Mariposa de Barrio

Chapter 1: Mariposa Salamanca

Alas sais ng umaga nag-aalmusal si Don Sandro. Alas singko pa lamang ay naghahanda ang mga tao sa kusina ng almusal. Alas singko din ang dating ng dyaryo na kaulam ng kapeng barako ni Senyor. Pagsapit ng alas singko ay dapat nakaligo na si Bobet para i-oversee ang pag-aayos ng almusal ng matanda.

This had been his routine ever since he was asked to be the old man's caretaker. He manages all of Don Sandro's affairs, from the biggest business acquisitions down to what he would eat for breakfast, si Bobet lahat iyon.

Mas malaki pa nga ang tiwala nito sa kanya kaysa sa mga sarili nitong anak. He couldn't blame the old man for putting his trust in him, just as he couldn't blame Don Sandro's sons for turning out the way they did.

Limang minuto bago mag-alas sais, nakatayo na si Bobet sa harap ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Don Sandro. Three minutes before six, he would knock on the door. Don Sandro would open the door immediately and then, Bobet would escort him to the dining room.

Siya lamang ang kasabay nitong kumain sa umaga. Si Dario at ang ina nito ay alas otso ng umaga pa bumabangon. Dario doesn't eat breakfast.

"Senyor." Iniabot ni Bobet sa matanda ang dyaryo nang makaupo ito. Sinenyasan niya si Carlota para ibuhos ang kape sa paboritong tasa ng matanda. Don Sandro was quite affectionate with Carlota. Like Bobet and Biboy, she was also raised by Don Sandro. Dahil wala itong anak na babae, parang si Carlota ang naging anak-anakan nitong babae.

Si Carlota ang gusto nitong serbidora kapag kumakain. Don Sandro would always smile at Carlota whenever she would greet him good morning.

Pagkalagay ng kape ay humakbang si Carlota palayo sa hapag.

"Kumusta na iyong pinagagawa ko, Bobet?" tanong ni Senyor habang tinutusok ng tinidor ang longganisa.

"Nakausap ko na ho, Senyor," sagot niya. "Pero kailangan ko pang kumbinsihin yung dalawa."

"Sinabi mo ba yung sinabi ko?"

"Hindi pa ho." The old man raised his eyebrow. "Naputol ho yung tawag. Tatawagan ko ho sila uli."

"You better," Don Sandro said, pointing his fork with longganisa at Bobet. "Alam mo kung gaano kaimportante ito."

"Opo."

Truth be told, Bobet didn't like having breakfast with Don Sandro. Kung hindi siya pinagagalitan, marami namang ipinagagawa. He would always criticize his works, but he would also always rely on him for everything.

"Senyor, matanong ko lang po. Wala na po ba talagang ibang paraan para mapauwi yung dalawa?"

"Bakit? Gusto mong pekein na lamang natin ang kamatayan ko?"

Agad siyang umiling. "Hindi ho."

"I doubt na uuwi si Domingo. Unless it is to claim his inheritance," the old man pointed out. "He's too stubborn, that child."

Kanino kaya nagmana, gusto niyang sabihin. Don Sandro came from a generation of parents who didn't feel the need to apologize to their kids. Kahit hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nito ramdam na may ginawa itong mali. Palagi nitong pangonsensya na pinalaki nito ang mga anak nito sa karangyaan. Na hindi nito pinabayaan ang mga anak nito. That he was a good father for providing them with money.

No child wanted to hear that. But no parent would ever feel neglectful if they have supported their children financially.

"Paano kung mas lalo syang magalit, Senyor?" tanong niya maya-maya.

The old man waved his hand dismissively. "He's already angry at me. Ano naman ang gagawin nya sa akin? Kill me?" Tumawa ito. "He knows that will never solve any of his problems."