The Bridge Between You & Me

Chapter Thirty-Four

"Good God! I haven't seen you for ages! Oh my goodness, I so so so soooo missed the two of you! Welcome home, my Amyrtelle!"

Mahigpit akong napakapit sa laylayan ng damit ni Vince dahil sa gulat. Kapapasok pa lang namin sa pinto pero nagra-rap na si Tita.

"How have you been?" hinihingal na tanong niya habang hawak ako sa magkabilang braso.

I just smiled as a response dahil kumakabog pa rin ang dibdib ko dahil sa gulat. As usual, Tita's radiating that warm sophisticated aura with her usual pambahay. Still pretty, even with her 'just woke up' face.

"Mom!" pag-angal ni Vince.

Matalim ang matang nilingon niya ang anak habang hindi pa rin bumibitaw sa'kin.

"What?" angil niya at agad muling ngumiti nang lumingon sa'kin. She let go of my arms and hugged me tightly. Gulat man ay niyakap ko rin siya pabalik. Kumalas din siya matapos ang ilang sandali pero hindi pa rin inaalis ang pagkakakapit sa'kin.

"Mom, I'm your son," may tono ng pagtatampong sagot ni Vince.

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Tita. "So?"

Vince gave off a heavy sigh of defeat while holding both of his arms on-air to surrender. "Whatever, I'll leave you two alone," he said then gently pressed on the side of my waist as a way of saying goodbye.

Tita smiled at him sweetly. "You should, I need a moment with my daughter. Goodbye." Kaway niya sabay talikod sa anak na kunyaring nagtatampo.

Nakangiting tinanguan ko si Vince na ngayon ay anay ang lingon na naglalakad palayo sa'min.

"How are you? I wasn't able to visit you." Maingat niyang kinuha ang kanang kamay ko at pinulsuhan. "Tell me, darling. You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Natatawang umiling ako. She often jokes about marriage and stuffs that's why I don't get flustered anymore, I'm used to it na.

"Ma! Will you please let my girl breathe? She's tired, stop interrogating her," panenermon na Vince na ngayon ay nakapamewang sa ikalawang baitang ng hagdan.

Agad na sumimangot si Tita. "Bakit ba? Nagtatanong lang naman ako," nakangusong sagot niya.

Tito went out of the kitchen, confused with the commotion that is happening in the sala. He gave me a small smile and immediately went to our side to soothe his whining wife.

"Why are you being harsh? Can't you see? I'm not getting any younger. At this rate, I might not be able to see my grandchildren anymore," she said exaggeratedly. She even placed the back of her palm on her forehead, acting sick.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Vince at sabay na natatawang napa-iling. Naglakad siya pabalik sa gawi sa'min at pilit akong inagaw sa pagkakahawak ni Tita.

"What's the use of having two children when they can't even let me have a grandchild before I die?" madramang aniya at nakapikit na sumandal kay Tito. Maging si Tito ay natatawa sa pinagagagawa niya.

"Ma, you're only 48. Stop being so dramatic," natatawang sagot ni Vince.

Nanghihingi ng tulong na kinindatan ni Vince ang ama. Nakuha naman agad ni Tito ang gustong mangyari ni Vince kaya nakangiting tumango ito.

"Honey, why don't we leave them alone for now so they can rest?" masuyong tanong niya, he then held her by her waist and gently pulled her a few steps away.

Agad na tumango si Vince. "Yes Ma, please. Let your daughter rest."

Maarteng hinawi niya ang buhok niya at muling hinawakan ang balikat ko. "I'll see you later, my dear. Make sure to rest," malambing na aniya. "And you Vicente." Matalim ang matang hinampas niya sa braso ang anak. "Leave her alone!"