Time passed, and Rozzean didn't come out of the room again. It was eight o'clock in the evening, and I had already cooked dinner. I asked Manang what he might want for dinner, and she said that our boss's favorite is "Tinolang Manok", a famous Filipino-style chicken soup.
So I immediately cooked it. However, he still hasn't come downstairs. It's tiring to go up to his room because this house is so huge.
Now I'm here in the living room with Manang. We're watching a show on TV. It's good that we are allowed to do this; not all housemaids have this privilege.
"Manang, how about you? Haven't you eaten yet?" I asked her.
I was starting to feel hungry. I haven't had lunch. I had forgotten to eat before leaving my house.
"I won't eat until Sir eats," she replied.
I pursed my lips. Was that Rozzean's rule?
But to be honest, I have already noticed a few things about him in the few hours I've been here.
First, he had a short temper, which isn't really good for me, because I have pets who can be quite lively.
Second, he liked to show off his body. And I find it disturbing. I also lose my focus. I needed to stay alert because it felt like he was testing me to see if I was attracted to him the way he flaunted his body.
Third, he used foul language. I heard words like "btch," "whores," "fck," oh my god.
Fourth, his eyes are so scrutinizing. It feels like every time he looks at me, he can read my thoughts. I have to be ready whenever he asks me something.
And fifth... lastly.
His authority. When he speaks, you just find yourself obeying.
Dad said he's nice and a good person. He said all those nice things to me before I left. He said I wouldn't regret marrying Rozzean. But right now, there are so many reasons for me to be turned off by him. I have standards, too.
However, this can't be the reason I cancelled our meeting and my anticipated marriage to dad.
These reasons are very shallow.
"If you want, Tali, go ahead and eat," Manang said.
I turned to Manang when she spoke again. The throw pillow was in my lap, and I was stroking it. I leaned back and hugged the pillow.
"Well, it seems like I can't eat until Sir has eaten, too" I replied.
But I was really hungry.
"I'm afraid he might get angry," I added.
"No, sir, it is not like that, Tali. The truth is, he doesn't have a problem with his helpers eating first. He told me before that if we're hungry, we should eat and not wait for him. Sometimes, because of his heavy workload, he forgets to eat at the right time."
Oh...
I adjusted my sitting position upon hearing Manang Selya's words. I put down the throw pillow I was holding and looked at her. She turned to me, grabbed the TV remote, and turned it off.
"Really? I-I thought it was not allowed because you don't eat together," I responded.
Manang Selya shook her head and stood up. I also stood up and followed her as she started walking towards the kitchen.
But what caught my attention was when she mentioned that Rozzean sometimes forgets to eat due to his heavy workload. Dad did mention that Rozzean is a hardworking person. He told me that he takes his job very seriously and doesn't even get up from his seat at work until he finishes his tasks.
"No. It's not that. I just prefer Rozzean to go first. She knows that," I replied.
Manang grabbed a plate and scooped some rice onto it. She also got some dish onto the plate, then placed it on the table. Next, she took a glass, approached the refrigerator, and poured some fresh juice into it. Afterward, she placed the glass on the table.
Once she had everything set up, she looked at me, smiled, and then invited me.
"Let's eat; I know you must be hungry since I noticed you looking at the kitchen earlier a few times. I just confirmed it when you asked me if I hadn't eaten yet."
My gosh! did I? I didn't even realize it! I felt embarrassed... Manang is quite observant too.
I sat down and smiled back at her. Manang is so kind; if Rozzean ever lets her go, I'd definitely hire her as a household helper. She gives off a grandmotherly vibe, and her care earlier was truly appreciated.
"Thank you very much, Manang; your cooking is really delicious," I expressed my gratitude to her.
I picked up the spoon and started eating. I couldn't help but savor the delicious tinola. Praising myself! After all, I was the one who cooked it. Manang just watched me until I finished my meal.
"You seem so happy while eating; it's fun to watch you," Manang commented.
