To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2

I was disappointed on my own feelings. Hindi ko alam kung saan ba nanggagaling ang kakaibang pakiramdam na aking nararamdaman ngayon.

I don't know how I can handle this unfamiliar feelings I feel right now.

Fudge!

Ano bang pakiramdam ito? Tama pa ba itong nararamdaman ko?

Pinangalahatian ko ang isang baso ng tubig na dinala ng server ko kanina.

"Kairra, it's good for you if you take a rest." my manager suggested, si Sheeme.

"No, I'm okay." iling ko sabay buga ng hangin para tuluyang gumaan ang pakiramdam. "I have to face and apologize to all customers who were disturbed because of the commotion."

"I can handle this, K." aniya.

I smiled at her a little. "It's okay, Sheeme. May mga costumers na gusto din akong ma-meet sa second floor at sisilip din ako mamaya sa rooftop to check also our costumers there. Sayang ang opportunity, more costumers ito for sure." I then winked at her.

"But, Kairra." angal niya.

By the way, I let them call me by my nickname dahil hindi naman kami nagkakalayo ng edad, magkataon nga lang kami ni Sheeme, eh.

"Miss Kairra, may pamilya pong gustong kumausap sa inyo sa second floor." saad ng isang server na lumapit sa amin.

"I told you." sabay turo ko kay Sheeme at nikindatan siya.

She just make a face then rolled her eyes. "Okay." aniya.

"I willll go now." saad ko sa server bago tumayo at tinanggal ang suot na pangluto para magtungo na sa ikalawang palapag ng restaurant.

This restaurant is owned by my parents, one of their properties. Marami pang iba sa parte ng pilipinas, but I chose this one. Seems like my heart chose this, seems I've unfinished business here, seems I've a lot of memories here but the truth was I can't remember. I like it here but I don't know why. My relatives explained that I live here in the Philippines with my parents but when my parents died due the car accident my relatives get me to migrate and live in France because no one who will take care of me here because that time I'm still young, kaya siguro'y wala rin akong maalalang sinaryo na kasama ang aking mga magulang?

Lahat naman ng properties ng aking mga magulang ay nakapangalan sa akin but I couldn't handle them all that's why my relatives help me to take care about it. I have an experience to take care a restaurant because one of my relatives have a restaurant aboard that's why I'm not having a hard time now to handle our own restaurant even I just arrived here jus a weeks ago. It's my first time to handle my own restaurant but I didn't back out because I know I can.

They said that I'm too young for this kind of work but I think I'm on my right age to handle this business. Yes, it's hard to handle this kind of business but I know I can and I'm trying. Dahil kung kaya ko man o hindi ay tutuloy parin ako dahil pamana ito galing sa mga mahal kong magulang.

This restaurant is extensive, from first floor, second until the rooftop. All are made of glass, from door, wall and other structures while the table and chair are made by wooden narra that matched and proper to the colorful chandeliers and staircase. Sa unang palapag, sa kalahating parte ay naroon ang cafe kung saan ang dinudumog tuwing umaga, while on the second floor was for a private meeting, celebration and for formal occasions. Habang sa pangatlong palapag kung saan open area ay for lovers who's having their date, the view there was so calm and nice. Ang motif ay pinagsamang makaluma at makabago dahilan para umaliwalas ang loob, sumakto at bagay ang pinagsamang motif nito mula sa unang palapag hanggang sa pangatlo.

My favorite floor was the third where open area that I could see freely the skyscrapers. The view at night was so nice because you could watch the sunset at the same time the various lights at the night from skyscrapers make you breath calmly, even the morning where the sun is rising. The view was so relaxing plus the fresh silent air. I really love that view!

We serve Italian, French and Filipino dishes while the food from the cafe are desserts, coffee, cake and many more. Dinadayo dahil sa magandang pagkakadisenyo, maayos na pamamalakad at masasarap na pagkain.

That's why I don't know if what is the problem of the girl who made the commotion recently. Maybe she just insane, huh?

Bago ako tuluyang pumaitaas ay nilapitan ko ang bawat taong kumakain sa unang palapag upang makahingi ng despensa sa kaninang commotion.

"I'm really sorry for the trouble, ma'am." paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa mga lamesang my taong nagsisikainan.

