I could feel the heaviness and the muscle pain of my body when I tried to move them. A sounds of frying something in the kitchen made me think that she's there, cooking something delicious.
Sweet smile crept on my lips out of overwhelming feeling superseding in my chest. I forced myself to get up from our bed even when I don't feel fully okay because of my severe fever last night. What happened last night flashed back in my head, how we cuddled in this bed after our big fight and revelations.
In a careful manner, I walk gently through the kitchen and in my surprise, it wasn't her. It was another woman with brunette hair like mine and a tall figure. I couldn't see her face as she was busy stirring what she was cooking while singing something I don't recognize what it is. Is she a chef or what? I held my head when I felt pain at the side of my brain, biting my lips not to groan.
Where is she? I looked around but I couldn't see her. I carefully went to the window to look for her outside but she's nowhere to be found.
In my disappointment, I went back to the kitchen and cleared my throat to caught the woman's attention.
"Oh, you're finally awake!" bubbly says the woman as soon as she saw me. Her cheekbones appeared when she smiled at me. I also noticed her almond eyes with her long lashes and her not so thick eyebrows. And oh, goodness, her complete set of teeth just like Irene!
"Hi," I shyly greeted, couldn't match her jubilant personality. She removed her apron and walk in my direction, making me step back a little.
"Naku, hija, bakit naka- paa kalang? Baka malamigan ka," she worriedly said despite the burning weather outside and immediately look for my slipper around the tiny sala of our cottage, I fold the fingers in my feet as I felt my own cheeks heated.
"Who are you?" I finally asked, she looked at me with her lips swung a little but smile cheekily afterward, "Ay siya, I forgot to introduce myself first," she dusted her own hands and went closer to me.
"I'm Imee," she unfolded her palm in front of me, "Imee Marcos, your girlfriend's older sister," I blushed how she's unaware that Irene and I aren't together. How did she know by the way? The fact that her sister, Irene, is my future mother-in-law and her nephew is my fiance.
"Ariella," I simply introduced and took her soft hand, she shook my hand back firmly, "and I am not your sister's girlfriend, I am your nephew's fiance," I corrected.
Her natural glistening eyes lit up, "I know. It's just that, my ading talks about you a lot when we're together. Para bang walang katapusan kong ikwento ka saakin," she chuckled and went back to her cooking, "partida, hindi na kayo niyan ha!" she giggled. Does she know something about us? Probably yes.
I took a seat in the kitchen island chair and watch her, "really?" I asked and smiled, feeling good about what I've heard. She wasn't that completely cold person after all.
"Ay oo, hija! Sayang nga at hindi kayo nagkatuluyan e," I laughed a little hearing her straightforward remarks. This woman is much more different compare to her younger sister who has an icy personality than Elsa of Frozen.
"Excuse me, I'm your future niece-in-law," I humorously said causing her to chuckle.
"Ewan ko ba, pero mas bet ko talaga kayo ng ading ko kesa sa hard-headed na Luis na 'yan," the smile in my lips slightly blench. Luis is a good man though, I don't think he's that hard-headed. But this woman sounds serious to what she have said.
"Are you living here in Maldives?" I asked, diverting the conversation.
"Uh no. My ading, Irene, called me yesterday when I was in the airport going to Dubai for business matter after my heavy work in the senate, asking me if I could look after you here since there's an emergency and she didn't tell me what is it. I asked for private jet to arrive on time. But don't worry, she told me she'll be back here later at night. Hindi ko lang talaga siya matiis at gusto rin kitang makita," she said smiling, removing the skillet in the stove.
