Treacherous Heart 2: Down Bad Chasing

Pahina 12

Satiate

"Hi! S'mores o!"

Umupo si Agatha Montgomery sa tabi namin at inabutan kami ng tig-isang s'more ni Ritzelle.

She insisted that we call her 'Gath', pero nahihiya pa kami kaya sa utak ko ay siya pa rin si Agatha Montgomery.

We're sitting around a bonfire that they started. Naka setup na ito nang makapunta kami sa kung saan sila tumutuloy. May mga dirty colored white na bean bags na naka paikot sa apoy— at iba-iba ang hugis ng mga ito. Mag katabi kami ni Ritz sa isang elongated bean bag. Si Gavino naman ay agad hiniram ng crush ng kaibigan ko.

They are both standing near the shore, hindi naman malayo sa amin pero sapat lang para hindi marinig ang pinaguusapan nila.

And based from my observation, kung ano man pinaguusapan nila ay seryoso iyon. The knot on their forehead is a proof. Nakahalukipkip si Adrian Montgomery habang nag sasalita. He was the one doing most of the talking between them.

Si Gavino naman ay tahimik na nakikinig. Nakapamulsa. Seryoso. Burado ang pagiging pilyo niya.

So... this is how he is when in work mode, hmm?

He looks... very...

Napailing ako sa naisip at tinago iyon sa mismong sarili ko.

I am even shy to admit it!

"Don't worry, mabait ang kuya ko. Hindi niya lulunurin si Kuya Andres." Ani Agatha.

Siya lang mag-isa sa bean bag na inuupo-an niya kaya nagka-lakas loob ako na lingunin siya.

Nadatnan ko siyang nakangisi habang prenteng nakaupo sa bean bag. She was leisurely eating her s'more while her eyes were busy watching his brother and Gavino talk.

Itim na racer back sando at itim na boyleg bottom ang suot niya, malayo sa mga pinsan niyang naka one piece at two piece bathing suits, but the aura she exudes... is extra ordinary.

Ngumiti lamang ako at tumango.

"Oh yeah! Let's go Tuliiiiip!" Hiyaw ni Uno Montgomery.

I moved my gaze away from Agatha Montgomery. Across me, Tulip Montgomery is sitting while holding a guitar.

Hindi ko mapigilan na pakatitigan siya.

There's something different about her that I cannot pinpoint. Something... different than the rest of the Montgomerys. Maybe her features?

O baka dahil madalas ay pakiramdam ko naiiba ako kaya... lagi rin ako nag hahanap ng katulad ko?

A pang of pain was felt by my heart.

She started strumming the guitar.

Huwag muna tayong umuwi
Dito muna muna

Then she started singing a very familiar song.

Huwag muna tayong umuwi
Dito muna muna

Huwag muna tayong umuwi

Magkahawak kamay naglalakad sa may
Dalampasigan saksi ang alon at buwan

Napatingin ako sa paligid, pinalandas ko ang mga mata ko sa bawat Montgomery na naririto. They were all looking at her, some were eating, some were helping each other prepare more food, Adrianna Montgomery was handing out drinks to everybody, but they all stopped a bit to admire her.

They listened...

They let her...

And they looked at her like they were so proud of her. Kahit na kumakanta lang naman siya sa tabi. Kahit na... napaka normal na gawain nito...