Thomas and I found Carol in the pool area. She is on the edge of the pool hugging her knees. The hem of her dress is soaking in the pool. I looked at Thomas then we went to her.
Her head was looking down so I bent down to level to her. Thomas was standing behind us.
"Cars?" I tapped her shoulders.
She held her head up and her eyes are almost sunken. Hindi ko pa alam kung ano talaga ang nangyari pero naawa na ako kay Carol.
"Ars," she opened her arms like a baby.
I immediately took her in my arms. I gave Thomas a look as if telling him to look for a towel because Carol is soaking wet. He understood what I meant and went inside.
"I didn't meant to, Ars..." she said in between sobs. She keeps on repeating this line.
I wanted to ask more but she doesn't look like she's in the right mind to relay the story. I just hug her and let her cry. Thomas came back with towels in his hands.
"Let's get you dried up," I told Carol when Thomas reached us.
I help my friend stand up. Thomas handed me a towel and I covered Carol. I guided her to the nearest recliner. She was still sobbing but not as much.
I let her sit when I felt a towel was being wrapped around me. I looked back and it was Thomas.
"Baka magkasakit ka," he said casually. I looked at myself. Medyo basa nga ako dahil sa pagkakayakap ko kay Carol kanina.
"Thank you," I positioned the towel properly and turned back to Carol.
"Cars? Let's talk about it," I calmly said.
Then her tears threatened to fall again but she held it back. She took a deep breath.
"I'm not ready. I am so sorry for not being ready. I didn't know. I love him Ara, so much, but I am just not ready." She said.
"Did you say no?" I asked.
"I did not say no," she said firmly. Thomas' eyes and mine met. So what really happened?
"Then what happened?" I verbalized thoughts.
"I just said I am not ready. I wanted to explain but he went on an emotional rampage and questioned everything that we have. If it's a question of want and will, my answer is yes. I just said I am not ready," she said and started crying again.
Thomas nodded towards hotel and I understood what he meant.
"Let get you to your room," I said and helped her up.
Buti na lang at nag-usap usap kami ng mga bullies na kumuha ng room dito sa hotel. Magkasama sa room si Kim at si Carol. Si Cienne naman kasama yung mag-ama niya. Ako si Tyrone at sila Mama. Magkakatabi din yung rooms namin.
Thomas and I helped Carol to her room.
"Cars maligo ka muna para hindi ka na magkasakit," I told her and she dragged herself to the bathroom. I heard the shower was turned on.
"Ara ikaw din, please" Thomas said.
"Mamaya na ako, patulugin muna natin si Carol. Tatawag muna ako sa baba," I told him.
I went to the telephone and dialed the reception. The receptionist greeted.
"Can you bring in some lavender tea?... yes... thank you," I said then hang up.
"Ara, at least magpalit ka lang ng damit," Thomas trailed after me when I sat on the couch. I fished my phone out to text Kim.
"I'm fine don't worry," I said without looking at him.
To: Kimmy
Nandito na kami sa room niyo.
We heard a knock on the door, and Thomas attended to it. When he came back he was with Kim and the football player. I didn't delve much into whose Kim's companion. Thomas seems to know him when the two tapped each other's back.
"Anong nangyari? Nung makita ko text mo umalis agad ako." Kim started.
"Nagtext kasi si Gab kay Thomas. Sabi daw check on Carol. Pag dating namin dito, umiiyak na si Carol dun sa pool," I said. I continued on relaying what Carol told me.
"Eh nasan si Gab?" Kim asked.
"I've been trying to reach him but he's not answering," Thomas butted in.
Kim's football player came near with the tray of the lavender tea. He placed it on the center table.
"Ara, naalala mo si Nate? From La Salle's football team. Ahead lang siya ng one year satin," Kim introduced. Yes, now I remember. He's Nathan Alquiros, Natasha's brother. Na-classmate ko kasi Natasha nung college.
"Of course, hi Nate. Kamusta ka? si Tasha?" I said.
