Silent Tears

chapter 20

He decided to give a call to the old couple Montrero and meet them at some fancy restaurant.  It's been months already since he and their daughter worked under same building.  He wanted to start fresh and be everything clear enough before pushing through his intentions.  He is not getting any younger at all so maybe this step would be a good start for both of them.  He have waited long enough and he will not let this chance pass.  Definitely not for sure he smiled to himself with that thought.  He may have been with his share of women for his biological needs but this time,  he wanted to fill what his heart truly needs.
It's nearly fifteen minutes before the agreed time if their meet-up when he arrived.
"Reservation for Mr. and Mrs. Montrero?" He asked the receptionist of the restaurant.
"Hi sir Daniel,  good evening sir!"  the manager appeared from behind.  She knows him since he is the co-owner of this restaurant together with his friend expert in culinary.  He loves to invest in business of his friends. 
"Andyan na ba sila?" He asked.
"You just in time sir.  Kadarating lang po nila."  She cheerfully smiled as she guided him to their reserved table
"Okay"  as he followed.
Kaagad niya napansin ang mag-asawa na walang kupas ka ka-sweetan.  Sana maging katulad din kami ni Cassy dito sa mga parents nila.  Not that his parents are not sweet of each other.
"Thank you." He said to the manager and the other excused herself. 
Food is already served on the table.
"Good evening po tito, tita." He greeted at nagmano din siya sa kanila.
"Looks like this is something serious iho." Cassy's dad finally spoke as they started eating.
He just smiled at them.
"Later.  Lets just eat now." Said the wife. 
He would comment the crew for the delicious food and good service.
The wined was served son enough they finised eating.
"Tito, di na po ako magpaligoy ligoy pa.  Cassy and I will be attending the conference for five days.  Gusto ko sana ipaalam sa inyo ang balak kong panliligaw sa anak po ninyo." panimula niya.  Tinatago kung ano man kabang kanyang naramdaman ngayon.
"Naku naman Daniel.  Kala ko p naman hihingiin mo na ang kamay ni Cassandra at kayo'y magpakasal na."  Tito Ali jokingly said as he drinks his wine.
"Soon enough tito.  Manliligaw pa po ako eh" he replied  with hope.
"Abah bilis bilisan mo na at matatanda na kami."  He is glad na magkasundo sila ng daddy ni Cassandra.  Advantage yun sa kanya.
"Puro ka biro Alejandro."  The wife cut in.
"Daniel iho,  may i remind you that Cassandra is no longer a little girl you used to tame.  She has now become a strong, self-made woman.  With all the success she has and a strong facade, she is still vulnerable.  She need someone to hold on no matter how she denied it.  Malaki ang epekto na pagkahiwalay ninyo noon." panimulang sabi ng ginang.   Hinawakan siya sa kamay na parang may ipinaintindi sa kanya.  Nababahala man ngunit buo ang loob niyang kunin ulit si Cassandra.  Kung kinakailanga  niya buong buhay suyuin ang malugod niyang gagawin. 
"But she became a strong woman that she is now and I'm so proud of her.  Don't I'll stick to my word.  Maaayos din kayong dalawa.  Alam kong mahal ka parin niya-"
"Teka,  may alam ka ba sa pagkalayo nila dati?" Naguguluhang tanong ng asawa nito.
"Naku Alejandro, wag ka na makigulo.  Para naman yun sa ikabubuti ng anak mo.  That time,  established na si Daniel tapos may pangarap pa anak mo. I asked permission from Daniel na naintindihan naman niya." mariing sabi ng ginang sa asawa niya na ikinatawa na lang niya. 
"Kelan ang flight niyo?" tanong ni tito Ali.
"Bukas po ng madaling araw.  We will take via jet po.  Susunduin ko po siya."
"Okay.  Good.  Good." tito Ali nooded.
It didn't take them to finish their conversation since maaga ang alis nila  Cassandra kinabukasan.

Alas kwatro pa lang ng madaling araw ng matagpuan ni Cassandra sa labas ng condo niya si Daniel clad in white v-neck leather jacket and blue jeans.  His footwear is black leather shoes with holes.
He looks so fresh and good-looking.  Sinfully handsome.  He was about to knock when she opened the door pulling her trolley bag.
"Hi good morning hon." He greeted with his husky voice.  He moves to kiss her temple.  So sweet gesture that she closed her eyes due to the intensity of her feeing.  She is actually so suprised to find him just outside her place, fetching her.  Kikiligin ba ako?  Naku Cassandra mag-iingat ka sa gwaponga yan.  Mahaba pa naman ang limang araw na pagsasama niyo para bumigay ka kaagad.  Puso,  kumalma ka please.
His smile shows his perfectly set of teeth at parang nahulog yata ang puso niya sa sobrang kaba.  Naku! Naku!
"Ano ba Daniel, huwag mo nga ako matawag tawag niyan at di tayo.  Okay?"  She arched her brow at him.  Ke aga-aga,  panira ka ng mood.  Asus kinikilig ka naman, aminin mo.
"Hon,  tayo naman di ba?  Hindi naman tayo naghiwalay." Sabay kuha sa trolley bag niya. 
"Heh! Matagal na tayong hiwalay kaya wag kang OA dyan."
"We may have physically be away but we never parted ways."  He said as he pressed the ground floor button.
"Ewan ko sa iyo Daniel.  Magulo kang kausap alam mo ba yun?"  still ignoring him.
He moved closer as he hold on her waist and pulled her closer.
"I am glad you are with me now, hon.  I missed you damn much!"
he whispered.  He kissed her head as he sniffed on her hair.  She just stared at the moving number of the elevator going down.  Flow of emotion started to afloat,  she thought it was already burried for a long time.  Tears started to form from the corner of her eyes.  She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and hold back the tears from falling.  Hope she'll make it.