'Til Forever, My Love (On Going)

Chapter 24

"SON! You're finally here! C'mon, let's go talk with your Tita Shantria. She's waiting for us, kanina pa." Bungad sa amin ni Tita Karla habang nakangiti.

Kakarating lang namin dito sa Surigao.

She just glanced at me for a second before turning her eyes back to her son and nods at him.

I felt my heart ached for some reason but I did not overreact about it.

When we reached our destination, I saw a woman in her simple outfit welcoming us. "Great! Nandito na pala ang anak mo, Karla! Hello iho..." Bumeso ito sa asawa ko bago tumingin sa akin, "...and, who's this beautiful girl?"

"She's my wife, Tita. Ryl Zennia Evans."

Her lips slightly hung open, "Oh. An Evans? Y-you're Bryle's daughter?"

Nagulat ako nang sabihin niya ang pangalan ni Papa. "You knew my dad?"

"Of course iha! Especially Latezia, I adore their relationship so much back in highschool."

Ah. They were schoolmates then? Or classmates, maybe? But I did not ask anymore. Ngumiti nalang ako sa kanya. "She owns a restaurant, Tita."

"Really?! Naku magkakasundo tayo nito, iha! Alam mo bang mahilig akong magluto? You should teach me some dishes later!" Magiliw na tili ni Tita Shantria na nagpangiti sa akin.

She seems nice. Mabuti nalang at may makakausap na rin ako dito maliban kay Rush at Daddy Gareth. Tita Karla's not really interested on me. At nasasaktan ako dahil doon. I want her to accept me as her daughter in law.

"Come here, Ryl iha. I'd like to show you in your room. Rush, just help your mom with their things first, mamaya ka nalang sumunod dito sa asawa mo. Room 24. I'd like to have some chitchats with her for a moment! Maiwan na muna kita mare, ha?" Sambit ni Tita Shantria kay Tita Karla.

I saw some weird emotions in Tita's eyes while looking at us. Jealousy? I'm hoping. Sana'y nagseselos siya. Dahil kapag nangyari iyon, ibig sabihin may pag-asa pang magustuhan niya ako.

Tumango lang ako kay Rush nang makita kong nag-aalangan siya. Dinala ako ni Tita Shantria sa itaas. I was amazed with this place. May sala din sa second floor. Ewan ko kung meron din sa pangatlo, pang-apat at panglimang palapag ng building. Cause this hotel in this resort is too big. Sobrang laki ng pagmamay-ari ng babaeng nakahawak ngayon sa aking braso.

"Come here, sit down." She said after unlocking room 24. Mabilis akong umupo sa itinuro niya. "So, when did you two got married?" Deretsahang tanong nito sa akin.

I gulped before answering her question, "F-five years ago, Tita."

I saw how surprised she was. “Kinasal kayo without even me, knowing? Aba talagang itong si Gareth talaga! Hindi man lang ako inimbita sa kasal ng inaanak ko.”

"Cause it was an arranged marriage, Tita...a secret..."

"W-what?"

"My parents and Tito Gareth had arranged the two of us. Babagsak na daw sana iyong kompanya ni Papa kaya kinakailangan daw ng bond."

"That's...unfair," She mumbled. "But as I can see, maayos naman ang relasyon niyo ng asawa mo. Are you happy?"

Ngumiti ako, "Yes, Tita. I'm happy with him. Kahit ngayon lang ulit kami nagkita." I saw how Tita Shantria's eyes got confused. "We separated, Tita. He went to New York to take care of Tita Karla. And I had this accident and I lost my memories for four years.  But when I saw him again, I got the chance to remember him. Remember everything."

Manghang-mangha si Tita habang nakatingin sa akin.

"You're too young to experience this, iha. That explains why Karla felt weird towards you. Hindi ka pala niya nakikilala ng lubusan. Kung ikinasal at nagkahiwalay kayo five years ago, ibig sabihin baliw parin si Karla that time."