One Roof

Chapter 31

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CARL'S POV

Two days after brawling at each other I heard Jo talking on the phone when I passed by her room. It was her kuya Marvin. I can hear her talking since her bedroom door is partly opened.

Moments later, lumabas ito ng room niya nakabihis and while she was still putting on her jacket I immediately walk towards her to stop her.

She hurriedly walk. Halos lagpasan na 'ko nito habang sinusubukan kong harangin siya.

"Gabi na. Saan ka pupunta?"

"Uuwi ako ng Nueva Ecija. 11 pm pa naman ang last trip." Nagmamadali niyang sabi but I  blocked her way with my right arm.

"Kakatawag lang ni Marvin sa kin. And he asked me to stop you."

"No. Baka kung ano ang mangyari sa lolo. I need to be on his side. Kapag may sakit siya ako ang gusto niyang nagaasikaso sa kanya."

"Nope. im not going to allow you."

"Palabasin mo ko!" She angrily said but she sounded more like begging.

And she started to cry a river while wrestling with me. "Carl!"

"Uuwi ako. Ano ba!" She wailed beseechingly.

I instantly confined her in my arms. And after losing all her strength, she rested her head on my shoulder like a little child to their parents when seeking for comfort.

My hands instatly rubbed her back like they have mind of their own that I was surprised myself to realized what Im doing.

"We'll be there in the morning. I promise." What I said was even more surprising.

So, kinaumagahan nga bumibiyahe na kami. Dilat na dilat si Jolina habang ako ay hikab ng hikab.

Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala nito.

My hands grabbed her left hand resting on her lap.

"Everything will be fine." I said to comfort her.

Pero sa totoo lang nagugulat ako sa mga pinagagawa ko.

Nang makarating kami sa hospital kung saan naka-confine si tatay Angel ang lolo ni Jolina, kami parehas ang nagulat at nagkatinginan nang isang masigla at masayahing lolo ang naabutan namin.

"Ang mga apo ko." Nakangiti ito habang nakastretched ang mga braso na naghihintay ng yakap mula sa amin.

Kaagad kaming lumapit at masayang masaya kaming niyakap nito.

"Nang malaman ko kay Marvin kagabi na dadalaw kayo parang sumigla ako." Masayang sabi ni lolo Angel.

Jolina sat on the side of tatay Angel's bed facing him. Ako naman I just stood by her side.

"Ano bang nangyari tay? Baka naman kasi nagpasaway kayo?!" Nagtatampong tanong ni Jolina na hawak ang kamay ng lolo nito.

As I heard her I was surprised again to see my hands comfortably rested on Jolina's shoulder. Gusto kong bawiin but they even pressed her shoulders.

I fidgeted a little when she turned and gave me a sad smile.

Goodness! Why do I feel like embracing her?

What's the matter with me? Why this past few days I have formed a habit of becoming so touchy towards her?

I rubbed my nape with my right hand. Aalisin ko na sana ang left hand ko but she took it and pressed it.

With that my heartbeat raced instantly and I hardly breathe.

Stop! I commanded my heart.

I felt her grip loosen kaya ako ang naghigpit ng hawak sa kamay niya.

"Masaya ako nandito kayo!" Lolo Angel suddenly caught our attention

"Angelita, tingnan mo itong dalawa at napaka sweet magkatabi na magka holding hands pa." Lolo said to his daughter, mama Angelita.

Ngumiti lang kami parehas.

"Haay! Lalo ninyong pinasasaya ang lolo nyo n'yan."

"E magkakaapo na ba ko sa tuhod?" Biglang tanong ni tatay Angel.

"'TAY!" Sabay na sigaw ng mag-ina.

"Tay, ano ba 'yan?! Ang babata pa niyan!" Pahabol na sigaw ng mama ni Jo.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Jolina and she took her hand from mine.

"Hindi tay ha! Grabe! Ayokong papasok ako ng eskwela e bundat yung tyan ko." Biro nito.

"Oo nga lolo e. Hayaan ninyo pagka-graduate siguro ni Leng." I said calling her in the name her family is calling her as a form of their endearment.

And I was stunned again.

She looked at me and smiled.

Something suddenly skipped inside me.

I sat beside her.

"Sinabi mo yan ha, Carl! Aasahan ko 'yan."

"Yes 'lo, promise 'yan." Sabi ko while leaning on Jolens back, resting my head on her right shoulder.

"Hay sana buhay pa 'ko no'n."

"Tay!" Saway ni Jolina.

Pero hindi siya pinansin nito.

"Angelita tingnan mo yung anak mo at manugang mo. Di ba't nakakatuwa?"

Nahiya akong bigla kaya inangat ko ang ulo ko from Jolina's shoulder.

But my left hand draped instantly on her shoulder.

Hey Carl! Wake up! My mind muttered.

Why am I like this to her today?

JOLINA'S POV

We went home after spending a day with tatay Angel. I took care of him habang si mama umuwi muna sa bahay. Si Carl naman ang katuwang ko. He was the one who've bought and prepared our food. But I noticed he suddenly became quiet.

Although, at times he'd threw jokes at my lolo but for the most hours he had spent it lying on the couch napping.

Kahit nanag umuwi na kami during the travel I could count how many times he had talked to me. Until we arrived home and went on our separate bed.

That night after visiting tatay Angel from the hospital, hindi ako kaagad nakatulog kaya naglagay na lang ako ng earphone sa tenga at saka nakinig na lang ng music.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko maintindihan at 'di ko maipaliwanag ang lungkot na bumabalot sa akin ngayon.

"Bakit???"

"Ano ba besh? Why so sad?" I muttered.

Pinalitan ko na lang ng masayang music ang pinakikinggan ko. Mas lalo kasi akong nasa-sad sa love song.

I sat on my bed quietly staring at the door.

I don't know why...

Maybe somehow I was hoping he'd appear and speak a little. I wish.

I could only wish...