Illicit Love

Kabanata 28

"Pasensya na kayo, Ma'am. Ito lang ang mai-ooffer naming matutuluyan ninyo."

Kakarating lang namin dito sa kanilang isla. Nakakatuwa dahil kaninang pagkarating namin, may mga nakahanda na agad na pagkain para samin. Sobrang welcoming ng mga tao dito. Mahahalata mo sa mga mukha nila ang matinding tuwa at saya nang dumating kami.

"Ayos lang po 'to, walang problema. Ang mahalaga naman, may matutuluyan kami," nakangiting sabi ko.

"Hindi kasi namin inaasahan na marami kayong dadating ngayon, pero kahit ganoon, nakakatuwa naman talaga."

Marahan akong tumawa sa sinabi ni Kapitan Alas. Siya ang umasikaso samin kanina nang makarating kami, hanggang ngayon sinamahan niya kami papunta sa bahay na tutuluyan namin. Nahati kami sa dalawang grupo dahil hindi na kami kasya sa kabilang bahay, kaya ngayon naglalakad kami papunta sa bahay nila Kapitan. Malapit lang naman dahil magkatabi lang naman ng bahay.

"Tara, Ma'am Zari. Pasok muna tayo sa loob ng bahay," paanyaya ni Kapitan Alas.

Sumunod kami papasok ng bahay. Medyo may kalakihan ang bahay nila Kapitan Alas at hindi ka maniniwalang tatlo lang silang nakatira. Ang kanyang asawa at nag-iisang anak na babae.

"Pa!"

Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon nang may marinig kaming sigaw mula kung saan. Natigilan siya nang mapansin niya kami at dahan-dahang napahinto sa akmang pagtakbo niya palapit sa kanyang tatay. Nakasunod sa likod niya ang isang ginang.

Ngumiti ako ng matamis sa ginang. "Magandang gabi po, Mrs. Salazar!" magalang na bati ko. Nginitian niya rin naman ako pabalik.

"Magandang gabi rin, Ma'am Zari. Halina muna kayo at maupo. Kumain na ba kayo?"

"Tapos na po, pero salamat," sabi ko habang nakatingin kila Helena kasama ang iba pa. Nakaupo na sila sa sofa habang ako nanatiling nakatayo sa tabi ni Mrs. Salazar.

My eyes drifted to the last person in the group, but I felt a hot flush creep up my neck the moment our gazes locked. My mind was still reeling from our earlier encounter. The sensation of her warm palms on my waist felt as vivid as if she were still touching me. Feeling overwhelmed by her piercing stare, I drew a sharp breath and averted my eyes.

As the Salazar couple headed to the kitchen to prepare drinks, I took the opportunity to sit quietly on a single sofa. I instinctively adjusted my position, sitting up straighter the moment I saw them returning with a tray of juice and small plates of food.

"Magmeryenda muna kayo. Pasensiya na, ito lang ang mayroon kami," alok ni Kapitan Alas.

"Walang problema, Kapitan. Maraming salamat!" nakangiting sabi ni Helena.

Mrs. Salazar handed me a glass of juice before settling down beside me. She caught my eye with a broad, beaming smile that was so infectious I couldn't help but mirror it back at her.

"I'm thanking you in advance, Engineer Bautista, though I honestly don't know if 'thank you' is a heavy enough word to express my gratitude to you," she said sincerely, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.

I lowered my glass and nodded at her with a soft smile. For years, I've dreamed of this—of reaching out to those who need it most. There is a profound beauty in kindness that asks for nothing in return. If you are fortunate enough to have the power and privilege to help, then why not use it?

"You don't owe me any thanks, Mrs. Salazar," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm genuinely happy to do this, and I'll continue to help in any way I can. Assisting others is a passion I've carried with me for a long time—thank you for allowing me the honor of doing so."