When We Held Hands

Chapter 10

I was happily talking with Tita and Tito when someone placed his hand on my shoulder. 

"Lance." I breathed. 

Napatingin siya sa'kin. "Sorry, I'm late." 

He brushed my hair and hugged me. I don't know what to do. 

Cameras are all pointing at me. Don't be like this, Lance. 

I nicely shoved his hand away from mine. 

He smiled and entertained other guests. 

"Azalea Elania Jules and Lance Hidalgo please come up here on stage!" Tita Grace gladly called. 

Ngumiti kami sa mga bisita, inalok ni Lance ang kanyang kamay para hawakan ko. 

There are many people walang meaning yan. 

Ngumiti ako sakaniya at tinanggap 'yun. This is all for show.

Pag akyat namin lumayo na ako ng konti, binigay saakin ang mic at tinanggap ko ito. 

"A pleasant evening, everyone. We are here to announce that both of our company agreed into this project of mine. To make a resort in Romblon." Madaming sumangayon saamin. 

"This is part of our obstacles for being in the place of acting CEOs for futher challenges in our business path, thank you!" Ngumiti ako at ipinasa ang mic kay Lance. 

Pababa na ako nung nagulat ako nang nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa bewan ko. 

"You don't have to." I whispered. 

"I want to." Mariin niyang sabi. 

Pinabayaan ko na lang, bumalik na kami sa pwesto nila mommy, napababa ang tingin ang nanay namin sa kamay ni Lance, mabilis ko tong hinawi at ngumiti. 

------

It's the end of the event and ang dami ng umaalis. 

Nung umalis na ang lahat, kinuha na ni dad ang sasakyan. 

"Thank you for proposing such project, Hija! You are so intelligent!" Hinawakan ni Tita Grace kamay ko at tumingin kay Jane. 

Papalapit saamin si Jane.

Mabilis na inalalayan ni Lance si Jane. 

Nakita ko na umikot ang mata ni Tita Grace, ano meron? 

"Tita..." Kinakabahan ako. 

Ngumiti siya, "Yes?" 

"Let's talk." I smiled. 

Natawa siya, "Oh, sure! Pero paano sila mommy mo, paano ka uuwi?" 

Humarap ako kila Mommy, "Mommy, uuwi na lang ako mag isa. Mag uusap lang kami ni Tita." 

She smiled, "Sige, anak. Mag iingat ah? Te quiero!" 

Tumingin ako kila Lance na nag tatawanan. I immediately looked away, masakit sa mata. 

My attention got back to Tita who is squeezing my hand, "How about sa bahay na lang tayo?" 

I smiled and nodded. 

Hinintay namin ang kotse nila. 

Dumating na kami sa bahay nila and I must say I missed this. Kahit walking distance lang bahay namin, namiss ko pa din ito.

Dumiretso kami sa garden at may nakahanda na table doon. 

Umupo na kaming dalawa ni Tita. 

"So... What do you want to talk about?" 

I breathed, "Tita, bakit ayaw mo kay Jane?" 

Pinagtiklop niya mga daliri niya and she smiled weakly, "Pinsan siya ng ex ni Lance, I know you met her. She's the reason why you're in a serious accident. This cousin of hers, also broke your relationship because she thought na galit pa din sa'yo ang pinsan niya. It made me loathe her when I knew that. I liked her, I did. But the way she did to you was unacceptable." Suminghap siya trying to calm herself. 

"Tas ngayon buntis pa siya and it is not my son's. They are in a relationship but it's an open one." Tuloy niya. 

"S-Saglit, Tita. Anong sinasabi mong hindi anak ni Lance?" Hindi...sila diba?

Umiling si Tita, "She claims that it's his, but no-" 

"M-May n-nangyare sakanila?" Nanginginig kong tanong. 

She looked at me with worried eyes, "Hija, I really don't know. You must ask him. You didn't end well with good terms, I want you to fix that. Kahit hindi na kayo mag balikan, basta okay kayo." 

I want that too.

"For now... Let's enjoy a cup of coffee. I missed you and will always miss you, Hija." She smiled genuinely.

Nag kwekwentuhan lang kami ni Tita sa mga missed events naming dalawa. Nang biglang sumulpot si Lance. 

"Ma..." He kissed her on the cheek. 

Tumingin sa'kin si Lance at bumalik ang tingin sa mama niya, "It's late already, I'll take her home." 

Ngumiti ng sobrang lawak si Tita Grace at tumayo na. 

"Bye, hija. See you again, visit often ah? Love you!" She walked rapidly back into the house. 

"U-uh, Tita-" Tumingin na ako kay Lance. 

"Shall we?" Nilahad niya ang kamay niya para makatayo ako. 

Hindi ko tinanggap 'yun. "Kaya ko." Matigas kong sabi at nauna nang pumasok papuntang front door. 

Sumunod naman siya, pag labas namin sakanila walang nag sasalita. 

I stopped in my steps, "Lance..." 

Tumigil din siya at humarap sa'kin. 

"Ang sakit na ng paa ko, saglit tanggalin ko lang sapatos ko." Aakmang tatanggalin ko na ang heels ko nung tumalikod siya sakin at nag squat. 

"Sakay na." 

"Ay! H'wag na!" Nahihiya kong sabi. 

"Dali na, hindi tayo aalis dito kung hindi ka sasakay." Naiinis niyang sabi. 

Inikutan ko siya ng mata at sumampa na. 

Bigla na lang nag appear mga memories namin. Piggyback rides. Shhhiiitt.