Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 50

Naupo siya sa tabi ko. I can feel my insides trembling. Sa ganoong pagbati niya pa lang sa akin ay gusto ko nang maiyak sa tuwa. I can feel the progress. I can feel him slowly accepting me.

Tumingin siya sa gawi ng pintuan. Maging ako ay napatingin na rin doon. Terrence, Clarisse and Alexene were looking at us. Titig na titig si Alexene sa akin kaya naman sinubukan ko na rin ang ngumiti sa kaniya.

Terrence whispered something in her ear. Hindi nagtagal at maingat niya itong ibinaba sa sahig. Alexene then slowly made her way towards me.

Her presence was enough to make me feel the shivers inside. Nang huminto siya sa harapan ko ay kinuha niya rin ang kamay ko at nagmano.

That very moment when our skin touched, I already lost it. Tears brimmed at the corners of my eyes and smiled at her again.

"Good evening..." she greeted after gently letting go of my hand. Her eyes scanned my face and I know that she's staring at my wig. "How come your hair grow so fast?"

Hindi ko napigilan ang matawa sa kabila ng walang kontrol na pagbagsak ng mga luha ko. I even glanced at Terrence and the way he looked at us was laced with adoration.

He smiled at us. I didn't have the chance to smile back at him for I immediately anchored my eyes to Alexene.

"This isn't real, anak. I just have to wear it so you won't be scared of me anymore."

Hindi sumagot kaagad si Alexene at tinitigan lang akong mabuti. She then sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"You look beautiful on that wig..." she said it with air that came naturally from her. "But it would be cool if it's purple."

Hindi niya na ako hinintay pang sumagot at naglakad na pabalik kina Terrence. I feel that it's fine. The mere fact that she talked to me that casual is already a big deal for me. Lalo pa at hindi ko nakitaan ng galit o iritasyon 'yon.

"Goodbye, Tita Clarisse. Till next time po. Bring Tita Shannen with you again, please?"

Mabilis na nabura ang ngiti sa mga labi ko nang sabihin 'yon ni Alexene. Clarrise automatically bore her haw-like eyes with me. We stared into each other for nearly a couple of seconds before I looked away.

"I can't promise you that, baby. Tita Shannen is busy with work but I'll tell her about your request. Hmm?"

"Owkay! Thanks again po!"

Binalingan ko si Alexandre. He was just looking ahead of him, his face was still stern.

"Kumain ka na, Alexandre?" tanong ko sa mahinang boses.

He slowly turned his head on my side and glanced at me.

"Yes po."

Tumango ako at ngumiti. "I bought you some toys. I hope you'll like them."

He nodded his head once. Kahit na hindi ngumiti, ramdam kong tinatanggap niya ang mga sinabi ko.

"Thanks." he replied and looked away.

Naiwan akong titig na titig sa kaniya. Ngayon na bata pa lang siya ay nakakailang na ang pag-uugali na mayroon siya. Lalo pa siguro kapag lumaki na siya.

Bumaling ako sa harapan nang makita ang mataas na bulto ni Terrence. He was carrying Alexene in his arm while looking at me. Maging si Alexene ay nakatitig rin sa akin dahilan para mas lalo akong mailang.

"Let's bring them to their room." aniya.

Tumango ako at tumayo na. Tiningnan ko si Alexandre na siyang nakatayo na rin. Nauna kaming naglakad, magkasabay. Sa likod namin sina Terrence at Alexene.