Lacuna

18

"Leonor, asan yung 3 apo namin?" You heard your lolo asked tita Leni.

"Sina Aika and Jill po pumunta kung asan si Y/N. Si Patty naman nasa Cebu kasi meron Medical Conference." Tita Leni replied.

"Good evening po lolo, lola and tita." You smiled as you approached them. "Bless po."

"'Nak. Kamusta? Asan yung dalawa?" Tita hugged you and tried looking for her daughters.

"Andun po sa table ko with my cousins. Antagal din po kasi di nagkita-kita eh." You pointed to where your table was located. You saw that everyone was completely immersed in the game they started playing when you left them. You turned your attention to your grandparents.

"It's getting late na po lo and la. Wala pa po kayo plano umuwi? Ang mga andito na lang po yung mga friends ng couple and kami magpipinsan." Your voice dripping with concern that they might be exhausted already.

"Bah. Uuwi na din kami. We're just catching up with Leonor. Ang dami kasi bisita kaya hindi namin kaagad nakausap tita mo." Your lolo waved his hand dismissively and you laughed. "Concern lang naman ako sainyo po. It's almost 11PM na."

"Well Leonor, looks like hindi pipigil tong isa na pauwiin na kami." Your lola interjected. "Punta muna kayo sa bahay before returning sa Manila, okay? Your family is always welcome to our home." She said then embraced tita Leni before gesturing to their driver that they would leave now. Your lolo did the same and they bid you goodnight. You continue watching them until your eyes can no longer see beyond where the cars are parked. Tita Leni gently tries to get your attention.

"'Nak. Y/N." She tapped your shoulder, pulling you out of your trance. "Sorry tita, just making sure they're okay." You sheepishly said, rubbing your neck. "Kamusta po? It's good na nakauwi po kayo sa Naga."

"I'm good 'nak. Busy juggling my duties with the country and my time with those three daughters of ours. Naka-leave naman ako until next week."

"Pahinga ka naman po tita. Huwag masyado magpara-overwork." You said as you and tita Leni began walking towards the table where ate Aika and Jill were. You simply walked beside her and continued to drink the alcohol you brought.

"Don't worry 'nak. I'm taking care of myself. Those daughters of ours continuously nagged me every single day." Tita gently smiled at you. "Y/N. 'nak. Patty wants to talk to you personally." Once you heard your tita spoke, you stopped walking, completely flabbergasted by her statement. "I... I can't tita. I –"

"You don't have to force yourself 'nak." Tita Leni cut you off. "It's entirely your decision if you want to talk to Patty. I just want you to know na meron ka option to talk or not to Patty. That my daughter wants to see you." You tried not to wince when you heard her name coming from her mother. Tita Leni saw how you reacted and smiled sadly at you. "Sorry tita but I'll think about it pa po." Tita Leni just nodded her head.

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"Ate Aiks, papunta na dito sina mama and ate Y/N." Jill nudged her ate and pointed to where their mama and Y/n stopped walking.

"Uuwi na ata tayo Jill. For sure pagod na din yan si mama. Paalam na tayo." Ate Aika said.

"Guys, mauna na kami. Uuwi na kami na mama." She stood up and looked at each and everyone at the table. "It was nice seeing most of you again after ilang years din." She smiled and waited for Jill to bid her goodbye as well.

"Thank you po mga ate and kuya. Next time na uwi namin, labas tayo nina ate." Jill said. "It was nice meeting you po ate Erika."

The siblings made their way to where their mama and Y/N is. "Psst. Jill, sa tingin mo ano relasyon ni Y/N at nung Erika?" Ate Aika asked.