Hold Me Into Fading

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Stupid

I refused.

That night, I refused to show up. Iniwan ako nina Treti at Philip para mabigyan ng oras kasama ang dalawang bata. While Avram was still in a deep sleep, I focused myself on familiarizing this little girl in my hold.

August seems curious of me. Titig na titig sa akin at minsan lang kung kumurap. She didn't want to blink. At nang namukhaan na ako, binigyan ako ng isang matamis na ngiti.

It was the opportunity for me. Naudyok akong magpakita sa kanila dahil maganda ang pagkakataon at ang oportunidad. It was all Treti's efforts. Kaya lang, hindi ko pa kaya.

That was the first and last time I saw and held my niece. Ilang araw akong naging abala kaya hindi ko na rin 'yon gaanong naisip. I prepared for the opening of Treti's memorial hall.

Philip helped me design and put my artworks in their perfect places. I am confident about his taste cuz it is his field of expertise. Siyempre, tuwang tuwa si Treti sa naging kalabasan.

The night before the official opening of her hall to the public, Treti held a small celebration. Small celebration, yes. Dahil kaming tatlo lang naman ang nando'n sa bar para uminom at magsaya.

Kinabukasan, nasa tabing dagat lang ako. I enjoy the sea. Nitong nakaraang araw ay naging maluwag ako mula sa paghihigpit masyado sa sarili. I have readied a plan. Na-i-settle ko na ang mga plano ko. In no time, everything will be executed. Sa ngayon, dito na muna ako sa dagat buong umaga.

"Tata!"

Saktong pag-ahon ko sa tubig, saka ko naman narinig ang maliit na boses ni Avram. Nilingon ko ang tabing dagat. If I was uptight, I would've panicked. Baka inisip ko na na nasa paligid si Aliegher o si Alessi kaya matataranta ako.

Pero hindi na ako nabagabag. I smiled at the little boy who was patiently waiting for me to come to him.

"Yes, my dear?"

I crouched to his eye level. Avram was enthusiastic to see me that his embrace reflected it. Natatawa akong lumayo sa kanya.

"I'm drenched. Mababasa ka."

"Maliligo ang bata sa dagat," si Treti at natawa na rin.

Tiningala ko siya.

"Oh, he will join me there?"

"Oo. Kanina pa hinahanap ni Avram ang Tata Reel niya kaya dinala ko na rito. Ayos lang ba?"

I nodded. "Of course! Will you join us, too?"

"I won't dip in the sea. Dito lang ako sa sun lounger. Manonood lang ako."

Tumango ulit ako.

"Where's Philip?"

Tinulungan na ng bantay ni Avram ang bata sa paghahanda para samahan ako sa dagat.

"Nasa suite pa. Doing something to finalize the exhibit he is handling?"

I bit my lower lip. Bahagyang nagsalubong ang mga kilay.

"Hiraeth must be giving him a hard time."

Treti agreed.

"Hiraeth's exhibits are all loved by many. Her fame skyrocketed after her first exhibit. At nagtuloy tuloy pa 'yon. Philip must be honored and..." she laughed a bit. "...stressed to handle all Hiraeth's exhibits."

"May dalawang exhibit nalang po para kay Hiraeth."

"Narinig ko nga rin 'yan. I'll attend her last exhibit for sure."