UNCUNNING

Chapter 13

"Confirm Chole, nandito sa Pilipinas ang mag-ina mo," Gian said as she gently put the folder in the table.

Immediately, Chole grabbed the folder in the table. As she opened it, revealing it was a pictures of Yve at the cafe, she was stunned and couldn't state a word as she stared at Gian.

"Pupuntahan ko sila," Ani ni Chole, ngunit pinigilan ito ni Gian.

"Baliw ka ba Chole? Ano magpapakatanga ka nanaman. Sisigaw ka sa labas ng bahay nila, magmamakaawa?," sigaw ni Gian sa kaibigan.

"Anong gagawin ko Gian? Anong magagawa ko, alam mo naman na matagal ko siyang hinintay at hindi ko na kayang maghintay pa gustong-gusto ko na siyang makita,"  sagot ni Chole sa kaibigan.

"Maraming paraan Chole, wag mong gawing tanga ang sarili mo, tandaan mo hindi na ikaw ang dating Chole, marami na ang nagbago sayo." Sagot naman ni Gian.

"Mag-isip ka ng ibang paraan, dahil kung hahayaan mong mag-mukha kang kawawa, na gagayahin mo lang mo ang nakaraan, na magmakaawa ka sa labas ng bahay nila. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nun walang nag- bago sayo, ikaw pa rin yung Chole na iniwan ni Yve," Dagdag ni Gian.

Napa-upo na lamang si Chole, napag isip-isip niya na tama ang kaibigan. Kung uulitin niya ang nakaraan ibig sabihin, wala paring nagbago siya pa rin ang Chole na iniwan ni Yve ilang taon na ang nakakaraan.

"Salamat sa payo Gian, at nagpapasalamat din ako na, hindi mo ako iniwan, nasa tabi kita nung mga oras na feeling ko mamamatay nako katulad ngayon," Ani ni Chole sa kaibigan.

"We're friends, simula pa nung mga bata ps tayo, parang kapatid na kita Chole," sagot ni Gian.

Ngumiti naman si Chole sa kaibigan nang-biglang kumalam ang sikmura niya.

"Sabihin mo nga Chole kailan ka pa huling kumain," tanong ni Gian.

"Wag kana mag- tanong kumain nalang tayo, libre ko," ani ni Chole.

"Yan ang gusto ko pre," Sagot ni Gian kay Chole.

Meanwhile

Made and Yve were sitting at a table in the upscale restaurant, waiting for the Lanuzo couple. The room was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware.

As the Lanuzo couple arrived, they greeted Made and Yve warmly. They were followed by their son, Miguel, who looked a bit nervous but also excited.

The conversation started with small talk about the weather and the restaurant. Then, they moved on to discussing business. Made and Yve listened intently, offering their input when asked.

After a while, the conversation shifted to the main topic at hand: the marriage between Yve and Miguel. The Lanuzos explained that they were happy to see their son settle down with a good woman like Yve.

Miguel, on the other hand, seemed to be more interested in Yve. He couldn't take his eyes off her, and it was clear that he was smitten.

The conversation continued, and eventually, the Lanuzos asked Miguel if it was okay with him that Yve already had a daughter. Miguel replied with a smile, "Well, that's fine. I can make another one if you want."

Napatawa na lamang ang mag-asawang lanuzo sa sagot ng anak nila, at si Made naman ay napangiti na lamang hindi niya alam kung ano ang isasagot o magiging reaksyon niya, samantalang si Yve naman ay  nan-diri sa sagot ng lalaki napansin din ito ni Miguel at binawi din ito.

"Nagbibiro lang ako," ani nito at tumawa ng malakas.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas nagpasya ang mag-asawang lanuzo kung pwedeng iwan na muna ang dalawa para makapag-usap sila at makilala ng mabuti ang isat-isa. Pumayag naman si Made, kaya't maya- maya pa'y iniwan na nila ang dalawa.