much she enjoyed just a bite of okra (also called the ladies' fingers or ochro).

"You're exaggerating it again, aren't you?" Her aunt asked as she continued to stir the noodles.

"But it's true! I'm not lying! I'm being candid here, Auntie." She answered and waited for her aunt to look at her. And when she did look in Jade's direction, Jade began nodding her head as her eyebrows started bouncing. It made aunt Rosalie laugh at how childish she was acting and at the same time convincing.

"Fine, fine. Just stop making your face bounce too much. It's a bit distracting." Her aunt uttered, and Jade raised her hand for a 'thumb's up,' showing how happy she was about how good the dishes are and how lovable her aunt was.

And as soon as the pinakbet is finished, Jade volunteered to remove the pinakbet from the stove and, at the same time, place it on the empty table, waiting for the other volunteers to put it outside.

"What else can I do to help?"  She asked her aunt to prepare a large frying pan to prepare the next dish to be cooked. Jade was still clueless as to what her aunt was about to prepare. But before she could even approach her, aunt Rosalie raised her hand to make her stop from coming closer.

"You've helped me enough today, child. I suggest you get ready for the event this afternoon. And besides, this is a special occasion for the Guevara family, so you don't have to do anything but to make your mom happy." she uttered with a bright smile before grabbing the oil and emptied the bottle.

"But auntie?" she wanted to protest, but her aunt stopped her for the second time.

"No buts. Go get changed and greet the incoming visitors."  Aunt Rosalie instructed, and Jade had decided not to press further. As the kitchen began pooling with other cooks to assist her aunt, Jade then decided to depart the room silently and instantly went inside her room to start preparing for the event.

However, before Jade could enter her room, she took one last peek from outside the window and swoon herself to how beautiful and grandiose the place was. With everyone's help, they managed to make such beautiful scenery for her mother's 50th Birthday.

It was already her mom's birthday, and the food, but also the people, was in full swing since the day they began preparing up to this day.  Their house's front was surrounded by various designs that fit that festival's theme: the old-fashioned—Times of Jose Rizal.

After a couple of minutes starting, Jade finally decided to enter her room to prepare. Knowing how hard it is for her to convince herself to wear such sexy dresses, an hour would never be enough.

Everyone has dressed accordingly, and she's the only remaining individual who hasn't prepared yet. Because for Jade, she'd instead prepare the dishes to be served rather than dress up. But because this day is notable for her mother, she's well prepared for this day. Jade will do anything to make her mom smile.

"Sister, why aren't you dressed yet?"  Janus asked, taking a selfie on the balcony.

He was wearing a barong Tagalog made in Piña-Silk (w/ Camisa de Chino) in a shade of light to dark red, giving justice to Jose Rizal's hair. The man even wore a fake mustache to make his brother look more mature and classy at the same time.

"Look who's making such efforts to swoon a lady in her barong Tagalog." Jade teased as she stepped closer to her brother, making sure that she's caught on camera before it shutters.

"Get off me! You still smell bad! I don't want to smell bad when the event starts! So, shoo!" he said, making Jade laugh at how silly her brother was.  Jade wrapped her arms around his brother's neck and jokingly messed with his hair.

"What infidelity is going on here, mi amor, and in my own home?! Please explain to me this instant, Janus! Who is this woman who stood beside you!" Janni shouted, suddenly popping out of nowhere like a mushroom around her mom's garden.

Even though Janni was wearing a barong Tagalog with the shade of light to dark blue, he still acted like a young lady who caught her boyfriend with another woman. With such beauty that Janni possesses, their mom would tell them that he got his genes from their great great great great grandfather.

If it wasn't for their mom's birthday, she might have beaten her brother, who is now walling like a child.

"Miss Janni, here you are, my sinta. If you think I am betraying you, you are mistaken, mi Reina. I am just taking a picture with Miss Jade, who the gods have given us to save us from any circumstance!"  Janus explained with exaggeration as he began pacing towards Janni.

"I care to such nonsense thing that your mouth uttered! I want her out, now! She is never to set foot from this kingdom ever again!" a chuckle rose on her throat at how her brother's accent changed, making him sound convincing even with the way he acted. Janni could be a star someday! 

"But I'm given by the gods to save you, my queen. Make of service to your majesty."  Jade began playing along, acting as if she's begging for Janni to spare her from any harm.

"See? She only means no harm, mi Reina. This could be our salvation." Janus supported as Janni contemplated with her words.

"If the gods told you to set foot on the Earth and be the savior of this kingdom, then why are you wearing such disgusting clothes?"

"It is because I was naked when the gods sent me here,"

The three of them began laughing as their laughter prevailed in the area. A smile formed on Jade's lips but instantly washed away when Crystal entered the house, wearing her baro't saya.

"A lot of visitors are arriving, and I need you, Janus and Janni, to greet them. While you," she uttered, pointing at Jade. "You need to get ready! We'll be needing your presence in 30." Then her brothers said goodbye to her as Jade waves her hands towards them before entering her room to get ready.

But as soon as she closed the door and went to the bathroom, something unfamiliar caught Jade's attention that made her approach the bed. And there lies a piece of paper and a white rose with slight redness.  She frowned and immediately took it and read its contents.

The beauty that it carries

It will never be lost.

