WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)

34: Iris

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As we continued strolling down the streets of San Sebastian, my mind was still haunted by the old lady's statement from the Love Oracle. Tulad ng sinabi ni Andres ay kakaiba nga ang matandang iyon. She didn't say anything bad about Ringo and me, but her words gave me chills.

"Iniisip mo 'yong matanda, ano?" tanong ni Ringo habang kami ay nagpapahinga sa isang bench sa central park.

"Ang weird kasi," sagot ko. "Her statement sounds positive to me, but I didn't like her second phrase."

"Huwag raw tayong bibitaw sa isa't-isa," pag-uulit niya. "Ano namang masaba doon?"

"May katuloy pa 'yon," sabi ko. "Huwag bibitaw kahit gaano pa kalaki ang delubyong dumating."

He wrinkled his eyebrows. "I still can't see what's wrong on her statement."

"Her words tells me something else. It's like a warning that something bad might happen in the future," I ellaborated. 

With a tilted head, he said, "You're overthinking, Winston. Baka masyado ka lang stress sa school at sa mga nangyayari ngayon sa pamilya mo."

Napayuko ako."Siguro nga."

"Bakit? Ginugulo pa rin ba kayo ng Lolo mo?" tanong niya.

I shook my head and looked at him. "Not anymore, which quite surprising. Akala ko ay masusundan pa ang pagsugod at panggugulo niya sa bahay pero hindi na."

"Baka naman gusto ng lumagay sa tahimik?" tanong niya.

"Hmm..." I straigntened my lips. "I hope so. Nakakabahala kasi ang katahimikan niya. It feels like he's silently planning to do something evil."

"Ayan ka na naman," sambit niya. "Don't overthink too much. Isa pa, maging masaya ka na lang dahil tumigil na siya sa kagagawa ng gulo. I know it's also hard on your part, lalo na at malalim rin ang pinagsamahan niyo."

"Honestly, I don't completely hate him. I just hate his actions especially the things he did to you. Pero hindi pa rin nawawala sa isipan ko ang mga magagandang ipinakita niya. He didn't even accept my dad's resignation letter."

"Resignation letter?" Ringo repeated.

"Yes. Lolo told Dad to resign, and when my dad did, he didn't accept it. Siguro ay dala lang rin ng galit niya kaya nasabi niya 'yon kay Dad."

"So your Dad stayed?" he inquired.

"Yeah," I answered. "He stayed at Ruby Wine Corporation since ayaw rin talaga siyang payagan ng board na umalis. But with King Arthur University, he really want to step down from his position. Naghahanap lang ng qualified candidate bago siya umalis."

Ringo sniffed a smile. "I told you, Winston. Your Dad has a good side. He ended up in this situation because he chose to protect his family."

I smiled back. "And I'm really proud of him. Wala akong alam sa mga pinagdaanan niya, pero bilib na bilib ako sa tapang niya."

I recalled Dad's argument with Lolo, the time he burst out with tears. Ang dami niyang nasabi noon na nagbigay sa'kin ng kaunting ideya kung paano siya pinalaki ni Lolo. He suffered a lot, and I truly regretted judging him for being silent and strict.

Maging si Tito Rome ay nagbigay daan upang lalo kong makilala si Dad. Not enough to fully grasp my dad's life story, but enough to start knowing my father more.

Maya-maya ay tumunog ang cellphone ni Ringo, kaya mabilis niya itong sinagot.

"Hello, Ate!" sabi niya, kaya naman tumaas ang aking kilay.