anywhere, somewhere, far away

16

"We'll buy gifts at the Mall in Puerto Prinsesa, Lolo. Would you like to come with us?"

Flora sat beside lolo before hugging him sideways. Lolo is busy reading reports and is having an online meeting which Flora didn't seem to mind. Binati pa siya ng mga ka-meeting nito. Patapos na rin pala iyon kaya ayos lang.

"I told you he's busy." Willow rolls her eyes in annoyance before eating one of lolo's breakfast.

"You girls go on. Marami pa akong dapat tapusin. Sasamahan naman kayo nina Dr. de Ayala at Dr. Wyatt, hindi ba?"

May naramdaman akong kamay na pumulupot sa beywang ko. Nakita ko si Alfaro na nakangiti bago ako hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Good morning, Lux." Sumapak sa ilong ko ang pabango niyang favorite ko.

"Good morning." I said, all giggly.

"Umalis nga kayo sa harap ko." Mahinang tulak sa akin ni Lily at umupo sa kabilang tabi ni Lolo. Hindi naman siya pinansin ni Alfaro at umupo sa tabi ni Willow na kaharap nila.

"Ang bitter mo pa rin, ate Lily. Akala mo talaga." Irap sa kanya ni Flora.

"Good morning." Doc Wyatt came and sat beside Flora. We started having breakfast.

"What's your itinerary for today?" Lolo asks.

"We'll buy gifts first at the Mall and eat lunch after. Kapag medyo napaaga matapos mamili, we might visit the Giannelli mansion." Natigilan si lolo sa sinabi ko. Lahat sila ay nilingon ako. Napag-usapan naman namin ng mga kapatid ko na bumisita dahil ni minsan ay hindi namin nagawa iyon. Ang magkapatid na Giannelli lang ang bumibisita sa amin.

I also think it's time to appeal to Don Lorenzo. Para naman maayos ang magiging kasal at walang hadlang.

Alfaro and I also talked about this last night. He's worried that I might be forcing myself to accept things and people in my life just because of a wedding that will happen. But I'm sure... and I'm okay now. With him by my side, I think I can overcome anything, even if it means I'll have to deal with Amalla. I also don't want to live with it for the rest of my life.

I felt Alfaro's hand squeezing mine in a light manner. I looked at him and saw him smiling at me, as if waiting for me to finally look at him.

Why do difficult things feel easier with you?

"That's great. Send my regards. Isasama niyo ba sa lakad niyo si Frank?"

"Nope. He said they'll fly to Bohol today." Willow shrugged her shoulders.

"Cebu, ate Willow." Lily rolled her eyes. Tinaasan siya ng kilay nito.

"Edi Cebu, sungit mo naman." Umirap ito.

"Can you guys just eat? Nag-aaway sa harap ng pagkain." Pag susungit ni Flora kaya napaiwas si Doc Wyatt na katabi nito. Humarap siya sa amin ni Alfaro bago ngumiwi. Tinawanan namin siya.

"Bilisan niyo na. Tatanghaliin na tayo." Ani ko. Hindi na sila umimik at kumain na lang.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Alfaro asks me after we're done eating. Tumango ako agad bago ngumiti.

"Yes, I'm sure. Kagabi mo pa ako tinatanong niyan." I chuckle at him.

"Sorry, just double checking." He smiled shyly at me. "Dito lang ako sa tabi mo." Paalala niya ulit. Kahapon niya pa rin sinasabi 'yan.

"I know." I acknowledged. He softly kissed me on my temple.

"Let's go?" Aya ni Lily nang makitang tahimik ang lahat. Hindi na rin naman na kami umapila pa at lumabas na papuntang porte cochere. Sa SUV ni Doc Wyatt sasabay si Flora, habang ako ay kay Alfaro. Sina Lily at Willow naman ay sa Sedan ni Lolo.