Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Breaking the Rocks

I was able to go with my parents and visit the other places in Marina. Gladly, Exodus took a day off from work and was able to drive us around since he had more knowledge of the place. Gusto rin sana ni Mommy na pumasyal kina Exodus kaya lang ang sabi ni Exodus ay walang tao roon. The Governor was already busy in the office, gano'n rin ang Mama at Papa ni Exodus.

Nang matapos ang bakasyon nina Mommy at Daddy sa Marina ay hinatid rin namin sila papuntang airport. Mom had so much in her luggage. Ang sabi niya ay nagpadala sa kaniya si Landon ng iilang pasalubong dahil nga gusto rin ni Ayana.

"Mag-ingat kayo rito. You should take care of yourself more, Sweetie, okay? Huwag puro trabaho," Mom reminded me. Hinawakan niya ang aking pisngi at dahan-dahang hinaplos ito.

"Take care of your husband, too. I can see that Exodus is a good man and is always willing to be there for you." Tinanguan ko lang ang sinabi sa akin ni Mommy. She kissed my cheek before she approached Exodus and gave him a hug.

She also reminded him some things before they turned their backs on us. Natatawa ako kasi halos lahat ay si Daddy ang nagbubuhat ng mga gamit. Lahat naman ng nandoon ay halos pag-aari ni Mommy.

"You know, you can visit Manila if you have time," Exodus reminded me as he was just driving back home. Nakadungaw ako sa bintana at tinatanaw ang malawak na dagat.

"Kasama ka?" Nilingon ko siya.

"Not necessarily. You can come with me if you want, lalo na kapag may importante akong meeting doon. I can always ask Reeve to fly us there."

"Reeve?" inulit ko ang pangalan.

"Camporazzo. I mentioned him before to you, noong pumunta tayo sa Campo. Kapatid ni Isidore."

Tumango ako. I remember now. He was the pilot in the Campo Razzo. Hindi ko na masyadong matandaan ang mukha niya but he was quite rugged compared to Isidore.

"So as I was saying, pwede kang pumunta ng Manila kung gusto mo. You can visit your friends there, of course. Have some tea or whatever."

"Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?" tanong ko kasi naman parang wala akong natatandaan na ganoon sa pinag-usapan namin. And hindi rin naman siya pumupunta ng Manila kaya hindi rin naman ako nagtatanong kung may kailangan ba siyang puntahan doon o wala.

He was always in the house. Kung hindi sa bahay, pupunta siya sa munisipyo kung kinakailangan ang presensya niya o sa governor's office. May iilan pa siyang papeles na inaayos doon especially for his candidacy. He was very hands on to those things. Sinisiguro niya na maayos ang lahat at wala siyang na-miss doon.

"I just thought maybe you missed Manila." He shrugged. Nilingon niya ako nang bahagya bago bumalik ang tingin niya sa kalsada. His eyes were solemn and deep. Mukhang may iniisip pero ayaw namang sabihin sa akin.

"I do miss Manila but it's just work. May trabaho naman ako rito kaya I don't miss a lot."

I also don't do hangouts a lot. Babad ako lagi sa trabaho at kung mag-aaya man ang mga ka-trabaho ko, iilan lang naman ang pinauunlakan ko roon. I can still remember those times where I'd chose to hangout with Landon and his friends rather than my office mates. Gusto ko lang makalusot para makita si Marcus at makausap.

"We can go there next week. I have an upcoming meeting with a Singaporean investor and he wants to meet up with me."

"Talaga?" My eyes widened. Tinanguan niya ako ngunit hindi naman nasa akin ang tingin.

"You can stay at your parent's house. Doon muna ako sa condo ko for the mean time. Susunduin na lang kita kung uuwi na tayo rito."

"Why can't I stay with you?"