The Wrath Ablaze (Buenavista Series #2)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38
Decide

I shifted my gaze back to Lincoln Almendralejo, away from Idris and Mama, who are still talking in the terrace. He's the kind gentleman who took in my mother after her accident.

"She couldn't remember anything, even her own name. It took her almost half a year to recover some of her memories," he explained in an earnest tone. "Tara goes in and out. She needs a lot of patience and understanding, hija."

"Thank you is not enough to repay your kindness to my mother, Sir. You didn't have to take responsibility over her, but you did."

He chuckled. "Trust me, Tara isn't hard to like. She's been a joy to have in my life. I'm lucky she found her way to me."

A small smile formed on my lips. Hindi na siguro kailangan pang tanungin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Tito Lincoln doon. I'm glad Mama finally has her safe space, even if she has found it as an aftermath of what Luisa Aboitiz did to her. Everything had to happen and was destined for us to be here.

"My invitation to France extends to you, Tito. I'd be more than glad if you could join us there for our wedding ceremony."

A lump in my throat grew, especially after what Mama has said about Maverick's visit here. I quickly shook the looming thought away.

Idris snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Nabalik ako sa ulirat. Mama's eyes dropped down to my waist before it climbed to meet my eyes. Binigyan niya ako ng mababaw na ngiti.

"I will be there on your wedding," ani Tito Lincoln at sabay na kinamayan si Idris.

"That's brilliant, Sir."

"But before going, I'd like to show Mama where Lola Esme lies in Buenavista," pagdeklara ko.

"Of course, hija. Alam kong iyon din ang planong gawin ni Tara."

"Salamat, Tatiana," sabi ni Mama at sabay akong niyakap.

Watching the monumental bridge that connects Iloilo to the main island from our chopper only brought me anguish. Dito sa Buenavista ang puno't dulo ng paghihirap ko. Somehow, I also felt relief because once I leave here, I know I have released the baggage that continues to weigh me down. I must face this last hurdle, and I will be free.

Lumapag ang chopper hindi kalayuan sa himlayan ni Lola Esme. Unang bumaba si Mama sa chopper, at agad ko siyang sinundan. Binalingan ako ni Mama. She extended her right hand to me. I held her hand as we walked into Lola's resting place. Tinignan ko si Mama at napansin ang namumuong luha sa mga mata niya.

She sat on Lola's tomb, weeping quietly for a while now. Ni isang salita, walang naisambit si Mama. But I somehow understood her. Their relationship was strained for years. Ilang taon silang hindi nagkita at nagkausap. This must be hard for her to grasp given her situation. I have to give her enough space to process this news.

Pumantay ako sa lebel ni Mama. "Kailangan na nating magpaalam kay Lola, Ma."

Tumango siya at marahang hinimas ang lapida ni Lola Esme. Tinapat niya ang noo sa lapida at may ibinulong doon.

"Ilang minuto pa, Tatiana," pakiusap niya.

Binigyang galang ko ang kahilingan niya. Lumayo ako sa kanya at hinintay na matapos siya sa pamamaalam kay Lola.

Nakatalikod akong niyakap ni Idris. His warm breaths were in left my ear. It tickled me.

"I heard there's a roper's event in town," he whispered. "Silver and I wanted to check it out before we fly out of the country today."

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap at hinarap siya. I eyed Silver, who's just steps behind us. Binigyan niya ako ng makahulugang ngiti. Alam ko kaagad na may plano siyang hindi ko pagsasang-ayunan.

"No."

"We have time-"

"Time isn't the issue, Id. I just don't want to watch that event."

Kumunot ang noo niya at natawa. "Because?"

Maverick might be there. And I won't gamble with faith trying to figure out if he is or isn't there.

"It's cruel. I don't want to support and be associated with events like that. It's against my personal values," I replied with annoyance.

Sumungaw si Silver sa pag-uusap namin.

"That's no problem, Blanche. I'd take your fiance with me to the event, and you can rest with Tita Tara back in ours."

"Sounds like a plan to me," pagsang-ayon din ni Idris kay Silver.

Silver gave me a gnawing smile again. "And while we're there, I'll introduce him to some common friends-"

"Actually," I said to stop him from speaking further. "I'll join you both."

"Don't force yourself if you don't want to come."

Umiling ako sa suhestyon ni Id. "No one's forcing me. I'd like to see the event. We have time, so might as well."