SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Garden

CHAPTER 27

Natatawa na lamang si Victoria nang panay ang kausap ni Maristela kay Ramcel nang makarating silang lahat sa bahay ng Daddy nya. Kung anu-anong tinatanong ng kapatid na sinasagot naman ng asawa nya. Victoria had to pull Ramcel away from her sister. Halos pandilatan na nya si Maristela na tigilan na ang kakatanong. Kulang na lang pati suking tindahan itanong nito.

“Why don’t we all wash up so we can have dinner after?” Victoria suggested. Kumportableng nakaupo ang mga kaibigan nya sa sala habang nagku-kwentuhan. Umirap pa sa kanya si Maris dahil in-interrupt nya ang usapan nila ni Ramcel. “Maris, ikaw na ang bahala sa kanila.”

“Yes, ate.” Maristela’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. Kulang na lang may kasama itong eye rolling.
Hinila na nya si Ramcel paakyat ng kwarto nya. She kissed her as soon as her bedroom door was locked. It was slow and sweet. Victoria wanted to relish the moment with Ramcel. Sana maramdaman nitong mahal nya ito.

Humiga muna sila habang magkayakap. Isiniksik ni Victoria ang sarili nya sa leeg ni Ramcel habang mahigpit syang nakayapos rito. They just quietly held each other until Ramcel fell asleep out of exhaustion.

Dahan-dahan syang bumangon para maligo. She took her time taking a bath. The warm water soothed her bodypain. Brigada Eskuwela was finally over. It was exhausting but she had fun.

Almost an hour din sya sa bathroom. Himbing pa rin sa pagtulog si Ramcel. Natutukso syang magbihis na lang ng pajama, tabihan ito at matulog din pero nagpahanda ng dinner ang Daddy nya para sa mga kaibigan.

She put on a simple white sleeveless blouse, skirt and strap on sandals. She sprayed herself with Incanto Shine. She tied her wavy hair on a ponytail. Victoria sat beside Ramcel then bended to kiss her lips. “Wake up, Baby.”

Ramcel opened her eyes then smiled when she she saw Victoria. “Why am I seeing an angel? Did I die?”

Victoria laughed. “Kulang ka lang sa ligo.” She gave Ram a quick kiss. “Get up and take a shower. We’ll have dinner after.”

Ramcel pulled her for another kiss. “Care to join me in the shower?” Seductive smile was on her lips.

Victoria was tempted but she had to resist. “Nope.” Ramcel pouted.

“Are you sure?” Ramcel asked before going in the bathroom.

“Yes,” Victoria said.

“Your lost,” nang-aasar pang sabi ni Ramcel bago ito pumasok sa banyo.

Victoria wasn’t aware at that time, it was a mistake not joining Ramcel in the shower. It’s one of her many mistakes that she’d do from that night.

Lumabas sya nang kwarto and took her cellphone with her. Nagsend sya ng message sa Mama nya. She told her mother she’d call her tomorrow. Miss na rin nya ito. Next year pa kasi ito makakasunod sa Pilipinas.

Pumunta sya sa kusina para tumulong sa paghahanda pero sinaway sya ni Tita Connie. Ito na daw ang bahala tutal marami silang kasambahay na tutulong. Babalik na sana sya sa kwarto nya nang magsend ng text message si Hector.

Nandito ako sa garden. Pwede ba kitang makausap? Importante lang.

Ayan na naman ang awtomatikong pagbilis ng tibok ng puso nya. Her brain told her not to go but her body didn’t listen. Hindi pa naman lumalabas ang mga kaibigan at hindi pa tapos si Ramcel kaya bumaba sya ng bahay. She kept forbidding herself to go but her legs kept walking until she reached the landscaped garden.

Lumubog na pala ang araw at madilim na ang paligid pero may liwanag sa garden na nagmumula sa mga ilaw na nakapaligid rito. In full bloom ang mga orchids, roses at sunflowers na syang kapansin-pansin sa hardin.