When You Ran Away (When Series #4)

EPILOGUE

Epilogue.

"You are such a good boy," hearing that from Mrs. Banzon made me blink alot of times.

What did she just say?

I am a good boy?

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Salamat po," I politely responded and that made her chuckle.

Despite in her age, I can still see her effortless beauty. And even her chuckle can hypnotize you because it sounds like a sweet music to your ears. I'm just a kid, amazed by the beauty from a woman who is talking to me right now.

"What's your name again? Julien Gabriel Raphael?" I nodded and she smiled. "Your name is too long but it perfectly fit for a good boy like you." she tossled my hair, making me smile and giggle.

"Mom," my head turned when Mrs. Banzon's daughter called her. "Hinanap ka sa loob," she added and glanced at me.

"Oh sorry, hija. Naaliw lang akong kausapin ang panganay nila Gabriella," napatitig ako sa anak ni Mrs. Banzon. Like her, she has this hypnotizing beauty too...

Ngumiti siya sa 'kin. "Hey there, Julien. Maybe you want to play with Leishia right now. She's waiting for you, too."

I heard Mrs. Banzon snorted. "Don't match him with Maia, Layla. He's more likely to like Valentina," I don't understand what she is saying. "My mother made a promise to Capelles that one of the daughters of my first daughter should marry their eldest great grandson and look at this little boy over here," then they both looked at me.

Muli akong napakurap. Marry? What? I don't get them...

"Mom naman... hindi pa tayo naiintindihan ni Julien," reklamo ng kaniyang anak at nginitian pa ako.

Mrs. Banzon proudly leaned her back in the chair. "Trust me, hija. This good boy match for your second daughter perfectly. Even Gabriella and her husband would agree."

In my innocent mind, I didn't know that was an agreement. I was just 7 years old by that time while I am listening to Mrs. Banzon and her daughter's conversation. Akala ko walang alam sila Mommy at Daddy pero nagulat akong natuwa sila sa ibinalita ni Mrs. Banzon sa kanila. Who is this Valentina?

And now... now what? I'm facing a little girl who's... dartly staring at me like I am an idiot who keeps following her. Iyon ang inutos sa akin, bantayan siya.

"Who are you?!" she yelled when she couldn't take it anymore-- kanina pa siya ganito.

Mariin akong napapikit. Patience, Gabriel...

Ilang beses na akong pinractice ni Mommy kung paano magpakilala sa kaniya at kanina pa tanong nang tanong ang batang kaharap ko kung sino ako.

I heaved a sigh. "Just call me Gabriel okay--" she cut me off.

"Ayaw ko sa 'yo!"

Okay... ayaw kong sabihin na ayaw ko din sa kaniya. She's actually cute at kung paiiyakin mo, parang kabaliktaran ng salitang cute. She might turn into a monster. That would be scary.

How old is she? Ang narinig ko kay Dad ay 6 years old siya.

Nagkakilala lang kami... kanina. Oo, kanina kami pinakilala sa isa't isa. We're in their large house at kasalukuyan na kaming nasa likod ng bahay, sa malawak na garden nila.

I'm even wearing a tuxedo... to make the second daughter of Montoya impress. And it's a bit uncomfortable for a 10 year old boy like me.

"Don't follow me!" sinigawan niya na naman ako.