SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Reena

CHAPTER 25

“Who’s Hector?” Ramcel asked while washing her hands on the sink. Nasa restroom sila ng school at katatapos lang nilang maglinis ng classroom.

Napatingin muna sya sa reflection ni Ramcel sa salamin. Nakatuon pa rin ang tingin nito sa mga kamay. “He’s the Governor’s son. Magkapartido ang Dad nya at si Daddy. During the campaign, tumulong sya sa aming mangampanya. It’s like showing everyone that the Sebastians are supporting my Dad as the next Governor.”

“Sya yung naghatid sayo pabalik ng Manila right? Sya yung kasama mo sa coffee shop?” Nagkatinginan sila sa salamin.

Victoria nodded. Hindi nya mabasa si Ramcel. Her wife was good at hiding her feelings. Ipapakita lang nito ang nararamdaman kapag gusto nito.

“Are you close to him?”

“I can’t exactly say that. Siguro. Nakakabiruan ko sya at nakakakwentuhan. Lagi kaming magkasama during the campaign. He’s very nice. My father adored him. He got this quiet charisma that draw people to him…” Natigilan sya sa sinabi nya. She checked Ramcel’s expression but as always her wife was poker faced.

“Is he going to follow on his father’s footsteps?” Marahang winisik ni Ramcel ang mga kamay nito saka kumuha ng tissue.

“Hector is a businessman. Sabi nya, wala syang balak pumasok sa pulitika. But who knows, maybe in the future he would change his mind. Politics run in his blood,” sagot nya. “Why are you asking? Don’t tell me you’re crushing on him?” She teased.

“Baka ikaw ang may crush sa kanya, Vi.” Victoria’s heart almost stopped. Ramcel looked serious. Her grayish eyes were piercing into hers, penetrating her heart and soul. “You even forgot me when you saw him.”

“W-What are you talking about, Ram?” Sinikap ni Victoria na huwag magpakita nang kaba rito. Was she implying she liked Hector? Of course not! Iisa lang ang nagmamay-ari ng puso nya.

“I love you, Victoria more than anything or anyone else in this world,” she whispered looking away from Victoria. Her eyes’ softened, she suddenly looked vulnerable. Then her eyes’s expression changed into something Victoria couldn’t exactly describe. Determination? Possessiveness? She wasn’t sure. “I wont let you go that easy. I won’t let just anyone take you away from me.”

“Ram, what are you saying?”

Ramcel’s face darkened. Hinarap sya nito at mataman syang tinignan sa mga mata nya. “What I’m saying is that I don’t want you getting close to Hector. I don’t like him at all.”

“Are you jealous of him?” Of course, Ramcel was jealous, pagalit nyang sabi sa sarili. Hindi ito sumagot. Victoria gently caressed her wife’s face. “Kabigan ko lang si Hector. Wala kang dapat ipagselos dahil mahal kita.” Kinabig nya ito saka ginawaran ng halik sa labi. Ramcel was stiffed at first then responded eventually. “I love you, Baby.”

“I love you too.” Ngumiti na ito.

“Babalik ka sa Friday ha,” Victoria reminded Ramcel bago ito umalis kasama ni Olivia. Mananatili ang ibang volunteers ng The 11 Foundation sa Batangas. May nirentahan ang mga itong bahay na tutuluyan para hindi na magpabalik-balik from Manila to San Vicente ang mga ito araw-araw.