To Be Loved

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A new comment appeared on what I've recently posted on Instagram. It's a photo of me at a beautiful hotel resort called Portmeirion. The shot features the old fountain, flowers, and the colorful and unique design of buildings at the background.

:(

It was left by Xavi. I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling too much. I'm torn between laughing and freaking out that someone will notice something odd with it.

I browsed the comments from close relatives, friends, and past blockmates. May panibagong comment ang lumabas matapos ng kay Xavi. Mukhang wala naman nakakapansin na may kakaiba.

Maybe it's just me and my paranoid self. The fact that I'm aware that I'm doing something wrong is already factor why I'm being sensitive over every detail. I'm guilty. That's why.

A notification popped at the top of the screen. It was a direct message from Xavi. Pinindot ko agad 'yon.

Xavi:
Baby, I'm missing you so bad

My worries instantly disappeared. A smile automatically crept on my lips.

Me:
Miss you, too.

Xavi:
Can I go there?

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Agad na bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba.

Me:
X!

Xavi:
What? Paris is just an hour and thirty-five minutes away from Cardiff, which is just an hour away from Carmarthenshire. I checked.

Natawa ako. He did his research, huh?

Me:
You can't! Plus we're at Portmeirion right now. Almost four hours away from Cardiff.

Xavi:
I'm gonna.

The message was followed by a screenshot of Air France's official site. Naka-set na roon ang points of destination niya. From Charles De Gaulle to Cardiff.

Me:
Try. I won't tell you where we are. Di mo kami mahahanap.

Xavi:
:(

The emoticon made me laugh again.

Ganito ang sitwasyon namin ni Xavi tuwing summer vacation. The Serrano's will be travelling around France, while my family visit Wales. It started summer before my second year in college when my paternal grandparents decided to make it a thing to visit them this time of the year. Wala akong naging reklamo. Wales is a beautiful and enigmatic country.

Isang linggo bago mag-umpisa ang semester ay bumalik na kami ng Pilipinas. Dad and Dashiel managed the two carts, while I took the liberty to carry Phoenix. My three-year old baby brother.

"You already called your Kuya Xavi, Dashiel?" Dad asked.

"Yes, Dad. Nasa malapit na parking lot lang daw sila and he's on his way."

I watched out for the Serrano's black van. Xavi told me beforehand that he'll be bringing a van instead. Baka kasi hindi magkasya ang mga gamit sa Volvo niya.

Dashiel saw the van first. Nanguna na siya sa pagtulak ng cart nang huminto ang sasakyan malapit sa amin.

I caught my breath when Xavi stepped out of the passenger seat. Sa kabila naman ay lumabas ang driver. The driver timidly greeted us before quietly arranging our things at the back of the vehicle.

Binalik ko ang tingin kay Xavi. He's got a new haircut. It was shorter than his usual length, but it didn't diminish his looks. Ang gwapo niya kahit na puting shirt at ripped black jeans lang ang suot. Bakit ganoon?

His eyes briefly glanced over Dashiel and my parents before locking on me. May ngiti na sumilay sa mukha niya.

"Kuya," bati ni Dashiel.