Loving Clark - Loving Series Part One (Completed)

Thirty Seven - Talk

Talk

"Hi hija. I want you to meet my sister, tita Clarissa and her brother, tito Primo. Ate, Kuya, this is Shantel. Ria's sister-in-law. Bunsong kapatid ni Zeus." Pakilala ni tita Liezel sa akin.

Don Primo is all smiles but donya Clarissa, well, wala akong makitang reaksyon.

"Good evening po sir, ma'am." Bati ko.

"Yes, good evening." Si donya Clarissa.

"How come ngayon lang namin siya nakilala? I know Zane and Zeke but..." don Primo.

"Tutok kasi siya sa pag aaral masyado. Lalo na siguro ngayon na siya na ang ay hawak ng bagong branch ng business nila. Kaka open lang ng bagong branch nila weeks ago and it is doing great. I think business is really for her."

Tita Liezel patted my head, a sign she's also proud of me. Nahihiya ako.

"Yes, we know her. She interned at PFC." ani donya Clarissa.

"Really? That just proved how smart and skilled she is. Good job hija." Ngumiti na lang ako kay tita Liezel. I see don Primo nodding.

"Thank you po. Uhm, excuse me po, kukumustahin ko lang po si ate Ria." Paalam ko kay tita Liezel.

"Sure hija. She's probably in the garden."

"Okay po. Excuse me." Paalam ko sa kanilang lahat at umalis na doon.

Nakahinga ako ng malalim ng makalayo ako doon. Tuloy tuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa garden. Then I saw a familiar man. I met him at my Kuya's wedding. I just forgot his name.

"Hi. It's nice to see you here Shantel." Bumeso siya sa akin. Hindi na ako nakapalag sa gulat. He remembered my name.

"Uh, hi...?"

He was smiling but not genuinely though. Para bang nadismaya siya na nakalimutan ko ang pangalan niya.

"Luigi."

"Yeah, Luigi. I'm sorry. I am bad at names."

"It's okay. I hope you still remember me though."

"Yeah of course. We met at my brother's wedding right? You're ate Ria's cousin."

This time he smiled genuinely.

"Oh right, bigla ka na lang nawala sa wedding ng Kuya mo. Hinanap kita kay ate Ria and she said you went abroad. Sayang hindi ako nakapag paalam sayo. Hindi ko nakuha number mo."

"Ah, oo eh. Kailangan na kasi nun namin umalis."

"That's fine. Atleast nagkita ulit tayo. I can't stop thinking about you since that wedding. Can I have your number?"

Napasinghap ako ng may lumandas na kamay sa tagiliran ko. Amoy pa lang alam ko na kung sino. Kumunot ang noo ni Luigi ng Makita niya ang kamay ni Clark sa gilid ko.

"Why do you need her number for?"

"Clark. You came. I was just..." si Luigi

"I don't think you'll be needing her number. If you want something to say to her, you have my number."

"Clark." Mahinang saway ko kay Clark. Mas hinigpitan pa niya ang kapit sa akin at mas nilapit pa ako sa kanya.

Clark! Your mom might be watching us! She might hate me more. What if my mom sees us? My dad...oh no not my Kuyas!

"Oh, I didn't know. Congratulations. Excuse me." Luigi patted Clark's shoulder and then left. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang pinsan niya. Lumayo ako kay Clark at Napatingin siya sa kamay niyang nakahawak na lang sa hangin, mouth half open.