SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

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CHAPTER 21

Pagbukas ng mga mata ni Victoria, ang wall clock agad ang nakita nya. It’s already 9:30AM. She stayed late last night. Almost midnight na nang matapos ang party kagabi. Bukod sa nagpahanda ang Daddy nya ng welcome home lunch para sa kanya, nagsilbi din itong pasasalamat sa mga supporters nito.

May dumating na local band by dinner time. Kaya habang kumakain ang mga tao, ine-enjoy din nila ang musika. Isinayaw sya ng Daddy nya at ng kapatid nyang si Conrad. May ilang kapartido ang Daddy nya na lumapit sa kanya and asked her to dance. She was already tired but she had to be polite. Ayaw nyang ipahiya ang Daddy nya. Nag-enjoy pa rin sya kahit papaano.

The bed was so soft and comfortable. Masarap rin ang lamig na dulot ng aircon kaya naman ayaw pa nyang bumangon. Isa pa, inaantok pa sya. She took one of her pillows and hugged it. Sana si Ramcel na lang ang yakap nya. Ramcel! Her mind was suddenly alert. She was about to surrender herself to sleep when she remembered her wife.

Agad syang bumangon para hanapin ang cellphone nya. Hindi nga pala nya ito natawagan or nai-text man lang pagdating nya sa Batangas. Tiyak na nag-aalala na yun. She could imagine her frowning.

Nasaan na ba ang phone nya? Wala sa bed side table. Inangat nya ang puting kumot pero wala sa kama. Wala rin sa study table na malapit sa bintana overlooking the garden. Nasa paanan pa ng kama nya ang dalawang luggage na dala nya. Hindi pa nya nailalabas ang mga gamit para ilagay sa floor to ceiling na wardrobe. Ni hindi na nya napalitan ang puting off the shoulder dress na sinuot nya kagabi sa dinner.

Nahagip ng mga mata nya ang shoulder bag nya na nasa ibabaw ng tukador. She found her cellphone inside it. Shit! Her phone was dead. Agad nyang sinaksak ang charger. She waited for few minutes before she could turn the device on.

Just like Victoria expected, ilang beses syang tinatawagan ni Ramcel kahapon. There were text messages too asking where she was. Alam nyang galit na ito pero mas nanaig ang pag-aalala. Tinawagan nya ito and Ramcel answered on the second ring. Halatang kanina pa nito hinihintay ang tawag nya.

“Baby…”

“Are you okay?” Ramcel’s voice was full of worry.

“Yes…”

“Bakit ngayon ka lang tumawag?” Napalitan na ng inis ang boses nito. “Halos mamatay na ako sa pag-aalala sayo.” Kahit alam ni Victoria na nagpipigil lang itong sigawan sya, hindi nya napigilang mapangiti. Ramcel cared about her so much. Her heart swelled with how much her wife loved her. “Kung hindi ka pa tumawag ngayon, susundan na kita dyan. I was actually about to do that last night kung hindi lang ako pinigilan ni Olivia.”

“I’m sorry, Baby,” malambing nyang sabi rito. “Please don’t be mad. I was so nervous yesterday when we arrived and then I thought it was just a simple lunch…” Kinuwento nya rito ang mga nangyari kahapon. She just omitted the conversation she had with Abby. Nagtatampo na itong hindi nya sinabi sa Daddy nya ang tungkol sa kanila at ayaw na nyang dagdagan pa.

“Just promise me not to do this again.” Kalmado na ang boses nito. She sounded tired. “You’ll give me a heart attack, Vi. Binigay ko na nga sayo ang puso ko, pahihirapan mo pa ba?”

Natawa sya. “Please, don’t ever use that line on your movies. It’s sooooo cheesy.” They both laughed. “Are you at home?”

“I’m about to go home. We were shooting the whole night and I had a meeting with Boss Roman.” Bumuntong hininga ito. That’s why she seemed drained.

“Kumain ka na ba?”

“I’ll just eat when I get home.”

“Initin mo na lang yung bulalo pag-uwi mo, Baby.” Victoria cooked for Ramcel before leaving yesterday. “Make sure na kakain ka ha. I know you,” she added sternly. Ramcel chuckled. Mas gusto kasi nitong matulog kesa kumain kahit nagugutom. “Baka magkasakit ka nyan.”