He smiled, "Hi Ara, okay naman kami. My sister's training with the Philippine Malditas for the SEA Games. She's good."
"I'm sorry we have to catch up like this," I said.
"No worries, I understand the situation," he said.
Then Carol went out from the bathroom in her PJs. She was taken aback with her audience.
She tried to smile but didn't reach her eyes, "Full cast tayo ah. Ano ang drama?"
"Anyare sayo?" Kim said nonchalantly.
"I got dumped," Carol scoffed.
"Ano? Break na kayo ni itlog?" Kim asked.
"Ewan ko, iniwan na lang ako bigla eh," she said but the sobs are coming. I can feel it.
"Cars, I suggest magpahinga ka muna. Then we'll try to reach Gab tomorrow so you two could talk," I said. "I'll dry your hair."
"I'm okay guys. Alam na alam ko na yang mga drama niyo. Okay lang ako. Magpahinga na kayo. Mukhang galing party kayo eh," she tried to change the topic. I gave Thomas a look and he understood.
"Bro, dun muna tayo sa labas," Thomas said and Nate followed.
When the boys are out, I poured tea on the teacup and gave it to Carol, "Para makatulog ka."
Carol accepted it but didn't drink it. She just stared at it and started to cry. Nakakaawa talaga to. Bigla-bigla na lang umiyak. Kim and I looked at each other. Tinabihan namin siya at hinagod ang likod. Kim took the teacup from her hands and put it away. Carol immediately hugged me.
"Sige iyak mo lang," Kim said as she rubbed Carol's back gently.
"Nagulat lang ako sa proposal niya. Pero alam niyo naman na mahal na mahal ko yun. Sabi ko naman hindi lang ako ready, hindi ko sinabing ayaw ko. Hindi lang talaga ngayon. Tapos ayun, he went on questioning if I really loved him and everything we have. Kung ginagawa ko ba siyang pampalipas ng oras lang. Ba't siya ganun? Ayaw na niyang makinig," Carol said. And she was crying in between.
"Baka nagulat lang din, Cars. Maybe he was so sure about the two of you and when you said you're not ready, maybe he had doubts. That's normal Cars, that's human instincts. That is why you should rest now. Matulog ka na at bukas mag-uusap kayo ni Gab. This is just a case of miscommunication," I tried to reason out.
I nodded to Kim and she understood. She took Carol, who hasn't stopped crying, out of my arms and transferred to her. She let Carol lie on her lap. I stood up and searched for a hair blower. Kailangan patuyuin yung buhok nung bruha baka siponin.
While she was on Kim's lap, I dried Carol's hair. The sound of the blower seemed to be relaxing her because when I was done she was already sleeping. I helped Kim positioned Carol properly on her bed.
"Papauwiin ko na muna si Nate, pagod na siguro yun." Kim said and stood up from the bed.
I gave her a teasing look, "Eto na ba yun? Kwento naman diyan."
She rolled her eyes at me, "Tumigil ka Ara. Si Carol muna."
"Okay fine. Pero magkukwento ka," I told her.
"Oo na, oo na," Kim said and went out. I looked at Carol's face. She looked so serene now after all the crying.
Then I heard the door open. It was Thomas. "Ara, magpalit ka na," he immediately ordered.
I just stared at him, "Ara please. Baka ikaw pa ang magkasakit." He said, genuinely concerned.
"Thomas, okay lang ako. Antayin ko lang si Kim para may kasama si Carol. Umuwi ka na din para makapagpahinga ka na rin. Nasa kabila lang naman yung room ko," I said.
"I'll wait until you get to your room," he said with finality. Bahala ka nga
A few more moments and Kim came back.
"Tinext ko na si Cienne. Pagkagising nun pupunta na dito. Magpahinga ka na Ars, ako muna bahala," Kim said. She turned to Thomas, "Oh ikaw? Ano pa kailangan mo?"
"Hinihintay ko si Ara," he said nonchalantly.
