First Heartbreak

32

"Kung alam ko lang na magpinsan pala kami, sana mas kinausap ko pa!" Ani Vera sa tabi ko at parang disappointed pa.

Kasalukuyan kaming naghihintay kay Valerianna. Kami-kami lang naman ang nasa welcoming party niya dahil ani Papa na mas mabuti na family at close-friends lang muna para hindi siya mabigla.

Tumulong kami sa paghahanda kanina ngunit parang hindi naman iyon trabaho dahil kasama ko ang mga pinsan at si Xaviell.

"Beaufort! Punctual ba si Valerianna sa trabaho? Ba't late siya ngayon?" Kalalabas lang ni Bea sa kusina at may dala pang kaunting balat ng lechon.

Xaviell turned to me before bringing his eyes back to my cousins. "She's an early-bird... maybe her flight's delayed?"

Napatango-tango naman ang mga pinsan habang isa-isa kaming binigyan ni Bea ng mga pagkain na patago niya pa raw na kinuha.

I turned to Xaviell and noticed that he looks agitated. I asked him about it but he only shook his head.

"I'll tell you later," he assured with a wink, then kissing my cheeks. "It's not important."

Lumipas ang ilang oras at napagdesisyunan na lang namin na maunang kumain. Mukhang stressed na si Papa pero nakikita ko rin na ayaw niya iyong ipahalata. Si Xaviell naman, napansin ko na mas nababahala siya.

I held his wrist, then pulling him to my room upstairs. "What's wrong? You're making me worry, Xav..."

He sat on my bed and messed with his hair, then heaving a deep sigh. "I don't think she's coming," he said flatly without looking at me. "I didn't want to tell you earlier because I didn't want you to overthink about it..."

Mahina akong napatango at tumabi sa kaniya. Patagilid akong sumandal sa kaniya. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and caressed it soothingly. "Let's just wait..."

I nodded and hugged him from the side. For some reason, I feel bad because of what he said. I guess, even though I'm not totally okay about the revelation, a part of me was excited to meet Valerianna... not as Xaviell's secretary... but as my sister...

We went back to the living room and saw that they're all gathering in the kitchen. Nasa gitna si Papa at mukhang may sinasabi. Mabilis akong lumapit at doon ko lang narinig ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"She should've told us that she won't come! Sayang ang mga hinanda!" One of my Tias scoffed. One by one, they all left the kitchen and I was left with Papa and Xaviell.

Xaviell nodded at me before leaving the kitchen. Lumapit ako kay Papa at saka tinapik ang kaniyang balikat. Hindi pa kami ganoon ka "okay" pero alam ko na kailangan kong pababain ang pride ko.

"She told me she's not ready yet," ani Papa sa mababang boses. Hindi niya man ito pinapahalata, nahihimigan ko naman ang pagkabigo sa kaniyang boses.

Papa met my eyes and gave me an assuring smile. "I spoke with Dulcinea's mother, she's inviting you to their village... go there instead."

Tumango ako at saka nilapitan si Papa para mayakap siya. Sandali pa siyang natigilan.

"Thanks, Coco," bulong niya sabay kalas na ng yakap.

Nasa salas ang mga pinsan at naroroon din si Xaviell na nakikipag-usap sa mga kababata kong pinsan.

"Punta tayo kina Nea?" Excited na tanong ni Bea. I eyed each one of them and saw that Bea already has a bag ready and she's now wearing a different attire. "Nagbihis na 'ko!"

Napailing na lang ako at inaya na si Xaviell para makapagbihis kami. Pagkatapos magpaalam, nagsimula na kami sa paglalakad. Doon daw ulit kami dadaan sa may shortcut. Meaning, kailangan kong tumawid sa ilog.