"No it's okay hija. Your services is great and the taste of the dishes is good and delicious. Kaya taka lamang ako kung saan nanggagaling ang mga sinasabi ng babaeng nag iiskandalo kanina." taas noong sabi ng isa naming costumers, isang politician, katabi ang kaniyang anak.

"I think Mom, she just wants everyone's attention, am I right, Miss." maarteng singit ng isang cute na bata sa kaniyang tabi.

I chuckled "Maybe?"

"By the way she's my daughter." lahad niya sa kaniyang anak.

"Nice meeting you cute young girl." I smiled sweetly.

She smiled at me too. "You're so beautiful po." masaya niyang tugon.

"Thanks. Ikaw din."

"Can we take a picture po." she asked cutely.

"Of course." nagugulat kong saad.

Masaya niyang inilabas ang kaniyang camera habang tumawag naman ako ng isang server. Tumabi ako sa kaniya at inakbayan siya upang makapwesto ng maganda para sa pagkuha ng litrato.

"Thanks, po."

Nginitian ko ang bata bago bumaling na sa kaniyang ina upang makapagpaalam na. Kailangan ko pang humingi ng paumanhin sa ibang customers.

"I have to go, ma'am." I said politely.

My costumer smiled. "Sure... sure... Thanks for the time."

"Thanks for your words, ma'am." I smiled back.

Lahat ng nasa unang palapag ay nilapita ko para personal na humingi ng tawad sa kaguluhang nangyari kanina. All their words are good and it help to eases my feelings. They praise me seems there's nothing happened a commotion recently. Thanks because they are kind of person who can easily understand.

The more they say and give me good words, the more I encourage myself more.

"Sorry, Ma'am."

"Thanks po." masasaya kong tugon.

Natapos ang huling lamesa ay dumeretsyo na ako sa pangalawang palapag to meet the people who want to talk and meet me personally after this I will gonna try to check the customers on rooftop.

When I was on the last ladder I slowly travel my eyes to saw all the people who's eating quietly. Para bang sanay na sila sa ganitong tahimik na eksena. Kumpara sa baba ay mas malalaking tao ang kumakain dito sa pangalawang palapag, halos lahat ng tao dito ay may reservations, maaga pa lamang ay nakareserve na sila.

Lahat sila ay galing sa malalaking company at ang iba ay artista. Some people are celebrating their party here, some clients they want the meeting to do here and also some family party, engagement party is held here.

Laking pasasalamat ko ng hindi dito nagyari ang kaninang gulo. The good image of my restaurant will be turned to nastier because of the unreasonable problem of that insane woman. Nakakainis kasi ang baliw na babaeng iyon! Baliw talaga!

"You're here young de Versa."

Una kong nilapitan ang lamesang may nagtawag sa akin. I know there's a big family who's waiting for me in a VIP exclusive room but isn't bad to give my attention who wants to talk to me even just for a minutes, they're also my customers, anyway. I just hope that family can wait for me.

"Hi ma'am, enjoy eating." I said politely.

"Yeah, your restaurant doesn't disappoint me with all dishes, hija." puri ni Mrs. Millardes.

I remember her, I already met her just last week?

"Thanks for your praises and appreciation, Mrs. Millardes." I smiled.

"But, hija, you're too young for this." malungkot niyang saad.

Here we go again... but I'm used to it already. Maybe, I'm young for them to do this thing but I know to myself that I can. Am I really too young for this? I'm already 22. I'm on the right ang legal age now. Sobra pa.

I smiled at her more widely. "Halos lahat po iyan ang sinasabi sa akin."

"Because it's true, hija, you're too young. Ang mga ganyang edad ay nag eenjoy pa sa mga bar to party." the old man said, ang kameeting ni Mrs. Millardes.

Though, I don't know him, this is the first time I saw him but I turned and smiled at him. "Don't worry Sir, I doing that sometimes, and I think I'm prepared for this kind of job and life." I chuckled.

Tsk, I'm not young anymore.

"Sometime, you mean once in a week?" he asked. "Ang anak ng ibang kakilala ko ay gabi-gabi." kwento niya.

"Nakakasama po kapag gabi-gabi. I think It's better po if once in a week?" magiliw kong ngiti dito.

"That's true hija. You're mind is mature enough to understand that kind of situation." namamangha niyang tugon.

"I think so po..." I just shrugged. "This is the first time I've met you here po?" napatanong ako.

The old man nodded. "Yes, hija."

