The previous chapter 35 (A), is actually chapter 34 (A)..
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Seeing the look of relief visible on her face, made all the tiredness he felt go away. Lahat ng pagod nya, physically, mental and the torment he felt emotionally, lahat yun nawala ng parang bula.
Halos wala syang tulog sa buong byahe nya. It all began nang umuwi sila from his grandads taniman sa probinsya. Naabutan nilang umiiyak ang tiya ni Rostica. And after knowing what happened to the woman he loves, wala syang oras na inaksaya. He took his car keys and drove to the airport. Hindi na sya nagabala pang magpaalam sa mga kasama. Hindi na nga rin nya naisip kunin ang address nila Rostica sa probinsya. All he could think of was, he needed to get her. He needed to riscue his soon to be queen. Kailangan nyang makarating doon as fast as possible to bring him back. Di tuloy nya maiwasang hilingin na sana tubuan sya ng pakpak.
Lalo pang naginit ang ulo nya, ng malamang sold out lahat ng mga tickets from different airlines na may byaheng papuntang davao. He felt hopeless and furious. Nangangalit ang bagang at nakakuyom ang palad na naglakad-lakad sya sa loob ng airport. Walang pakialam sa mga matang nakatingin sa kanya, na para bang nahihibang na sya. Nahinto lang ata sya sa kakalakad, when his phone ring.
"Hijo, nasaan ka?" Boses ng tiya ni Rostica.
"Nasa airport pa, ho."
"Pwede bang pakihintay mo ako dyan? Gusto ko kasi sanang sumama." basi sa boses nito, nasisiguro nyang katatapos lang uli nitong umiyak.
''Sige po.'' Mas mabuti pa nga sigurong isama nya ito upang hindi sya maligaw sa pupuntahan. This will be the first time that he will travel to mindanao.
It took Rostica's aunt 2 hours to reach the airport. At sa loob ng dalawang oras na iyon, wala syang ginawa kundi paulit-ulit na magtanong sa mga personnel ng ibat-iba airlines na may byaheng davao, kung may bakante. Nagbabakasakali kasi syang may magcancel kahit isa sa mga pasahero. At lagi din syang nabibigo.
He rose to his feet when he saw na hindi lang pala ito ang nagpunta. Kasama din pala nito ang kanilang panganay na pinsan. His cousin have a small traveling bag with him na bitbit nito sa isang kamay, habang may kausap sa cellphone.
''Yes. I need it ready as soon as possible. It is urgent and i don't give a damn kung nasa date pa ang piloto. Kung kinakailangan nyo syang kaladkarin papunta dito sa airport, gawin nyo.'' narinig nyang wika nito.
''Your plane will be here in about an hour.'' wika nito sa kanya. ''Here!'' he said tossing him the small traveling bag he had on his hand. ''Just a couple shirt, jeans and underware. Wala ka man lang dinala at basta ka nalang umalis.'' napapalatak na wika nito.
''Kuya, thanks.'' he said. Ngumiti muna ito bago sumagot.
''Bring back your happiness, cuz.'' wika nito before they exchange a brotherly hug and bid their goodbye.
Walang nagsalita ni isa sa kanila ng tiya ni Rostica. The only greetings that they exchange was an exhausted smile na hindi man lang umabot sa mata.
After an hour, finally they are ready to take off. He manage to doze off during their flight. He needs a rest. Lalo na noong malaman nya na kailangan pa uli nilang bumyahe by land for another five hours. It's already ten in the evening when he last check his watch. Hopefully, makakita agad sila ng taong maghahatid sa kanila.
In less than two hours, finally, they landed. Wala silang inaksayang oras pagkalabas nila ng airport. Kaagad sila naghanap ng sasakyang pwedeng arkilahin. Halos isang oras din silang naghanap before bago mayroon silang napapayag.
He felt like he was taken advantage off nang marinig nya kung magkano ang babayaran. Pero ipagkibit balikat nalang nya. They agreed to start there journey at three in the morning. They have atleast two hours to recharge. They look for an inn where they can safely sleep.
But all he can think off was the woman he love. All he can think off is how to control his temper kapag nakita nya ang lalaking ipapakasal dito ng tatay nito.
''Wait for me, babe. I'm coming to get you, my love.'' wika nya sa larawan ng nobya na kasalukuyan nyang tinitingnan sa kanyang cellphone. It was a stolen shot. Payapa itong natutulog sa kama nya at nakayakap sa unan nya. She looks so peaceful and beautiful in that picture. Kaya naman natukso syang picturan ito. He stared at it for another minute bago tumayo na sa kama at nagpasyang maligo.
Di nagtagal ay nasa daan na sila at tinatahak ang daan papunta sa lugar ng nobya. Halos sumabog ang ulo nya when he found out that she is in church and having her wedding. Buti nalang at hindi ito kalayuan sa bahay nila Rostica. And he was just on time. Kaya nang marinig yang tinatanong ito ng pari, he didn't hesitate nor think twice, nilapitan nya agad si Rostica and itinayo mula sa kinauupuan nito. He almost lost his balance when she throw herself on his arms.
''Hush now, babe.'' wika nya sa masuyong tinig. ''I'm here now.'' he added as he give her a tight embrace and a kiss on her head.
BINABASA MO ANG
Si Promdi made at Si State side
RomanceRostica Narsia ay isang dalagang tubong davao del sur. Ipinagkasundong ipakasal sa isang matandang may'ari ng isang maliit na sabungan sa kanilang probensya, dahil sa utang ng amang lasenggo na, sugarol pa. Si Nate Baitman isang canadian/filipino n...