Three Kinds of Love (COMPLETED)

KABANATA 21

"Nasayo pa pala lahat ng yan. I remembered the last time I went here, a week before ka dumating, those we're not there," Sayoko said.

Totoo nga, dumadalaw pa rin siya dito kahit wala ako.

Nasa balcony kami ng kwarto ko habang tinatanaw naming pinaglalaruan ni Akiko ang mga stuff toys sa ibabaw ng kama ko.

"Tinago ko lahat sa cabinet," I lied.

The truth is, I brought them to US. Because those we're all important to me. It were Sayoko's gift to me, from smallest size to biggest.

"Ah, kaya siguro hindi ko nakita," simpleng sagot niya.

Then silence envaded the whole place and then he started a conversation again.

"Aki, I'm sorry."

I looked at him without any idea about what he's going to say.

"Sorry? Para saan?"

"Sa lahat lahat. For all the pain that I've caused you. I know sorry is not enough, pero kahit pang downpayment lang muna sana, sana matanggap mo."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niyang yun.

"Downpayment?" natatawang tanong ko. "So, paano yung remaining balance?" I continued with a smile.

"Patay! Napasubo ata ako, marketing student pala 'tong kausap ko, business minded. Paano ako makakalusot? Isip Kokong, mag-isip ka," kunwaring kinakausap niya ang sarili niya. Pinapanood ko lang siya habang nagpipigil ako ng tawa.

Lumapit siya sa akin ng konti at saka bumulong, "Ah eh, Madam Kikay, yung remaining balance, pag-iipunan ko po muna."

Pareho kaming natawa. Para kaming bumalik sa pagkabata.

"Friends... Again?" as he laid his hand on me.

"Friends," I nodded.

Hindi ko inaasahan ang sumunod na ginawa niya, he hugged me. I don't know what to do, I don't know if I'm going to hug him back or what.

"Hmm.. Amoy pawis kakalaro," he whispered.

Akmang itutulak ko siya using my both free hands.

"Wait wait, may nasa likod mo," he said.

Hindi ako gumalaw.

After few seconds he let go of me, and showed me a kerropi phone accessory.

"For you," he smiled and handed it to me.

"Thank you."

This time ako na ang yumakap sa kanya.

"Like it?"

"So much, thanks."

Dinner.

"Mom, where's Yaya Coring?" I asked.

"I'm jealous. Nandito na nga ako, naghahanap ka pa ng iba," Mom answered.

"Mom, hindi naman iba sa'tin si Yaya Coring. Hindi ko pa kasi siya nakita buong araw."

"I'm just kidding anak. Nag-day off, dadalawin daw yung anak niya. Babalik din bukas."

"Ah okay."

"Could you help me bring this to the dinning table?" Mom asked.

"Sure."

All is prepared, everyone is on their seats.

"Could you lead the prayer baby?" Mom asked Akiko.

"Yes yes!" Akiko looks excited to eat.

"In the name of the father, of the son and of the holy spirit," Akiko started.

Dad and Tito Greg were on both ends of the table. Magkatabi si Tita Lucy and Sayo sa isang side at kami naman nila Mom with Akiko on the other side. Magkatapat kami ni Sayoko.

"Lord, thank you for these delicious foods that Mom and Tita Lucy prepared. Bless all of us Lord; Mom, Dad, Ate, Tito Greg, Tita Lucy and Kuya Sayoko. Amen," Akiko ended.

"Okay, let's eat," Dad announced.

Ask me, anong pinakamasarap na ulam? Well, kwentuhan.

Halos buong araw na silang magkakasama pero parang hindi sila nauubusan ng kwento.

"Naaalala ko, the last time I and Greg went here was 10 years ago," simula ni Tita Lucy. "Siguro it was a week after kayo umalis papuntang US."

Halos maibuga ko ang tubig na iniinom ko.

Is Tita Lucy going to tell about what Sayoko did after we left, the same story that Yaya Coring told me?

"After we left?" parang naguguluhang tanong ni Mom.

"Mom..." Sayoko called Tita Lucy, more on, he wanted to stop his mom on continuing her story.

"Wait anak, nagkwekwento ako," suway ni Tita Lucy kay Sayoko na parang batang gustong makialam sa usapan.

Hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti ng patago sa reaksyon ng mukha niya, parang anytime gusto niya subuan ng pagkain si Tita Lucy para tumigil na sa pagkwekwento.

"Halos isang linggo kasing pabalikbalik itong si Sayoko sa bahay niyo," pagkwekwento pa rin ni Tita Lucy.

"Huh, bakit naman?" Mom asked looking at Sayoko.

Sayoko is not looking at anyone. Nakatuon ang attention nito sa kinakain.

"Then Aki's yaya, si Yaya Coring told me that Sayoko has 2 rings with him and he said to her that he's waiting for Aki to come back para itananan siya and marry her para hindi na kayo tuluyang umalis ng Pilipinas," Tita Lucy narrated.

Nabilaukan si Sayoko sa kinakain at agad siyang inabutan ng tubig ni Dad.

"Is it true, son?" Dad asked him. "Buti di ka nagmana sa Daddy mo, sumusuko agad, hindi na lumalaban."

"Hindi naman," Tito Greg defended himself then smiled.

Then they looked at me. Well, I'm not surprised. I know the story.

"I'm sorry Tito," Sayoko apologized.

"You don't have to," natatawang sagot ni Dad.

"In fact, you're the only guy I want for my daughter," Mom added.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Sayoko. Namumula siya, at feeling ko namumula din ako dahil nag-iinit ang mukha ko.

Everyone laughed.

"Tama na, namumula na ang mga bata," Tito Greg teased.

Halos hindi kami makapagsalitang dalawa. While Akiko on my side, sige lang sa pagkain.

Lucky Akiko, sugat pa lang sa tuhod ang iniiyakan.

And by the way, hindi ako nabusog.