The Death of Gabriel

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"How was your trip?" ang mga salitang umalingaw-ngaw sa tenga ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Gabriel.

"It was absolutely fun; I got to socialize with new folks. Marami akong na-meet na mga kabataan and I was inspired by their stories." maligayang sambit ni Faith; nakita ko ang pag-uusap nila na parang sila lang ang nasa kwartong ito.

The way they looked at each other; the way he smiles. Ngayon ko lang nakitang ngumiti si Gabriel nang ganoon. Mariin kong itinago ang isang kamay ko na kanina pa nakakuyom sa ilalim nang lamesa.

Ibinaba ko ang tingin ko sa aking plato, para mag-iwas nang tingin.

"So Avery. You are pursuing to be a nurse; first year in college, right?" tanong ni Tita Chaldelene na pumukaw sa atensiyon ko. I nod my head slowly.

"Faith here is also taking nursing; she'll be graduating this year. Balita ko'y balak mo rin daw mag-doctor." panimula ni Mamita; pakiramdam ko'y nasa hotseat ako ngayon at hinuhusgahan.

"A doctor? What kind?" Kuriosong tanong ni Cosmo his eyes bore to me; as he spoke to me with curiosity; compared to all the other Solfierno, he looks the most reserved.

"Ugh, hinde ko pa alam." I muttered shyly. I can feel their stares.

"That's okay. You still have a lot of time to figure it all out. There's no need to rush." nakangiting sambit ni Faith as she smiled at me angelically. Is it weird that her voice made me feel comfortable; she seems like a very nice person.

Nakita ko ang pag-dako nang mga mata ni Gabriel sa kinaroronan ko.

"Mamaya they will tour you around here, while we hang out with your mom." sambit ni Tita Chaldelene, nginitian ako ni mama.

"I can tour her around." sambit nang kakapasok  pa lang na binata, sa tindig pa lamang nito'y animoy nauumapaw na sa kakisigan. Lumapit ito para halikan ang pisngi nang nakakatatandang babae.

"Xerxes andito ka na pala. Where's your abuelito?" malambing na sambit ni Mamita.

"He's still in his office, he asked for Dominic's presence." sambit nito as he eyed me.

"You'll be fine." my mom mouthed re-assuringly.

Matapos kumain ay tanging kami nalang llilima ang natira, kasama nag iilang kasambahay sa kusina. Tumayo na si Earl at inilalayan ako.

"Your girlfriend? " sambit ni Xerxes. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, bahagya ko ring narinig ang pagkasamid ni Cosmo.

"Kidding." He joked.

"Stop joking around like that, Xerxes. You're freaking her out. By the way, this is Avery. Avery si Faith, kababata namin." sambit ni Earl, his dimples showing.

"Avery, pagpasensiyahan mo sila. By the way, that's Cosmo, that's Xerxes and this is Dominic." ani ni Faith.

"Nice to meet you, Avery. " boses ni Gabriel nang maglahad siya nang kamay. Umigting ang panga ko sa kaba nang magtama ang paningin namin. Vivid memories of my confessions last night hit me.

My hands are cold and slightly trembling, dahan dahan kong inabot ang mga kamay niya.

I bit my tongue, as the way he pronounced my name echoed inside my head with his tender low voice. I mentally shook my head; I need to get a hold of myself.