SCRIPTOREM

Chapter 13

"Oh, hello there," bati nito sa kanya.

Ngumiti naman si Eli. "Hello, I'm Eleanor Brooke,"

Maya maya lang ay may lumabas nang mga bata at isang babae.

"Oh, Eleanor Brooke. Is that you?" Nagmamadaling tanong nito.

"Yes. It's me," nakangiting sabi ni Eli.

Tumawa naman ang babae at isa isang pinakilala ang mga bata na kasama nya.

--

"Eli... I hope it's alright. I just passed here and I'll just go if you want." Ani David.

Biglang dumating si Louis. "W-Who's this? Who are you?"

"Uh... Sorry to interrupt but I'll get going-"

"No! Please stay. We have more than enough room." Pigil ni Margarette.

"Can someone tell me who's this man?" Ani Louis pero binawal sya ni Margarette.

"I-I don't want to be a burden..."

"Oh, uh... You're not a burden!" Ani Margarette.

"Yeah. No, ofcourse," ani Eli.

"I'm Louis. Who are you?"

"I-I'm David Lieberher,"

"He is my friend and we met in Manila and he's also my co-teacher there." Paliwanag ni Eli.

"Eli, he's very very handsome," kumento ng isa sa kanilang kasambahay. Dahil dun ay nagtawanan ang lahat.

Sabay sabay silang kumain lahat kasama rin si David.

"So... Are you planning to stay in Manila?" Tanong ni Mr. Brooke kay David.

"Um... I think, no. Because I have an offer to be a professor on abroad because there is no someone who wants me to stay here and by any chance, I'll go West." Ani David.

Pagkatapos nila kumain ay nagsamasama naman sila sa sala at doon ipinagpatuloy ang kanilang kwentuhan.

"Oh, this is a nice instrument," kumento ni David nang makita ang piano sa kanyang gilid. "Which one of you plays?" Tanong nito.

"Oh, it's my sister, Lauren." Sagot ni Eli.

"We all play, a little." Ani Margarette.

"But not so well as her." Ani Elizabette.

"It is really hard to lose a sister... I'm sorry."

Binalot sila ng katahimikan pagkatapos non pero nagsalita rin agad si Mr. Smith.

"Do you play?"

"Yes." Mabilis na sagot ni David.

"Well... We will be so happy if you play now." Masayang sabi ni Mrs. Brooke.

Tumugtog nga si David sa piano at binalot na naman ng konting lungkot ang lahat dahil nga naaalala nila ang mga alaala ni Lauren.

Pero bago umalis si David ay nagpaalam muna sya sa lahat at panghuli naman ay kay Eli.

"Kung may balak kang magpunta sa California, okay lang naman. Masaya ako kung makikita kita doon."

"Oo naman. Sana,"

Biglang tumahimik si David sa naging sagot sa kanya ni Eli.

"Well then... I'll gonna go now," ani David saka hinalikan si Eli sa pisngi at lumabas na ito ng pintuan at isinara na ni Eli ang pinto.

Matapos isara ni Eli ang pintuan at bumaling na sya at nagulat sya nang makita ang lahat na nakatingin sa kanya. Nakalimutan nya na marami pala sila kanina at parang silang dalawa lang ang nandoon nang magkausap sila ni David.

"Ehem!" Si Louis.

"What?" Natatawang tanong ni Eli. "Why you all are looking at me like that?"

"What a wonderful man. I hope he comes back." Ani Mr. Brooke.

"Eli... You love him!" Ani Margarette.

"No! No, I don't,"

"Yes you do!"

"I'm not smart as you but I can see that you love him!"

"Am I right, grandpa? She love him, right?" Tanong ni Margarette kay Mr. Smith.

"Good instinct. She love him," sagot ng matanda.

"I haven't seen you so happy like that. Ofcourse it's love! You need to go after him! Louis, prepare the car!" Utos ni Margarette sa asawa.

"I'm coming too," ani Elizabette.

"No! I'm not coming..." Pagtanggi ni Eli.

"Yes you are," ani Elizabette. "Margarette is right!"

"Exactly!"

"Never thought that I would help Eli to chase a man. But I like that," ani Louis.

"He's moving to California,"

"That was only a fiction! Because he wants you to beg him a reason to stay!"

"But it's raining outside!"

"Is that matter? Come one, come with me and I'll fix you!" Ani Margarette saka hinila sa taas si Eli.

"Louis, don't just stand there and start the car already!" Sigaw ni Margarette kaya agad naman na sumunod si Louis.

It was the most happiest day of life ....