Behind The Camera

Chapter 22

"Sigurado ka na ba talaga sa pag-alis niyo, Giovanna?" Nandito ngayon sina Nay Anna at Lola habang nagiimpake kami. "Maayos naman ang buhay nito dito diba?"

Tumigil ako sa pag-aayos ng gamit at bumuntong hininga. Simula kasi ng sabihin ko kay Nay Anna ang pag-alis namin ay tanong na siya ng kung sigurado ba talaga kaming aalis. I didn't know she cared so much about me and Siobhan. Mas supportive pa nga si Lola kaysa sa kanya.

"Para sa bata naman iyong ginagawa ko eh."

Iniwan ko muna siya sa loob para puntahan si Lola sa kwarto ni Siobhan. Things between Nay Anna and I are still awkward and we still haven't had the time to talk about it. Pumasok ako sa loob at nakitang nag-uusap ang dalawa. Tapos ko nang maipake ang mga gamit ni Siobhan kaya hinayaan ko na siyang mamili ng mga dadalhin niyang laruan. Hindi naman kasi namin dadalhin lahat. I'm not closing the possibility that we might go back here again.

"Nana, sasama ka sa amin?" She asked Lola while they are seated on the tea party set of Siobhan. I smiled when she pretended to sip from her cup. She even has her pinky pointed out that I'm sure was taught by Lola.

Umiling si Lola, "Hindi, apo. Kayo lang nina Mama at Papa mo ang aalis."

I can see the frown on Siobhan's face, "Sama ka na, Nana."

Lumapit ako sa kanila at tumabi kay Siobhan. "Yeah, lola sama ka na sa amin. We can even rent a yacht kung doon ka mapapanatag pati na rin ang doctor at nurse. We can do it without risking your health, Lola."

"That's the least of my concern, Giovanna. I can't leave this island, apo. Every memory of your grandfather is here pati na rin sa Dad mo. I might not have them in my life any ore but at least I'd get reminded everyday in this island. I'm getting old, Giovanna, my memory isn't as good as it was before but this play keeps them fresh."

"Lola, we can fix your relationship with Dad. You guys can patch things up like what I'm planning to do with Mom."

"Let me think about it, okay? Kayo na munang pamilya ang mauna." Gradma patted my knee and focused on Siobhan who has been watching us. "Masaya doon, Siobhan. Maraming tao, marami kang pwedeng kalaro."

"Lola, why aren't you stopping me? Do you think that this is a good idea?"

"You were never meant to stay on this island, Giovanna. I always knew you were going to leave, you just needed time." Umiling ako. I was ready to stay here for a long time but I guess plans change. "Are you also going to try things again with Silas?"

Bigla kong naalala iyong ginawa namin kagabi. I can't get over the fact that me and Silas kissed again. To add to that embarrassment, I even cried when we kissed. Kaya nga ang weird ng atmosphere dito sa bahay ngayon, naiilang kaming dalawa ni Siobhan kay Silas for different reasons. Si Siobhan dahil sa narinig niya kahapon habang ako naman dahil sa nangyari kagabi.

"Lola, should I just do it for Siobhan?" I genuinely want to hear someone's opinion. I had many realizations yesterday kay gulong-gulo na ako ngayon. I still have feelings for Silas, I don't know if it's the same degree as before but it's still there, underneath all of the pain that I felt.

"Walk with me, dear." Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo. Tinawag niya rin si Siobhan para iwan muna kay Nay Anna. Hindi ko muna siya iniwan sa Papa siya kahit na nandito lang sa bahay si Silas dahil nga hindi pa rin maayos ang kilos ng bata sa taty niya. "Inanna, look after Siobhan for a while. Maguusap lang kami ni Giovanna."

Inalalayan ko si Lola palabas ng bahay. "I'm going to miss having these kind of walks with you and Siobhan." Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko sa sinabi ni Lola. Ngayong aalis na kami ni Siobhan dito sa isla, wala nanamang kasama si Lola dito. "I'm not going to stop you because I understand, apo."