Drowning In Your Love

13

Come

"You did, Tilly? Wow! What a nice catch."

Tita Hermoine complimented me while we're all having our dinner at the beach. Napunta na kasi ang usapan tungkol sa pagkakahuli ko ng tuna.

I'm wearing one of the Dior dress she gave to me. It's A short hooded dress in a color Roses Des Vents Technical Taffeta Jacquard. Naligo at nagpalit ako before dinner.

"She gave it to us, Hon, as a farewell gift." Tito Nico added.

"What? Oh no, Tilly. You don't have to." Si tita Hermoine.

"It's okay, tita." Sambit ko naman sabay sulyap sa kaharap.

Hezekiah is sitting on the chair in front of me, again. On my right side is mommy and daddy. Sa left side niya naman is si tita Hermoine then si tito Nicolas.

Mabilis akong nagiwas ng tingin nang makitang magaangat din siya ng tingin.

"Just accept it, Her. Baka malungkot pa itong prinsesa natin kapag hindi ninyo iyon tinanggap." Si mommy sa kanyang best friend.

"Yes, and puwede pa naman kaming manghuli ulit." Si dad.

"Next time na mangisda kayo at nandito ulit kami, sasama na kami ni Leila." Usal ni tita Hermoine.

"No, No, Her." Mabilis na alma ni mommy. "I rather have a fish foot massage than catching a fish that big."

Nagtawanan kami dahil sa sinabi ni mommy. Maya maya ay bumalik na sa negosyo ang usapan ng mga nakatatanda kaya nakikinig lamang ako habang kumakain.

"What are you taking in college, Hez?" Dad suddenly asked the young De Alteiri.

"Bachelor of Science in Business Administration po, tito, major in Financial Management." Diretso namang sagot nito.

"And while he's taking that, he's also studying Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Operations Management." Dagdag ni tito Nicolas.

My parents and I literally parted our lips at the same time because of shock and fascination.

"Can you really do that? How?"

Si mommy na ang nagtanong ng pare pareho naming gustong itanong kay Hezekiah.

"Right? Kaya nga once a week ko nalang siyang makita dahil sa sobrang busy niya sa school. He's such a nerd." Giit ni tita Hermoine.

"Manang mana sa ama." Untas naman ni mommy na dahilan ng kanilang pagtawa.

"Well, I have my reasons. I needed to study hard because I already have a wife who I need to take care off."

Napangiti lamang si tita Hermoine sa sinambit ng asawa. Pero bigla akong napaisip.

"Mag-asawa na po kayo ni tita Hermoine while still in college?"

Wala talaga akong balak itanong iyon, sa isip lang, pero hindi napigilan ng bibig kong magsalita. Gosh, Tiana Lyle, napakachismosa mo talaga.

Napatingin ako kay tita Hermoine nang kunin niya ang kanyang wine glass at sumimsim dito habang may ngiti pa rin sa labi.

"Yes, Tilly. We already got married as soon as your tita Hermoine graduated in High school." Tito Nico answered.

May mga gusto pa akong itanong pero nanatili nalang na tahimik. Siguro sobrang in love lang nila sa isa't isa kaya kahit bata pa ay nagdesisyon nang magpakasal. I heard from mommy that they have a three years age gap.