I scratched my head when I heard her words. I hadn't had lunch yet, so I was really hungry. Plus, I really love this dish. Who among Filipinos wouldn't enjoy Tinolang manok? It's actually a favorite of Manny Pacquiao.
I stood up and went to the sink to start washing the dishes. I felt Manang approach me and watch me. She was looking at my hands as I washed the dishes.
"Tali, I just noticed something. Your fingers are so pretty. They're quite long. You must be really used to doing household chores, right? How do you take care of your hands to keep them beautiful like this?" Manang remarked.
I winced a bit. After finishing washing the dishes, I placed them in their respective storage and wiped my hands.
"Uh... I don't really know, Manang, maybe it's just normal?" I replied, followed by a nervous laugh.
I suddenly hid my hands behind my back. Sh/t.
Even though I have my own house and handle chores myself, my hands haven't become rough or calloused. Like Manang said, my fingers are long. I don't usually put on nail polish, and I don't let my nails grow too long because once, when I did, I accidentally poked my pets with them.
"Your fingers are so beautiful, and they're fair. Maybe that's why you're always covered up, to protect your complexion?" Manang asked with a smile.
Internally, I winced a few times. Manang is indeed observant, and I need to be careful around her. But I couldn't help but notice that Manang's questions seemed sincere. She didn't seem to be doubting my identity based on her observations.
"Uh, well, our family has fair skin, Manang, despite coming from a humble background. People often mistake me for being wealthy because of my complexion. And yes, I do wear long clothes to protect my skin," I replied.
Manang nodded at me as if she understood my explanation. I really need to be careful with her.
"Oh, alright, let's go, and we'll close all the doors and windows and check the sockets around the house," Manang said.
I immediately complied as she walked first. When we reached the third floor, we turned right, but I glanced at Rozzean's room. It had been four hours, and he still hadn't come down. It was already nine o'clock. It was too late to have dinner.
"I always start by checking the sockets on the third floor and then on the rooftop. Sir often comes here when he wants to have a drink," Manang explained.
She opened the door, and a strong cold wind greeted me. I gasped as I saw the rooftop she mentioned.
Sht. There are so many plants! A-and flowers too.
I walked closer to the plants.
"It's an open area, but when it rains, you can close the upper part," Manang explained as she took a remote from the side. She pressed something on it, and suddenly, a steel-like window emerged from the side. It rose up and connected to the roof.
Wow! So high-tech! It can really turn into a closed area! Rozzean is really wealthy. Well, he has already been featured in a Billionaire's Bachelor's magazine.
"Sir's house is amazing, Manang," I said as I approached her.
She was checking the sockets, and I helped her. Everything here is so clean, even the sofa and pillows. I ran my fingers on the table and other things I saw, and there was no dust to be found on my fingers.
"Are you impressed? There are many more places in this house that will surely amaze you," she replied.
I was indeed impressed because even though we were well-off and had a large house, we didn't have such a beautiful rooftop area like this one. Now I know where I'll be spending a lot of time because, well, the garden is strictly prohibited to enter.
Hello, flowers!
While I was looking, I noticed that these flowers are so expensive! He even has Juliet roses! My heart raced with joy. The plants here are so beautiful. I hadn't realized that I had been staring at the plants with a smile for a while.
"It looks like you have a fondness for plants, Tali. Your eyes haven't left them," Manang observed.
I chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed as I approached her.
"Just a few. In other houses I've been to, they also have plants. They're alluring, and it's not just about the appearance; they also help when you're feeling down. Just looking at them can lighten your mood," I replied.
Manang walked, and I followed her. As we left the rooftop, I smiled and waved goodbye to the plants. See you next time!
"You're right. That's why there are so many here, because Sir loves plants. That's what I think his reason is for having so many plants."
My smile disappeared, and I glanced at Manang's back as she said that. I sensed the sadness in her voice in the last words she mentioned.