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47
Encounter
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
Today's Sunday mass brought me hope and that's the three verses that keep echoing in my head.
It's been a while since I had thought of Him. I was focused with my sufferings that I forgot to surrender it all to Him. Nevertheless, I'm thankful for all the things that had happened. Like the ones I thought I would never have, just like the fact that I'm still with Achi up to this point.
Yesterday, I visited my mom. She's doing okay, I guess. Still silent but she's been working with stuff. She stayed most of her time in her condo. So I left and decided to visit her from time to time.
I was actually pretty occupied with Achi. Seeing him with his sisters makes me feel giddy about it. Just like this very moment.
We're now leaving the church and somehow I can't stop staring at him, the sight of him holding the twins with each on his hands is touching something inside me. It's like I can envision him being a good father someday.
If by chance, I'm still able to stay with him, I'd like to witness him having his own family. It'll be hard on my part but still, seeing your important someone happy is what matters the most.
"Achi!"
Agad akong napatingin sa tumawag kay Achi. From the church, I can see Viy making her way towards us. Diretso lang sa paglalakad ang magkakapatid kaya naman nakita ko kung paano binilisan ni Viy ang kaniyang paglakad para maabutan sila.
"Achi!" tawag niyang muli.
Sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay nakuha na niya ang atensyon ni Achi. Lumingon ito sa pinanggalingan ng boses.
"Viy?' sagot niya.
Huminto sila sa paglalakad kaya tuluyan nang nakalapit sa kanila si Viy.
Come to think of it, ngayon ko na lang ulit nakita ang babaeng ito. Looking at her, I no longer feel the same way towards her. Now that I've witnessed Achi being with Jesca, his treatment with Viy is totally different from her.
"Hey, it's been a while since I last saw you. And you're with your sisters..." sabi niya na para bang may himala na nangyari.
"Yeah, kakauwi lang nila few days ago. What's up?" tanong ni Achi.
"Uhm, just wanted to ask if you want to hang out?"
Tumingin si Achi sa kambal, "Not really the best time.."
"Oh, who do we have here?" biglang pagsulpot ni Rachelle.
"Hi, tita. I'm Achi's friend, Viy. I've been seeing your photos at your house so It's nice to finally meet you." magiliw na sabi ni Viy.
"Is that so? Why don't you join us for lunch so we could talk about my son here, hindi kasi siya nagkukwento sa akin, e."
Achi groaned in protest but Rachelle just ignored him. Hinatak na niya si Viy paputa sa sasakyan kaya wala nang nagawa si Achi.
"Is she your girlfriend, kuya?" tanong ni Brielle.
"No." simpleng sagot ni Achi.
"Why is she going with us?"
"Uh, because she's a friend?"
"Then she's your girl friend, kuya." sabi ni Chantria.
"Uh, you could say that ."
"But you just said she's not your girlfriend, are you lying, kuya?" si Brielle.
Tumingin sa akin si Achi na parang nanghihingi ng tulong.
"What? Like I can be any help to you." sabi ko at iniwan siya doon.
Phew. Nakatakas ako don, ah.
It's true, though. I'm a ghost. What the hell am I supposed to do?
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We went on a nearby restaurant and it's almost occupied. Good thing, we're just right on time when a group of people stood up leaving us their space.
They ordered a lot of food and Rachelle won't stop talking to Viy.
Magkatabi ngayon si Achi at Viy pero halos ang dalawa lang ang nag-uusap. Hindi naman din sila pinapansin ni Achi dahil nakatuon ang kaniyang atensyon sa isa sa kambal na nasa kaniya ring tabi.
Si Brielle at Amara ang katabi ni Rachelle. In just a day, I've learned how to distinguish the twin from one another.
Brielle is more chatty and curious than Chantria who's shy and prim. Achi shows more affection with the twin especially Chantria. Though, he's also been careful with Amara since she's sensitive with her pregnancy. All in all, I've witnessed him being a good brother to them.
"It's just the two of us for now, tita. My father is currently in France doing some work and my mom is busy with her work as well. That's why I'd like to hang out with my friends." dinig kong sabi ni Viy.
"Do you have a boyfriend, ija?"
Achi glared at his stepmom after hearing the question. His eyes are screaming, 'don't you dare' at her but Rachelle ignored him.
"Wala po, tita." pabebeng sagot niya.
Okay, I take it back. May natira yatang inis sa kalooban ko para sa babaeng ito.
Rachelle smiled, almost teasingly. "Then how about Joachim, as far as I know he's still single." uminom siya sa baso para itago ang ngiti.
"Tita, ayaw sa akin ng anak niyo. I've been pursuing him but it seems like i don't stand a chance." sumbong niya.