"He's Mr. Melvert Sansion." pakilala ni Mrs. Millardes. "And your right hija, this is his first time at napamangha mo siya." nagmamalaking saad ni Mrs. Millardes.

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi ni Mrs. Millardes. I'm still not comfortable praising me but I'm happy to show what I have keeping in myself.

I turned to the old man Mr. Melvert Sansion and smiled at him. "First of all nice meeting your Mr. Melvert Sansion. Second, Welcome to our restaurant and thanks for appreciating what I'm doing." I said truthfully with politeness and kindness.

"It's pleasure to meet you young de Versa." he extend his hand for me, mabilis ko naman itong inabot.

Pinagmasdan ko siya, sa aking tantiya ay nasa around 40's and above na ito. I spent a couple of minutes with them dahil sa hindi matapos tapos na pag-kwekwentuha tungol sa mga pagkain. When I got a chance I quickly say my politeness goodbye to them upang makalipat sa kabilang lamesa na sa tingin ko at inaantay din akong matapos kina Mrs. Millardes.

"Good day Ma'am, Sir. It's nice to see you again po. Enjoy eating po." panimula ko sa kabilang lamesa, nakangiti.

"Nice to see you too, hija." nakangiti rin nilang saad.

If I'm not mistaken, I already met this family just a days ago. They still complete untill now, the head of this family which is Mrs. Cabotaje already introduce me to her whole family, sa kanyang asawa, mga anak at kamag-anak. Puro puri sa akin, sa mga pagkain at sa ayos ng restaurant ang aming pinag-uusapan. Nagtagal din ako ng ilang minuto dahil sa kanyang masasayang mga kwento. At nang nakahanap ng tiyempo ay mabilis ding nagpaalam para magtungo na sa iba pang lamesa.

This day is tiring but still has benefits because It's good to meet all our regular customers. Iniisip ko na agad mamaya, pagkadating ko sa bahay ay hihiga na agad ako sa malambot na higaan upang matulog na agad ng mahimbing. I want lay now on my bed.

Kaysarap namang isipin. I hope matapos na agad ito. Iilang lamesa na lang naman na ay matatapos na ako for this day, I will just going to take a glance on the rooftop if all was doing fine. After that I could rest, I feel myself a little bit tired already.

I'm walking slowly on the marble floor.

The end of my dress was dancing because of the slow walk I was doing. While on my peripheral vision I could see some head quickly turning to me. Pino ang bawat galaw at hakba na aking ginagawa na tila ba nag-iingat. In the distance, through the glass wall I can see inside of our VIP reservation room for a large and powerful family which is the most expensive reservation room that can occupied of teen large families for a day, but for this day the only rectangular table the only occupied area with one family.

I pushed the glass door to approach the powerful family with have a vibrant businesses and large companies they managing. I just know them through the magazine and TV interview about how good them handling their businesses at the same time how successful their businesses. It will be the first time I will meet them personally that's why I could feel a little nervous inside me. They pay a reservation for the whole VIP room!

Ang aking mata ay busy sa pagbaling isa-isa sa kanila. I really don't know even just one of them. I'm confused dahil alam kong malaking pamilya at sikat ang kanilang businesses dito sa loob ng bansa at labas. This is even the first time I see them personally, specially the CEO of their company. It's pleasure and they my customers. Oh my God! Gosh!

Sa isang mahabang parihabang lamesang ay tahimik at pormal silang kumakain. I scowled when I noticed that some chairs was empty. Maybe, the other who's sitting there is in bathroom... pero ang plato doon ay hindi pa nagagalaw, baka nahuli? Anyway, I'm really confused at the same time nervous.

I sighed as I started to walked towards them feeling confident.

"Good day, Ma'am, Sir." I started as I got their attention quikly. "I hope you all likes our dishes here." I smiled to give them pleasure.

"Oh, good day too, hija." the respectable woman said after she wiped her mouth using the table napkin.

I smiled at her genuinely. "It's pleasure to meet you po personally, enjoy eating our meals po." I said excitedly while rounding my eyes to check if they are all comfortable.

"You're the young de Versa?" the respective beautiful woman asked dahilan para mabalik ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

I nodded while still smiling. "Yes, Ma'am." I politely answered.

"Oh, I didn't know." gulat niyang saad. "You're not the figure I have in my mind." napabulong pa siya.

