Chapter 14
Have You Forgotten
"Nakakainggit kayo!" sabi ni Ate Sky mula sa kabilang linya. She has been fussing about the short vacation the Salvatorres had in Vente Riales. Apparently, in-upload na pala ni Vienne ang pictures sa Facebook at nakita iyon ni Ate Sky.
"Ang daya niyo! You even went swimming! Twice!" dagdag niya pa.
"Ate, sa bahay lang nila Kuya Arthon 'yon. The other one was in his cousin's house," paliwanag ko.
Nakarinig ako ng ilang clicks mula sa kabilang linya. She's still scanning the pictures! "Aya..." she said, her voice suddenly unsure, serious.
"Oh, Ate?" sabi ko habang abala akong inaayos 'yung fruit salad na ginawa ni Mama. Pupunta kasi ako kina Ella ngayon. I've missed so many Saturday bondings already!
"Ano... B-bakit... bakit wala kayo ni Paolo ro'n sa isang swimming? 'Yong umaga..." mabagal niyang sabi.
I stopped scooping the buko salad I was transferring to the container. Sheez. "Ah, 'yon ba? Nag-work ako niyan, Ate. May mga lesson plans kasi ako kailangang i-approve thru e-mail," agad kong paliwanag dahil iyon naman ang totoo.
"And Paolo?" she inquired for more.
"I think he just didn't like to swim..."
"Hindi kayo magkasama?" usisa niya. Ganito ba talaga 'pag buntis? She wasn't usually the inquiring one. Hindi rin naman siya mareklamo pero for the past half hour or more, iyan na ang bukang bibig niya - that vacation. I know, I understand. She would have come. Ate Shine and Kuya Arthon were okay with it, after all Riyu's really close to them. Ang kaso lang ay hindi pumayag si Riyu. She's pregnant and trips were dangerous, iyon ang dahilan nito. Pero hindi ko talaga alam na pag-iinteresan ito ni Ate Sky nang ganiyan. Yes, Vente Riales was a nice, good place, but it wasn't exactly exemplary. At ngayon, kung ano-ano pa ang napapansin niya.
"Ate naman!" saway ko sa kanya nang mahimasmasan na ako sa tanong niya.
"Sorry... Nakakapagtaka lang kasi..." she murmured. Hindi na ako nagsalita. It was useless. Kung sasabihin kong magkasama kami ni Paolo noong mga oras na iyon ay bibigyan pa nila ng kulay.
I guess there were people who moved on and there were people who'd just always remember that once upon a time, Paolo and I loved each other dearly to the point we relinquished everything else. Maybe Ate Sky's part of the latter... and maybe I was too. But then, six years ago wasn't yesterday.
"Anyway, basta, we'll all have our own bonding soon! Ako ang bahala!" she said after a while. Masyado yata kasi siyang kinukulong ni Riyu dahil sobrang ingat nito sa pagbubuntis ni Ate. I'd have to tell him to loosen up!
"Fine, fine, Ate. Just give me a call. Be sure to take your vitamins para kay baby, okay?"
"Stop it, guys, will you? I have been taking the vitamins for months. Paano ko makakalimutang inumin 'to ng isang araw?" she said, irritated. Napanguso na lang ako. Akala ko noon, all pregnant women were lovely. But this woman was so moody!
"Alright, Ate. Alright. Just take care."
"Take care! Take care, Aya? Of course I will! This is my son's health we are talking about. Are you accusing me of neglecting my mommy duties?" walang prenong tanong niya sa akin. Imbis na mainis ako ay napasapo na lang ako sa aking noo. I mentally took note not to be a nagging, doubting pregnant woman in the future.
Kinalma ko si Ate Sky at sinabing hindi naman iyon ang ibig kong sabihin. I told her I was just wishing them well. She calmed herself and we eventually ended the call on a good note.
ESTÁ A LER
He Was My Cousin
Ficção geral[He's My Cousin Book 2] They say time heals all the wounds. But what comes after healed wounds? A chance for a new beginning? Finally a happy ever after? Or just another broken heart?
