Can You Keep A Secret?

Years

Its been 10 years since I left the Philippines and now I'm here again.

"Rence! Where the hell are you?!" Sigaw ng isang babae. I chuckled. Sinuot ko and shades ko at lumabas ng airport.

"Nandito na po. Itong buntis na ito." Komento ko. Nasa labas sina Jim at Andrea, inaantay ang pagdating ko. Hindi pa naman ako nakakalapit nang husto ay lumapit na si Andrea at binigyan ako ng isang mabigat na hampas.

"Kung hindi pa kami ikakasal ni Jim hindi ka uuwi! I hate you." Lintanya niya. Tumawa ako at niyapos ko siya. Maliit pa rin at walang pinagbago.

"Yeah, I missed you, too." Sagot ko. Kumalas siya ng yakap sakin at nag punta kay Jim.

"Manong! I hate his face, alisin mo sya sa harapan ko." Ngumiwi si Jim at humarap sakin. Nag kibit balikat ako at ngumisi sa kanya.

"Is that what you called pregnancy hormones? Kanina lang you can't wait to see him and now you want him out. Saan lulugar si Lawrence sayo?" Reklamo ni Jim. Nagpadjak si Andrea bago naunang umalis sa amin. Humalakhak ako at sinundan si Andrea.

"Welcome home, Bro." Tinapik ako sa balikat ni Jim. Ngumisi ako sa kanya at tumango.

"Here is your condo. Inayos ko yan, may pagkain na diyan at mga kaylangan mo. You can call a room service if you need more." Wika ni Andeng na makarating kami sa tutuluyan ko pansamantala. I murmured my thanks bago inikot ang paningin. The interior shouts for manly aura.

"I hate that you bought a condo for just 1 week vacation, pwede ka naman samin." Irap ni Andeng.

"Ayokong magising sa madaling araw at pabilhin mo nang kung ano ano. I heard that when a woman is 3 months pregnant will be craving for non existing foods and being moody." Sagot ko. Inirapan niya lang ako bago pabagsak na naupo sa sofa ko.

"Careful! Besides, ipagbebenta ko din ito pag katapos kong gamitin." Wika ko at naupo sa tabi niya. I'm tired. 23 hours straight flight is really exausting.

"You don't want to stay here, Rence?" She asks quietly. I closed my eyes and have a deep breathe.

"I can't, I have lots to do in America. One of our branch in Arizona is in risk of bankruptcy. I need to handle that." I aswered her. Huminga siya ng malalim at hinilig ang ulo sa balikat ko.

"You can, but you won't." Ngumiti ako at hindi na nagsalita. My flar is silent. No one is talking. She sighed and looked at me.

"What will you do if you saw her? Hindi mo yun maiiwasan. She's my maid of honor." Her eyes are full of worried. I smiled and held her face.

"I'll be fine."

"You really don't want an update?" Umiling ako at sumandal ng maayos sa sofa. I stop asking about Zenaida 9 years ago nang sagutin niya si Anton. I know hindi siya pababayaan ni Anton.

"You know, she's really beautiful now. Halos lahat ng lalaki lumilingon pag dadaan siya." She said.

"I know that. We've been friends since we were young." Sagot ko. Pumikit ako and let myself drift into my own darkness. When I opened my eyes, wala na akong kasama. Inu-nat unat ko ang leeg ko dahil nangalay. I wonder to my kitchen to get something to eat. Alam ko naman na nilagyan na ni Andeng ang ref ko ng pagkain.

I found a mac and cheese and bring it to the oven. Habang nag papainit ng pagkain ay kumuha ako ng gatas. I still have 6 days to go before going home. I fished my phone and dialed Jim's number.

"Yes?" A professional voice answered.

"Hi, I'm Lawrence, Jim's friend. Can I talk to him?" A minute or two pass but the other line is still not talking.