As the Chains Fall

Chapter 29

I was waiting for the pain to kick in, but it never came.

Akala ko, sa muling pagkakita ko sa kaniya, babalik sa akin ang lahat ng sakit na ipinaranas ko sa kaniya, pero hindi. All I felt was bitterness as we sat at the same table, ate the same dinner, surrounded by the same people, without talking to or even looking at each other.

I didn't expect it to be this way.

I don't know why I didn't.

Dapat ay inasahan ko na ito.

"When is my Ezra arriving?" tanong ng matanda sa kabisera ng malaking lamesa. He is Javier Silas Escadejas III, and he is known as Don Tercero for being the third one in this family to proudly bear that name.

Abuelito, abuelo, o lolo naman ang tawag sa kaniya ng mga magpipinsan. Paiba-iba, base sa pagmamasid ko. Ganoon din sa eleganteng si Donya Froilana Escadejas. Abuelita, abuela, o lola. I'd be fine with referring to them as Don and Donya.

Si Kuya Silas ang sumagot sa kanilang lolo. "She's arriving late. You'd be asleep by then. Baka po bukas niyo na lang siya makikita. Sabihin ko rin daw sa inyo na huwag niyo siyang hihintayin."

"Oh," Don Tercero chuckled. "She knows me too well."

"She also knows that you'd wait for her anyway."

Nagtawanan ang lahat, at pinag-usapan ang Ezra na tinutukoy nila. Kinumusta naman ako ni Ethan sa kalagitnaan ng dinner. I was drinking my water when he leaned sidewards to whisper in my ear.

I was given the chance to choose whether I'd sit beside my mother, but I didn't take it. Pinili kong tumabi kay Ethan Raziel. Komportable talaga ako sa kaniya, mas komportable pa siguro kaysa kung si Mama ang kasama ko ngayon.

On my right side is Clementine. "Do you like the Palacio so far? Anong oras pala kayo dumating, at bakit parang hindi kita nakita? We were the first ones to arrive, I think."

"Nahilo kasi ako dahil sa haba ng byahe. Dumiretso agad ako sa kwarto sa taas para mahimasmasan, kaya siguro hindi ko na nagawa pang bumati nang mas maaga. Pasensya na..."

"Don't say sorry! It's fine! I was just really excited to meet you and your mother. We were really curious who won his heart, 'no."

"Oh, god." sabi ni Ethan nang marinig ang huling sinabi ng pinsan. Napasapo pa siya sa sarili niyang noo.

"Oh, what now, Raz?"

Ininom ni Ethan nang minsanan ang tubig sa tapat niya. "So cheesy, Clem. For the love of god, please stop."

"It may be cheesy, but it's true!"

Ethan groaned, irritating Clementine further. Parang nanonood ako ng telebisyon dahil sa kulit nila. "Whatever! Whatever! Ang arte-arte! Akala mo naman, hindi ka na-iinlove! E 'di ikaw na!"

"Oh. Pasensya ka na."

"Ugh! Don't say sorry now!"

"Lo siento."

"I said, don't say sorry!"

"Sorry," Ethan simply repeated.

"Huwag mo nang asarin," sabi ko kay Ethan.

Nasa gitna kasi nila ako kaya feel ko ay may dapat akong gawin. Ngunit nang tumingin siya sa akin na nagtataka, doon ko nakumpirma na hindi niya sinasadyang asarin si Clementine. Nagso-sorry siya kasi naasar niya, kaya paanong maaayos 'to kung naaasar nga dahil nagso-sorry siya?

Nehemiah spoke, "Nah. Continue. Asarin niyo lang! She needs to be humbled once in a while, or she'll be insufferable."

"Nemo," pagbabawal ng Senyora pero natatawa naman. "Leave her alone. She's just excited to meet our Sienna here."