Sad to Belong

Chapter 42

            

"So 'yun nga, nag-promise sakanya si Uncle Russ. One summer noong nagbakasyon muli rito sila Uncle Russ, hindi niya na nakita pa sila Auntie. Nawala ng bigla ang kanilang pamilya and no one knew where they went. It was a secret information dahil may naka-away raw ang Mayor kaya nag-resign siya saka isinama sila Auntie. Wala pang mga cellphone noon kaya wala silang means of communication. Ni hindi rin alam ni Uncle kung saan sila Auntie lumipat kaya hindi niya rin masulatan. He was definitely devastated at mas lumala pa 'yung summer na 'yun para sa kanya dahil namatay ang kanyang lola na nasa Amerika kaya napauwi sila kaagad roon. After few years, Uncle Russ became an ophthalmologist. Then one time, Auntie was rushed to the hospital due to a high fever, somewhere in San Francisco and apparently, it's where Uncle works too. Noong time na iyon, may nag-offer sa mama ni Auntie na may free consultation daw sa eyesight doon mismo sa hospital. Of course, her mum took the opportunity lalo na at libre. Mabuti nalang at mababait raw ang mga doctor kaya sila na ang nagbisita sa room ni Auntie. You see, Uncle Russ has never met Auntie's mum before so he's no idea who they were. And you know what's the most amazing thing about that incident?" tanong ng dalaga saka napatingin sa binata. He's intently looking at her kaya't biglang napatingin ang dalaga sa ibang direksyon.

"What?"

"The moment he saw them, Uncle Russ offered to operate on her and pay for all of the expenses once they find a perfect donor. Mabuti nalang raw at may tsansa pa'ng makakita si Auntie. Syempre, tuwang-tuwa ang mag-ina. Few months after the surgery, Uncle Russ introduced Auntie Heartelle and her mum to his parents.  Naging mabuting magkaibigan ang kanilang mga magulang lalo na't silang dalawa nalang ang naiwan matapos mamatay ang stepfather ni Auntie dahil sa pneumonia. Auntie was invited over for a dinner one night at Uncle Russ' place and everyone was present. They all talked about everything at doon na nalaman ni Uncle Russ na si Auntie Heartelle at ang Ellie na naging kaibigan at pinangakuang tutulungan niya ay iisa lang. After that, they became even closer and eventually married each other. Umuwi sila rito saka naman binili ni Uncle Russ ang tableau beach na 'to sa kapatid ng stepfather ni Auntie saka nagpatayo ng bahay."

"Wow, so he named it after her because this is where they first met! Right?" seryosong tanong ng binata

"Of course, Pierce." She smiled to him.

"So tell me, how did your mum know all these? And why are you calling them Auntie and Uncle? Are you related to them?" tanong ng binata. Kanina niya pa itong gustong itanong ngunit ayaw niya namang putulin ang dalaga sa pagkukwento.

 

"Well, Mum is Auntie Heartelle's best friend. They met each other in America, weeks after they arrived there. Magkapit-bahay lang sila."

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"Grabe ang saya pala rito! Lagi kasi kami ng iba kong mga tropa sa kabilang City kaya na-miss naming puntahan 'to." Sabi ni Riordan sa mga kaibigan nangayo'y umpisa ng tinatamaan ng alak.

"Yeah, it's definitely fun here I must say. Cheers!" Ryder agreed saka nakipag-cheers sa mga kaibigan. Masaya siya't kasama niya ang kanyang mga malalapit na kaibigan ngayong summer. Last time kasi ay hindi sila masyadong nakapag-bonding dahil sa kani-kanilang mga responsibilidad. Mabuti na lamang ay pinayagan siya ng kanyang ina na manatili rito sa Pinas kesa sa sumama sa kanilang bakasyon sa Maldives. Gustong-gusto niya rin sanang sumama kaso naisip niyang bibigyan niya nalang ng pagkakataong magsama ang kanyang mga magulang doon. To "rekindle their love", corny as it may sound to him. Ang tagal niya na kasing napapansin na parehong subsob ang mga ito sa trabaho. They needed it and besides, masaya naman siyang naisipan nila E.J at Blaise na mag-outing kasama ang iba pa nilang mga kaibigan at lalung-lalo na, na kasama pa nila si Zayelee at Saige—a new addition to their circle. He must admit, it's happier na kasama nila ang dalawang dalaga. He likes having them around dahil hindi ito kagaya ng ibang babae na ang iingay at sobrang wild. Saige is in between that but nothing they can't handle. Habang si Zayelee naman kung minsan ay may sariling mundo. But he can totally understand that mending a broken heart can sometimes make you a quiet person.