Beneath the Stars (UNDER REVISION)

05

"You've spent all day riding your horse, Gabriella. Aren't you tired?"

I shrugged. Kakauwi ko lang at nadatnan ko si Abuela sa may hapag kainan, eating my favorite muffins.

Hindi naman ako umaangal, she's my Abuela after all. Makakabili din naman ako no'n ulit.

"Hindi naman po, I just missed horseback riding." I gave her a small smile as I sat beside her, eating one muffin.

"You know, my heart really feels empty when your Dad left—bringing you with him." she said in a low voice.

"What was exactly the reason, Abuela?" I curiously asked. I never knew.

"Your Abuelo wants him to marry another woman, your Dad doesn't want to since there's only one woman in his heart."

"If that so, why didn't he marry Mom instead?"

Her silence pained me.

I got no response but I already knew the answer.

Nagkatinginan lang kaming dalawa at napalunok ako.

"Your Mom is irreplaceable,"

I pursed my lips and sighed. "Yeah, she sure is."

I really miss her.

Hindi na kagaya dati ang pamilya namin simula noong nawala siya, naging madilim na ang buhay naming mag-ama. Ang nanay ay ang ilaw ng tahanan, ika nga nila.

At pakiramdam ko'y hindi na talaga kami mababalik sa dati.

Napalinga-linga ako sa paligid, wala yata 'yung asungot na Thadeus Leandro? Hindi ko rin siya nakita kaninang umaga.

Pakialam ko naman? Mas mabuti kung ganoon.

I shrugged and continued eating the muffins with a small smile on my face.

I felt much more relieved to know that he's not here.

"If you're wondering, sinamahan niya lang ang Abuelo mo sa bayan." biglang saad ni Abuela at pilyong nakatingin sa akin.

I squinted my eyes at her, "I don't care, Abuela... okay?" I gave her a small smile. "I don't even want to know where that man is,"

She chuckled. "Pero aminin mo, gwapo siya hindi ba?"

My forehead creased. "Anong connect?"

"Just answer me truthfully,"

I shrugged. "He is handsome,"

"Maganda genes ng magiging anak niyo."

I pretended to vomit. "Yuck! Abuela naman! Anak?! Iw! Mas gugustuhin ko nalang na halikan si Sirius kesa sa lalaking 'yon!" sabi ko, puno ng pandidiri.

"Kakainin mo rin iyang mga sinasabi mo, hija. Baka makita ko nalang kayo na naglalaplapan sa gilid, ha?" bulgar na sabi niya at humalakhak.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. "Abuela!"

"Paalala ko lang apo... kasal muna bago anak, huwag munang isuko ang bataan—"

"I'm out!" I immediately stood up and walked out, leaving her chuckling while holding her stomach.

God! I can't believe it!

Ang lala ng matandang 'yon!

Thinking about it makes my stomach churn in disgust!

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

"Gabriella!"

I rushed down the stairs as soon as I heard Abuelo calling me. Sinabihan niya kasi ako na pumunta daw kami sa may perya, malapit na rin kasi 'yung fiesta sa Agustria.