SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW

Chapter 22

It was about ten in the morning when they decided to go for Manila. Alas nuebe pa lang ng umaga ay dumating na sa bahay ng kanyang Lola si Vaughn. Kagaya ng napag usapan ay ito ang magdadrive. Her Lola keep on asking her to spend more time but she was determined to leave because of what happened last night or rather awhile ago. Hindi niya pa nakitang lumabas ng guest room si Reston. Marahil ay tulog na tulog pa ito hanggang ngayon. Nakaupo sila sa sala at kasalukuyang nag uusap usap. Hinihintay na lamang nila si Zach bago tumulak ng tuluyan paalis.

"Hindi na ba talaga magbabago ang isip mo apo?" The old woman asked. Kung hindi niya lang nakita ang lungkot sa mga mata nito ay marahil ay natawa na siya ng tuluyan. She doesn't have any reason to stay. She asked her Lola to go with her but the old woman refuse. Inalok niya itong sumama na lang sakanya at sa condo na lang niya sila titira pero tumanggi ito. She said she was too old to live in the city. Mas nakasanayan na raw nito ang probinsya.

"My work is in Manila po Lola." She answered. Ang totoo ay kung papipiliin sana siya ay mas gusto niyang kasama ito. She wanted to spend more time with her as much as possible. She wanted to make it up for her because she know that her Lola isn't getting any younger.

"Dalawin mo kami madalas dito apo." She said full of sadness. Nakita niyang tuluyan na nga itong naiyak. Niyakap niya naman ito ng mahigpit to give her assurance that she will. Kahit hindi niya sigurado kung makakabalik pa siya rito ay sinangayunan niya pa rin ang matanda. She could barely imagine how hectic her schedule will be because of the time she was gone. However, she already asked Zach to bring her Lola to Manila whenever she wants to.

"Sid, Zach is already here." Vaughn said after entering the living room. Nakikipaglaro ito kay Rienzo kanina.

"Good morning po!" Zach greeted them. Kakapasok lang din nito kasunod kay Vaughn sa sala. Tumayo siya para salubongin ito.

"What take you too long?" She murmured as he kissed her on the cheek.

"May inayos lang Sid." He answered vaguely and went straight to her Lola. Nagmano ito sa matanda at may sinabi na hindi niya lubos na narinig. Nakita niyang tumango lamang ang kanyang Lola.

"Ate Sid..." lumapit sakanya si Rienzo at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Lumuhod siya para mapantayan ito. "Balik po kayo rito pag may free time po kayo huh." He said sadly. Hindi niya maiwasang malungkot rin sa pag alis but she needed to leave. Hindi lang sa bahay na ito umiikot ang mundo niya.

"Oo naman, if ever I'm busy. You and Lola can visit me any time in Manila right?" She said.

"Opo, magpapahatid na lang po kami kay Papa." He said innocently. Hindi niya pa nasabi rito na pwede silang magpahatid kay Zach.

"Or you can ask your Tito Zach instead, baka busy si Papa mo. Right Zach." Binalingan niya ang binata na nakatayo malapit sa kanila.

"Oo naman. Just ask me ahead of time Rienzo so I can clear my sched." Zach answered to lighten up the mood of the child.

Matapos ang paalamanan ay lumabas na sila ng bahay. Vaughn parked the car infront of the main door. Lumabas ito at pormal na ng paalam sa kanyang Lola at sa ibang tao sa bahay. Ang pamilya ni Manang Nora at naroon.

"Ate, ingat po kayo sa byahe." Thea said. Niyakap siya nito. Hinaplos  niya naman ang likod nito. "Thank you po at nakilala namin kayo." She continued in a low voice.

"Thank you din sainyo Thea. Be kind always and continue to study hard. I'll visit here more as much as I can." She answered while continue hugging her.

She walks towards the car after a few goodbyes. She felt her heart so heavy. Mabigat rin ang mga paa niyang nag lakad palapit sa sasakyan. Muli ay nilingon niya ang bahay waiting for someone to show up. Zach opened the passenger seat for her. Lumipat naman si Vaughn sa backseat. She's about to react when she heard someone calling her. Isang sasakyan ang papasok sa loob ng gate ng bahay.