When Summer Ends (Four Season Series #1)

WSE-Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

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Marami nang bisita sa malawak at maningning na bakuran ng Marco's mansion. Hindi pa nagsimula ang party ngunit nagkakasiyahan na ang mga tao na may kanya kanyang pangkat.

Zachary also invited my family but due to mama's poor condition, only Cleo and I attended.

"What's that?" bungad niyang tanong pagkakita sa rectangular box na hawak ko. Humagikhik ako sa itsura niyang nakakunot noo at nagagalit. Nilahad ko iyon sa kanya at tinanggap naman niya.

"Happiest birthday, my love." I hugged him from his waist and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Hindi ba't sabi ko hwag na," ngumuso siya.

"Last na 'yan. Promise!" ngiti ko kaya pinitik niya ang noo ko.

Binuksan niya iyon agad pagkahiwalay ko sa pagkakayakap sa kanya.

I bought a personalized hydroflask coffee mug for him. Iyon talaga ang naisip ko nung nagtingin tingin sa mall because he loves coffee so much that he takes atleast 4x in a day.

Pwede niya rin itong dalhin kung saan man siya maglalayag.

"Zachary L. Marco, my captain..." nangingiting basa niya sa naka-engraved.

"I love this! Thanks, love!" he happily kissed my cheek.

"I bought one for me, too para may couple things tayo."

"Naks, sweet naman!" At niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

A few minutes later when the program started. Nagsalita sa harap at nagpasalamat si Senior Alfredo sa mga dumalo.

Most of the invited were just family friends. And Zach also invited few people but only those closest friends of him.

I called Keshia earlier to ask why she did not attend the celebration while her family was here. And she said, she has some errands to run. Iyon lang. No specification at binabaan ako nang tawag.

I introduced my brother to Zachary's family and he easily reconciled with the Senior.

Walang hiyang nakikipag-usap si Cleo kay Senior. I felt second-hand embarrassment towards my brother's shameful act kaya napapangiwi akong tinitingnan siyang nakikipaglokohan sa Senior.

Zach, Tita and Lola Carlina also laughed at Cleo's pointless story. While Tito Machris was quietly turning his gaze to my brother and his father who were having fun.

"You look exactly like me when I was young! Really!" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Senior Alfredo sa pilyong kapatid ko. "Are you my son!?" at sabay tawang sabi nang Senior.

"Mas gwapo naman po ako, lolo! Ayaw niyo ba akong ampunin? Okay lang din sa'kin."

"Bakit hindi! I'd gladly accept you as my own son! Kailan natin kakausapin ang magulang mo kung gayun, hijo?"

"Hindi na kailangan, Lolo. Ako nang bahala dun," and he pat the Senior's shoulder.

Nakiki-lolo pa siya habang ako ay "Senior" ang tawag sa matanda. Ang feelingero talaga ng kapatid ko.

Nasa iisang long table kami at napapatingin pa ang ibang bisita sa gawi namin dahil sa ingay.

An old man caught my attention when he approached Senior Alfredo. The Senior stopped laughing and turned his gaze to the man behind him.

Senior stood up and shook hands with the old man. "Dominico!"

"Been a while, Alfredo. Kumusta naman ang mahabang pagpapahinga natin sa Baguio?" halakhak ng matanda.