Marry
Halos tanghali na nang magising ako. Wala na rin si Draven sa kuwarto. Pagbaba ko, nahanap ko si Lola na nagta-tsaa.
"You're looking for your visitor?" she asked.
Hindi ako nagsalita.
"He left early," aniya.
"Did Colonel Chavez say anything?" I asked and occupied the seat in front of her.
"The NBI is already leading the investigation. Colonel Chavez told me that you're a pain in the ass. Nagalit mo raw ang isa sa high rank police?"
Kung si Kaycee Williams man iyon, galit din ako sa kanya. There are some lapses with their operation and she's blaming it to the hotel's management. I will acknowledge if our security failed to spot the target and let him in, but she made our territory as the battle ground for their operation. Kahit sana inalerto nalang ako, hindi man lang ginawa.
At ginawa ko iyon dahil nag-aalala ako sa siguridad nila. As if I know she's part of a classified mission?!
Ang kasambahay ay inilapag ang pagkain sa aking harap habang naninimbang ang tingin ni Lola sa akin. Doon napunta saglit ang atensyon ko.
"Did they file a case against me?" I asked.
"And why? Ano bang ginawa mo?" saka niya ibinaba ang tasa.
Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita kaya nauna na ang kanyang nagdududang tingin sa akin.
"Pumasok ka ba dahil naroon si Draven?" she concluded.
I sipped on the glass of water.
"And he's here. You spent your night with him. Something good happened?"
"Walang nangyari," giit ko at medyo sumeryoso para ipakitang wala kaming ginawang iba, maliban sa halikan...
"Is that the reason why you're disappointed because nothing happened?"
Nanliit ang mga mata ko. "You think I'm always horny when he's around, Lola?" Oo pero aaminin ko pa ba sa matandang ito?
"Ano pa bang iisipin ko eh malalaki na kayo," aniya.
Kahit noong eighteen pa lang naman ako, mahilig na kaming maghalikan. And funny how I corrupted his mind back in the days. Ako ang nagtuturo sa kanya noon. But there's always something about his kiss that's addicting.
Every time he kisses me, there is a calmness that lingers, like the warmth of his arms, the intertwining of fingers, and the endless whispers of sweetnothings against my ear.
"Kayo na?" para bang nasa isip niya na iyon kanina pa at ngayon lamang naitanong.
"Not yet," sabi ko at ginalaw ang pagkain.
"Not... yet? So ano lang ang meron kayo? Tikiman?"
"We're taking it slow," I sipped on my water while my eyes went to the high windows.
Tirik na tirik ang araw sa labas. The rays of the sun is kissing not just the garden but also the water of the swimming pool. I guess it's almost summer. Kahit malamig naman sa loob ng mansyon, nararamdaman ko pa rin ang sikat ng araw.
"I never experience the love I deserve in the past, Ashtraia. Your grandpa cheated behind my back. Nagkaanak pa. I married him for convenience and maybe it's the reason why we never learned how to love each other right," seryosong kuwento ni Lola.
"Why did you forgive him?" maingat kong tanong.
"Did I forgive him? Namatay siya nang hindi nakukuha ang kapatawaran sa akin."
