Beyond the Heart's Grasp

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

"Grabe! Tagal mong nawala, ah?" tumayo silang lahat at nagkumpulan sa pintuan para salubungin ng yakap si Diego.

He looks more matured. Lumaki rin ang katawan niya at mas tumangkad siya na halos tumingkayad na sina Sage para lang mabati siya. He has a mustache, but his artist-like aura remains.

I stayed seated, feeling unsure of what to do. I didn't even know how to react. Mukhang napansin ni Ate Trina iyon kaya agad siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Are you okay?" she asked, sitting beside me. "I'm sorry I didn't mention that he would be here. Diego and I have been in touch for a month. I really wanted to tell you, kaya lang lagi kasing wrong timing." bulong niya.

I just nodded and forced a smile. "I'm fine, Ate." I replied.

"If you're not comfortable, just let me know, okay?' she said, and I simply nodded in response.

I couldn't really blame Ate Trina for not mentioning that she had been in touch with him for a month. I had been grieving this whole time and until now. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung anong mangyayari kung sumabay pa ang bagay na 'yon.

I felt Diego's eyes as he sat down in front of me. I tried to resist looking at him. Thankfully, the noise from our friends and the videoke filled the space, helping to ease the awkwardness of his gaze.

"May asawa't anak ka na rin ba, Diego?" Joey asked randomly, breaking the ice.

"Wala pa," Diego replied.

"Pero may balak ka pa namang mag-pamilya?" Nirah asked.

A few minutes of silence passed before Diego answered. "Yan ang rason kung bakit ako umuwi,"

Nagsigawan sila na para bang tuwang-tuwa sa narinig.

"Sakto, may isang single pa rito," Nirah added with a playful smirk, suddenly glancing at me. I shot her a serious look, dahilan para tapikin siya ni Tim.

"Diego, ano nga palang pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon?" pag-iiba ng usapan ni Tim.

"I own a real-estate company and restaurants in the US," he answered. "But since I'm here, plano kong mag-invest in Trina's company."

Their lips formed an O in surprise. "Wow! Bigtime na talaga!" sabi naman ni Joey.

"Hindi naman, nagsusumikap lang ako para bigyan ng komportableng buhay ang magiging pamilya ko," he said humbly.

As I looked at him, I realized he was already looking at me. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away. Napaayos ako sa pagkakaupo as I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. I distracted myself by scrolling through my phone.

Madami pa silang tinanong kay Diego at nagkunwari nalang akong hindi nakikinig sa pinag-uusapan nila.

Nagpatuloy sila sa kantahan, kwentuhan at inuman. Napansin kong hindi pa rin masiyadong umiinom si Diego kasi minsan ko lang siya makitang i-take ang mga shot na binibigay sa kaniya.

"Kanta ka naman, Aloha." biglang sabi ni Reikah na kanina pa hawak ang microphone. "Kanina ka pa nagc-cellphone dyan, e."

I immediately shooked my head. "Kayo nalang." sagot ko. Sumimangot sila at hindi naman na ako pinilit pa. Dati kasi napapakanta pa nila ako, pero bigla nalang din akong nawalan ng gana sa pagkanta. Kaya ko pa rin naman, sadyang inayawan ko lang.

"Ikaw, Diego, kanta ka naman." si Diego naman ngayon ang inaaya nila.

I bet you, hindi rin kakanta 'yan. Napailing-iling nalang ako sa isip.