Where the Wind Blows (Batchmate Series #2)

Chapter 44

1 year later

The radiant heat from the sun covered my skin as I held the strap of my shoulder bag hanging on my left shoulder. It brings glittering spots on my above shoulder brownish curly hair. The wind started to embrace my body and it felt so warm and enthusiastic just how my mother covered my thin body with her cloth-like arms.

The weather is heart-warming. Just like how my mother gives warmth in my heart as she kisses my cheeks and hugs me tight. 

“I'll be at the airport, mama. I'll see him there, over the past years I've waited. I can't wait to see him—sana ay ganun pa rin siya,” I mumbled between my sobs.

“At babalik ako rito na kasama si kuya sa susunod na araw, linggo o buwan. Hihintayin ko siyang makauwi,” dagdag ko pa bago tuluyang punasan ang aking luha.

I remained silent as the wind blew up. Parang iyon ang tugon sa ilang oras kong pakikipagusap kay mama.

Saglit kong hinaplos ang kanyang lapida at tumayo sa pagkakaupo. 

I closed my eyes as wind gently blew on my face as I felt my mother's kisses through it. Mas lalo akong napaiyak.

“Darlene, we still have an hour,” paalala sa akin ni Vember.

I smiled at him as he reached my arm and squeezed it. “Tara na.”

Inabot niya ang aking kamay para alalayan ako sa paglalakad patungo sa kotse. When we reached the car, he immediately gave life to the engine. 

My eyes stared at his ring on his finger. Inabot ko ang kanyang kamay na nasa steering wheel at tinitigan ang ganda ng singsing doon.

He chuckled and shook his head. “Tinititigan mo na naman yan, araw-araw mo naman nakikita.”

Ngumuso na lang ako at binitawan ang kamay niya.

Malaki ang ngiti ko nang napatigil kami sa parking lot ng airport. Carrying my wide smile, I pulled Vember to go straight inside the area. Marami na agad ang tao sa loob upang salubungin ang sariling ka-anak o kaibigan.

Sumakto lang pala kami sa oras dahil may ilang tao na rin ang sumasalubong sa mga kabababang pasahero.

“Hindi ko alam kung makikilala ko pa siya,” sambit ko kay Vember nang hindi inaalis ang tingin mula sa arrival area.

“Well, he'll recognize you, don't worry.”

Tumango ako sa kanyang tinuran hanggang sa mapako ang tingin ko sa lalaking naka-blue sweater. He's pulling the black big language while roaming around his eyes before it stuck at mine.

Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti ko nang ngumiti rin siya pabalik at lumakad sa aking gawi.

I spread my arms as I welcomed him for a hug. Mabilis naman siyang yumakap sa akin at binaon ang kanyang mukha sa aking leeg. 

Mas lalo siyang tumangkad.

“Ate Darlene. . .” Aljon mumbled on my neck.

“Shh. . . okay lang yan.”

Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin. Tinanaw ko naman ang guwapong mukha ng pinsan ko. “Sa guwapo mong binata, huwag mo akong iyakan!” I joked.

“Darlene. .” the woman behind her said.

It was a smile from tita—Ate Agora and Aljon’s mom. There's a doubt I felt when she attempted to hug me but it was a short while because I saw the sincerity in her eyes.

I hugged her tightly as I felt the familiar warmth of my mother's embrace through that. Hawig pa naman ni Tita si mama lalo na't pag nakangiti. 

“I'm sorry. . I'm so so so sorry. Patawarin mo ako, Darlene. Nagsisisi ako,” she said between her sobs. “I shouldn't let Dahlia here, alone with my children. Mas lalo ako naging pahirap sa kanya.”