A Summer to Forever

19

It was past 6 in the evening when Patty called me to inform that they were already outside the house, parking their car. I informed Tito Allan, who was setting the table for dinner. He prepared 5 plates; 3 for us at home, while the other 2 were for Patty and her dad. I hurriedly went outside to open the gate and see Patty.

"Maine!" Patty shouted my name as she was about to close their car door.

I ran towards her and hugged her tight. She hugged tighter.

"Finally!" I turned to her father, Tito Jimmy and invited them inside. "Tuloy po kayo, tito." We exchanged smiles and beso-beso.

Tito Jimmy carried 2 of Patty's bags while she carried with her her shoulder bag. I opened the front gate for them and led them inside the house.

"Tito Allan, nandito na sila Patty and Tito Jimmy," I said while Tito Allan was waiting in the living room.

"Tuloy kayo dito," Tito Allan said with a smile, while making room for the two guests.

"Thank you po, tito," Patty greeted Tito Allan with a smile and grabbed his hand for a bless afterwards.

"Good evening, pareng Allan," Tito Jimmy said.

"Good evening, pareng Jim. Ibaba mo na lang 'yang mga gamit niyo dyan muna at kain na tayo."

I helped them stack Patty's bags in one corner while Tito Allan proceeded to the dining area.

"Dito tayo, pare, Patty. Meng, tawagin mo na ang pinsan mo. Nandun sa kabilang bahay," Tito Allan instructed.

I looked at Patty and I saw her smile. I smiled back and raised my eyebrows.

I got my phone from my pocket and called Sam so I wouldn't have to leave Patty behind. We went to the dining room and started talking about their trip.

"Kamusta naman ang biyahe niyo, pare?" Tito Allan asked.

"Okay naman, medyo traffic lang bago mag-SLEX, pero normal naman 'yun." Tito Jimmy answered.

"Ah, oo nga. Buti naman at 'di kayo masyadong ginabi. Nga pala, buti pinayagan mo itong si Patty na mag-bakasyon dito?" Tito Allan said with a smile while looking at Patty.

"Oo, wala naman kasi siyang kasama sa bahay. Kami ni misis, laging nasa trabaho. Nag-absent nga lang ako ngayon para maihatid 'to. 'Yung mga kapatid niya naman, 'yung isa nagpuntang Vietnam kasama mga kaibigan, tapos 'yung isa may training sa soccer." Tito Jimmy went for a glass of water. "Nung nagpaalam itong si Patty, una nag-dalawang isip ako, pero konting pilit lang, bumigay naman kami ni misis. Si Maine naman kasi ang kasama, at nakadalaw na rin kami dito minsan noong mga bata pa sila."

"Oo, kumpare. Noong maliliit pa sila," Tito Allan raised his hand and gestured our then shorter heights when we were younger. "Naalala ko ngang may sinama dito sila Vic sa bahay."

"'Yun nga 'yun. Malaki rin naman ang tiwala ko dito sa anak ko, at safe naman dito, kinausap ko rin sila pareng Vic."

The door opened and Sam entered the house. I noticed Patty gasped a little because she was sitting right beside me in the dining table.

"Eto na pala si Sam," Tito Allan called.

"Hello tito, sorry tinapos lang namin ni RJ 'yung isang round," Sam responded.

I saw Patty look at me. But I ignored it.

"Halika na dito, kain na tayo. Eto si Tito Jimmy mo at si Patty, anak niya at kaibigan ni Meng."

Sam walked towards us and sat at the empty chair waiting for him. "Good evening po, Tito Jimmy," he smiled. Then his attention went to Patty. I noticed his eyes widened.