I scoffed. Syempre wala talagang chance. He's mine, you know.
"Is that true, Joachim? Why not give this lady a chance? She seems okay."
Achi sighed, a sign that he gave up.
"Stop it, you'll make her uncomfortable. We're just friends."
"So you're rejecting her?" Rachelle probed.
"I have a girlfriend."
Nakita ko ang gulat sa mata ni Viy. Sorry girl, but I told you, he's mine.
"Really? Parang wala ka namang pinapakilala sa amin."
"She's not here." sabi ni Achi habang pinupunasan ang labi ni Chantria.
"Where is she, then?" tanong ni Rachelle.
"She's outside the country so you won't see her."
Outside the country? Parang hindi na ata ako ang tinutukoy niya, ah. 'Di nga? May iba pa ba siyang naging girlfriend bukod kay Jesca? Hindi ko alam iyon.
"Not even a photo?" tanong ni Amara.
"Yeah. I don't keep her photos with me."
Hala! So meron nga?
"Liar." si Amara.
"Okay fine, she's not outside the country."
"Where is she then?" Rachelle asked.
Seriously, though. Mag-ina nga sila. Pinagkakaisahan nila si Achi.
"Achi?"
Lahat kami ay napatingin sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Galing sa entrance, si Jesca kasama ng ibang babae ang nakita namin.
Oh great.
"Yumi, is that you?"
"Tita Rachelle?"
Tumayo si Rachelle at lumapit kay Jesca. Niyakap niya ito at awkward namang yumakap pabalik si Jesca sa kaniya.
"I knew it was you. Kasama ka nila Achi noong pumunta kayo sa bahay." sabi ni Rachelle.
"Uh, yes. Kamusta na po?"
"I'm good. Are you busy? I'd like to chat with you but it seems like you're with company."
"Hindi naman po, tita-"
"Great, then come visit our house later when you're done. I'll prepare some dinner." masayang sabi ni Rachelle.
May sapi ba itong si Rachelle? Bakit lahat yata ng babae na malapit kay Achi ay iniimbita niya? Bugaw yan?
Tumingin muli si Jesca kay Achi para magpatulong sa sitwasyon pero wala na silang nagawa nang pinakawalan na siya ni Rachelle.
"I expect you to be there, now go with your friends. See you later." sabay tulak ng mahina kay Jesca papunta sa mga kasama nito.
Nang nawala na si Jesca ay umupo na muli si Rachelle sa kaniyang upuan.
"Not to be rude, but who's that, tita?" tanong ni Viy.
"Oh. That's Achi's ex-girlfriend."
Natahimik naman si Viy.
"It's good to know that you're still friends with her."
"Okay, that's enough." seryosong sabi ni Achi.
I'm not sure if Rachelle is being insensitive about it, but she should read between the lines.
Natapos ang kainan nang hindi na muli iyon ang topic. Naging casual na lang ang pakikipag-usap ni Rachelle kay Viy which is good. Hindi ko na maimagine kung gaano kaawkward kung patuloy pa rin iyon ang usapan.
After eating, the twin wanted to go at the mall so we did. Hindi na sumama sa amin si Viy dahil may kikitain pa raw siya. Not sure if it's true but whatever. It's not my concern anymore.
Naglibot-libot kami sa mall at kung anu-ano ang mga pinamili nila. Shopping galore ang ganap nina Rachelle at Amara samantalang ang kambal ay nagcrave sa mga matatamis na pagkain.
Umuwi na rin kami agad nang sila ay natapos. To be honest, that was tiring. Especially when you're with Brielle na sobrang kulit at kung saan-saan nagpupunta.
It's almost dinner time so Rachelle went straight to the kitchen. Pagkatapos ihatid ni Achi ang kambal sa kanilang kwarto ay dumiretso na siya sa kaniya.
Naligo siya at nagpalit na ng mas komportableng damit.
"Ano sabi ni Jesca?" tanong ko kay Achi habang nakafocus siya sa cellphone niya.
"She'll be here in half an hour."
"You should rest." sabi ko.
I didn't get any response from him. Sobrang focus niya sa cellphone niya na hindi niya namalayan na nakaupo na ako sa tabi niya.
Hindi naman sa pagiging Marites pero sumilip na ako sa kung anong pinagkakaabalahan niya. Nakita ko ang sunod sunod na chat sa screen.
Nakita ko ang name sa taas. "Samahan ng mga Daks"
Bago na naman? Last time iba pangalan ng group chat nila, ah.
6.5 inches
Tangina, ayoko sa Manila.
