Addicted Love (VALENTINE SERIES #1)

Chapter 61

S I X T Y - O N E

The garden was alive with laughter and chatter, a stark contrast to the quiet, somber dinners of the past. Two long tables stretched across the lawn, filled with familiar faces and new ones. Nandito lahat ng mga malalapit sa akin, nandito ang buong Valentine clan. Nakaka-lungkot man dahil may na bawasan pero may agad din namang dinagdag sa pamilya namin.

Masaya akong tinitingnan sila Kuya Jayden at Ate Yassi na nakikipag-usap kay Lola, habang ang anak nilang si Hira at ang ka-edaran niya lang na Tito niya na Bailey ay masayang nakikipag laro sa pinaka bata ng Valentine.

It had been three years since I'd been able to join these gatherings, my busy schedule keeping me away. Now, as I looked around, I was struck by how much had changed.

The Valentine clan had always been a close-knit group, but now, the table was twice as long, filled with Faye's friends and her grandfather, their presence a testament to how our circle had expanded. The laughter, the conversations, the clinking of glasses. It all felt so right.

Sa kabila ng kasiyahan, hindi pa din na wawala sa isip ko ang nangyari nung nag daang tatlong taon. I couldn't shake the sadness from losing one of my closest friends, Bianca. Her decision to end her life for my happiness was incredibly painful, but I am still grateful to her. Her sacrifice has given me a deeper understanding of the value of family and true friends.

Kung maaga ko lang nalaman at naging malakas ako ng mga oras na yun, hindi ko hahayaan na ganon ang mang-yayari sa kanya.

As I glanced around, nakita ko ang concern sa mata ng Misis ko, and she approached me, her presence comforting.

"Hey, Hun," she said softly, sitting down beside me. "You've been awfully quiet. Is everything alright?" Tanong niya sa akin at kinuha ang isa kong kamay at minasahe ito.

"It’s just... seeing everyone together like this, it makes me think of Bianca. I miss her so much. The joy around us makes her absence feel even more intense. Parang kulang ang ingay pag wala ang mala-megaphone niyang bunganga." Natatawa kong saad dito.

"I understand. It's hard to enjoy moments like these when we're reminded of her absence. Her loss is deeply felt, especially during times like this." Ngumiti ito sa akin at naka tulong iyon para gumaan kahit papano ang loob ko.

"Hun," she began softly, "if you'd like, we can visit Bianca tomorrow. It might help to be there, to feel a bit closer to her."

The suggestion took me by surprise, but it was exactly what I needed. The idea of visiting her grave, paying my respects, and finding some solace felt comforting. I looked at Faye, feeling a mix of gratitude and relief.

"Talaga?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. Simula ng bumalik ang alala ko ay hindi ko pa na gawang bisitahin siya sa puntod niya.

"Of course," Faye replied with a gentle smile.

Tahimik at masayang nag uusap ang mga kasama namin sa lamesa habang ang mga bata ay maaga ng pinatulog dahil 10 pm na din, na punta lang ang aming atensyon ng biglang tumayo si Ate Yassi at naka ngiting naka tingin sa amin.

Don't tell me buntis na naman siya?

"Excuse me, everyone," she began, her voice clear and full of excitement. "I wanted to share something with you all. My friend is holding a gallery exhibition soon. It's for a cause that's close to my heart." Masayang dagdag niya.

Kitang-kita ko naman kung gaano ka-interesado ang mga kasama ko sa lamesa sa mga sinasabi ni Ate Yassi.

The room quieted down as people listened intently. Ate Yassi continued, "The proceeds from the exhibition will go towards providing school supplies and educational materials for children who otherwise wouldn't have access to them."