The Virgin Mother ✔

Stranded

Dalawang araw nang nakakalipas, hindi ko pa rin sinasabi kay Ivo ang sinabi ni daddy sa akin. May contact pa rin kami sa isa't-isa at nagkikita kami ng palihim.

We'd even wear hats and he'll wear his thick-rimmed glasses, then I have my mask on. Sobrang simple lang ng suot namin dahil naka-polo shirt kami at pantalon, tapos rubber shoes. No one would even mistake me as Virginia Marie, and him as Ivo Lorenzo.

"Love, why do we even have to disguise? May ginawa ba tayong masama?" Ivo asked while we're eating. This restaurant is way farther from the office and even our villa.

"N-none.. none." I absentmindedly smiled. Paano na si Angelo? Paano niya makikita ang ama niya?

"Really? At bakit itong restaurant ang pinili mo? This is far, two hours away from the city. Do you really feel alright?"

"Of course.. I am. G-gusto ko lang rin matikman ang pagkain dito. Marnie suggested me to go here since.. she went in this restaurant a month ago." Think of a better alibi, Marie!

Ivo shifted uncomfortably. Looking intently at my face. Everytime our eyes meet, I look away. "I.. I see."

Tumingin si Ivo sa relo niya. "Hmm.. it's past 9 now. Marami pa ring tao rito sa restaurant ah."

I looked around. "O-oo nga.. I think, 10 pa sila magsasara."

Ivo nodded. "Also, dalawang araw ka na ring hindi pumapasok. Is there something wrong? Kumusta na nga pala si Angelo, is he doing fine?"

Ivo is making me feel uncomfortable with his questions. "Of course.. g-gusto ka na nga niyang makita ulit. Nandun muna siya kay daddy.. siya ang naghahatid sa bata. I was just.. busy in my unit." Thinking of the things I'll do next. Kung paano kita isasalba mula sa ama ko.

"I miss him too. Why don't we hangout? Tayong tatlo ulit. Stressful sa trabaho lagi, ha." He chuckled.

"Yeah.. soon. Magugustuhan niya yun." But not daddy. "How's your mom?"

"Ayun.. I think she's doing fine. Pero hindi siya maganang kumain. Ang kulit ni mama, gusto na niyang umalis ng ospital pero ang sabi ng doktor kailangan niyang magpahinga pa. She misses Angelo, too, at syempre ikaw. Pati ang mga halaman niya sa bahay." Ivo laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes. I can still see worry in his face.

I smiled and reached for his face. "You stay strong, okay?"

A tear escaped from his left eye but he immediately wiped it. "Of course. I should be strong to protect the two women I love the most." He held my hand and kissed it.

Nakarinig kami ng kulog at bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. "Let's go?" Tanong ni Ivo. Tumango lang ako.

Medyo basa na kami ng makapasok sa loob ng kotse. Hindi rin naman kasi covered ang parking area ng restaurant.

I sighed. Ivo's the driver and I'm beside him. Ang kotse niya ang gamit namin dahil iniwan ko sa condo ang kotse ko.

Nakapikit na ako at nakasandal sa headrest habang nagbbyahe kami pauwi pero naramdaman ko ang tapik ni Ivo sa kamay ko. "Love, cars can't pass through the routes I went to. Baha kasi at malakas pa rin ang ulan."

Tumingin ako sa labas at malakas nga ang ulan. Sumilip ako sa relo ko at isang oras na pala ang nakakalipas, nakaidlip na rin ako habang nasa byahe.

"Ah.. mag-stopover na lang muna tayo at pahupain ang baha pati ulan. Malakas nga.." Ivo parked the car in an unknown space where floodwater won't reach it.