Chapter 32
"Could you calm down for a bit, lady?" asik ni Rahim, halatang iritang-irita na sa akin.
Paano ba naman? Hindi magkamayaw ang mga mata ko nang tinahak na namin ang kalsada ng Aramac. Sobrang dami na nang nagbago sa lugar. Siguro kung ako lang ang palalakarin mag-isa ay maliligaw ako. Ang dami na ng establishments na wala dati.
But I doubt it. This is the land where I was raised, I know I will find my way somehow.
"Just let her be," depensa ni Sergio. "She's feeling nostalgia or she probably thinks that all of the places here are new to her eyes."
Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang kapatid ko. "Exactly, you can't tell me to calm down, Rahim. Matagal rin akong hindi naka-uwi. I'm amazed by the changes here."
Inirapan lang niya ako. Nakita iyon ni Manong Rudy sa rear mirror at natawa. Siya pa rin ang nag-d-drive. Naalala ko rin dati, siya rin ang driver ko nang sinundo ko sila Ate galing sa trip nila ni Rahim sa España. Ngayon siya pa rin ang sumusundo sa akin. Kahit siya lang mag-isa.
"Wala naman iyan diyan dati ah?" I pointed at a restaurant. Nadaanan na namin yung university at napansin ko ang restaurant na katabi ng convenience store sa harap niyon. It was resto that looks like pulled out straight from the streets of Intramuros, Manila. Old and vintage pero parang modern. It was so beautiful and really designed well.
"Aba hija, bunsong apo ni sir Hiñago ang may-ari niyan." Naningkit nang saglit ang mata nito saglit na parang may inaalala. "Ano nga ulit ang pangalan noon, dong Rahim?"
"Si Daniel." Rahim answered boredly, humihikab.
Manong Rudy smiled as of he remembered it suddenly. "Madalas kaming kumain diyan ng pamilya ko kapag day-off ko. Masarap nga ang luto kaya madalas ring balik-balikan ng marami. Dapat masubukan mo rin, hija. Minsan nga ay dinadayo pa iyan ng mga turista rito."
What? Really?
Rahim continued the talk. "I heard si Satari ang architect ng resto at nagdesign ng loob. Tapos yung ano mo ang nangulo sa construction."
I looked at him smugly. 'Come on Kuya, tell me more. Nahiya pa.'
"Anong ano?" Si Sergio naman ngayon ang nagtanong.
"Ex niya," sagot ni Rahim. Insensitive as ever.
"You have an ex, señorita?" he asked looking at me through the rear mirror. Naka-upo kasi siya sa harap. At natigilan na naman ako sa paraan ng pag-tawag niya sa akin.
Before I could even answer. Nang-asar nanaman si Rahim.
"What the? Hindi pa rin pala alam ng asawa mo, Noella?" ngisi nito.
"Hala! Nag-asawa ka na pala day? Asawa mo na pala 'to?" gulat na tanong ni Manong.
"Hindi—"
"Kayo lang dalawa sa España for almost how many years. I doubt if nothing happened. Kahit na progress? Wala? I doubt."
"Then maybe you should have visited us frequently. By then you would know that there is nothing between us." I glared at him. Natawa lang si Sergio, he is not helping me out.
"Oh really? Bakit? Nagpaalam ba ako na dadating ako two weeks ago? I didn't and I still caught you two holding hands like a sweet couple entering the manor," laban niya.
I swear I want to strangle him right now but I just can't.
"That was one time!" I said, now shouting.
"I didn't hear you." He whistled and wore his earphones. He is really teasing me.
Subukan niya lang na asarin ako sa bahay at sasakalin ko na talaga siya. I love my brother but I really hate him sometimes.
BINABASA MO ANG
Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)
RomanceI have always been obedient. Morals, manners, etiquette, class, and intelligence. I've done it. I abided on it like it's a law. But you came, starting with a kiss. All of that didn't matter anymore. Then, there is this curse between us. A long hist...
