Always By Your Side

Kabanata 21

"About Violet,"

"What about her?" My eyes are on Tita Lucia and Leona. Leona is scolding her mother the way she frowns and her eyebrows meeting.

They both look at my direction. Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay. Hindi malabo ang mga mata ko kaya kitang-kita ko ang pagsimangot ni Tita Lucia.

"We should really meet."

It must really be important that he can't discuss the matter in the call.

"Not now, Ares." Let me enjoy the feeling of being not pressured. It feels nice. I have nothing to think and fear of.

My body shivers as the cold breeze slaps my face. Ang lamig.

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Do you like me?" Diretsang tanong ko.

I heard Ares snorted from the other line, "Vernon's into you."

"And?"

"Wala akong balak makipag-agawan sa kapatid ko," He click his tongue. "Anyway, bukas na ang uwi ko. Let's meet."

"I'm in in Del Acosta." Ares went silent.

"Why are you there?"

"I was disown yesterday." I answer like it like it isn't a big deal. It isn't really.

I built my own name. I can live by my own. I am financially stable. Heck, I can even start a family now. There are properties under my name, my child doesn't have to worry about his future. I can perfectly provide for my family.

"What?!" Inilayo ko ang hawak na cellphone dahil sa nakakabinging sigaw ni Ares.

Kairita.

They are really brothers. Ganyan din magreact ang kapatid niya. I looked at Leona. She's different from her siblings.

I met and spoke with Ace Ventura many times. She definitely got her attitude from him and her physical attribute from Tita Lucia.

"Hey! Are you serious?" Do I sound like I'm kidding? Gusto ko tuloy itanong kay Ares kung kailan ba ako nakipagbiruan sa kanya.

"Yes," I walked inside the store. The look on Tita Lucia seems she's in trouble. She looks torn on what to get.

"You can get anything you like," And I decided not to drink. Mababa ang alcohol tolerance ko and I want to ask some questions. "It's on me. Don't worry, you don't have to pay."

"But-" Leona's face may be impassive but her eyes are screaming huge protest against what I said but she can't do anything about it.

Lalasingin ko ang nanay niya.

"Let's talk some other time." I ended the call before Ares can respond.

Inilagay ko ang cellphone sa pocket ng hoodie ko at pinilit pa si Tita Lucia na kunin ang gusto niya. She's only holding one bottle.

Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Tita Lucia at inismiran ang anak na hindi itinago ang tutol sa mga mata.

"Ms. Avila-" I cutted her off.

"Call me Ate Addy." I let out a small smile.

Natigilan ito sa sinabi ko at napatitig na lamang sa mukha ko. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil para na siyang nabato sa pwesto.

"Leona, hawakan mo ito." Utos ni Tita Lucia at binigay ang mga bote kay Leona naging rebulto na.

"Let me," I volunteered dahil wala na atang balak gumalaw itong bunso niya.

Napakurap ito nang makita ang mga bote sa kamay ko. Nataranta ito at kaagad na inagaw sa akin ang mga bote.

Hindi iyon pinansin ni Tita Lucia at tuwang-tuwa bumalik sa pamimili ng mga inumin. I look at the four bottles Leona is holding. Can she finish all of that?