The Ruins of Winter

Chapter 45

The last chapter of The Ruins of Winter. See you in our Epilogue.

And happy birthday Mags! Love you!

Chapter 45

"Food is ready!" Tita Given said.

"Gumising ka na nga!" I told Juan Luis. Umiling siya at yumakap sa bewang ko, "You have to wake up... nandito lang ba tayo para matulog..."

He yawned, "Why? May suggestion ka ba kung ano pa ang pwedeng gawin?"

I slapped his arm.

We are in a resort here in Camiguin. Hindi lang kami. Kasama namin sila Papa at Tita Yolly, pati na rin ang pamilya ni Juan Luis. They said that the other uncles and aunties will go here later too. Dito rin didiretso ang flight ni Hera galing sa New York. She won the title last week and she did so well.

"Nakakahiya naman sa kanila... parating na rin ang mga kaibigan ni Tito at Tita..."

"Why are you calling them Tito and Tita? Call them Mom and Dad." Juan Luis said. Imbes na bumangon, humigpit pa lalo ang yakap niya sa akin.

"Why would I do that? Baliw ka ba?" I said, scoffing. Baka mangilabot si Tita Given kapag tinawag ko siyang Mommy bigla. Hindi niya naman ako iniluwal at hindi rin naman kami mag-asawa ni JL? I mean... I make sense, right?

"Why not? You will be their daughter-in-law..." he chuckled. Inalis ko ang kamay niya na nakayakap sa akin at tumayo. He looked at me, "Baby, let's just lie down for a bit before going downstairs."

"No. Naghihintay na sila at tanghali na." sabi ko agad, "Bahala ka sa buhay mo."

Kanina pa ako naka-ayos eh. Siya na lang ang hinihintay ko. Nahihiya talaga akong paghintayin sila Tita Given. Ang sabi naman kasi, kayang gumising ng maaga kahit uminom. I should've known better dahil hindi naman malakas ang alcohol tolerance ni Juan Luis. He's just arrogant because he wants to look cool in front of my father, pero ang totoo ay hindi kaya ng katawan niya ang sobrang lalakas na liquor.

"Good afternoon po," bati ko sa kanila. We rented a nipa hut at kami ang nagluluto ng mga pagkain namin. Napatingin ako kay Tito Elian na nasa gilid ng kubo at tahimik na nakahawak sa noo niya.

"Inom pa," Tita Given told her, "Next time, sana yung mahahati sa dalawa yung utak mo. Para mas masaya."

Tita Yolly laughed, "Hay nako, Elian. Hinay-hinay kasi..."

"It's okay. Minsan lang naman. I don't always drink, ano." he groaned because of his terrible headache, "My love, cook a soup for me."

"Shut up." Tita Given rolled her eyes.

"Alam mo ba, Erys. Back then, your Tita doesn't even know how to make people shut up." Tito Elian chuckled, "Pakiramdam ko, dahil rin kay Taline kaya ganyan na siya magsalita. May pagka-bad influence rin talaga si Tala eh... no offense kay Rile..."

Tita Given laughed, "I will tell this to Tala."

We settled down nang matapos mag-ihaw sila Tita.

"Juan is still sleeping?" Tita asked. Ngayon ko lang siya narinig na tawaging Juan si Juan Luis.

"Opo. May hangover pa po." sabi ko.