Until It Beats No More

Chapter 22

"Anak, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na sinigawan mo si mom." Natatawang sabi ni Gabby sa anak habang nagdadrive sila pauwi sa kanilang bahay.

"Mom, I can't believe you did not stand for yourself. She was attacking you and dad! She doesn't have the right to do that!" Galit pa ring sabi ni Katharine.

"Honey, I get mom. I know where she's coming from. Masama lang yung dating nang pagsasabi nya but her heart's in the right place. She's just trying to protect me."

"You never did that to me." Mahinang sagot ni Katharine.

"You're lucky you had me. The two of us naman are like best friends. I seldom use the mom card because I trust you and you're a good kid."

"Bakit hindi nyo kayang gawin to ni grandma? You're a good daughter! Grandpa gets it, why does she have to be so mean all the time?" Naiiritang sagot ni Katharine.

"You need to understand that I got pregnant before getting married. They never expected that from me. Tingin nila sakin sobrang mabait na bata. I lost all the trust they had so we need to cut grandma some slacks because she still hasn't moved on with what happened in the past."

"Mom it has been over twenty years ago! And grandma is unbelievable! When you were talking to grandpa, she wasn't speaking to me at all. As in tinitingnan nya lang ako ng masama. You have a crazy mother."

"Wag ka na magreklamo. Just be happy that she just yelled tonight." Maikling sagot ni Gabby.

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Bago matulog si Gabby ay tinawagan nya si Matthew. Agad agad sinagot ni Matthew ang tawag mula sa kanyang nobya.

"Hi baba. How was the dinner." Tanong ni Matthew.

"It was a disaster. I miss you." Nakangiting sabi ni Gabby.

"I miss you, too. Gusto mo mag midnight snack? Wala naman pasok tomorrow, right?"

"Are you coming over?" Tanong ni Gabby.

"If you want me to."

"Okay. I want to see you. I'll check if Katharine's still up. She maybe wants to join us." Mabilis na sabi ni Gabby. Nagpaalam sya kay Matthew at pinuntahan ang kanyang anak sa kwarto nito ngunit nakita nyang mahimbing na ang tulog nito. Bumalik sya sa kanyang kwarto upang magpalit ng damit. Nagsuot ito ng maong na pantalon na butas butas, at puting t-shirt. Tinawagan nya muli si Matthew.

"Katharine's already sleeping baba. I'm already dressed. How long will it take you to get here?"

"I'll be there in five minutes, baba." Sagot ni Matthew.

Bumaba na si Gabby sa kanilang sala upang salubungin ang kanyang nobyo. Wala pang limang minuto ay dumating na si Matthew. Bumusina ito at agad lumabas si Gabby. Pagsakay nito sa sasakyan ay agad nyang hinalikan ng madiin sa labi si Matthew. Ikinatuwa ito ng lalaki kaya't pag balik ni Gabby sa kanyang upuan ay hinalikan nyang muli ito. Hindi pumalag si Gabby dahil napakasaya nya na magkasama sila ngayon ni Matthew.

"San tayo pupunta?" Tanong ni Gabby.

"Gusto mo pumunta sa Tagaytay?" Tanong ni Matthew. Natawa si Gabby dahil hindi nya inaakala na magyayaya ng ganung kalayo si Matthew sa ganitong oras.

"Seryoso ka ba? Anong gagawin nito dun lahat pasara na." Natatawang sabi ulit ni Gabby.

"Roadtrip lang. I remember how much you loved it nung bata pa tayo. Remember? We would just drive around kahit san tayo makarating." Nangingiting sabi ni Matthew.

"Okay then. Take me wherever you want to go." Sagot ni Gabby.

Pinaandar ni Matthew ang sasakyan. Nakapatong lamang ang ulo ni Gabby sa balikat ni Matthew at nakahawak ang kamay nya sa braso nito.