My eyes widened as my mouth opened and formed a big O. I couldn't speak.

"Mizelle." Pigil ng isang lalaki sa kaniya, tila may maling nasabi. "You make her uncomfortable."

"Hon..." One word from a beautiful woman and I got it. The man biside him is her husband.

They look good couple, indeed.

The woman that called by her husband Mizelle turned to me. "That's not what I mean miss young de Versa. What I mean is, you are not the figure of a woman who can manage this extensive restaurant." she explained to me while smiling genuinely before she turned to her husband. "Don't over think, hon." she said sweetly.

Her voice was too sweet!

Just wow!

"I agreed with you, Mizelle." another woman said from the other side of the table. "If I'm not mistaken you're the youngest in your entire family. You have some relatives who are at they proper ages to manage your properties. Hindi sa minamaliit namin ang iyong kakayahan but you're too young for this, hija. " saad niya, nasa akin lamang ang buong atensyon. "This is not only your properties, am I right? But this one are most extensive."

I nodded while smiling. "You're right, Ma'am. Maybe, I'm too young and it's my first time to expressly manage and handle this kind of restaurant, extensive. But I know that I have an ability to manage this even I'm not yet on my proper age... but I really think I'm on my proper age naman na po eh." I said in a thorough manners.

"Yes hija, I believe in you. Saying that your not on proper age doesn't means you're lack of ability." Mrs. Mizelle smiled. "Don't mind our words, it just only our opinion."

"No, ma'am, it's okay. Your words are one of my wepon to encourage myself more." I smiled to assure her.

They are really good everytime they speaks!

Fudge!

"By the way I'm Mizelle Dela Torallez." she then extend her arm.

"Cikairra Zame de Versa, Ma'am. It's pleasure to meet you po." mabilis kong inabot ang kamay niya, nakangiti parin.

"This is my husband, Darwin Dela Torallez." nilahad niya sa akin ang asawa niya na katabi niya lamang.

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na bagay ngang talaga sila. Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez are has her own kind of beauty and unique appearance of her face. She's sexy that's why her blue sexy dress perfectly hugging her sexy body that fit to her. Samantalang si Mr. Darwin ay may maganda pangangatawan. Matiponong-matipono ito sa kaniyang pormal na damit... wait - parang nakita ko na siya o baka kamukha lang? I don't know, I'm not sure.

"I'm Dr. Senny Dela Torallez Munar." saad ng isang babaeng nagbigay din ng opinyon niya sa akin kanina. May pagkakahawig sila ni Mr. Darwin, they are sibling I guess?

"And they are my relatives." saad ni Mrs. Mizelle.

Nilahad ang mga lalaki at babae sa mahabang lamesa. I think kanina pa nila kami pinapanood. Mga dalaga at binata ang karamihang nakaupo sa upuan. Ang iba ay halos kaage ko lamang din. Isa-isa ko ring nginitian ang mga ito.

"This is, Jeel, daughter of ate Senny. Hindi kayo nagkakalayo ng edad." pakilala ni Mrs. Mizelle sa isang babaeng maganda din at kamukha nga ni Dr. Munar. Sunod na nagpakilala ang iba.

"I'm Allen."

"Iver."

"Xas."

"Taki."

"Rex."

Sunod sunod ang pagpapakilala nila kaya hindi ko na nasundan pa ang mga pangalan sa dami nila. I just smile even though I am confused when they mention their names. I'm still nervous, though.

"Excuse me." I stunned when I heard from my back a baritone voice of a man.

I scowled when I felt my chest beat wildly but with pain, I don't know why - why I'm feeling like this right now! I felt inside me some pain! I tryna forced myself to swallow for several times hoping that the crazy beat of my heart will return to its normal pulse.

I don't know what's going on with me.

Why I suddenly felt some pain inside me?

Naabutan ko ang sariling panandaliang napatulala, bahagyan pang napapikit ng parang may kumalabit sa ugat ng aking ulo. My head ache as well but I didn't notice it because I felt more the pain in my chest. Tila may pinapaalala ang kakaibang sakit na ito sa aking puso. I felt weak, I felt my knees been weak because of the strange feeling I felt.

"Son, you're late." nabalik lamang ako sa wisyo nang marinig muli ang tinig ni Mrs. Mizelle.

