Our Love On Spring

Chapter 26

26

"My love won't bloom anymore."

.

.

"Oh, Jiro, nakabalik ka na." I looked at Aunt and smiled a little. "Kanina pa may natawag sa cellphone mo."

Nangunot ang noo ko at kinuha agad sa ibabaw ng center table.

"Cullen, huh? What's with him?" I whispered under my breath. I read the message he left after 10 missed calls.

'We need a help. Uwi ka mun ng Pinas, 3 months leave mo naman.'

I sighed. And who am I to reject, wala na rin naman akong gagawin sa Japan.

Emerald Homes.

That's what they're talking about, right?

I drove slowly. Tiningnan ko nang maigi kung ito ba talaga 'yong subdivision na tinutukoy nila. There's an R&G Estate and TCDC sign at the front. That sounds familiar.

When I had a glimpse of its subdivision name, I sighed in relief. Finally, I saw it.

A loud beep invade the quiet street when I was about to turn left to the subdivision. My eyes widen. Agad akong pumreno pagkarinig sa busina. Pagkalingon ko, there's a black car na naka-stop. An inch apart from my car!

Fudge.

I didn't know that there's an open road in that way. Bakit ba kasi sa tapat ng subdivision merong ganitong daanan?

Another scenery that caught my attention is the big acacia tree near the walking path. Sa loob pa 'yon ng daan pero makikita rin na may mga nakasabit na ilaw sa taas.

I saw a couple went out to a shop and they were holding cups. Must be a café.

I inhaled deeply upon remembering the incident just now. I went outside to talk to the driver, since it is also not moving. Saktong paglabas ko, palabas na rin 'yong driver.

"Uhm—"

"I'm sorry, I was in a hurry!" He exclaimed. He was focused on the phone, obviously textinh someone. "Kids won't let me have peace since they will have a visitor!"

I laughed nervously as I saw his face. He looks in trouble. Napakamot na lang ako ng ulo. "Uh..." I blinked. "Thaddeus?"

He suddenly looked up to me. His eyes widen. "W-wait... are you perhaps Mr. Caster?"

Give a fudge to those kids. I told them to call me Jiro! And wait... does he... oh, well, nevermind.

I forcefully smiled at him, "yes, I am and you can call me Jiro."

His brows furrowed, "ah, yeah. Those kids are waiting. Sunod ka na lang sa akin. Pasensiya ka na pala par kanina. Ang kukulit kasi nila."

I blinked. I just nodded and went back to my car. Buti na lang walang gaanong dumadaan sa oras na 'to. I looked at my watch. 10 PM, huh?

I guess, I can't have a coffee tonight.

— — —

Napa-angat ang tingin ko sa bahay. It was not what I expected. It is so spacious and it has a second floor. I can't see clearly but its night vibe makes me have a goosebumps. So elegant.

"I'm back!"

He is still as loud as ever. I looked at Thaddeus' back. He seems to forget about me. Well, we have just met for like, three to four times for around 10 years ago. I can't blame him.

"Dala mo ba si Caster?"

"It is Jiro, Jedh." I emphasize his first name. I entered the house and saw Cullen who was about to go dowm from the stairs.

He grimaced and looked at me disgustingly. "Tell me, bata," I command naughtily, "what's your deal with me and make me go here?"

"Ah, about that..." I looked at Thaddeus... who changed his tone in a girly one. What the fudge?!  "But wait, tell me why are you so fucking familiar, handsome?"

I looked at him like I have seen a ghost. "Saki's brother. I do remember you. Please, no more questions." I am not in the mood to talk with him. What's his problem? Kanina pina-par pa ako nito, ah?

"Ano ba 'yan? Anong oras na ang ingay niyo pa." We heard a soft voice upstairs. Nahikab pa.

I stilled. I looked upstairs to see someone. Napa-angat ang isa kong kilay.

"At anong oras na, gising ka pa." I talked back.

Kiyo blinked. "Ah, inaantok na pala ako, bye, good night." Umakyat na ulit siya ng hagdan na ikinatawa ko. "Welcome, kuya Jiro! Feel at home!"

"Where's Jade?" I asked Cullen.

"Prolly reading... or watching, old man."

"Tss." I looked at the couch. Niyaya ako ni Thadz na umupo doon na hindi ko naman tinanggihan.

"There's still remaining room, since hindi pa naman kami marami." Thadz said. "You can use the last room in the right wing."

I nodded. Napatingin ako kay Cullen na bumaba. "Your keys, old man, ako na sa baggage mo."

Binigay ko naman agad sa kaniya. I had no time to be his big bro tonight na ako pa mismo ang kukuha sa bag ko. Malaki naman na siya.

"So, tell me Thadz," I crossed my legs and my arms as I stared at him intently, "why your voice changed?"

He laughed it off. Natigilan lang ako pero kalaunan ay natawa din. "You've grow, huh?" He whispered, "parang dati, para kang batang nagtatantrums kasi mas close 'yong ate mo sa..." Natigilan siya.

I smiled softly, "so, why have I been called here?"

"BAKIT ANG gaan nito?"

Natigilan kami ni Thadz parehas at napalingon kay Cullen na nasa pinto.

"Kaunti lang 'yong dala ko since you told me it's just for a month."

Napalingon kaming tatlo sa pinto nang may bumusina. It happened three times.

"Wah! Teka, ate, pababa na!"

I blinked as I heard Jade's voice upstairs. Parang nasa labas pero nasa taas 'yong boses.

The same time Jade came infront of us, a soft familiar feminine voice talked behind us.

"A sweet strawberry milk shake for my favorite girl, Jade."

Parang may kung anong tumapak sa dibdib ko.

"That's so eww," Jade grimaced in disgust. "But this strawberry won't be," she smiled.

Jade blinked then looked at my side, "oh, kuya Jiro. Want mo?"

I gulped and looked at the door. There she was, standing.

I pertain to the woman for whom my love won't bloom.

"A caramel flavored milktea for—" she stopped when our eyes met. "Oh, hi there. A visitor?" I can see how forced her smile was.

I smirked as I looked intently at her. Oh, pretending not to know, huh?

I crossed my arms infront mo my chest. "Hisashiburi, Sanya... Jean Alcantara."

She stood up straight and faced me. Taas noo at walang emosyon siyang tumitig sa mga mata ko.

"Veronilla, Mr. Estrada, not Alcantara."

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