Those Memories

Twenty-Two - Dinner

"F-U-E-N-T-A-B-E-L-L-A!" mahina ngunit mariing sabi ni Ali. "WHERE IS MY CARRIE?!"

Nailayo ni Kyle ang hawak na cellphone mula sa tenga nang isigaw nito ang huling sinabi.

Oh, she's mad, he thought while staring at his phone. She's going to kill me. I know it.

Humugot muna siya ng malalim na paghinga bago itinapat ulit ang cellphone sa tenga.

"Pres, easy," sinabi niya upang pakalmahin ito.

"EASY?! It's already 7:00 pm and she's still not here! What have you done to her?!"

"Relax, we are just—"

"No. Return her to us immediately," she strongly commanded.

"Pres, can you please just listen?"

Narinig niya ang pagbuntong-hininga nito sa kabilang linya. "Fine."

"Okay. Papa invited her to dinner. Kadarating niya lang kasi galing Australia. Pagkatapos ng dinner, I'll bring her back to the dorms. I promise," pagpapaliwanag niya dito.

Matagal bago niya narinig ulit ang boses nito. "Alright. I'm sorry. It's just that we can't reach her phone. We're all worried for her," mahinahon na itong magsalita. "Just bring her back safely."

"Don't worry, Pres. I will."

Narinig naman niya ang ingay ng mga kaibigan nito sa background.

"Ali, what did he say? Is Rii alright?" said one voice behind Ali.

"Yes. They are just having dinner," she replied. Si Kyle naman ang kinausap nito. "Okay, Kyle. Both of you, take care on your way back. Bye."

"Bye," at ibinaba na nito ang tawag.

He turned and walked back to the dining area. His father was already seated at the edge of the table, smiling as the food are being prepared in the table. Excitement can be seen on his face as Carrie puts down a big bowl together with the others.

Pagkatapos mailapag ang lahat ng pagkain ay nagsialisan na ang mga tagapagluto at pinaupo na ng kanyang ama si Carrie. Nang makita siya ng dalawa ay nginitian siya ng mga ito.

"Son, let's eat," tawag ng ama sa kanya.

Naupo na din siya. Magkatapat sila ngayon ni Carrie gaya noong nananghalian sila kanina.

"Hmm. Matagal-tagal na rin akong hindi nakakatikim nito," sabi ni Raul na ang tinutukoy ay ang luto ni Carrie. "Thanks for this, Carrie."

"Walang anuman po, Sir Raul. Pagpapasalamat ko na din po iyan sa inyo sa lahat ng nagawa ninyo para sa akin. Kulang pa nga po iyan sa lahat ng naitulong ninyo. Maraming salamat po," sabi ni Carrie dito habang nakayuko.

"Oh, Carrie. You do not have to repay me for anything. I'm just glad that I could help young people like you. And you've come this far, Carrie. I'm so proud of you," he's smiling while saying that.

Tinanguan lang ito ni Carrie at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Binalingan naman si Kyle ng ama.

"Sino 'yong kausap mo kanina? I noticed that it's kinda loud over there."

"It's Carrie's friends," he said and looked at the young girl in front of him. "Hindi ka daw nila ma-contact."

Bigla namang tumigil sa pagkain si Carrie at hinugot ang cellphone mula sa bulsa ng kanyang jeans. Tinitigan niya ito bago nagsalita.

"Empty na pala ang battery ko. Sermon na naman ang aabutin ko kina Ali."

"They were all worried. Pres even shouted at me accusingly," he chuckled. "Palagi na lang niya akong pinagdududahan. I don't know what's her deal but she trusts me in so many things except if it concerns you. She thinks I might do something terrible."