I closed my eyes intently for a second, tryna holding back myself as I stepped backward because I noticed that the chair in front of me was empty. Maybe this chair is reserved for him but there's a plenty empty seats on the other side - Maybe this chair is near to his mom? I heard Mrs. Mizelle called him 'son', eh.

"Bro, you're late." narinig kong kantiyawan ng mga kalalakihan sa lamesa.

"Tsk." I heard him snarl.

Sungit!

Umatras pa akong ng ilang beses para tuluyan na siyang makadaan. Pinagmasdan ko siya at nakuhang siya iyong lalaki kanina sa baba, nakasaksi ng kaguluhan sa unang palapag. Gosh, bad timing!

He looks he's not on the mood!

Baka kaya bad mood dahil nakita ang kaguluhan kanina sa baba. I'm sure he saw me with that crazy girl having a debate, nginitian ko pa siya! My gosh baka disappointed siya dahil sa nasaksihan.

Gosh... no... no... no! I'm only over thinking!

Pinagmasdan ko siya at natantong kamukha niya ang asaw ni Mrs. Mizelle which is Mr. Darwin Dela Torallez. Kaya pala nasabi ko kaninang parang nakita ko na si Mr. Darwin, siya pala iyon. Magkamukha nga sila!

"Son, she's the young de Versa." pakilala sa akin ng kaniyang ina.

"I know." he then said coldly.

Ohh, he know me?

"How cold..." dinig kong tukso ng isa niyang pinsan sa hapag.

"He's our son." baling sa akin ni Mrs. Mizelle na tinaguan ko at pilit na nginitian.

Kagat ang labi ng binalingan ang anak ni Mrs. Mizelle. "Hi." I greeted but he just snob me.

Seems like he didn't want to talk to me. Ang harapin o batiin man lang ako pabalik ay ayaw niya, ang makilala pa kaya? Hindi rin siya nag-abalang ipakilala ang kaniyang sarili I don't know but I felt hurt because of his reaction.

I felt bad for myself.

Is there something wrong with me?

Gosh!

Why I felt like I'm hurt!?

Nang wala nang masabi ay mabilis na lamang akong nagpaalam. Wala din naman akong lugar sa kanila. Mukhang ayaw din akong nandito ng anak ni Mrs. Mizelle.

"Uh... It's sad to say but I have to go na po, to meet the others costumers." paalam ko kay Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez.

"It's okay, hija. I hope next time we have more time. Anyway, thanks for the time." Mrs. Mizelle smiled.

I smiled to her back. "It's pleasure, ma'am. It's nice to meet you all. Bye." paalam ko din sa iba.

"Nice too meet you too." balik nilang saad.

Halos lahat sila ay nginitian ko except sa lalaking nakatalikod sa akin ngayon, but just in case he face at me I won't give my sweet smile to him. Duh.

He's masungit kaya!

I turned my back to leave them. But before I get away I heard some words to them.

"Xas, where's your Mom?" I heard Mrs. Mizelle asked.

"Umm Tita, Momy and tita Fina can't go. They message me." I heard a voice of girl say.

Hindi ko kilala kung sino-sino ang tinutukoy nila ngunit gusto ko paring marinig ang usapan nila kahit konti. I'm just curious!

"Mom and dad too." saad pa ng isang boses lalaki.

"That's okay." si Mrs. Mizelle muli. "How about Zurina, son? Is she coming? Did you invited her?" the sweet voice of Mrs. Mizelle asked her son.

"I don't know." narinig kong iritadong saad ng anak ni Mrs. Mizelle bago tuluyang makalayo sa kanila.

Who's Zurina?

Their relatives also? But the way Mrs. Mizelle asked his son seems - seems this girl was so special!

Who is she?

Fudge! Why I'm too curious!?

I felt a bang in me!

Malungkot akong dumeretsyo sa ibang mga lamesa. Sumilip ako sa rooftop ngunit hindi na nagtagal pa. Masaya pa din ang pakikitungo pero hindi na tulad ng kanina. Like I'm not on the mood now.

Maybe I'm just tired?

Tired for this day?

But isn't only about it. It seems like there's a piece of memories I couldn't remember the reason to feel this pain in my chest. A piece of memories that I'm happy but I couldn't remember because I think I'm just imagining something. I'm just imagining this scenario!

I don't want to accept it but the truth was - I'm hurt big time?

But the question is because of what?

Or should I ask - because of whom?