Del Rico Triplets #2: Retracing The Steps

Kabanata 36

I felt Troi's holds on me tightened for a moment. His eyes softened.

"L-love," he stuttered but managed to control the emotions on his voice. "I promise this would be different."

The way he said it, it's not like he's making a promise but rather pleading me to stay even it wouldn't be different.

Mula sa kaniya lumipat ang tingin ko sa anak namin na tila walang kaalam-alam sa nangyayari at may ngiti sa labi habang iginagala ang kaniyang mga mata sa naglisaw na bisita.

Dumausdos ang kamay ni Troi pababa sa kamay ko at pinagsalikop ang kamay namin. Magaan ang pagkakasaklob ng kamay namin pero pakiramdam ko, doon nakadepende ang buhay niya. Sa paraan kung paano niya iyon haplusin at marahang diinan; naghihintay ng sagot sa akin.

Pagod akong bumuntong-hininga. Tila nauubusan na ako ng emosyon. I'm drained. Sa galit ko sa kaniya sa 'di niya pagpaparamdam at sa pag-aalala ko sa kaniya sa kabila ng galit na iyon, parang napapagod na ako para sa iba pang emosyon. Dagdag pa ang kabog ng dibdib ko para sa kabang 'di ko rin malaman kung para saan.

Nang kabigin uli niya ako ay nagpatianod na ako. There's a ghost of smile on his lips which made me annoyed. He won! Did I just let him won? I wrinkled my face but erased it afterwards when we came across someone who nodded at Troi. The couple's eyes eyed me like they're questioning who's this person beside Troi now.

I grimaced. Why did I forgot that my face is probably around the internet again. Siguro noong unang labas ng litrato ko sa publiko kasama si Eve ay hindi nila ako nakilala bilang ang babaeng naiskandalo dawit sa pangalan ng mga HIjazi. But now that I was caught in an accident and the Del Rico's names are drag with it, baka unti-unti ay nauungkat na ang nakaraan ko.

Is it possible? The Del Rico's are attempting to prevent it from spreading, which is why I haven't seen any news about Troi and I? Kaya nila iyon katulad na lamang ng ginawa nila noong makaalis ako sa bansa na 'to. Biglang nabura ang halos lahat ng articles patungkol sa pagkakasangkot ko sa kaso ng mga Hijazi. But even with that, sigurado ako na may iilan pa rin ang makakahalungkat sa nakaraan ko at iyon ang kinatatakot ko.

Hindi ko namalayan na halos iginigiya na ako ni Troi palapit sa grupo ng ilang mga bisita. I am trying my best to keep my head high kaya lang ay hindi ko maiwasang ma-conscious sa tingin ng ilang nakapansin na sa amin. When the two couples turned to face us, I felt as though my breath would stop.

Alesha appeared very royal in her attire. She is definitely approaching middle age, but she still looks vibrant and fresh. Her short, pixie hairstyle highlights her unfading beauty. She has an endless array of accessories, one of which is a handsome man wearing a fancy coat. Standing next to his wife, Theon Del Rico exudes a strong, confident appearance Ngingiti lang kapag may binanggit ang asawa.

Both of them, especially Alesha, appeared shocked. Their expression makes it clear. Alesha gapes at me in surprise as she looks at me. She mumbled something while still having tears in her eyes.

Tuluyan kaming nakalapit sa kanila. Hindi na rin kami nakatakas sa mga mata ng iba pa roon at sa isang iglap, kami ang sentro ng atensyon. I gulped when Troi stopped in front of his parents.

"Mom," he leaned a bit and kissed his mother's forehead. His father gave him a tapped on his shoulder.

"T-troi... anak..." Alesha said when he glanced at her son but her eyes immediately went back to me.

She tried bitting her lips while she's scanning my whole. I cleared my throat and gave a tight smile.

"It's... nice meeting you again..." I trailed off when I can't fathom how I should address her.