"Nasa kabila lang kwarto niyan," Kim said and sat on the couch.
"I know, I just want to make sure she's safely home, somehow," Thomas.
"Wala namang mangyayari diyan, siguro matitisod lang," Kim commented.
"Hello, I'm here," I stood up. "Kim, ikaw na bahala ha. Tawagan mo na lang ako."
"Okay po. Oi, Thomas ang assignment mo, hanapin mo yung kalbo," Kim said.
Thomas agreed.
***
"Ang cute niyo naman." My comment was directed to Cienne and her daughter. Magkaparehas kasi sila ng dress nung anak niya. Naka-floral Sunday dress yung dalawa.
By the way, nandito kami ngayon sa bahay nila Cienne. Na-uto namin si Carol na dito kami dumirecho mula sa hotel. Gusto niya na daw umuwi, eh kung papayagan namin siyang umuwi wala siyang makakasama. Nagmigrate na kasi sa Canada yung parents niya. Si Kuya Philip naman eh may flight, pilot kasi yun. Kaya nandito kami sa bahay ni Cienne. Kasama ko dito si Tyrone, Kim, Carol at pamilyang Van Opstal.
"Inggit ka no? Gawa ka na rin kasi ng babae," Cienne said and wiggled her eyebrow.
"Wala akong kasamang gagawa," I retorted.
"Anong wala?" Kim protested. "Meron naman ah, kasama mo kaya kagabe." She teased, referring to Thomas.
"Ah ganun, eh ikaw yung may kasama kagabe eh!" I retorted.
"Yun? Wala yun," Kim said.
"Talaga lang ha, eh ba't ka sinamahan?" I said.
"Ewan ko sa kaniya. Sabi niya ihahatid niya ko, oh free ride kaya sumama ako. Hindi ako nagdala ng kotse eh," Kim reasoned.
"Cienne, san ba pwedeng matulog dito," Carol suddenly asked.
Hay ayaw maki-join. I look at the other bullies who are here and we decided to just let her alone.
"Sa taas, dun ka na sa guest room. Alam mo naman kung san yun diba?" Cienne said. Carol lazily stood up and almost drags herself to the stairs.
"Kawawa naman yun. Nasan na ba si Thomas?" Cienne turned to me.
Thomas went out to talk to Gab and hopefully he could bring him here so the couple could talk.
"Ewan ko," I answered.
"Eh kung itext mo?" Kim suggested.
"Wala akong number," I said.
Cienne rolled her eyes at me. She took her husband's phone and dialed something. Her forehead creased as she was listening to the phone.
"Bakit hindi sumasagot?" she said and tried again.
After a few more tries, she gave up.
"Baka nag-uusap sila ngayon ni Gab. Hayaan niyo na muna," Kim said.
We helped Cienne prepare our lunch while AVO was with the kids, Cristine and Tyrone, in the garden. Before we served lunch, Cienne got a visitor or not really. Her twin sister Camille came in with her boyfriend named Mike.
"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" Camille asked Kim and me. We were in the kitchen and Camille's boyfriend joined AVO and the kids in the garden.
We told Camille the events yesterday and she understood.
The Cruz' sisters always have lunch together every weekend, si Ate Cha, Camille and Cienne lang. Their family is based in the States na so tatlo na lang sila ang nandito. Sabi ni Camille male-late lang daw si Ate Cha ng kaunti kasi medyo may hang over lang dahil sa party kagabi.
"Nasan si Carol ngayon?" Camille asked.
"Nasa taas matutulog daw," I answered.
"Ganun ba? Maayos din yan. Miscommunication lang naman eh. Pag nagkausap na sila magiging okay din," Camille said.
"Yun din nga yung sabi ko kagabi kay Carol pero ayaw pa rin tumigil sa kakaiyak," I said.
"Kaya nga dapat magkausap na sila," Kim said.
"Girls," we all turned to the kitchen door and we saw Thomas. Alone. Nasan si Gab?
