Dulce Secretum

18

Chapter 18

The cold wind brushed my skin as my feet dragged themselves on the dirt pathway going home. My heart felt heavy as my eyes roamed around the surroundings; the tall green trees reminded me of when Julio leaned on the tree at home as we spoke the whole afternoon, the sun peeking between the clouds the same way Julio would place his hand on his face as he looked at the sun, the soft giggles from my mother's lips—the same giggles I hear every time Julio makes Mama laugh, and the sight of a white car reminded me of the days I sat on the passenger seat grinning while Julio drove.

Habang palapit ako nang palapit sa puting kotseng nakaparada, mas napapagtanto ko kung gaano ito kapamilyar.

The driver's side door swung open, revealing a tall man. My lips parted in surprise.

"Julio..." I whispered to myself.

Julio gave us a small wave and instantly walked in our direction. As he approached me, his tall figure seemed to fill the space around us, and my heart raced with each step he took. When he finally faced me, his features were sharp yet his lips curved into a gentle grin that warmed my heart.

Mama greeted him with glee while Ate Rose high-fived him while I stood still, my heart running. I couldn't get myself to smile. Not after my realization a while ago.

"Bumalik ka pala dito, Julio. Ang Papa mo, nasaan?" tanong ni Mama.

"Ako lang po ang bumyahe. I'm with Anie and Gregory but they're inside," Julio answered.

Anie is here? And Gregory?

"Nagpapa-picture na naman si Anie," dagdag ni Julio at tumawa.

This was followed by another joke from Ate Rose, making Mama and Julio laugh. But my eyes remained locked on his. While his stayed on mine.

"Hi," Julio said softly.

"H-Hi," I managed to say.

"Hindi mo sinabi na uuwi ka..."

"I mean, na pupunta ka rito," I immediately corrected myself. Hindi nga pala taga rito si Julio.

"Umuwi ako para... makita ka."

Napaawang ang aking labi sa narinig. My heart fluttered at his words, but a pang of doubt tugged at my chest. Did he really come just for me?

"And... And Anie and Gregory as well. Anie in arrived in Manila yesterday and suddenly thought of going to Baguio with Gregory. Gregory asked me if I wanted to join and I figured... I'll join with you."

I was still taking time to comprehend what was happening. My friends are here after so long and now... inaaya nila ako na pumunta ng Baguio.

I haven't been there since I was a child. Huli kong punta doon ay noong kasama ko si Mama, Ate Ela, Ate Rose... at si Papa. Masaya kami noon dahil matagal na hindi umuwi si Papa at muli kaming nagkita kita.

It was a memory filled with joy. We went to Butnham Park, Mines View Park, the Strawberry farm, and we had lunch at Vista Valle–a treat from Ninong Ali. Papa got to know of this after lunch and he got angry.

Very furious.

"Bakit ka na naman tumanggap galing sa Ali na 'yan? 'Di ba sabi ko h'wag na? Pinagmumukha mo naman na hindi ko kayo kayang pakainin sa mga lugar na 'yan," Papa screamed angrily once we arrived inside the hotel room.

"Hindi naman sa ganoon. Mabait naman si Ali at hindi naman siya ganyan mag isip."

"Ngayon pinagtatanggol mo pa?" Papa turned to Mama and pushed her to the wall.