"Hindi po ba't nagkaroon ng anak si Ryan Buencamino doon sa napangasawa niya?"
"Oo."
"Pero bakit hindi po nagkaroon ng anak sina Lola Graciela at Lolo Martin? Hindi na po ba nila ginusto na magkaroon ng anak?"
"Sa totoo lang, sinubukan pa rin nilang magkaroon ng anak. Noon kasi, nagkaroon ng sumpaan sina Graciela at Ryan sa simbahan bilang magkasintahan. Nagkaroon sila ng sumpaan na kapag may nagtraydor, at kung sino man sa kanilang dalawa iyon, ay mamamatay ang anak."
My eyes widened with shock. Nagkatotoo!
"Dalawang beses nabuntis si Graciela pero hindi nabuhay ang maalinman sa dalawang bata."
"Pero, Lola, di'ba pareho lang naman silang naloko ni Lolo Martin? How did it became Lola Graciela's fault?"
"Sa pagitan ni Ryan at Graciela, si Graciela ang unang bumitaw. Ganun talaga kapag nasa isang relasyon, hija."
Bumalik kami ni Lola sa loob nang biglang umulan ng malakas. Nakiusap ako ng tubig sa isang kasambahay para kay Lola. Para mapakalma siya dahil naging emosyonal rin ang napag-usapan namin. Baka kasi kung mapano siya.
Nang makainom siya ng tubig ay binaba niya ang baso sa lamesa at binigyan ng atensyon ang labas. Medyo humina na ang ulan.
"I would feel nostalgic every time it rains. Naaalala ko kasi sila noon ni Ryan. It feels like someone is crying from up above because of their outcome. I was one of the people who witnessed their tragic love story. Under the tree, in the garden, Ryan would play his guitar while Graciela sings their favorite song. Their theme song is melancholic. Back then, I was curious why their theme song is sad. But know, I understand."
I slowly nodded. "Napapag-connect lahat ng dots." I sighed and wiped all the tears left in my eyes. "Siguro po ay masaya na sila ngayon dahil magkasama na po sila sa kung saan man sila naroon."
"That's for sure. They're now resting in paradise." She held my hand. "Apo, it is bad to wish for what is not yours. If it's really for you, even if you haven't done anything yet or you haven't lifted all your fingers, it will still be yours. No matter what. Always remember that."
I held her hand too and stood up beside her. "I will, Lola." Then I hugged her. "Maraming salamat po."
I decided to stay for the night para makapag-relax pa ako away from the busy city. Bukas na lang ako uuwi. Nakasuot na ako ng pantulog nang pumunta ako sa balkonahe ng kwarto ko para magmuni-muni. I briefly observed the nightlife of the city from where I was before looking at my phone.
Work wasn't my topmost intention when I requested to follow Lucas. The main reason is that I'm interested in him. But after Lola told me what happened in the past, it got me thinking.
I realized that I don't want to follow in Lolo Martin's footsteps. I wouldn't want to break other people's lives just because I'm in love or just because I want something or someone.
Having my final decision, I unfollowed Lucas on all of his social media accounts. I have ways to communicate with him naman para sa work. Pero hanggang work na lang talaga.
I'm still young but I'm sure na mayroon naman sigurong magmamahal sa'kin when the day comes. I might fall in love again. Hindi iyon impossible. Hindi ko naman masasabi ang mangyayari. I can still hope that there would still be as long as I can, as long as I live.
My definition of love back then was having a deep affection for someone. May point naman 'yong definition na 'yon. But now I realized it's more than that.
Love can be unconditional. It can be selfless.
I left Batangas the moment I woke up and got myself ready the next morning. Nakapagpaalam naman ako nang maayos kay Lola bago umalis so things went smooth enough. Bago ako tuluyang makauwi sa condo ko ay naisipan ko na lang na mag-shopping muna.
I just came out of my favorite luxury store, my paper bags hanging on my left arm while my phone is in my right hand when I accidentally got bumped into someone.
"Oh, my gosh!" I exclaimed when my phone fell on the floor because of what happened.
"I'm sorry," the man said with his deep and low voice. Kinuha niya ang phone ko sa sahig at binalik 'yon sa'kin. Good thing hindi 'yon nabasag.
"It's okay! Thank you!" sabi ko, huli na nang ma-recognize siya.
Nang magpantay ang tingin namin ay medyo nagulat rin siya gaya ko. Pero agad namang nakabawi. He flashed a small smile on his lips. "Ms. Samonte. Ikaw pala 'yan."
Pakiramdam ko ay saglit akong natigil sa paghinga. Hindi ko inasahan 'to!
I smiled back at him, trying to calm myself down since he greeted me well. "Mr. Buencamino.."
Chandler, the grandson of the late Ryan Buencamino, the grandson of my Lola Graciela's true love, and the heir of one of our family's business competitors.. is now in front of me in his corporate attire.
I don't know if he's aware of our family's past but I might as well shut my mouth about it. Hindi rin naman kami close.
