Chapter 20

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20 – The Talk

When dinner concluded, Tammy decided to stay at the azotea. The cool breeze of air enabled her to calm down despite all the things weighing on her mind.

What now? They want to continue the wedding between Señorita and Señor Sebastian. Do Almira and Sebastian’s parents know that she already has another beloved? If they have had kept it secret for so long, how amazing of them.

And what if I am made to continue playing Almira’s role, while the real one elopes with Julian? So pitiful of me. I won’t be able to return. This must not happen. I leave it to God’s plan because what they are planning is really wrong. If only Almira had been honest right from the start.

“Almira?”

Tammy immediately turned her head when she heard Sebastian Carreon’s voice. She saw him making his way towards her.

“It’s you.” Tammy forced herself to act demure yet downhearted.

She felt Sebastian embracing her from behind. “What’s going on your mind, mi Amor?”

Tammy could not bring herself to answer. She escaped from his hug and faced him.

“I feel nervous. I don’t know why.”

She said this line both as ‘Almira’ and as Tammy. She’s truly feeling edgy to what will happen the following days.

Her gaze went up to the young man. Right away, she saw the other’s eyes brimming with love for her.

This Kuya looks sincere, but I wonder why Senorita refuse to be with him. She said, her love for him eventually disappeared. Was it due to his long disappearance when he went to Spain?

“Don’t worry. I will make sure to love you with all of my heart.” The young man took both of Tammy’s hands.

Kuya, I wish you know your Señorita is with someone else right now. I’m not your Almira.

“Do you remember our childhood? We loved to play by the riverside and at the garden in your residence,” Sebastian narrated. “You wish to become like me and that was why I always brought you boy’s clothing for you to wear. We would do swordplay and act like we are soldiers. When we started growing up and develop our minds, that was when I slowly saw your hidden beauty and pure heart. That was when I started falling for you.”

OMG, like Ibarra and Maria Clara from Noli Me Tangere! Childhood sweethearts!

“I thought I was the only one harbouring feelings of love for you,” Sebastian continued. “However when I saw you getting jealous due to my cousin visiting from Spain, I realized you were also hiding feelings for me.”

At that memory, Sebastian began laughing.

“I approached you to ask your problem. You told me you hate seeing me mingling with other women. You said you were the only girl friend I’m permitted to have, no one else. I said to you, she was my cousin, and that made you embarrass. You ran away while I chased after you. I asked if you have a hidden love for me. I would not be able to forget the face you make that day, your blushing face. I said I also have feelings for you. That was my first time confessing to a woman, and from then on, it was only you. You are first love, my first kiss, and the one I will love forever.”

Tammy stared at his eyes quietly.

I feel so moved! But wait, I’m still Senorita Almira. This is too much, I feel bad for Sebastian right now.

“You were thirteen years old when we got together, whereas I was fifteen. I’m sorry because fate made us apart for four years as I have to take my studies in Madrid. It’s also for our future. And so I’m very thankful that you’ve managed to wait for me.”

A pity that the Señorita you were mistaken as me is not here. How I wish Almira is the one before you so that she’ll know how much Kuya loves her!

“I’m so glad because of what you said.” Tammy had only spoken now. “But I hope you can understand how nervous I am to the thought that I’ll be entering a married life. If only the marriage could be delayed, I would love to think about things first.”

“You don’t have to think about anything, my love. Everything’s on the right track.”

Sebastian leaned over to kiss Tammy’s lips.

Whoa, this Kuya kissed me! You’re too much, Tammy, you got your quota full in this past era! My hair is so long!

Tammy suppressed her squeal.

“Thank you, Sebastian. Perhaps I was only fretting too much,” she demurely smiled.

“So the two are actually here!” Dona Elena found them. “Come and let’s head home. Say goodbye to your lover.”

“Buenas Noches, Sebastian.” Tammy bowed.

“Farewell.” Only after Sebastian kissed her hand did she follow behind Dona Elena.

Tammy and her family said their goodbyes first to the other visitors of the Carreons. When Don Leopoldo and Dona Camilla came over, Tammy had to mano¹ them to pay respects to them.

“Thanks po,” she said.

“Do we see each other on the day of the wedding?” Don Leopoldo smiled.

“Yes and the bride and groom are not to frequently see each other before that day!” Don Alberto laughed. (TN: Yeah, yeah, superstitions)

“We’ll be going ahead,” Dona Elena and Dona Camilla did a beso to each other.

The family went out of the mansion and boarded the carriage. They reached the De Izquierdo residence fast. The very first thing Tammy did after exiting the carriage was head straight to Senorita Almira’s room. She immediately closed it and then leaned on the door.

“Almira, hija?” asked Dona Elena from the outside.

“I want to sleep, Mama,” she replied.

A while later, she heard the Dona’s footsteps going further and further. Tammy went near the clock by the bedside.

It’s 10 pm. Don’t tell me the Senorita has no plan to go back! How am I suppose to return to the dormitory? It should be closed by now. Wait, I’ll just trouble Almira to send me back. She has to sneak me out of the house.

She stripped off her beautiful baro’t saya and wore the sleepwear hanging by the bed. Using the prepared pitcher of water and bowl on the table, she washed her face. She also used the ancient toothbrush to rinse the taste of dinner off her mouth.

Tammy lied down on the Senorita’s bed. She was praying that Almira could return before the whole household learn that she was an impostor.

…

Tammy woke up when she heard the knock ringing by the door.

“Who’s that?” she whispered. She hurriedly went off the bed and wished that it was not the Don and Dona. She remembered that she was still inside the De Izquierdo residence.

She felt relieved when she opened the door and Almira was the one who showed up.

“Come in,” she weakly invited.

Almira swiftly locked the door.

“How is it? Did you succeed in requesting them?” Almira whispered.

“No. They are determined to push forward the marriage.”

To Tammy’s answer, she immediately noticed Almira getting downhearted. The light coming from the lamp served its purpose.

“I’m also determined to elope with Julian. Just assume my place,” Almira seriously ordered.

“This is wrong! I can’t do this!” Tammy shook her head and raised her voice. “Just break up with Julian. I have talked with Sebastian and saw his great love for you!”

“You will have a better life as Almira de Izquierdo. Your kind has no future as a maid.”

The moment Tammy heard that was also when she slapped Almira.

“I am a mere maid but I know how to differentiate right from wrong. I won’t ever do what you are ordering me to do. I can’t stomach living in lies.”

Almira was still stunned due to Tammy’s slap. She realized the other was a different class of girl.

“Please forgive because how I acted, Senorita Almira. I only want you to wake up to the reality.”

Right away after opening it, Tammy walked out the door. The whole house was still dark since it was only five in the morning. She immediately saw the slightly opened door of the kitchen. She headed there and walked out of the house.

She was extremely relieved as she walked the streets. Senorita’s nightgown was still on her body and she looked like a white lady, yet she didn’t care. Normally, there would be no calash at this time of the day but luckily, one just passed in front of her.

She stopped it and hopped in. “To Dormitorio de Los Hijos po.”

The coach driver creased his forehead, but then he suddenly grinned. “Where did you come from and you look so sleepless?”

“Just drive me home. You’re asking for the insignificant.”

And the calash moved on and on until Tammy reached the dormitory.

Note:

Mano or pagmamano is an “honoring-gesture” used in Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of requesting a blessing from the elder. Similar to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand.

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