Field of Emotions

Chapter 23

Days went by easily as I stayed with them. Ang alam nina Tita Alvina ay hanggang dito ako ng pasko kaya panay ang chat nilang lahat sa akin. Ngayon naman ay aalis kaming dalawa ni Sian dahil nagpapasama siya na bibili daw ng regalo. Nakalampas na kami sa mall at lahat pero hindi pa din kami bumababa ng sasakyan.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" Tanong ko sa lalaki.

He smiled, "Just wait." tumingin siya kay Manong driver. "Manong dyan lang po sa Golden Gate Village." Sabi niya.

Lalong nagunot ang noo ko. "Village? The freak! Magreregalo ka ng bahay at lupa?!" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ko. "Bakit on the spot?! Pasko na mamaya!"

He chuckled at my remarks. "Silly. Soon pa yon."

Ilang minuto pa ay tumigil kami sa harap ng isang bahay. Modern style iyon, hindi gaanong malaki pero hindi naman ganon kallit. Bumaba kami ni Sian ng kotse. Hindi ko alam kung kaninong bahay ang pinuntahan namin. Sian sensed my discomfort and held my hand. Nagdoor bell ang lalaki at may narinig kaming babae na palabas.

"Alistair, Amaris, please be careful ha."

With that calm voice, my body froze. Don't tell me kanilang bahay to?

I looked at Sian with teary eyes.

"Sian?" I said but my voice broke.

Bago pa man mapagsalita si Sian ay binuksan na ng babae ang gate. She looked the same. Nothing changed about her except for her outfit. Iba na siya sa nakasanayan ko noon. She was now wearing a simple white pants and long sleeved polo, nakababa din ang mahaba niyang buhok. She was still simple but now it has mix of elegance.

"Ate Ivy..."

"Ysabelle..."

Before I could even utter another word, she hugged me. "Ysabelle, I missed you so much." she said.

Her hug gave me the comfort she could only give. I looked at Sian with teary eyes, "Thank you, Sian." I mouthed, making him nod.

Ate Ivy cutted the hug and wiped my tears even though she also had one. "I'm glad to see you again, Ysabelle. And I know Amaris will too." Pinapasok niya kami ni Sian sa gate. Unang bumungad sa amin ang isang garden at nandoon si Kuya Liam.

"Amaris, let's go inside na." pag-aaya niya sa mag-ama na agad sinunod ng mga ito. Nakita ako ni Kuya, I could sense his uncomfortability but I smiled at him like I always used to do before to ease it.

Inside the house was giving me a warm, inviting ambiance. The fragrance of scented candles welcomed us, neutral color ang loob, may mini garden sa ilalim ng hagdan, they have cozy sofas, at may ilang picture frames sila sa table. The house was so aesthetically pleasing.

Pinaupo kami ni Ate Ivy sa sala nila. Kuya Liam and Alistair stayed with us. It's an awkward atmosphere but Sian spoke. "Kuya, how was life?" He asked in a tone like they are close enough.

Minsan talaga gusto ko na lang batukan si Sian ng malakas but instead, I nudge him, making him look at me. "What? Mali bang kamustahin ko si Kuya?" saad niya at mukhang iniinis lang ako.

"Thank you for asking, Sebastián. I'm fine and um...Ysabelle, Sebastián, I want you to meet your nephew." He said and looked at Alistair who's now playing with toys.

"My nephew?"

"Since when Alistair became his nephew?!"

Sian and I said in synchrony.

"Oh," Kuya Liam said in shock. "I thought the two of you were together?" He asked, confused.

"Yuck." I said as I disgustingly looked at Sian.