My love for you

It will never disappear.

Accept this rose that came from my heart

Because you unconsciously captured it.

My heart will forever beat for you

My love.

As the clock strikes 8

I'll be expecting your arrival.

Let us meet to where we met

The place where I made my promise before leaving.

Jade felt her heart beat faster after she read the letter Geralt left her. She delicately placed the note on the bedside table before she peeked out the window.  There are already many visitors: cousins, nephews, neighbors, and other guests she can't recognize.

But that moment, her eyes darted to one familiar person she doesn't expect to see from outside the window—Geralt, her pochong.

The gentleman politely greeted the guests with his aunt Jena. They were smiling. Jade can't help but feel a bittersweet smile came across her lips.

But she instantly hid when Geralt looked across her window. She covered her mouth with her tears flow as her emotions preceded every tear that escapes her eyes.

Without taking a second, Jade wiped it off immediately before looking out the window again.  But this time, Geralt was still looking in her direction. This time, the young man smiled and waved at her, and Jade bothered to respond with a smile.

If she had waited a little longer, Jade hoped that she would not be confused now.  Hopefully, she doesn't hurt Geralt too much. Not like this, not right now.

__________

BEFORE THE PARTY BEGAN, the Guevara Family, along with relatives and other people close to them, began the celebration by visiting the grave of the man Jade wanted to see since the day she arrived—her father's grave.

Her mom started it with a prayer and followed a short moment for their mom to talk to their father's grave. The scene was painful for Jade to bear as soon as her mom started crying.

She missed her dad so much. The comfort that a father could bring, the warmth of his smiles, the positivity he brings, Jade misses it all. Jade had long forgotten that feeling that once ignited her passion for keeping on striving. It slowly slipped away from her system entirely. It's been so long since he held her; he caresses her hair when she's in doubt, his perspective against the world.

Jade thought that as soon as her father left, her mom would be able to find a man she'll love for the rest of her life. Jade, Janus, and Janni would've like that instead of glancing at their mother and see how much of the pain she needed to bear every single day.

It's not that she and her siblings aren't grieving their father's departure, but after five long years of missing him, all the three of them wanted to feel the love of a father. Again.

However, their mom decided not to marry again, even though some wanted to court her. Mrs. Guevara politely declined such proposal and focused on her garden. The three of them respected that decision. And their mom became their father, too, providing them with twice the love that she could give to her and her brothers.

And seeing her mother cry for the longest time was the most painful thing Jade could ever lay her eyes on.

As soon as their mom finished talking to their father's grave, everyone began marching back to their vehicles as she decided to approach her mom and hug her tight—tight enough to make her feel that Jade is always there to love her mother. And as long as they both let go of the hug, Jade spoke.

"Can I stay behind for a while? I just wanted to talk to dad, even just for a couple of minutes?" She asked, asking for her mother's permission.

And the lady nodded before kissing her cheeks and departed, leaving her behind. "Just make sure to be there before I give my speech, hija."

The moment Jade felt finally alone, she let her sandals sweep off against the grass, almost filled with withered leaves from the nearby tall trees. She marched towards her father's tomb as the lump of agony began filling her system.

And the moment she stood in front of Mr. Guevara's grave, Jade sat on one corner and let her palm rest on top of it. She heaves a deep sigh before starting up the sky, forcing herself not to cry.

"How are you, dad?" She began as her voice began shaking, "Mom's celebrating her 50th birthday today. And I supper she already told you that since she's been standing here with you for an hour or two?" She chuckled as Jade let her fingers tap on top of the grave.

"You must be shocked to see me now since it's been so long since I last visited. I've grown, and look at me now! I'm not a kid anymore!" She continued, containing herself not to cry. "But ill always be the papa's girl that you knew."

The wind started to blow towards her direction, making the trees sway as the dried leaves began creating such sound that made Jade want to close her eyes.

"By the way, do I look good on this dress? It took me almost an entire week to fit this on me. Only now did I got used to wearing such fancy clothes." She continued after a short while, her voice a quiver as she stood up from the grave and twirl as if her father was standing in front of her.

The baro't saya that Jade was wearing was a traje de mestiza on a shade of yellow, almost twinkling underneath the sunny sky. "Mom picked this dress for me because she told me that she was wearing this one when you and she met." Jade went back to sitting on top of the grave and bitterly smiled at her father's name engraved on it.

"It's been two long years since I got back home. And it's been a hell of a ride for me since the day you moved on." Jade wasn't able to stop a tear escaping on the side of her eyes as she hides her face in her palm. "I met this man who thought he loves me but no, because he met the wrong woman in his second chance to live a new life."

Jade trails off as years began pooling her eyes. Her sight became blurry as her emotions clouded with pain and a sack of regret she can't let go of.  Jade hated being vulnerable. She hated it so much, most especially when she's with having a conversation with her father.

"And then there's this other man, that I know you know already, came back and..." Jade can't bring up herself to say those words, not wanting to feel heavier. "Anyway, I made terrible mistakes, and I don't know what to do anymore. I can't handle this anymore, dad. Should I face it all at once and let it break me into pieces?"

And the moment she traced her finger against the engraved name of her father, Jade wiped the tears on her face and shut her eyes before speaking, "Or should I run away and hide from all of it? Because dad, I can't do it anymore."