Fourth of July

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

HER POV

Sa totoo lang, wala talaga akong alam kung saan ako umpisang maghahanap kay Gabriel. Their house was too huge to look around. Hindi ko naman magawang kausapin 'yung mga pinsan niya para humingi ng tulong.

I know, I should've stayed inside para kausapin ang ilan sa mga pinsan niya regarding sa inuungkat na issue ni Althea about Gab. Makakatulong 'yon sa mission ko, hindi lang profile ni Gab ang mailalagay ko sa narrative report ko, kung hindi pati pamilya niya.

Kung ano'ng issue na mayroon sa pamilya niya. It could've been a big help, though. But I couldn't bring myself digging up the issue. Ngayon ay iginagala ko ang mata ko para hanapin si Gabriel.

Kada pintuan na nakita ko ay napuntahan ko na pero walang anino ni Gabriel ang naroon. Hindi naman ako makalabas ng higanteng gate nila dahil de-remote 'yon. At for sure, mag-a-alarm 'yon sa loob ng mansyon. I don't wanna cause them trouble or to disturb their family.

Nang lumagpas na ang ilang minuto at wala pa rin akong nakikitang Gabriel ay nag-pasya akong manatili muna sa may pool area. Doble ang ganda no'n kapag gabi, halos nag-i-iba ang kulay ng pool. From red, nagiging blue, violet, and green. Mayroon din na fountain na makulay. May maliit na pool at may infinity style na pool na connected do'n.

Tinaas ko nang bahagya 'yung dress ko at nilublob 'yung paa ko sa tubig para mag-relax. Malamig sa paa 'yung tubig kaya refreshing sa pakiramdam.

I think I need this. This day has been so much for me. I never thought I'd be able to come here with him to meet such different people from various businesses. I never thought things would go this far.

Parang noon lang, pinagka-kasya ko 'yung sarili ko sa maliit na apartment at nag ti-tiis sa buhay na hindi ko naman gusto. Pero ngayon, dahil sa misyon ko, I get to do whatever I want.

Kaagad akong napabalik sa pag-iisip nang biglang may kumalabog sa likod. Nanggagaling 'yon sa may garahe nila, I stood up and fixed myself as I walked towards their garage. Agad kong nakita si Gabriel na may hawak na bote ng alak at naka-yukyok sa likod ng SUV nila.

His hair was messy, he smelled alcohol, his face was like a shit. He's totally drunk.

I bend down and sat in front of him to take a closer look at him. I cupped his face and I got shocked by seeing him crying. He's crying silently and sobbing silently while hugging the bottle of liquor.

"Hey.." I tried to call him but he just continued to cry.

I never thought I'd see him cry like this. I always thought of him like he's strong man and he fears nothing. But tonight, he seemed different.

"Gab, hey. Look at me,"

As I called his name, he slowly opened his eyes and met my gaze. He blinked couple of times before pulling me closer to him and began crying again.

That's when I felt my heartbeats go insane. The warmth of his hug sent shiver to me. His shoulders are now shaking.

I rubbed his back. "Sshhh.. I'm here.. Stop crying,"

"Sorry.. I.. I didn't mean to... I loathed myself for what happened.. Sorry.." He murmured.

Naguguluhan man ako sa sinasabi niya ay pinilit ko pa rin akayin siya. Sinampay ko 'yung braso niya sa balikat ko at inalalayan siyang tumayo. Nang may makita akong pintuan ay agad kaming pumasok do'n. Kinapa ko ang switch ng ilaw at nakita kong mini bar pala 'to ng mansyon.

Iniupo ko sa may couch si Gabriel at inalis ang bote sa kamay niya. Saglit kong pinasadahan ng tingin ang mukha niya. Kahit nakapikit ay makikita kong kanina pa siya iyak nang iyak dahil sa pamumula ng ilong niya at may mga luha pang tumutulo sa mata niya.