Riding The Waves (Fortalejo Clan #1)

Chapter 24

"Mira..." He said, huskily. "So, you're back, huh?"

Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko at halos hindi makagalaw. I couldn't even find my own voice.

Muli kong pinagmasdan ng maigi si Aspen. He have grown taller than he is already years ago before I left him. Ang mga mata niya ay hindi na gaanong mababasahan ng emosyon. It's just a steady black and brooding dark eyes staring right back at me.

"U-Uhm, yeah..." I fidgeted with my fingers, don't know what to say. Ano ba ang dapat kong sabihin? Hindi ko rin naman kasi inaasahang magkikita kami agad pagdating ko rito sa Pilipinas.

I know that the world is too small for the both of us but I didn't expect that I'd see him this soon! Masyado talagang mapaglaro ang tadhana, ano?

"Aspen, anak?" Mula sa loob ng maliit na cabin ay lumabas ang isang lalaking halos kaedad lang din ni Dad. May iilang pirasong puting buhok na ito sa gilid ng kan'yang ulo at may suot ding salamin.

But what caught me off guard is the fact that he called Aspen 'anak'.

As far as I could remember, he's not Aspen's father. What happened?

"Dad," Aspen acknowledged and helped his father on his way. "You should be resting by now. Have you taken your meds?" Seryosong tanong pa nito.

The old man laughed. "You needn't worry about me, son." He then looked at me through his glasses. "Oh! Look who we have here? May kailangan ka ba, hija?"

My lips went hang open and close like a broken record repeatedly playing all over again. Nang mapagtantong mukha na akong tanga sa harapan nila ay huminga ako ng malalim at mahinang tumango. He must be Senyor Carlos that Uncle Adonis is talking about.

"I suppose you're Senyor Carlos? Uncle Adonis asked me to come here and get my cousin a milk. Hindi po kasi ni Gaia nagustuhan ang gatas na binili niya no'ng nakaraan..." I bit my lower lip trying to hide my trembling lips and also to ease my nervous being.

"Ah, so you're part of Fortalejo's clan, hija?" Nakangiti na ito ng malawak. "Go get some milk for this beautiful young lady, Aspen." Baling nito sa katabi na tahimik lang na nakatitig sa'kin. My heart beat erratically fast. Parang gusto ko na lang bigla tumakbo palabas ng farm nila at sumakay na ulit kay Sinagtala para makaalis na pero hindi ako makagalaw at para akong napako sa kinatatayuan ko.

Ilang segundo pa bago tumalima si Aspen at pumasok sa loob ng cabin na nilabasan din ni Senyor Carlos kanina. Naiwan naman kaming dalawa ng matanda.

"Well, hija?" Napabalik sa kan'ya ang atensyon ko mula sa pintuan ng cabin na pinasukan ni Aspen kanina lamang. I nodded my head at him.

"O-Opo. In fact, I'm Alon Fortalejo's daughter. Kakambal ko si Aether."

"I knew it! That's why you looked familiar to me. Hindi lang nabanggit sa'kin ni Aether na may kakambal siya. Aether often comes here to talk and help my son, Aspen, in our farm."

My brows furrowed in confusion. Ang gagong Aether na 'yon! May pasabi-sabi pa siyang 'I like Arrow better' tapos ito at malalaman kong madalas siyang pumunta rito sa farm at kinakausap si Aspen!

"S-Son? Anak niyo po si Aspen?"

The old man smiled at me. "Yes, although not by blood but by heart. Him, Arrow and War are my pride and joy. They're my foster children and that's what makes them a part of Cardinal family."

"Good grief, old man," bilang litaw ni Aspen dala ang dalawang container ng fresh milk. "You're giving away too much information."

Napipilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Goodness! Did he find me too nosy?