Sin City

27: Glimpse of the past

My brows furrowed when I saw Rouqil's Miata outside of our house alongside kuya Adrian and kuya Eugene's cars. No one told me anything na may get together pa lang magaganap, kaya ba wala si kuya sa work today?

"Hi, anak," bungad agad ni dad sa akin nang mabuksan ko ang pintuan. I confusedly looked at everyone nang makita ko sila lahat sa kusina maliban kay Rouqil.

"What's going on? What are you guys doing here?"

"Oh we're just hanging out, galing kasi kami sa golf club ni Rouqil and Eugene happened to stop by kasi kakauwi niya lang galing China," pagkwento pa ni dad sa akin. Kuya Eugene sweetly smiled at me and waved.

I scanned everyone and the whole house. "Where's Rouqil?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Nasa labas, ayaw ng pusa niya sa amin eh," natatawang sabi naman ni kuya Eugene.

I had to stop my eyes from widening and myself from being excited. Pero ramdam ko ang pagsaya ng puso ko, ang tagal tagal ko nang gusto na makita si Mono.

"How about let's go out and see how he's doing," pag-aaya naman ni dad.

"Dito nalang po ako, baka kalmutin na naman ako!" agad na sabi ni Chanty at niyakap ang sarili.

Tila may sariling isip ang mga paa ko dahil sumunod ako kay dad, kuya Eugene, Andrea, at kuya Adrian papunta sa backyard. My heart was pounding in my chest, kinakabahan ako dahil baka hindi na ako maalala ni Mono. But I can't wait to see him!

"Nagsusungit pa din ba, Rouqil?" nakangising tanong ni dad kay Rouqil nang makalabas kami. Rouqil was sitting on the gazebo with Mono.

Gusto kong tumakbo at yakapin si Mono pero hindi ko ginawa because everyone would question it.

"Opo," he chuckled as he pet him. Nang tumingala siya at magtama ang mga mata namin ay agad siyang napangiti and it made my heart drop. Napalunok nalamang ako nang maramdaman kong maiiyak ako sa tuwa. I wanted to walk away pero gustong gusto ko na lapitan si Mono.

"Gusto mo ba lapitan, anak?" dad suddenly asked, ang lambing pa ng boses niya.

Natuod ako sa kinatatayuan ko, hindi alam ang isasagot.

"Nako tito, matatakutin yan sa hayop," tawang tawang sabi ni Andrea. "Kahit nga sa cute na aso takot yan."

Rouqil stood up and carried Mono on his arms. Parang hihikain ako nang makita ko siyang naglalakad patungo sa kinatatayuan namin, lalong lalo na nung magtama ang mga mata namin ni Mono. I pressed my lips to stop myself from crying when he suddenly jumped out of Rouqil's arms and ran towards us.

"Oh my god!" Andrea shrieked and hid behind kuya Eugene.

Napangiti ako nang lumapit ito sa akin and rubbed his head on my leg. I squatted to be in his level and petted him. "Hi, bub," I said almost whispering, the tears in my eyes started welling up.

"Meow," he rubbed his body and head on my leg again. His voice sounded like it was yearning for me. Oh have I missed him.

"What the fuck?!" kuya Adrian said in disbelief. "Kanina pa namin sinusubukang paamuhin yan pero kinakalmot lang kami!" reklamo pa nito.

I couldn't help but giggle as I gently scratched Mono's face. Kahit noon pa man, sa amin ni Rouqil lang talaga niya gustong magpahawak.

"Ba't parang kilala ka, dan? Noong isang araw pa lang yan nakuha ni Rouqil mula sa Vegas, diba?" kuya Eugene curiously asked. It made my heart stopped beating for a second dahil sa kaba.