If the Dress Fits by Carla de Guzman

Author:Carla de Guzman [Guzman, Carla de]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carla de Guzman

Eight

When Tita Flora decided to make her announcement, she grabbed the opportunity to turn it into somewhat a big to-do. She roped my mother into helping her arrange a "small soiree” with the family.

Anything she had to say, her daughter Lydia already knew, and there wasn't really anyone else to tell. My father had been right when he sensed it was going to be something big. Even Maggie was specifically asked to cut class to join us for the meal.

Dad always told me that he considered both Tita Flora and Fauna the heads of the family. Tita Flora was the sister who helped you get ready for prom, who taught you how to be cool and to sneak out of the house. Tita Fauna was the stern ate, the kind who asked if you did your homework or who gave you a hard time when you ask for allowance.

Because my grandfather used to work full time, Lola May took care of his needs while Tita Flora and Fauna watched over Dad and Tita Merry. I knew he was worried about whatever it was Tita Flora had to say, and I think this Tagaytay thing was just a way to ease whatever blow she was about to deal.

My aunt never did anything that wasn’t big, loud, or floral. We shouldn’t have been surprised, really. Mom rented a twenty-person event space for a crowd of about ten at Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay. It was Tita Flora's favorite place outside of Manila, because they served fresh salads and pastas with a slice of the most heavenly chocolate cake. Walking around the property was like walking through an English garden, or so Tita Flora says.

I've always liked Sonya's, they had exotic flowers and bright, colorful blooms growing out of almost every possible crevice. The “greenhouses” that were converted into restaurants all had a rustic feel to them, with colored chandeliers and fresh greens every day. Mom and Dad used to drive here just to buy us bags of their specialty cheese hopia, crumbly and tart little rounds of pastry that flaked and filled your mouth. Ten bags with ten pieces each would probably last us a month. I was excited already.

This particular lunch was a joint thing between Mom, Tita Flora, and Regina. They coordinated with all the invitees and the garden, choosing a lunch and tea menu for the soirée. The only thing I had to do for this event was to show up, which was perfect because planning Regina’s engagement party alone was already taking up too much of my time. I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the night before after coordinating with the event stylist, so the only thing I was currently good for was ordering my family's ten packs of cheese hopia tarts from the bakery up front.

That was where Tita Fauna found me, talking to the cashier as I sipped on my iced Caramel Macchiato. The whole bakery smelled like fresh bread and butter, and I was already cradling a bag of cheese hopia in my arms.

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