How Love Grows (Completed)

Kabanata 37

Kabanata 37

Fight

I went to Siquijor alone this time. I wanted to do something alone before finally returning home. Gusto ko rin makausap ang Lola ko. You know, no matter how many years I have waited, someone has been waiting for me all along. 

 

A very wide royal gate captured my eyes as I was walking through it. Namangha ako habang tinitingala ko ang malaking gate. May nakasulat sa itaas ng gate.

 

Casa de Lucero. 

 

Papasok na sana ako when I saw a very beautiful old lady wearing a summer cap and an elegant dress. She was checking all of the plants beside the fountain. She looks very beautiful, like she never ages with her look. Namangha ako kung paano siya malambing ngumiti.

 

I feel something in my heart that stops me from stepping in. I feel like this is not my place. They are part of my life because I used their names, but this is not my life. This is not where I belong. I feel ashamed, kahit sabihin pa ni Lola na hindi siya naniniwala. That article ruined me and Lucero. Hindi ko na alam kahit kay Kuya natatakot na ako magpakita. Despite the feeling that I wanted to hug and talk to her, my fear controlled me.

 

I step back and run as fast as I can. I know where I belong. I know where I can put my heart and where I can share my fear. This journey of mine with my fear feels like a journey to death.

 

No. A journey that leads me home. Stop. We will, but not for now. 

 

"Ate Felicity, inaaway po ako Eva." Licia ran to me while crying.

 

Kaagad ko siyang dinaluhan. Lumuhod ako ng kaunti para magkasing pantay kami. I wiped her tears as she kept on crying.

 

"Tahan na, Licia," aniya ko at lumingon sa likod niya.

 

Tumatakbo si Eva patungo sa amin na may dalang kulay kahel na bulaklak. She pouted her lips while running. Napangiti ako sa kaniya. Nang nasa harapan na namin siya, lumingon kaming dalawa sa kaniya ng binigay niya kay Licia ang bulaklak. Hindi siya tumingin dito at nagpapanggap na galit.

Ang cute.

"Ito! Sorry na kasi… inaasar lang naman kita. Joke lang naman 'yon, eh. Ikaw naman kasi ang favorite bestfriend ko, Licia, eh," aniya sa isang cute na boses.

"Bakit mo sinabi mo love si Leo? Ha? Akala lang ang bestfriend mo!" 

"Nagmamahalan kami ni Leo, Licia!"

Umangat doon ang kilay ko. Jusko po! Lord!

"Nagmamahalan rin naman tayo ah!"

"Iba kasi 'yon! 'Yon yong nagmamahalan ang babae at lalaki katulad sa television!"

"Ah, hoy Eva, ano ka ba, magkasintahan ang tawag doon." Tumigil siya sa pag iyak at tumawa.

Nagulat naman si Eva at napaisip. "Talaga? Hindi ba magkaibigan 'yon?"

Umiling si Licia sa kaniya. Tumango naman si Eva at kinuha ang kamay nito.

"Hindi kita iiwan okay! Ikaw lang ang kaibigan ko, okay!"