I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Forty-Seven: Important

Chapter Forty-Seven
Important

Ever since my grandmother visited Manila five years ago, dumalas na ang pag-uwi niya tuwing may oras siya. Her visit is around once or twice a year and whenever she does, she always invites me for dinner.

Last year, she's with my grandfather. May isang beses na si Tita Erine at Jia. Ngayong taon, hindi ko alam kung sino ang kasama niya.

"Who do you think she's with?" tanong ko kay Kingsley habang tinatahak namin ang daan patungo sa restaurant.

"Let's see," he only uttered until we arrived in front of the auto door.

Nang bumukas ang pinto ng restaurant, si Lola Hilda agad ang napansin ko. That familiar regal aura that surrounds her greeted me when I stepped in front of her. Wala sa kasama niya sa mansyon sa Hong Kong ang nasa loob. Tanging ang mga Limlengo lang, na madalas niyang imbitahan sa dinner ang naroon.

It's the usual conversation to catch up with each other. Dito ko lang madalas makita ang pamilya ni Kingsley dahil may sarili siyang condo na tinutuluyan. Nag-kumustahan sila hanggang sa napunta ang pag-uusap sa akin.

"Ang rinig ko ay nag-resign ka, Hailey?"

Si Tita Elle ang nagtanong. Nilingon ko si Kingsley para singkitan siya ng mata pero nagkibit-balikat lang siya nang naguguluhan. I thought he told his mother but the innocence in his eyes denied that.

Nalipat ang tingin sa akin ni Lola. Kalmado ang titig niya pero nagtatanong iyon. Tumango ako ng mabilis at hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy pa.

"Opo," matapat kong sabi. "I have plans to study in law school."

Si Tito Ricardo na nasa tabi ng asawa, tumango sa sinabi ko. "I wouldn't be surprised. She's really a Fajardo."

Nagngitian sila. Even Lola who was finally engaging in the talk

"Akala ko pa naman ay may balak ka nang magpakasal!" dagdag pa ni Tita Elle.

Nagtawananan sila. Napangiwi ako nang hindi pinapahalata.

My god, I haven't even thought about that.

"A lawyer and an engineer, not bad."

Napatingala ang lahat sa sinabi ni Lola. The interest in her eyes was visible. My lips pursed in discomfort.

I understand our family is very close to each other but it's still weird to tie us up. He's a good friend, a better friend for what Won has labeled. It'll be strange for him to settle for someone like me just because we're being pushed to each other. Hindi pa ba sapat na rason na magkaibigan kami para tumigil na sila?

I heard Lola let out a small laugh at iniba ang usapan. "By the way, congratulations for passing your board, Jarrick, hijo."

"Thank you po," Kingsley said, smiling.

"Saan mo balak mag-trabaho?"

He darted a stare at me and smiled again. "I signed a contract with Silveria Builders last month."

Tita Elle gave him a proud smile. Si Tito Ricardo tumango ng tahimik pero kita kong ipinagmamalaki niya rin si Kingsley. Pati si Lola ay binati siya ulit.