IJLA 1 - Coming Home

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Philippines is not as cold as Canada in February. Pero nanlamig ang buong pagkatao ni Ken pagkababa niya ng eroplano. Huminga muna siya ng malalim, bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad, his feet becoming heavier with every step.

After three long years, he was finally back.

I'm just here for the wedding, paalala niya sa sarili. Hindi siya nagdala ng maraming damit. Good for one week lang. He just brought his laptop and the things necessary for work para makapagtrabaho pa rin sya kahit wala sa opisina.

Kung hindi lang dahil sa kasal ng kakambal niya, hindi siya uuwi. Binantaan siya nitong itatakwil siya kapag hindi siya pumunta sa kasal nito. He's the best man.

"Hey, wait up!"

Umangkla sa braso niya si Aubrey. They have been together for a few months now. Nagkita sila sa Canada one day. He invited her for a drink to catch up and one thing led to another. She's the closest to home that he's had for the past years.

Nginitian niya ito. Aubrey's the maid-of-honor. Siguro ay kung naging sila ni Ahn, she would have be the maid-of-honor. He mentally cursed himself for thinking about Ahn. Nandito sya ngayon, with the woman who loves him and yet he's thinking of an old scar.

"Deretso ba tayo sa inyo?" tanong nito sa kanya.

"Sure," tipid niyang sagot.

Sinalubong sila ng pamilya niya at ni Hans. Iyak nang iyak si Iya habang nakayakap sa kanya.

"Akala ko hindi ka na uuwi!" she lamented.

Tumawa siya at pinisil ang pisngi nito. "And what? Miss your wedding?"

"Welcome home, anak." His mom gave him a tight hug and kissed him on the cheek. She did the same with Aubrey.

As expected, sa bahay nila sila unang tumuloy. Nandoon ang lolo't lola nila. They've already prepared food for their arrival.

"You can sleep in my room, Aubs," sabi ni Iya kay Aubrey.

"No need. She can sleep in my room," he told his twin. His parents exchanged knowing looks. Si Iya naman ay kumunot ang noo. But they didn't say anything except 'Okay'. Naiintindihan naman niya ang reaksyon ng mga ito. Even though he's already twenty-five, he still doesn't strike them as a guy who will sleep in the same room with a girl he's not married to. That's just not him.

But screw his nice guy image. May napala ba siya sa pagiging mabait?

"O sya, kain na tayo," aya ng mommy niya.

Nagpunta silang lahat sa dining area kung saan nakalatag sa lamesa ang mga pagkain. At least the foods still taste the same. Habang nakaupo sila at nagsasalo-salo sa pagkain, saka lang niya na-realize kung gaano niya namiss ang pamilya niya.

His dad's still throwing some lame, old jokes. Paulit-ulit pa rin ang mga tanong ng lolo at lola niya. Kailan ka ikakasal, hijo? He had no other answer but a smile. Dahil ang totoo, hindi niya alam kung gusto pa niyang makasal.

--

Habang nagki-kwentuhan sila sa ibaba, hinila ni Iya si Aubrey papunta sa kwarto niya. She showed her the dress.

"Wow. It's so pretty!" manghang-mangha nitong sabi.

Ngumiti siya, proud of her choice. "Di ba?! Noong una ko 'tong nakita, I knew it would be the one!" excited niyang sabi.

Aubrey touched the skirt and smiled. "Mabuti ka pa. Ako kaya, kelan?"

"Aww, don't worry. Darating din kayo dyan."

Tumingin ito sa kanya. She could see sadness and uncertainty in Aubrey's eyes.

"Will she come to the wedding?" tanong nito.

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