Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)

48

“Achie, ito muna para mainitan ang sikmura mo.”

I eyed the tray he is holding. Mainit ang mangkok at agad kong pinalibot ang palad do’n.

This is surely the arrozcaldo but he named it Arrozcaldachie. Diyos ko, Kuya Maddox.

“Try it.”

Tumango ako at taimtim na kumain. Mayroon din siya at sinasabayan ako. I didn’t open the topic about his menu. Parang hindi naman iyon ang mga pangalan sa menu niya noon.

Unti-unti ay nag-iinit na ang mga pisngi ko dahil sumunod na ang ilang pagkain. Achieken and Empanachie.

“Ayos ka lang? Hindi ba masarap?”

Nagpatuloy ang pagsigam ko at mabilis uminom ng tubig.

“M-masarap, Kuya Maddox. Nahirinan lang.”

He handed me a tissue then.

Kaunti kaming nagkuwentuhan. But Kuya Maddox has a lot of questions.

“Ilang taon ka na rito, Achie? And where do you work? You’re just biking all the way?”

“Uhm, mag-aapat na pero umuwi naman ako sa Pinas kahit isang buwan lang. For my work, malapit lang naman sa apartment. I’m a Clinical Research Coordinator now…”

Tumagilid ang ulo ni Kuya Maddox habang tinititigan ako. He slowly smiled at me.

“You love your job?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Nangiti rin ako at mabilis nag-iwas ng tingin. Bumalik din agad kay Kuya Maddox. “Ikaw? Kailan pa ito rito?”

“Sinasabi ko sa’yo ay matagal na ito rito, Achie. Magdadalawang taon na rin. Didn’t even see your shadow here.”

Ngumuso ako, gusto ko naman talagang suportahan itong restaurant niya. If I had known, I would have cheered for it. But will I be able to enter here? Panigurado ay mahal tapos… natatakot na baka nandito nga siya.

“Ang nasa isip namin nina Ate Precy ay mahal sa kalyeng ito,” pagpapalusot ko na lang. “Yung sa Manila? Marami na rin sigurong branches iyon. International na nga ngayon, e.”

“Emma’s taking good care of it. You remember her, right? A business partner. Dito na lang ako ngayon. Mas gusto ko rito.”

“Saan pa ang resto mo? You have one in New York, right?”

Umiling si Kuya Maddox. “Dito na lang ako, Achie.”

“Why?”

“I heard that you’re here,” kibit-balikat niya.

Tumikhim ako at bumalik sa pagkain. Maririnig ang mahina niyang tawa kaya lalo akong nayuko.

I asked him then about Tita Chona, Tito Mateo, Manang, and si Kuya Obeng.

“They’re fine. Nasa Sapporo sila ngayon kasama nga sina Belinda. But they can’t wait to be back here, Achie. Lalo na si Mom.”

Nangingilid ang luha kong tumango kay Kuya Maddox.

“She misses you so much. Gusto na ngang maunang bumalik dito, mabuti na lang ay napigilan pa nina Dad.”

“I miss her too,” lumabi ako.

Pumalatak si Kuya Maddox pero malaki ang ngiti sa labi. Kaunti siyang dumungaw sa lamesa. He softly rubbed my cheek to calm me down.

“Oh! Maddox! Ito ang alaga ni Chona, ‘di ba? Miki’s girlfriend! You’re still with them, hija, huh?”

She definitely looks familiar to me too. I only smiled at her. Iniisip kung saan ko nga ba siya nakita. How come she recognized me? She looks elegant but has a nasty look on her face. 

“The bangs and all! Siya nga iyon! She looks like a doll and Chona’s always bragging about her!”

“Tita Dette, this is Achie po. Do you have your reservation? I can escort you,” magiliw na tayo ni Kuya Maddox at hinarangan ako sa paningin ng matanda.

“Kayo lang dito? Alam ni Chona ito?”

Dumungaw pa muli ito sa akin at natatawa-tawa. Her laugh sounded different and it made me uncomfortable.

“Tita Dette, what do you mean by that?” nag-iba rin ang tono ni Kuya Maddox.

“Parang hindi magandang nakikita na kayong dalawa lang, Maddox. Baka kung ano ang isipin ng mga tao. Isn’t it too absurd? Your brother and her… and you?”

“Excuse me, Tita, but do you have a reservation here? I’ll call our staff. Jeff, please! Jeff will be attending you, Tita,” pasa na niya sa matanda.

Sinundan ko sila ng tingin habang pinahila na ni Kuya Maddox ang tinatawag na Tita Dette kay Jeff.

“Achie,” tawag sa akin ni Kuya Maddox. I looked up at him. “Don’t think about it at all, hmm?”

But that isn’t the case. Hanggang pauwi sa apartment ay nanatili na iyon sa utak ko. He insisted on driving my bike again.

Pagpasok sa building ay nagpakawala ako ng buntong-hininga.

I’ve thought about that already. Maraming beses na iyon sumagi sa isip ko. I know for a fact that our setup will be a topic for those around who know us.

This wasn’t easy for me either. Tumagilid ako sa pagkakahiga at namaluktot. My tears reach my temple.

I’ve had this feeling before. To Miki, it feels liberating and clear. But to Kuya Maddox? I’ve known too well that I needed to make lifetime decisions. It doesn’t feel happy and great. Laging may takot. It’s painful, scary, and triggers something avoidant in me. But I really can’t help coming back to him too.

Umupo ako at pinulot ang frame sa katabing lamesa kung saan nandoon ang litrato namin ni Miki.

I giggled a bit while my tears continuously flowed. I have nothing but memories filled with laughter and his energy.

“Love is still here,” punas ko ro’n at lalong naiyak.

My eyes darted at another frame.

It’s Kuya Maddox. We’re waiting for sunrise as he sits beside their pool. In his usual pajamas and untamed hair. I can still remember it too well. Bitbit ang camera na regalo niya sa akin. 

I clicked on it while having no idea he could probably see me that time. Ang alam ko lang ay inaakay siya para iupo ro’n, makalanghap ng sariwang hangin, at maarawan.

Kinuha ko rin ang frame at tinitigan. He’s looking directly at my lenses for sure. Nakangiti at paniguradong tumatagos sa akin ang tingin. I really have no idea.

My heart aches and I grip on my chest. It’s filled with time passing… and love too.