The Kings' Haven: Julian Razon

Chapter Four

NIYAKAP ni Julian ang pinsan niyang si Joaquin nang makita niya ito sa Sereno. Mahigit dalawang taon silang hindi nagkitang mag-pinsan. Kagaya niya ay ginugugol din nito ang lahat ng oras nito sa trabaho.

"I cannot imagine I will see you this soon," anito.

They had the perfect spot in Sereno. May mga spot sa coffee shop na iyon na sadya para sa mga friendly business meetings. "Just got lucky. I have been longing for this vacation. What's up?"

Tinignan niya ito. Joaquin really changed a lot. From his aura to his lifestyle. Ang kilala niyang Joaquin ay isang careless at happy-go-lucky. Hindi ito nagpapadikta sa pamilya nito. Pangarap lang nito noong maging isang bokalista ng isang banda. But it was all changed.

Nagkibit balikat lamang ito. "Well, since you left I had a boring and hectic life. Very."

"It suits the age," biro niya rito.

"If I could just stay on my twenties. I could live forever," Joaquin handed over to him the menu.

"Twenties? During those days when you were so in love? When you just wanted one thing?"

Saksi siya sa masasaya at malulungkot na bahagi ng buhay nito. Mula pagkabata ay magkasangga na sila. Mas kasundo pa siya nito kaysa sa nakatatandang kapatid nito na si Josiah. Joaquin was the total opposite of his brother. Josiah was serious, quiet and conscious who always wanted to please its father. Money and power were all Josiah wanted.

While Joaquin only wanted Inna. Nasa secondary school pa lamang yata sila ay magkasintahan na ang dalawa. Kung hindi siya nagkakamali ay kulang sampung taon ang relasyon ng mga ito. Inna was the perfect woman for him and so Joaquin.

Isa siya sa mga taong masaya para sa mga ito. Ngunit hindi niya makakalimutan ang unang beses niyang makitang umiyak ang pinsan niya. Inna ran away from him. And, that destroyed every piece of him.

How he wanted to be with Joaquin during its dark days. But, it was Joaquin who shut all people out. He chose to stay before but he needed to go to France. Kahit malayo siya rito ay lagi niya itong kinukumusta. Sa sampung direct messages yata na pinadala niya rito ay isa lamang ang sinagot nito.

Alam niyang hindi naging madali ang lahat para rito. Naroong naging alcoholic ito. Pabalik-balik din ito sa ospital dahil sa hindi nito pagkain at hindi pagtulog ng sunod-sunod na araw.

"I would really appreciate if taking back the memories from the past is not a part of your itinerary." He saw a glimpse of emotions on his face. Mukha kasing na-master na nito ang pagiging poker face.

"What? Unless you haven't moved on?" He played cool. Binaling niya ang atensyon sa menu. Gutom na rin kasi siya.

"O-Of course I did. Look at me now. I am living my life. Maganda ang takbo ng kompanya ko," pagmamalaki nito.

"If you say so."

"What the heck? When did you become a bully, Jul?" kinamot nito ang sentido.

"Bagay ba? Mag-order na tayo. Mukhang mas sumarap pa ang pagkain dito. I must say, dito nga pala ako umorder noong bagong dating ako."

"Syempre. There is no single regret here in Kings' Haven. Do not leave until you try all the restaurants here. I know you have tasted the best dishes in France but trust me, the best of the best ang mga pagkain dito. "

Iyon talaga ang plano niya. "I will never miss it."

Lumapit ang isang ordertaker sa table nila. Pamilyar ito. "Good evening, Sir Joaquin. Welcome back, Sir Julian. May I have your order po?"