Nagising si Gerald as excited na boses ng kapatid na si Ken.
Oh my God, you are really here. Mom, why did yhou not tell me , she is coming. This is such a big surprised!! Excited na halos pasigaw na sabi ni Ken.
“Well it would not be a surprised anymore if I told you.” Gerald heard his mom said. This is the reason why I asked to stay here longer. She will be staying with us for now till their condo unit in Makati is ready.
Great to see you too Ken. You are still funny as can be. Glad you are still here, you can show me the city. Malambing na sabi ni Ashley.
Napabalikwas si Gerald ng marinig niya ang boses na yun. Napalabas siya ng kwarto niya at tiningnan kung sino ang may ari ng familiar na boses na yun.
“What the heck is this noise about Ken? He asked.
Everyone downstairs looked upand there they saw him in just his boxers , looking annoyed.
“My goodness Gerald, mind your social manners, put something decent on. He heard hi mom’s embarassed command
He was about to go back to his room when he saw her. She was looking at him with a mischievous smile and twinkle in her eyes. She said, “hey there Ge! Sorry if we woke you up. Ken’s fault.
Isn’t this exciting Ge, Ashley is staying with us while waiting for their condo to be ready to move in. It will be like good old days.” Ken happily said.
Gerald was too shocked to say a thing. He is looking at someone he’s been missing for the longest time. He started to come down but heard his mother’s stern voice. “Gerald!” He realized he is still in his underwear, almost naked.
He ran back to his room and immediately changed into more decent clothes. He can’t believe Ashley is here. They grew up together in Missouri. Their moms are best friends. They used to do things together all the time until her mom remarry and move to a different state. They tried to keep in touch but when his parents seperated, everything had changed. His dad went to Egypt and his mom decided to go back to Mindanao.They lost contact since the decision to stay in Mindanao with his mom was not planned. When he tried to contact her, no response. The letters he sent all came back. And now she is here. If I heard it right , she is going to live with us a while.
Ashley was shocked too when she saw him on top of the stairs almost naked and annoyed at first but gave enormous joy whe he almost ran down the stairs when he saw her. He is very happy to see at least, Ashley thought.
He gave her a big hug when he came down. He can’t believe how happy he is to see her again. He almost lift her up with so much joy in his heart. She was also laughing and begging him to let go.” You are choking me , he heard her say and let go of her hesitantly.
My God, I can’t believe it s you.You owe me an explanation w hy you never replied my letters.
“What letters? Did not receive from you. “
Gerald remembered, the letters he sent all came back. “You moved and did not even bother to tell me. Gerald said in an accusing tone
“And what about you? You moved too but did you tell me me?” She asked him.
“You two , you better stop that. Be happy and thankful you meet again. The truth , it’s also by accident that I got in touch with her mom. “
“Yap , you are right mom. What matter is you are here and we can again.What brings you home anyway?
“You meant here in the Philiines?”
“Yes and how long you staying. “
“Don’t know yet, I just came and youare asking when I am leaving ?Can’t wait to get rid of me , already? Asked Ashley with an arched eyebrow.
“Don’t be silly. I am asking coz I have a busy schedule this coming weeks .I want to hang out with you as much as I can.”
“Then maybe she can come with you sometimes. Gerald’s mom suggested.
“Woudl you like that? Gerald eagerly asked Ashley who was laughing at something Ken’s said.
“Yeah sure, that would be interesting. I heard you sing and dance now. I would love to see you doing those” Ashley can’t hide her teasing tone in her voice.
“You will be surprised how he is in dancing now Ash but singing still the same . Ken informed Ashley with a knowing smile and a wink.
“Hey , you did not answer my question. What brings you back here?”
“Oh mom thinks I need a little vacation after school. This trip is their graduation present. They said, I should enjoy a little vacation coz when I get back , I will be working very hard helping my step dad to our family business. “
“You graduated already? Wow! Congratulations. What course?” Interesadong tanong ni Gerald.
“Business Management. “ Sagot ni Ashley.
“Ano naman business ng step dad mo?” Tanong naman ni Ken.
“Real State. Dad is a broker. He is also into rebuilding and renovating old properties.” Nakangiting sagot ni Ashley.
“So, hindi ka pala magtatagal dito?” Nakaramdam na agad ng lungkot si Gerald.
“Bakasyon lang di ba pero may balak si daddy na mag open ng business dito . Mag branch out ganoon.
Biglang sumigla ang aura ni Gerald pagkarinig sa sinabi ni Ashley. “Sana matuloy para magtagal ka dito. “
“Sana!” Masayang pag sang ayon ni Ashley.
“Gerald , mabuti pa samahan mo muna si Ashley sa magiging kwarto niya. Paki akyat na rin mga gamit niya habang inaayos ko itong lunch natin. Tulungan mo kuya mo Ken. Wala ka ng inatupag kung hindi yang pag te text mo. “
“Mommy naman, pati pag tetext ko nakikita.” Reklamo ni Ken pero sumunod naman sa mommy niya. Nangingiti si Ashley. Parang kelan lang , para silang magkakapatid na tatlo. Nag aasaran , nagkukulitan , parang walang nagbago. Si Ken ganoon pa rin, mareklamo pero sumusunod naman. Si Gerald ganoon pa rin , mukhang seryoso pero pag tumawa na mahahawa ka. Na miss niy ang todo ang dalawa. Sino mag aakalang magkikita uli sila. Ang tagal din niyan g pinangarap na sana magkita kita at heto na nga.
Nagustuhan ni Asley ang guest room. Magaan as mata and kulay., light yellow . En suite din ito , may sariling wash room .Nagpasalamat siya sa magkapatid na iniwan siya para makapagpahinga ng kunti at makapag ayos ng mga gamit.
Tinawagan naman ni Ashley ang mommy at daddy niya ng mapag isa na siya.Ikinuwento niya ang masayang pagtanggap ng mga kababata sa kanya. Natuwa naman ang mga ito sa mga kwento niya at muling pinaalalahanan na mag enjoy sa bakasyon niya. Huwag daw magdalawang isip na tumawag as kanila kung may kailangan at huwag mag atubiling gamitin ang debit at credit cards na dala niya. Nagpasalamat si Ashley sa mommy at step dad niya. Sinabi ng mga ito na basta paminsan minsan ay dalawin ang pinaaayos na condo sa Makati.
Nahiga si Ashley as bed matapos na makipag usap as mga magulang. Nuon pa lang niya naramdaman ang pagod at antok sa biyahe. Hindi nagtagal ay nakatulogna ito. Hindi tuloy niya namalayan ng katukin ni Gerald ang kwarto niya para tawagin siyang kumain ng tanghalian.
Binuksan unti unti ni Gerald ang pintuan ng walang sumasagot sa katok niya. Nakita niya si Ashley na mahimbing na natutulog.
Matagal niyang pinagmasdan ang maamong mukha ng dalaga.Hindi niyamaipaliwanag ang sayang nararamdaman sa muli nilang pagkikita.
''Thank you Lord for bringing her back into my life.” Bulong ni Gerald.
