The Unconditional Love (JuliElmo)

Chapter 31

<Julie’s POV>

Both my mom and my dad were happy to see me. Sinadya ni Dad na late pumasok ng office because he knew I was coming.

And now that kami na lang ni Mama ang nasa bahay, madami kaming napagkwentuhan, hanggang sa napunta ang topic kay Lo.

“She’s coming home tonight. Do you want to join us?”

“Actually marami pa kong gagawin so kailangan ko na ring umalis.” I lied.

“If this is about–“

“Ma, kung wala lang akong work syempre I’ll join you. But my work is important too, alam niyo po yan.”

Napatango na lang si Mama. Alam kong sesermonan lang niya ako at sasabihan na kapatid ko pa rin siya at fours na rin ang nagdaan. Pero ayoko talaga siyang makita, okay?

Tumayo na ako at nagpaalam kay Mama, malapit na ring gumabi.

“Are you sure na hindi ka na talaga sasabay saamin?”

Tumango ako, “Yes Ma.”

Then nagyakapan na kami and nagpaalam na ko.

.

What’s worse than eating alone? Nothing. And I hate it. Pero wala akong choice, kailangan kong kumain dahil I need energy for tomorrow’s meeting.

Suddenly my phone rings and uminom muna ko ng water then I reached for my phone. Nawala na sa isip ko na tignan kung sino ung tumawag.

“Hello?”

“Julie!” Narecognize ko naman agad ung boses niya.

“Makasigaw lang, Den?”

“Sorry, so kumain ka na ba? Eight na.”

Tumango ako as if namang nakikita niya ko, “Wag ako ang intindihin mo, e ikaw ba kumain na?”

“Nope. Kakatapos ko lang magwork. Speaking of work, mukhang magtatagal ako dito sa Cebu so hindi kita masasamahan bukas sa meeting. You’re on your own, will you be okay?”

“Hey, go grab something to eat. Baka magkasakit ka niya. And kaya ko na sarili ko noh,. 23 na kaya ako. E si Ms. Beth, where is she?”

“Mayroon siyang ibang business na aasikasuhin eh. So you’re really on your own.”

“Den, is it weird to feel nervous? Kasi feeling ko may mangyayari bukas eh, kakaiba ung pakiramdam ko.”