Avalanche

(AVALANCHE) TWENTY SIX

NATATAWANG dumampot si Gibbson ng fries mula sa kanyang plato at binato 'yon kay Stavs. Tumama ito sa mukha ni Stavs kaya naman dumapot rin siya mula sa sariling plato para gumanti ng bato kay Gibbs. Umiiling na pinanood ko sila. Ang tatanda na nila pero kapag magkakasama'y parang mga bata pa rin. Bumaling ang mga mata ko kay Tilly na tahimik sa tabi ko, nilalaro lang ang pagkain niya.

"What's wrong?"

Her gaze lifted to me. Kumurap ang maganda niyang mga mata, tila ba pinupukaw ang sarili sa isang panaginip. One thing I really admired about Matilda is her elegance. Kahit na ganito siyang wala sa sarili ay nandoon pa rin ang pagka-elegante niya. Hindi mo 'yon mananakaw sa kanya. At hindi niya maituturo sa 'yo kung paano 'yon.

"Nothing." She answered, but it lacks conviction so I didn't believe it's nothing. She had always been close to me. We're not the bestest of friends, but I'd like to think that I know her. She's like a family. Everyone in the Ventura clan is.

Lumipad ang tingin ko kay Anton na Kausap si Keeno sa gilid ng garden ni Neal. We're celebrating Neal and Miranda's baby shower. They're having a girl! Can you believe that? Hindi maipinta ang mukha ng mga lalakeng Ventura sa katotohanang puro babae ang binibigay sa kanila. Watching them earlier as the pair revealed the gender of their baby is a funny thing to watch, I must say. Buti nga sa kanila. Masyado kasi silang pilyo, takot tuloy sila sa sarili nilang multo.

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Tilly na ngayon ay sumisimsim na ng wine. I nudged her. "You want me to help you with your upcoming show? I told you I'm on leave pero I wouldn't mind walking for you."

She have an upcoming fashion show. Gusto kong isipin na dahil d'on kaya medyo occupied siya but I'd also like to think I know the real reason behind it.

Binaba niya ang wine glass, nag-aalalang ngumiti sa 'kin. "No, no it's okay. Pinagbigyan mo na nga ako sa campaign, eh."

"Tilly, it's okay."

"'Wag na. Asikasuhin mo na lang ang kasal mo."

Hindi ako nakaimik nang banggitin niya ang salitang kasal. I cleared my throat and decided to not leave the topic. "Is it Anton then?"

Natigil siya sa paglalaro ng wine glass. She turned to me with sad eyes. "Hayaan mo na."

Tiningnan ko si Anton at umismid. "Kung ayaw ka niyang balikan, e di, fine! You're too beautiful para maghabol, ano! Gan'on ba siya ka-gwapo?" Yes, gan'on ka-gwapo si Anton. Imagine hot and gorgeous and oozing with sex appeal but make it a doctor.

"Hindi naman ako naghahabol." Nanunulis ang ngusong depensa ni Tilly sa sarili.

"Pero gusto mong balikan ka, 'di ba? Aminin mo."

Now she's flushing. I guess the reason why I'm close to Tilly is because we have one thing in common. We both love the same guy from our childhood that until now we're trying to make ours. The only difference is that Tilly was really in a relationship with Anton before, while I wasn't in a relationship with Leon. And honestly, I don't know what's worse.

"Alam mo, Tilly, kung overdue na ang feelings ko kay Leon, mas overdue 'yang sa 'yo." I laughed to make it a little lighter and more tolerable for her but I guess I failed at doing either because she just looked sadder. I sighed.

"Kung hindi mo na kaya, do something about it. You can't avoid the inevitable for the rest of your life. Take a once in a lifetime chance."

Malungkot niya akong nginitian. Her gaze flew to the back door of Neal's villa which is the entrance to the garden before grinning. "Here's your once in a lifetime chance."