Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

37 - Letter

"Hija! I missed you! Nakangiting sinalubong kami ni Tita Dane. Reizo was just behind me.

Tita Dane enveloped me with her hug. The familiar feeling washed over me as I felt her embrace. Ako naman ay sinuklian ang yakap niya.

"I missed you too, Tita Dane," I uttered as we broke away from the hug.

Lumingon ako kay Reizo na katabi si Tito Zane na katatapos lang tapikin ang balikat niya. I caught Reizo's eyes looking happy as he looked at us.

Naisip ko rin na ano kaya ang naramdaman at naisip nila Tita Dane at Tito Zane nang maaksidente si Reizo sa mga panahong wala ako. Did they blame me for it? Did they think that it was because of me?

But looking at them genuinely smiling and welcoming me in their home, it felt like they never hold a grudge against me for what happened.

"Welcome home, hija." Bumeso ako kay Tito nang makalapit siya.

"Thank you po, Tito." Sambit ko sa kanya.

Tita Dane asked as to go inside. Inakay niya ako paloob at ang mag-ama naman ay sumunod lang sa likod namin.

"I called Rion and he told me he'll try to go here later. As for Ridge, pupunta siya dito mamaya." Tita Dane said. "Did you two already meet?" Tanong niya.

I shook my head. "Hindi pa po, Tita. The day I went home, he told me he was out of town. Noong isang araw na uwi niya naman ay naging busy siya kaya ngayon pa lang kami magkikita."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Out of town?" Tita Dane looked at Tito Zane. "Alexvander, did Ridge tell you he went out of town last week?"

I saw Tito Zane shook his head. "No. I thought he was here. Do you know about this?" Baling niya kay Reizo.

Reizo shrugged. "He just told me about it when he was already there, Mom, Dad."

Kumunot ang noo ni Tita Dane na matamang nakikinig sa sinabi ni Reizo. It really looked like Ridge didn't tell them about what he did last week. Mukhang ako pa ang nambuking sa kanya na dapat ay sikreto lang pala.

"What did he do there?" Reizo shrugged but Tita Dane didn't accept that as an answer. "Reizo Aillard! I know that you know something!"

"Mom, just ask Ridge about it later. I didn't know the full details." He smirked and glanced at me. "Mom, are we going to talk about Ridge? I thought you miss Kaela?"

What a way to change the topic, Reizo Aillard. Magkakapatid nga talaga kayo at alam na alam niyo kung paano ibahin ang usapan. I just don't know what will happen to Ridge later if Tita Dane will insist asking him where he went last time.

"So, hija, I heard from Reizo that you'll work starting next week under your company?" She asked.

I nodded at her. "Yes po, Tita. I did work back in New York and I feel like I don't want to take it any longer before starting to work here."

Lumingon ako kay Reizo na nakikinig lang din sa amin. We glanced at Tito Zane when his phone rang.

"It's Rion. Excuse me." Sambit niya bago pinindot ang cellphone at tumayo. "Why did you call?" Medyo rinig pang sabi niya. "Veradean?" Huling sabi niya na pangalan ng bestfriend ni Rion, bago siya nakaalis sa living room.

Tumingin ako muli kay Tita na nakatingin din kung saan umalis si Tito Zane bago bumaling sa akin at ngumiti.

"It's good that you decided to work here now. You'll work under Kainoa's leadership right? Or Zelos'?"

"Kay Kuya Knoa po, Tita." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"I am so glad that you got home but may I ask what made you decide to stay here for good?" She smiled at me and held my hand.