My Make-Believe Boyfriend College Hottie Series : Bobby and Ashley

Chapter 45 : Hope Springs Eternal

BOBBY

"ROBERT ALDUS GALLEGO?" sabi ng isang boses babae sa kabilang linya.

Pinilit kong bosesan ang babae pero hindi ko magawa. Siguro ay dahil inaantok pa ako.

Lalong lumalim ang kunot ng noo ko. "Yeah..." I replied, a little hesitantly. "Robert Aldus here..."

I heard the woman sigh on the other line.

It was as if she was thankful that I took her call.

"Hi, Bobby. Sorry to disturb you. This is Linda... Ashley's mom..."

Pucha!

Bigla akong napabalikwas ng bangon at natatarantang napatayo.

Malalaking hakbang ang ginawa ko nang lumakad ako papuntang pinto ng kuwarto ko pero na-realize ko na bakit naman ako lalabas na para bang nariyan lang ang mommy ni Ashley sa sala.

Pucha, calm down, Gallego, utos ko sa sarili ko.

Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama at napasuklay sa buhok. "Hi, Ma'am... How are you?" sabi ko sa nanginginig na boses.

I heard her sigh on the other line. Then she cleared her throat. "Does your offer still stand, Bobby?" Her voice was barely audible.

Parang nahihiya.

But I heard it loud and clear.

Hope rose up in my chest. I saw a ray of hope, like a sunlight in a dark tunnel.

"Yes, Ma'am, it is..." magalang at seryoso kong sagot. "My offer still stands."

"Then pick me up at the NAIA. I'm here..."

Pucha!

"A-are you sure, Ma'am?"

"I am. It's about damn time..."

Napahilamos ako sa mukha. Adrenalin rushed through me.
Ashley's mother came home to take my offer of help--to finally seek professional help for her alcoholism.

God. Thank you.

Alam kong ikatutuwa ito ni Ashley Grace ko.

"I'll be there right away, Ma'am," excited kong sagot at agad na tumayo para magtungo sa banyo. "Please wait for me, Ma'am--"

"Tita Linda, Bobby...Call me 'Tita Linda'," aniya.

Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita, I could hear the smile in her voice.
Kaya naman napangiti rin ako.

"Tita Linda..." sabi ko.

"HI, TITA. GOOD morning. How are you?" nahihiya kong tanong kay Tita Linda nang makalapit ako sa kanya.

I scratched the back of my head then kissed her lightly on the cheek. Parang beso-beso lang.

Inabot ako ng isang oras at kalahati mula sa amin papuntang airport. Mabuti na lang at linggo at maaga pa.

Minadali ko talaga ang pagkilos bago pa mag-back out si Tita Linda.

Tita Linda smiled at me. "Bom dia também--" She stopped and realized that she had spoken Brazilian language. "I mean, good morning, too."

She rolled her eyeballs. "I'm sorry, slip of the tongue. Akala ko kasi ay nasa Brazil pa rin ako."

I smiled shyly and waved my hand for a polite dismissal. "It's okay, Tita. I have no problem with that. Have you eaten yet?" concerned kong tanong.

Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong mapagmasdan siya. She looked so tired and haggard. Siguro ay dala na rin ng mahabang byahe mula Brazil.

Kailan ko ba siya huling nakita? It had been more than a month since I went to Brazil just to see her.