"Anong nangyari? Nasan si Gab?" Cienne asked.
"Nasa Archers sa Makati," Thomas answered. He was referring to their gym.
"Nagkausap kayo?" I asked.
He nodded, "He's not elaborating. He said he doesn't really want to talk about. Hinayaan ko na muna. Baka gustong mag-isip. But I told him we'll be here."
"Alam niyo, tigilan niyo na muna si Carol at si Gab. Hayaan niyo na munang magkausap. Malalaki na yang mga yan," Camille.
"Camille's right. We've talked to them na naman and they know what the situation is. They love each other. I know they'll come around," Thomas said, almost directly to me. He knows that I will never be at peace until my friend starts feeling better.
"Wait, sabihan ba natin sila Mika?" Kim butted in.
"Huwag na. Sisirain mo lang yung honeymoon. Magiging okay din ang lahat," Cienne said.
"Cienne, mukhang luto na tong niluluto mo," I changed the topic when I smelled something.
"Ai oo nga pala," Cienne went to the stove. "Tawagin niyo na yung iba. Kim, akyatin mo na si Carol."
Thomas called the boys and the kids as I helped Camille set the table, we'll eat in the garden pala. Kim went up to call Carol for lunch. Ate Cha with Kuya Jason, her boyfriend, came in perfectly.
"Oh nandito pala kayo," Ate Cha said when she saw that Cienne's garden is jam packed. Ganda pa rin kahit may hang over.
"Makikikain lang Ate," I said.
"Buti na lang at nagdala ako ng pagkain. May feeling kasi akong maraming gutom today," Ate Cha smiled.
Kim went to where we are, empty-handed. "Ayaw kumain. Mamaya na lang daw siya. Hi Ate Cha!" Kim greeted.
"Kimmy! Nandito ka rin. Parang kulang kayo, nasan si Carol? Wait, ano nga pala nangyari sa proposal ni Gab?" Ate Cha fired.
I relayed the story to Ate Cha.
"At ngayon ayaw bumaba ni Carol at kumain. Nandun sa taas. Umiiyak na naman," Kim said.
"Ako na bahala. Pa-lagyan na lang siya ng pagkain sa plato at kakausapin ko," Ate Cha presented. "Babe, dito ka muna?" she turned to her boyfriend. Nakilala ko na pala to kahapon sa kasal ni Mika.
"Yeah. Don't worry," Kuya Jason said.
After I prepared Carol's food, I gave it to Ate Cha and she went up to talk to our friend.
We all gathered in Cienne's garden for lunch. I called Tyrone to feed him which he happily obliged. He was soaking wet, as usual. Nag-enjoy sa paglalaro sa anak ni Cienne. Halatang tuwang-tuwa. Minsan lang kasi makapaglaro sa bata tong anak ko. Puro ako lang kasi ang nakikita nito nung nasa London. Nung umuwi kami dito, eh puro matatanda din naman yung mga nakakasama. Kaya eto umaapaw ang saya.
"Let's change your shirt before you eat," I said.
Tyrone held his hands up as I remove his shirt and changed it to a new one.
"Are you having fun here?" I asked.
He nodded happily, "I love it here!"
"Really? Even if it's hot?"
"Even. I have so many friends here," he beamed.
"What if we stay? Will it be okay if you go to school here?" I asked.
"Yes," he grinned.
"Okay," I smiled. "You eat na," I said and pulled the plate of food I prepared for him.
After lunch, we put the kids into bed for their siesta. Then, we went to the garden to relax. Hindi pa rin pala bumababa si Carol. Hindi rin naconvince ni Ate Cha na kumain. Pero napilit lang na kumain ng isang saging.
"Bro, let's play ball," Arnold invited the boys. The Van Opstal's have this mini court on their garden kasi.
"Sure," the Cruz' boyfriends answered. Medyo matatangkad din kasi yung boyfriends ni Ate Cha at Camille.
