A Letter of Promise

Chapter 13

"Who is it?" Ria held Fervs hand that made Fervs divert his attention to that sudden move of her.

"I'm not yet sure, and the investigation is still on process. But it's clear that it will lead to someone." Fervs right hand held her hand that held his left hand.

"Kahit na hindi pa sigurado, the investigation leads to him or her anyway! Just tell me so I could asked our men to look into it too!" Ria tightened her grip on his hand.

Nang umiling ito ay mas hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa kamay nito at lumapit pa lalo.

"Tell me....please." Nanghihinang pakiusap ni Ria kay Fervs.

"A kiss will make me tell you who it is."

Ria forcefully took her hands off of him. And then she punched his chest, na hindi naman ininda nito.

"See! You're playing games! So where's the 'I won't play you' line of yours!? Making lies just for a kiss? Umuwi kana Alegre.Wala kang maloloko rito." Tumayo siya at akmang tatalikuran na ito nang pigalan muli siya ng lalake.

"Hey"
Mabilis niyang kinalas ang pagkakahawak nito sa braso niya at iniwan na ito.

Kamuntik nang sumigaw si Ria sa gulat ng makabanggaan sila ng ate niyang si Clea.

"A-ate!"
Nautal dahil sa kaba at gulat ngunit mabilis ngumiti para pagtakpan ang hiya sa nagging reaksyon niya.

"Ria, kanina pa kita hinahanap. Where have you been?" Naka-kunot noong tanong buti.

"I was outside." Itinuro pa niya ang eskinitang pinanggalingan nang lumabas naman bigla si Fervs.

"I just said you go out for formality, akala ko naman ay itinaboy mo." Bulong nito sa kaniya na tila ba may alam ito na itinatago nila.

"I was with him." Napayuko siya at kinagat ang labi.

Nagtataka naman si Fervs sa nadatnan. He gave her, her phone.

What a move!
She cursed inside her head.

"I'll head out, I'll come back tomorrow. Miss Clea, my deepest condolences." Mabilis nitong pinaglandas ang kamay sa likod niya at humalik sa kaniyang pisngi na ikinagulat niya. Tila normal iyon kay Fervs dahil matapos ang halik sa pisngi at kaunting paghagod sa kaniyang likod ay tuloy tuloy na itong lumabas at hindi na lumingon pa.

What happened?

Clea dragged her inside their father's chapel and forcefully made her sit in front where the family should sit.

"I told you to go outside not because I want you to have a couple time, by the way are you two a couple?" Nalilitong bulong nito pero bakas ang galit sa tinig nito.

"Ate no. And please stop. We're in front of papa. We're not a couple." Pagtatapos niya ngunit muli itong nagtanong.

"And what is with the kiss on the cheek and 'I'll come back tomorrow' of that man?"

"Ate, I said stop. There's nothing between us."
Inirapan pa niya ang kapatid at iniwan ito para salubungin ang kapatid ng ama na kasalukuyang congressman ng lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija.

"If you say so. You can't hide it anyway." Nagkibit ito ng balikat at inasikaso na ang mga iba pang nagsidatingan mga politiko at dating politiko.

True enough, the next day Fervs came.

"Hey, can I sit here or we will play hide and seek again with your sister?" Bulong nito sa kaliwang tainga niya.

"Fervs, it's my father's last day, so please go home. This is not a playground."