Could Have Been Better (Crush Series #2)

Chapter 38

A few more minutes have passed and we're already outside a familiar village. Hindi ako makapaniwalang dito pa rin sila nakatira. Celine already told me that they are sitll living here. Ang makita ang lugar na ito ay sobrang nagpaalala sa akin ng napakaraming bagay sa nakaraan. It was full of memories, both happy and sad. The most pleasant and agonizing experiences happened in this place, too.

Bawat sulok ng village na ito ay may magagandang alaala mula sa kabataan ko.

The place didn't change so much. Pamilyar pa rin sa akin ang ilang mga bahay na nakatayo. I saw new ones but that's it. Wala nang ibang pagbabago.

Until we get to Celine's house. It was different from the way it was before. Mas malaki at mukhang nabili na nila ang lupang katabi ng bahay nila noon. I remember that there was a house situated there before but it's gone now. Sa halip ay karugtong na ito ng mas malaki at malawak na lupang kinatitirikan ng bahay nila Celine.

"Baka manibago ka, Elaine. This is still our house. Pinaayos at pinalaki lang ni daddy nung umasenso ang negosyo niya," ani Celine habang nakasilip sa akin mula sa harap.

Tumango ako at hindi pa rin natigil sa pagkamangha.

A maid opened the gates for us. I also saw a security guard helping the maid. Mukhang totoong umasenso na ang buhay nila Celine. It's not that they didn't have a good life before. But what I saw proved that it's even better now.

A sad thought entered my mind. Wala na ang dating hitsura ng bahay nila Celine. That means, the memories I have in their old house was gone too. Ibang iba na ito sa dati nilang bahay kung saan naganap ang ilan sa mga masasayang alaala ko.

Vans parked his car inside together with three more cars. Napansin kong kasama roon ang kotseng ipinanghatid sa akin ni Celine dati. Iba't ibang sasakyan ang naroon. I assumed that these are owned by each one of them.

"Let's go!" Celine mumbled and went out.

Vans chuckled at her excitement. Si Conrad ay mabilis ding lumabas at tumakbo pa paikot. Nadatnan niya si Celine sa labas ng sasakyan. They scowled at each other which had me curious. Ano bang mayroon sa kanilang dalawa? Nag-aaway ba sila?

Celine opened the door for me even though I was already opening it from the inside. Nginisihan ko naman siya dahil doon.

"Tara sa loob. I'm sure Lola Encar will be thrilled to see you!" masiglang sabi niya habang hinihila ako papasok sa kanilang bagong bahay.

The changes outside was just a mere part of the changes that happened inside their house. Talagang hindi na ito ang dati nilang bahay na nakagisnan ko noon. Pagkapasok ay talagang nanibago na ako. Ibang iba na ang mga muwebles sa paligid. Ang kulay ng pintura ay nagbago na rin, mas matingkad at bago sa mata. I also noticed the huge staircase at the side of the living room.

"Papa had it rebuilt two years ago. May sarili na kaming condo ni Conrad that time at doon kami tumira. Hindi naman mahirap sa akin kasi nag-aaral pa ako noon kasama si Vans sa states," paliwanag ni Celine kahit na hindi ko naman iyon hiningi.

Inilibot niya ako sa buong first floor ng bahay. Wala na si Vans na nagpaalam na kauusapin ang tatay ni Celine. Isang katulong naman ang inutusan ni Celine na ihanda na ang hapunan at tawagin na si Lola Encar upang ipaalam na narito na kami.

I didn't see Conrad anywhere.

"Elaine, is that you?" I heard an old but cheerful voice behind me.

Paglingon ay halos maluha ako nang makita si Lola Encar na mabagal na naglalakad patungo sa amin.

Instead of just waiting for her, I ran to her and hugged her. Nasamid pa si Lola Encar dahil sa pabigla bilang yakap ko sa kaniya.