15 – Casa de Izquierdo
“Hija, can you accompany me to Casa de Izquierdo?”
This was how Aling Simang greeted Tammy when the latter went to the kitchen after waking up from her afternoon nap. There, in the kitchen, she arrived just when the older woman was eating snacks.
“Yes po, Aling Simang,” she said in agreement. “What are you going to do there po?”
“I will just have to deliver the blouse that Senorita Almira asked me to buy for her. It’s expensive and was ordered to be made by their exclusive tailor from Calamba,” replied Aling Simang. The woman rose to her feet and said, “Go prepare. Oh wait, have you eaten breakfast yet?”
“Thank you po, but I am not that hungry,” Tammy smiled.
“Wait in the living room. I’ll be there soon.”
Tammy went to the living room to wait for the señora. A while after, they went out for the De Izquierdo mansion. They walked headed toward the other side of Intramuros, where there was a bridge that connected it to Binondo.
The two boarded a horse-drawn calash[1] to cross that said bridge. Not long after, they were traversing the streets of Binondo. Tammy’s eyes feasted on the big stone houses and the varying stalls. Then, they stopped in front of another house made of stones. It seemed like it was the biggest house in that street.
They descended the horse-drawn calash. Aling Simang went ahead and stepped up into that said house while Tammy was tailing her from behind. When they finally reached the interior, they saw a woman waiting for them near the stairs.
“Señora Simang! It’s been a while since your last visit!” The woman, whose age was around forty, beamed gladly at her.
“Doña Elena! I am also very glad to see you again.” Aling Simang smiled at the other party. Then, they exchanged a hug as if they had been friends for a long time.
Tammy stared at Doña Elena. The woman had the combined features of Spanish and Chinese. The way she dressed herself exposed her rich aura. Tammy also thought she resembled one of her aunts.
“Oh my, who’s that girl with you?” Doña Elena immediately noticed Tammy who was standing behind Aling Simang.
“This girl? She’s my companion in the dormitory, Tami. She’s helping me sort out the household chores. Tami, she’s the mother of Senorita Almira, Doña Elena de Izquierdo,” Aling Simang introduced to her.
“Buenos Dias, Doña Elena.” Tammy bowed at her.
“I am pleased to meet you!” A wide smile appeared on the Doña’s face. The Doña approached her and gave her a hug. Once the hug was done, the woman said:
“You and my daughter Almira actually look alike. The two of you can even be sisters!” She was obviously pleased at Tammy.
Aling Simang laughed. “Very true, many have said she really looks like the Señorita! Anyway, where’s Almira?”
“Inside her room, embroidering,” Doña Elena responded. “Let us eat something first. After a while, she will surely come out.”
“Oh my, we’ve just had our meal!” Aling Simang retorted with a laugh.
“The churros con chocolate[2] that I have prepared will be wasted then. I prepared it sinceI knew you would be here.” Doña Elena brought them over the azotea[3]. Since Aling Simang couldn’t say no to her, they accepted to eat the luncheon together with the madam.
Tammy really liked the served churros mixed with chocolate. She sat there, silently eating next to Aling Simang, while the two were chatting.
“Don Alberto, how’s he?” Aling Simang began the discussion.
“He will be back from China already. He’s just having some dealings for the silk fabric that will be sold in the store,” answered Doña Elena. “After that, he will solve the issues regarding Almira’s wedding to Sebastian.”
“Have you asked Almira about this matter?” It was Aling Simang.
“Can you talk to her? It seems to me that she doesn’t want the wedding to take place. I am greatly at a loss. She used to be close to Sebastian when they were kids. However when Sebastian came back from Spain, my maiden’s treatment to him changed.” Doña Elena’s face was wreathed with worry for her daughter.
They don’t have a clue that their Almira already has someone else in her heart. It’ll be a huge mess if they find out, Tammy thought to herself.
“May I see her in this instance?” asked Aling Simang.
“You may. You’re her former nanny, perhaps she will listen to you,” Dona Elena put up a smile. “Almira has greatly changed, and I don’t know what caused it. Sebastian was merely out for four years, and they were frequently exchanging letters. She has become someone secretive, and she doesn’t even let me know if there’s something troubling her or if there’s none.
The Dona stood up and beckoned Aling Simang to follow. “Come, I’ll bring you to Almira’s room.”
Aling Simang went after her, bringing the knapsack containing the Senorita’s blouse. “Gracias, Señora. I can finally hand over Señorita Almira’s blouse to her.” She swung her head back to Tammy and said. “Will you fine here?”
“Yes po Señora. I will just wait here in the azotea.”
Tammy watched the two madams walking toward the living room. Once she was left by herself, she rose to her feet and began pacing at the place. The fresh breeze of air brushed past her and she felt it clearly as she glanced down to the wideness of Binondo.
How pretty is the scenery here. It’s like I’m in a history book.
Tammy left the azotea and walked to the living room. The living room of the mansion was wider than that of their dormitory. There were images depicted on the walls and even on the small table. The chairs there were very exquisite, as there were engraved flowers on the recliners.
Tammy’s eyes darted to another room. She walked there and discovered it was actually another mini living room. There was a chair facing the piano at the left side. When she glanced to her right, Tammy suddenly became dumbfounded at what she saw.
The painting of La Senorita was hung on the wall. It was exactly the painting she saw at the museum.
Her feet brought her nearer to it. As if her soul was lost, she stared at the painting. She felt as if she was being hypnotized.
I can’t be wrong. This is it.
Tammy remained standing there, staring at the image. She only felt her consciousness returning when a hand tapped on her arm.
“Ay!” She exclaimed in surprise. When she stared back, she found a maiden standing before her.
“Buenos dias,” she smiled at Tammy. “We really do look alike.”
All of the sudden, Tammy was overwhelmed by dizziness, and then she suddenly fainted.
NOTES:
1 – Calash:
2 – Churros con Chocolate:
3 – Azotea = Balcony
TL: WS25
ED: Corensi
SHARRAMYCATS TRANSLATIONS 