6.8 inches
Gago ka kasi, sabing magreview ka noong finals.
7 inches
Nalintikan na.
7 inches
Seryoso ba si tita?
"Ano meron?" tanong ko kay Achi.
"Bryles failed a subject. Pinapalipat siya ng school sa Manila."
"Ha? Seryoso?" gulat kong tanong.
Walang hiya na akong tumingin sa kaniyang phone at nakibasa na rin sa usapan nila.
7 inches
Punta na ba kami diyan?
6.8 inches replied to 7 inches
Tara, Matt.
7.5 inches
Can't go. Dad's home. Probably won't see you guys till school starts.
7 inches
Sunod ako.
As much as I want to ignore their names, I can't.
"What's with the names?" hindi ko na napigilan itanong.
"Just ignore it."
Napatingin tuloy ako sa ibaba niya.
"Seven inches? Really?" curious kong tanong.
Biglang lumitaw ang pangalan ni Jesca sa phone niya kaya sinagot niya agad ito.
"Okay, labas na ko." sabay patay ng tawag.
"Di nga? Seven inches na pala 'yon?" tanong ko.
Tumayo siya at inirapan ako.
"What? I'm just asking. Sinukat niyo talaga?"
Hindi niya ako pinansin at tuluyan na siyang lumabas ng kwarto.
Sungit. Masama bang magtanong?
Sumunod agad ako sa kaniya at sinundo namin sa gate si Jesca.
"Sorry for the trouble." bungad ni Achi.
"It's okay. Matagal na rin naman simula noong huli kami nagkita ni tita." sabi ni Jesca.
Pumasok kami at dumiretso sa hapagkainan. May mga nakahanda na roon na mga kubyertos at ilang rekados.
"She's here." sigaw ni Achi.
Lumabas mula sa kusina si Rachelle na may dalang pagkain.
"Perfect timing. I just finished cooking, take a seat and let's eat."
After settling, nagsimula na magsalita si Rachelle. Hindi na sumama sa pagkain si Amara dahil hindi niya gusto ang mga pagkain samantalang ang kambal ay agad na nakatulog kanina.
"So how have you been, Yumi? Our last meeting wasn't that pleasant." panimula niya.
"I'm doing fine, tita. I'm just here for a vacation but we're now in Manila."
"I see. It's good na you're still friends with Joachim."
Awkward na tumikhim si Jesca, "Uh, we just saw each other recently, noong nagpunta sila sa Manila."
"Do you have a boyfriend now?" diretsong tanong ni Rachelle.
"Stop it." pigil ni Achi.
"It's okay. I do have, tita. He's actually with me here in Cebu." Jesca smiled.
"Oh. Sana sinama mo siya ngayon."
"Hindi na po. May ginagawa rin po kasi siya."
"Si Joachim din may girlfriend na." sabay sabi ni Rachelle.
Muntik nang mabuga ni Achi yung kinakain niya.
Napatingin naman si Jesca kay Achi, "You do?" nagtataka niyang tanong.
Uminom ng tubig si Achi bago sumagot, "Uh, yeah."
"Mukhang ikaw lang ang nakakaalam Achi na may girlfriend ka." Rachelle smirked.
"I'm not lying." depensa ni Achi.
"Sure. If you say so." natatawang sabi ni Rachelle.
Bigla akong nakarinig ng ingay mula sa pintuan.
"Sir, ako na po bahala sa mga dala niyo."
"Where's Rachelle and the kids?" sabi nang baritonong boses.
Oh no. Don't tell me..
"Sa dining area po, sir."
And just like that, lumitaw sa paningin namin ang ama ni Achi.
Natigil sa usapan ang mga nasa hapag.
Tumayo agad si Rachelle at sinalubong ang kaniyang asawa. Samantala, mula sa kinatatayuan ko nakita ko ang paninigas ni Achi sa kaniyang upuan. Nakatitig lamang siya sa kaniyang plato at hindi kumikibo.
Shit.
"You have guests?"
Hindi ko narinig sumagot si Rachelle kaya nagpanic lalo ako nang nakitang lumapit ang ama niya sa lamesa.
"Look who's here." he said in a mocking tone.
Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamay ni Achi. Kinakabahan ako sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari.
"So you decided to go home. And not only that..you're still together, huh."
Padabog na nilapag ni Achi ang mga kubyertos at masamang tinignan ang kaniyang ama.
No. Please, control your emotion, Achi.
Nakakatakot. Sa isang iglap naging mabigat na ang tensyon sa paligid. Miski si Rachelle ay natahimik sa gilid.
How the hell did it turn into this?
Hindi ba pwede maging okay ang lahat?
xoxo