This I Promise You

25

Love

"This is what they called the El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, a part of the Sonoran desert."

Evan introduced me to the place as soon as we arrived. We used the black Vento motorcycle that he rented to come here.

Sobrang init kahit hapon na pero masarap ang simoy ng hangin at napakaganda ng tanawin lalo na nung nakarating na kami sa Sonoran desert.

We took a stroll in the desert, saw some deer walking around, and just stood there to admire the whole scenery.

Alam kong madami pa akong lugar na hindi napupuntahan, pero sa ngayon, masasabi kong isa ito sa mga lugar na talagang babalik-balikan ko. Kahit sa panaginip mahirap makita ang ganito kagandang tanawin.

Nang medyo dumami na ang mga tao sa kung na saan kami, bumalik nalang kami kung saan namin pinark ang motorcycle at doon muna nanatili dahil balak naming hintayin ang paglubog ng araw.

"Ang cute..." Untas ko nang makakita ng isang Golden Retriever na patakbo-takbo sa buhangin ng disyerto.

Evan pulled me closer to him and encircled his arms around my waist as if our closeness were not enough for him.

"Where's Björn? Hindi ko siya nakita nung pagdating ko pati habang nasa palasyo pa tayo."

"Remember Blenda's dog? Snö?"

Evan nodded.

"He died a few months ago, and Björn has not been doing well since then. The doctor told me to confine him at the clinic so they could observe his condition."

"I'll try to bring him back to you..." Hinalikan niya ako sa sentido at hindi na ulit inalis ang labi doon.

Umiling naman ako. "Hindi na. Mas ligtas siya doon, and I don't think I can take care of him right now, just like I took care of him before."

Hindi sumagot si Evan kaya naisipan ko nalang na ibahin naman ang aming usapan. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya at pinulupot na rin ang mga kamay sa kanyang baywang.

"I want to know more about your mom...Puwede mo ba siyang ikwento?"

Tumitig muna sa akin si Evan bago sumagot. "Why do you want to know about her?"

"Because she brought you into this world." I answered.

Evan stayed silent and just kept staring at me.

"You know my Mamma, but I didn't get the chance to meet your mom." Untas ko.

"You met her before." Aniya.

"When I was a baby!" Singhal ko. "Hindi ko na maalala 'yon, Evan."

"Ang kulit talaga." Aniya sabay pisil sa ilong ko at halik naman sa labi ko. "Fine, I'll tell you about her. Pero ngayon lang. My secrets will be revealed once I tell you everything..."

Nalito ako sa huli niyang sinabi pero hinayaan nalang iyon dahil hindi na makapahintay sa kanyang ikukuwento.

Kanina nasa gilid niya lang ako, ngayon, hinarap ko na ang buong katawan ko sa kanya at nakatingala para makita pa rin ang kanyang gwapong mukha. Our arms are still tangled in each other's waists.

"She used to be a beauty queen before she became a teacher. After she graduated from college, she started to become a volunteer teacher for the children in the province. Dad met her again while he was on a mission and started pursuing her then...She loves traveling too. That's why she named us, her children, after the capital of the country she visited...She was free-spirited but very caring. She loves her family and friends so much...She used to teach Ate Vien how to cook, and I always watched them. That's why I got interested in it. And lastly, she adored this particular little girl too..."