Surface Tension

38

           “Can I go to the garden?”  Olivia asked. Nasa Lanai kami ng mga Benitez umiinom ng kape.

            “I’ll show you the fishpond” sabi ni Tito Rafael kay Olivia.

            “Let’s go” hinatak ni Olivia si Tito Rafael.

            “Olivia wait” sabi ko sa bata at binuksan ko ang bag ko. Nilabas ko ang mosquito repellant lotion at nilagyan ko siya.

            “Thanks” Olivia smiled at me, “Let’s go” hinatak niya si Tito Rafael.

            “What?” I asked Lucas and Tita Isadora, naka tingin sila sa akin. Pinasok ko yung lotion sa loob ng bag ko.

            “So what seems to be the problem?” tanong ni Tita Isadora.

            “Po?” I asked, medyo naguguluhan kasi ako.

            “I’ve seen the way you both steal glances at each other. You’re obviously still in love with each other so bakit hindi pa kayo nag kakabalikan?” she asked. I froze.

            “Hindi pa daw po siya ready maging ina ng anak ko” Lucas answered. Tumingin sa akin si Tita.

            “Miu, if I open your bag right now I bet most of the things inside it are not even not yours” she told me and it was true. Cellphone at wallet lang ang akin. The rest ay para kay Olivia like insect repellant lotion, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, first aid kit etc.

            “I don’t follow…” naguguluhan na sabi ni Lucas.

            “Most of the things inside her bag are for Olivia. Pang emergency like yung Off lotion” nag explain si Tita Isadora. “I bet she even has extra clothes for your daughter”. She added. “Tama ba?” Tita asked me.

            “Opo…” I answered.

            “I’ve been observing you with Olivia and you’re very doting to her. Pinag himay mo pa nga yung bata” she pointed out. “Kagabi when you excused yourself to the bathroom alam kung umiyak ka”.

            “Bakit ka umiyak?” Lucas asked me.

            “Olivia told her she wanted her to be her mom” sagot ni Tita.

            “Tita iba nalang po pag usapan natin” I asked.

            “You’re both still in love with each other. Give it another try. You owe that to yourselves. If it doesn’t work out at least you can tell each other you did everything to make it work”

            “Excuse me po Senyora, may tawag po kayo sa telepono” sabi nung kasambahay.

            “I’ll be back” sabi sa amin ni Tita and then she excused herself. Naka lipas ang limang minuto na hindi kami nag iimikan ni Lucas.

            “You know she’s right” Lucas broke the Silence.

            “I know…” mahina kong sabi.

            “Don’t do it just for Olivia. Do it for us” hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. I gently squeezed his hands.

            “Okay” I told him.

            “Okay na tayo?” he asked.

            “Yes” I smiled. He cupped my face then kissed me. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. We heard Tita Isadora cleared her throat so we moved away from each other.

            “Well I better tell the good news to Olivia” she smiled.