Glimpses of Yesterday (Isla Contejo #2)

Chapter 16

SINALUBONG kami ni Tito Lazarus nang tuluyan kaming makababa ni Arsen mula sa chopper. Agad akong nagmano sa kaniya at sinuklian niya ako ng nagagalak na ngiti. Si Arsen naman ay niyakap siya at tinapik-tapik sa likod.

"I really feel so happy that you both decided to visit," he said.

"Wala pa naman kaming ginagawang masyado, Papa. Sa isang linggo ay mag-a-apply na kami," sagot ni Arsen sa papa niya.

It's been a month since Arsen and I graduated. We decided na umuwi muna sa Isla Contejo para makabisita before kami mag-apply ng trabaho.

It was good to be back. I missed Isla Contejo. I never really got a chance to paid a visit during my college days since I didn't have enough time. Arsen sometimes visits Tito Lazarus, but that was just once in a while.

Ganoon pa rin naman ang Isla Contejo. Payapa pa rin ang bawat lugar na madaanan ng mga mata ko. Sariwang hangin at malinis na kapaligiran. Kita ko ang iilang dagat sa hindi kalayuan habang sakay kami ng kotse ni Tito. The seas of Isla Contejo have always been so serene and majestic to look at. I've missed it. I've missed how comforting it was. I've missed the smell of tranquility it has; the crashing of the waves, and the coldness I feel whenever it touches my skin.

"O, si Engineer Gonzaga 'yon, ah," ani Tito nang papalapit na ang sinasakyan namin sa bahay nila.

Napatingin ako sa nakaparadang itim na sasakyan sa tapat ng bahay nila Arsen. A man just went out from the car and eyed the Contejos' residence. Tito Lazarus beeped and parked the car in front of the house.

Nang bumaba si Tito ay bumaba na rin kami ni Arsen.

"Engineer Gonzaga! Napadalaw ka?" Nakipagkamay si Tito Lazarus sa lalaki na mukhang kasing tanda lang din niya.

Arsen held me on the small of my back as we stood on the side of his dad. Habang nagkakamustahan ang mga ito ay nilingon ko ang bahay namin. I smiled and got more excited to be there later. For sure Manang Lou would be very surprised. I didn't call her to tell that I would go home today.

"Naisipan ko lang dumaan dahil kagagaling ko lang sa bagong bahay ng kapatid ko rito," sabi noong lalaking kausap ni Tito Lazarus. "Anyway, ito na ba si Arsen?"

He pointed at Arsen and looked at him from head to toe. Arsen chuckled before he extended his hand out. Nagkamayan sila at tinapik-tapik pa nito ang balikat ni Arsen.

"The last time I saw you, you were just a little boy. Now, you're already a grown up man!"

"Do you still remember Engineer Gonzaga, Arsen? He's our house's engineer."

Bahagyang namilog ang bibig ko sa narinig ko mula kay Tito Lazarus. So this man was the one who made their beautiful house in front of us?

"Of course, I remember Engineer! He is one of the engineers I look up to the most. He's actually one of my inspirations in pursuing this field," sagot ni Arsen.

Ipinakilala ako ni Arsen kay Engineer Gonzaga matapos ng batian nila. 'Tsaka pa lamang kami pumasok sa loob ng bahay. May mga pagkain na sa lamesa na mukhang ipinahanda ni Tito Lazarus bago pa kami makarating. Saktong-sakto pala ang pagbisita ni Engineer Gonzaga.

Habang nagmemeryenda kami sa hapag, panay ang kuwentuhan nina Tito Lazarus at Engineer Gonzaga. Hanggang sa dumako ang usapan sa pag-aaral namin ni Arsen at sa graduation na rin. Huling napag-usapan ay mga plano namin ni Arsen para sa trabaho.

"I'm actually planning to apply to Architect Molinario's firm," Arsen said.

"Oh." Engineer Gonzaga's eyes widen a bit in both shock and delight. "Architect Agustin Molinario is a big thing in the field, hijo. Well, good luck on that! I'm sure you'll get in."