"What— why didn't you call me right away after you broke the congressman's urn? How are you doing? Were you hurt?"
Harika curved a smile across her face hearing his voice and his excessive worry. "I'm fine, Waki." Kinikilig siya sa reaksyon nito sa kabilang linya ng telepono. "It's just that I don't want to interfere with anything you're doing. Nasa Bellmoral ka para sa isang business trip, ayokong abalahin ang bawat oras mo sa trabaho. Isa pa, naging maayos na naman na ang lahat. Huwag ka nang mag-alala," she assured him that everything was fine now.
"Mabuti kung ganoon." Narinig niya ang mababaw na pagsinghap nito. "Did your aunt knew about it?" And then Harika said an affirmative response to it. He continued, "How did she react?"
She chuckled because she knew Waki was curious about it and wanted to make sure she was okay. "Waki, I told you everything is fine now. Napag-usapan na namin ni auntie ang tungkol sa nangyari. Aunt Lymareva and I resolved it properly. And before I broke his replacement urn, Lolo Dad's ashes were secure and kept in a different urn. Ito na nga ba ang inaasahan kong magiging reaksyon mo kapag nalaman mo ang tungkol sa nangyari. I should've waited for you here. Baka mamaya maapektuhan na ang work mo sa pag-aalala sa akin."
"Of course, I'll be very concerned. Whatever happens in this world, you can be sure I'll always care for you... lalo pa't kasama mo ang mag-inang Sullivan. Kaya sa tuwing sasagi ka sa isip ko na kasama mo silang naninirahan sa iisang mansyon... hindi ako mapakali." Narinig niya rin ang pag-amin ni Waki sa parehong sandali. "I've been in Bellmoral for four days now... even though we haven't been together for even a week, I was desperately wanted to see you. Miss na miss na kita, Harika."
By that, it warms her cheeks. "I missed you more." There were butterflies starting to flutter in her stomach. "Kailan ba ang uwi mo?" She hasn't stopped grinning since he called.
"Tomorrow," he replied. "I'm also planning something."
She became more excited. The fluttering sensation heightened the effects. "What is it, and don't get my hopes up! Kapag 'yan naantala na naman dahil sa ibang bagay magtatampo na talaga ako," aniya na parang bata saka niya binawi, "Just kidding."
They traded laughter on the phone. It was so obvious. They genuinely missed each other.
"Just a quick getaway... you and me."
Alam naman ni Harika na tutuparin ito ni Waki. Kung may humadlang mang mas importante sa pinangakong getaway nito, walang kaso iyon sa kanya. She's mature enough to understand it.
She ate her lunch outside on the patio. Maganda ang gising niya kanina, idagdag pa na nakausap niya si Waki at ang pag-uwi nito kinabukasan. She was giddy about their weekend getaway. Gusto na niyang mag-prepare at hindi niya alam kung makakatulog pa siya mamayang gabi kaiisip dito.
"Ma'am Harika mayroon ho akong nakitang litrato ninyo sa kuwarto ni Ma'am Venus. Dali-dali ko ho kayong hinanap matapos niya hong ipalinis ang kuwarto niya."
Lumapit sa kanya ang isang tagapagsilbi na tumapos ng tahimik niyang pagmumuni-muni sa mahanging covered patio na napaliligiran ng mga halaman at bulaklak.
Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "Huh, litrato? Ano'ng nasa litrato?"
Marahang hinawakan nito ang magkabila niyang kamay at ipinahawak sa kanya ang binabanggit nitong larawan. "Kayo po ang nasa litrato noong maliit pa kayo. Nakasuot ho kayo ng matingkad na dilaw na bestida kasama n'yo ho ang yumaong congressman na nakasuot ng business suit. Bata pa lang ho kayo, litaw na litaw na ang ganda ninyo, ma'am..."
Panay ang papuri ng tagapagsilbing naglarawan sa kanya kung ano ang nasa litrato. Bagamat hindi niya gaanong naaalala ang tungkol doon, hindi pa rin ito naging hadlang upang gumuhit ang sayang ipinaabot sa kanya ng litratong iyon.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Sun in Her Eyes
Mystery / Thriller"You radiate comfort in my eyes." After a chandelier crash, granddaughter of an influential congressman Harika Levantine lost her vision following the death of him. When she became sightless, everyone around her turned fake, suspicious and traitorou...
