Embraced By The Howling Winds (Antique Series #1)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I woke up early in the morning. I changed my clothes into comfortable night gown and wore a robe. I wasn't in the mood to eat breakfast so I decide get some coffee and spend my leisure time in the balcony.

Indeed, it's a peace I wanted. Parang gusto ko nalang dito manatili. I could see the calm ocean from here, the leaves of the palm trees swaying in accordance to the direction of the wind, I could hear birds chirpping around, and I'm surrounded by plants and trees.

Babalik na sana ako sa kwarto nang mapansin ko ang dalawang pamilyar na mukha na naglalakad papalapit sa bahay. When I finally recognized them, I waved my hand from where I was to get their attention and it worked.

Gusto ko sana silang salubungin sa baba pero naalala ko ang suot ko kaya dumiretso muna ako sa kwarto para maligo at magpalit ng damit.

"Hi, Zai!" I happily greeted as I walk down the staircase.

She hugged me, "Gosh, good to see you again, Nach!" Nang kumalas siya sa yakap ay awkward siyang napasulyap kay Josh. "Sorry, Nach. I bring Josh with me. Are you okay with that?"

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at kay Josh. I shook my head and smiled genuinely. "It's okay, actually, I'm happy seeing you two together."

Josh was just a childhood crush to me and I'm all good now. Zai's worrying over nothing. I gave my attention to Josh and smiled. "Hi Josh!"

He just nodded at smiled back at me. I gestured my hand and lead them to our dining table then invited them to breakfast.

Mama got also curious towards Josh so she asked Zai about it, and Zai immediately blushed. "Uhm, Tita Estella, si Josh po... boyfriend ko."

Mama just nodded while smiling. The conversation goes on. Maging si Josh ay nakikisali na rin sa usapan. We're just reminiscing what happened in the past and laughed out of it. Some memories were kinda disgusting; for example was the Halloween years ago when our friends putted Ate Mavis' drink with the goat's waste. The disgusting part was Ate Mavis' oblivious about it and even drank that drink! Like that was literally disgusting. Wala rin akong kaalam-alam no'n at nagtataka pa ako dahil sinabi niya sa akin na parang iba ang lasa gayong pareho lang naman kami ng inumin. Kalaunan ko lang talagang nalaman iyon.

Ang baboy ng mga kaibigan namin dati mantrip! Grabe!

Ngayon, halos hindi na kami nagkikita-kita ng dahil nga abala narin sa pag-aaral sa college, at halos lahat sa Iloilo nag-aaral. Sabi sa akin ni Ate Mavis na ang iba ay pinu-pursue ang napiling kurso sa WVSU.

Hindi narin naman nagtagal sina Zai at Josh dahil mayroon silang aasikasuhin sa eskwelahan nila bago tuluyang mag-Christmas vacation.

"Sige po Tita Estella, una na po kami. Sabi ni Mama ay dadalaw po siya mamaya sa inyo."

"Oo nga at nasabi niya rin sa akin, Zai. Sa kaniya ko na lang ipapadala mamaya ang pasalubong namin para sa inyo."

"Hindi ka na po sana nag-abala, Tita Estella." Nahihiyang sambit ni Zai at lumingon siya sa akin. "Paano ba Nach, una na kami?"

"Sige," nakangiti kong sabi. "Siya nga pala, ano'ng oras ng simbang gabi niyo rito?"

"Alas singko ng umaga, Nach." Si Josh ang sumagot.

Tumango at napaisip. "Nagsisimba ba kayo bukas? Kung oo, text mo nalang ako mamaya para makasama ako sa inyo."

"Sige, may ipakikilala rin ako sa'yo bukas. Siguradong papasalamatan mo talaga ako." Ngumiti si Zai na parang may masamang balak. I just shrugged and laughed.

Bumisita si Tita Zadie bandang ala una ng hapon. I catched up with her a little then gone to my room. Mukhang kailangan kasi talaga nilang mag-usap ni Mama dahil miss na miss nila ang isa't-isa.