Pursuing My Nemesis

Thirty Five

Chapter 35

ANIEL AND I were out to buy some things for tonight's dinner. It was the 24th of December and the streets were crowded with lots of people trying to enjoy their night outside. May ilang stalls kaming nadaanan na puno ng mga tao. Mayroong buong pamilya kasama ang mga anak nila, tapos meron din namang gaya namin ni Aniel na dadalawa lang na kumakain sa labas.

I could see ladies wearing dresses underneath their cute sweaters while carrying a gift given to them by their partners. Some kids were running around their tables and playing while their parents were busy chatting and catching up with each other.

"Good evening, Mrs. Bonneville. Merry Christmas," bati ko sa ginang nang makapasok kami sa Coeurs et Fleurs.

"Nemmie! Merry Christmas, hija." Lumapit ako sa kanya para magmano.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Bonneville," bati rin ni Aniel saka nagmano sa ginang.

"Merry Christmas, Nathaniel," Mrs. Bonneville said with a wide smile. "Are you two here for dinner?"

"Uh, hindi po. May binili lang po kami sa kabilang kanto then we decided to stop by to see you." I smiled at the old lady.

"That's so nice of you two," Mrs. Bonneville said. "Are you celebrating Christmas together? Are your parents with you, Nemmie?"

Nanatili ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. "They're in Ilocos po. Ang kapatid ko lang po ang umuwi para mag-pasko sa probinsya. I decided to stay because Aniel and I planned to celebrate Christmas together."

Tumango-tango ang ginang sabay baling sa katabi ko. "How about you, Nathaniel? Hindi ka ba hahanapin sa inyo?"

Aniel glanced at me for a second before shaking his head. "I live alone now, Mrs. Bonneville."

Mrs. Bonneville made a small surprised expression. "Is that so? I didn't know that. Where's Donya Vitoria?"

Aniel became hesitant for a moment. "She died..." Marahas akong bumaling sa kanya nang marinig iyon. "Two years ago."

"Oh my..." Mrs. Bonneville was taken aback. Hindi niya siguro inaasahan ang balitang dala ni Aniel. She went near Aniel ang embraced him even though mas matangkad at mas malaki ang katawan ng binata kaysa sa kanya. "I am so sorry, hijo. If I just know sooner..."

Hinayaan ko lang silang mag-usap na dalawa habang nanatili akong tahimik na nakatayo sa tabi ni Aniel. My lips were pursed into a thin line and my breathing was calculated. Pinilit kong klaruhin ang isip ko habang nakatayo roon.

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay nagpaalam na kami kay Mrs. Bonneville.

"Thank you once again for visiting, Nemmie and Nathaniel." Hinatid kami ni Mrs. Bonneville hanggang sa labas ng café.

"Are you sure you're going to be fine alone?" Aniel asked her for the last time. "We don't mind staying for a while."

Bahagya lang natawa ang ginang saka tinanggihan ang alok ni Aniel. "I'm sure Hugo and our daughter are already on their way back. You should two go," then she glanced at me.

Kumaway ako kay Mrs. Bonneville nang makasakay na kami ni Aniel sa sasakyan. Pinausad na niya iyon paalis sa eskinita at patungong national highway.

Tahimik sa loob ng sasakyan habang binabaybay namin ang daan papunta sa condominium building ni Aniel. I was counting the seconds that passed inside my head. Nahuhuli ko naman si Aniel na nagnanakaw ng tingin sa akin pero nanatili rin siyang tahimik gaya ko.

When we arrived at the parking lot, I helped Aniel carry the things we bought. Sumakay kami sa elevator papunta sa floor niya kasabay ang ilan ding tenants na galing sa labas.