Eliana Rosé

The first small leaf

Chapter 8: The first small leaf

His side

"Gabriel, okay ka lang? Namumutla ka."

"Bakit parang nakakita ka ng multo?" she asked.

It's really like seeing a ghost. I can't believe this coincidence. A full name resemblance, really, tadhana? It's overwhelming.

"I'm okay. I'm just shocked to know your name."

"Kaya nga. Palagi naman. May problema ka sa pangalan ko?"

I shook my head and said, "No. It's not like that."

"Weh? Ganyan palagi reaction mo sa pangalan ko."

I can't blame her for thinking that way. But I can't help it, though. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Ganito nalang. Tawagin mo nalang ako ng Ellie. Palaway ko naman ay Ellie." she said.

"Ellie." I muttered softly.

"Oo, Ellie. Ellie nalang para ma okay ka na."

"Alright, Ellie."

"Yun oh." she said with a big smile.

It has been days since our last encounter. Ellie voluntarily left. It's a relief because I have time to digest everything. I've come to accept that she has the same name as hers. It's not something that I have control over. Who knows? I'll meet another woman with the same name. The possibilities are endless.

It's a Saturday, and I went to visit my older sister's cafe. Her name is Gabrielle Nicole. She's expecting and is almost due. She's been asking for me because pinaglilihian daw ako. I haven't been able to visit her lately. A lot has happened.

"Nico." My sister exclaimed as soon as she saw me enter her cafe. There are a few customers inside, probably because it's still early.

"Hi, Gabbie."

She immediately tried to stand from her seat. But she struggled because her tummy was probably heavy. She gave up and said sadly, "I can't stand up."

I chuckled, "Don't force it. I'll come to you."

"Mabuti pa. Halika ka nga let me hug you." she said. I hugged her, but she hugged me tightly.

"Why didn't you visit me often?" she said, sulking. 

"I'm sorry. A lot has happened."

She slapped my arm. "What was that for?"

"I heard from Inah that you got into an accident. Ba't di ka kasi nag iingat!"

"I saved a girl, Gabbie." I countered, but she was dissatisfied. "Kahit na. Mas inuna mo pa siya kesa sa ate mong buntis na buntis." I chuckled at her tantrums.

"You're definitely pregnant. You're throwing unnecessary tantrums," I said, teasing her. But, she's not having it, and she rolled her eyes at me.

"I'm sorry." I cooed. "Sige ka. If you keep on having a sungit face, my nephew's gonna have a wrinkled forehead." She slapped me again.

"Wag kang ganyan. Dehado na nga kasi baka mag mana pa siya sa ama niyang pangit." I laughed. She's bullying her husband again.

"Where is he, by the way?"

"In the kitchen, making me an orange juice." And immediately, the devil went out of the cafe kitchen with a food tray in hand.