Thomas was beside me and he didn't react to what AVO said.
"Ikaw?" I nudged him. When he looked at me I asked, "Hindi ka maglalaro?"
He smiled, "I don't play anymore, remember?"
"Akala ko ba all good ka na from your doctors?"
"Oo." He looked away.
"Oh eh bakit ayaw mo maglaro?"
Thomas looked at me, "Maybe I don't know how anymore."
I raised an eyebrow at him, "Pwede ba yun?"
And he just stared at the grass. Hmm? Ako na bahala. "AVO!" I called.
"Yes Ara? You need anything?" he asked as he changed into something sporty.
"Sali daw si Thomas" I presented.
AVO's eyes grew in surprise and his face brightened, "Really?"
"Yes," I said. "Pahiram daw ng gamit."
"Ara," Thomas warned.
"Well, I have extra clothes and shoes upstairs but..." Arnold said.
"Hindi kasya sakin mga sapatos niyan," Thomas said.
Then I remembered something. "Pahiram ng susi ng kotse mo," I looked at Thomas and smiled.
"Bakit?" he asked.
"Hindi ako aalis. Basta pahiram," I said and he absent-mindedly gave me his keys.
I stood up and went outside where Thomas' car is parked. I know he is following me. I press the open button from his car keys and the car beeped open. I went directly to the trunk and lifted it open. Aha! I knew it. I grabbed the box and pulled down the trunk door to close his car. I turned and saw Thomas leaning on the gates. He's wearing his impressed smiled. I lifted the box and proudly smiled.
"No more excuses," I said and handed him the shoe box. Noon kasi hindi talaga nawawalan ng sapatos yung kotse ni Thomas.
"How did you know it's there?" he smiled.
I rolled my eyes at him, "Ako pa ba? Kilala kita, boy" I proudly said. I stood in front of him and open the box that he's holding. In there are his shoes. "I just have a feeling that you aren't over basketball yet."
I held his hands that are holding the sides of the box, "It's your true love. You just don't throw away something that you love for the longest time."
He stared into my eyes as if understanding what I meant. A small smile formed in the corner of his lips.
"Fine," he said. Yes. I'm happy, partly for him and partly for myself. As much as I want to deny this, I want to see him play.
"Just so you know. Basketball is my first love but it isn't my true love," he smirked and went inside with his basketball shoes.
He left me dumbfounded. Why do I feel like there extra something behind the actual meaning of his words? And why is my face burning red?
I let the blood rush out of my face before I went back inside. When I entered, the boys are already in their basketball attire. Camille and Kim are on the garden table chatting. Cienne and Ate Cha are nowhere to be found.
"Oi! I-stretch niyo ng maayos yang si Thomas ha!" I shouted from where I was standing. AVO gave me a thumb up.
"Anong sinabi mo kay Torres at naglaro na ulit yan?" Kim stood beside me.
"Ilang taon ng pinipilit na maglaro yan, ayaw. Ang daming offers diyan kahit na-injure siya pero tinanggihan niya lahat. Dumating ka lang at nagsabing maglaro siya, eh nagbihis naman kaagad," Camille added.
"Talaga? Hindi nga ako nahirapan. Hindi kasi kayo marunong maghanap ng sapatos," I said as a matter of fact.
"Ano?" the two turned to me.
"Wala," I said and went to find a seat so I can watch the boys play.
"Iba talaga ang dating ng charms ni Victonara Galang kay Thomas Torres," Kim bantered.
"Ma'am," we turned to Cienne's helper. "Dumating po yung isa niyo pang kaibigan."
I looked at the others and we have the same look on our face. Who could it be? Wala naman kaming ini-expect na dumating. Then the man that we've been looking for the whole day entered the room.
"Gab," we all said in unison.
He looked like he's carrying the world, exact replica of Carol. But Gab tried to conceal it by keeping a straight face.
"Si Carol?" he asked.
Author's Note:
Sorry guys eto n ang nawawalang chapter9
