Sa bahay ni Declan sila tumuloy pagkagaling sa bahay ng mga magulang.
Mabilis nakatulog ang anak nang gabing 'yon. She supposed it was because of her baby's overly active day. Matapos basahan ng bedtime story nito, iniwan na nila ang tulog na paslit kasama si Nanay Elma sa silid nito.
"Want warm milk before bed?" alok ni Declan paglabas nila ng silid.
Tumawa siya at inayos ang pagkatali ng sedang sinturon ng kanyang mahabang kimono silk robe. Kulay teal 'yon at may hand painted na mga bulaklak.
Declan had changed into a black cotton drawstring pants and white shirt, too.
"I think I'll have a glass of red wine tonight."
Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi ni Declan. "Alright then."
Pagkasalin ng red wine sa isang kopita at pagkakuha ni Declan ng isang bote ng beer sa fridge, umakyat sila sa roof deck.
Dumampi sa kanyang balat ang malamig na hangin pagkabukas ni Declan ng pinto. Ninamnam niya ang amoy ng mga dahon, bulaklak at lupa. Umulan kaninang hapon, at nilinis noon ang hangin sa paligid.
Buhay ang mga ilaw sa ibaba, at para silang nakalutang sa dagat ng libo-libong liwanag ng gabi.
Umupo sila ni Declan sa pergola sa ilalim ng makakapal na mga dahon at bulaklak ng bougainvillea. It felt like they were in another world as they sat there cocooned in layers of thick leaves and blooms.
"My parents and brother like you."
Surprise flickered across Declan's chiseled features. "You think so?"
"I know so."
Tumungga ang lalaki ng beer nito.
Sa sobrang kapal ng mga bulaklak at dahon sa bubong at paligid ng pergola, halos hindi makatagos ang ilaw ng buwan at lamplight. But she could still make out the rough angles of his face, could still see the severe contours of his muscular shoulders and arms.
"Your mother's still on the fence."
"She knows Anaya loves you, and she can see you're sincere. She knows you love Anaya."
"She told you that?"
"She did."
Napasandal sa upuan ang ama ng anak at napabuga ng malalim na hininga. "Thank f*ck. I know your family still has a lot of doubts about me, I get them. I'm just thankful they're not outright kicking me out."
Tumunog ang phone niya sa bulsa at dinukot niya 'yon. Si Kriselda 'yon at tinatanong kung p'wede raw ba itong dumaan sa resort bukas para makausap siya. Nag-text siya rito at sinabing nasa bahay sila ni Declan at p'wedeng doon na ito magpunta bukas ng umaga.
"Who's that?" untag ni Declan bago tumungga ng beer.
"Krissy. She probably wants to talk about her birthday party. Gusto niya sa Inferno rin."
Sumimangot ang kausap. "I told her she can't."
"I know, and she thinks it's unfair."
Humalukipkip ang ama ng anak. "You think it's unfair?"
Pinigil niya ang pagtawa. He looked so defensive. "Bakit ayaw mo na dun din siya mag-celebrate ng 18th birthday party niya? Pumayag kang doon si Leo."
"It's not the right place for a girl's 18th birthday party. It should be in hotel with flowers and all that sh*t."
Sumimsim siya ng alak at umiling sa kausap. "And that's just sexist, darling. Not all girls want flowers and sh*t."
"Sa'n ka nag-18th birthday party?"
BINABASA MO ANG
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