Dear, Runaway Groom.

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Nanigas ang katawan ko at nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang magsimula siyang prenteng maglakad papunta sa gawi namin ni Leaumont. Now that I thought of it, Is Leaumont telling Vance something about our twins?

"Cousin! Great to see you! Long time no see ah, It's been 6 years since... The last time we saw each other." Galak na bati ni Leaumont kay Vance na nakatitig saakin. Since when did I became concious?

"Yeah, great to see you too." Aniya hahang hindi pa din pinuputol ang tingin saakin. Mixed emotions were drawn on his face. Hindi ko alam kung ikakatuwa ko ba o ipapasawalang bahala na lang. God, I missed him.

Wait. No, Penelope. What happened 6 years ago is in the past now. And so is what you think you're feeling right now.

"Long time no see, Vance." I tried my best not to stutter, I should receive an award. Inangat ko ang kamay ko para sa handshake na dahan-dahan niyang tinanggap. I felt a familiar current running into my systems. Pero nawala iyon nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Leaumont sa bewang ko at pinapaupo ako.

Tumigas ang ekspresyon ni Vance habang nakatingin sa kamay ni Leaumont, "Ah, yeah. You too."

Buong buhay ko ay hindi ko kailanmang ginusto na lamunin ng lupa. I have always been ferocious. But everytime Vance is around, why?

"Why don't we take a seat first. The program is about to start." Ani Leaumont.

Buong dinner ay hindi ako nakakain ng maayos at palaging nahuhuli dahil sa panginginig ng kamay ko at sa mabibigat na titig ni Vance habang kausap si Leaumont tungkol sa kumpanya. What the heck is happening to me?!

"Maybe, a little supplying or even a little partnership won't harm big. I expect your proposal on next Tuesday. Just let my secretary handle your appointments." Ma-awtoridad niyang sambit. Wait... What?

Napatingin ako kay Leaumont na nakangisi na at nakatingin saakin.

"I have faith in Penelope, Vance. Kahit CEO siya, kaya niya pa rin naman akuin ang trabaho ng mga taga-marketing para gawin niya." Ani Leaumont. Hindi man lang hinintay ang approval ko?!

Wala na lang akong nagawa kundi tumango at makisali. Panoguradong gagabihin nanaman ako sa uwi at magtatampo nanaman sina Zienne at Lennox.

Sa venue na ito, may gallery sa tabi ng mga tables na nagdidisplay ng mga photography about sea life or anything about water. I am planning to buy one for the house. Sigurado akong matutuwa si Zienne doon dahil hilig niya ang beach.

"I'll be back, Leau. Tingin muna ako ng mga pictures." Tumayo ako at dumiretso sa gallery na walang lingon-lingon kay Vance.

Zienne has been so inlove with waters ever since. Kaya naman nang malaman namin iyon ay pina swimming lessons ko na agad siya for babies at ngayon na turning 5 na sila ni Lennox, she's already good in water. Gusto din naman ni Lennox ng tubig pero not as much as Zienne, katulad ko.

"You wanna buy a picture?" Napatalon ako sa baritonong boses ni Vance na malapit sa tenga ko. Oh gods, ngayon ko lang nafeel ang sweatheart tube ko ngayon sa nagtataasan kong mga balahibo.

"Uh.. Yeah."

"You dress still the same." Puna niya sa gown ko. No Vance, ngayon lang to. I want our kids to grow up simply.

"Maybe. S-some things never change, right?" Shit! I stuttered!

Tinuro niya ang isang litrato ng beach at tumingin saakin, "I like this one, ikaw?"

Maybe he's just trying to make lil ol' casual conversation like we really should do. Pero something stopping me from doing it. I hate this.

Your daughter likes that, too.