Between the two (Completed)

KABANATA 27

28.

"'Wag kang mataranta, Hija... Panigurado naman na okay lang ang bisita mo kay Sandro." Banggit ni Manang nang mapansin ang pagkaaligaga ng dalaga.

"Hindi naman po ako natataranta." Sabi ni Shaznae habang naghihiwa. Napatigil siya ng makita ang maliit na sugat dahil nasugatan siya habang naghihiwa. Napabuntong hininga siya. "Char lang. Natataranta po talaga ako, Manang."

Napatawa ng mahina ang matanda. Pinagpatuloy nila ang pagluluto.

Sa kabilang banda naman, nasa labas ng beranda ang dalawang binata.

Si Sandro na may dalang wine at  Si Jordan na nakaupo. Inayos ni Jordan ang kaniyang suit. Napatingin si Jordan kay Sandro ng matamaan niyang sinasamaan niya ito ng tingin habang siya ay nagsasalin ng wine sa baso.

Ilang segundo ang kanilang tensyon. Napatawa si Sandro ng matapos niyang lagyan ang dalawang baso.

"It never crossed my mind that the great Jordan Mondelez will come here." Sabi ni Sandro.

"And it never crossed my mind also, that the great Sandro Mendoza— my recent co-partner will be my brother-in-law."

"Oh, shut up, Mondelez."

Parehas silang natawa. Inabot naman ni Sandro ang baso ng alak kay Jordan at umupo sa tabi nito. Napatahimik silang dalawa.

"How's the relationship with my baby sister?" Tanong ni Sandro at uminom ng alak.

Napakunot-noo naman si Jordan. "Drop the 'baby', Mendoza. Baka makalimutan kong kapatid ka niya."

Napaubo naman si Sandro dahil sa sinabi ni Jordan. "What the heck, Mondelez? Are you seriously gonna give that attitude to me, huh?"

Bumuntong hininga si Jordan at sinagot ang tanong ni Sandro. "We're fine. Still love her the same."

"You know she's been through a lot. Seeing her for the first time after how many years but with that estate, breaks me until now. I could never imagined how painful it was... I'm just thankful that she was so strong." napahinto ito at sumimsim ng alak. "Dahil dyan gusto kitang sapakin ngayon."

Napatingin si Jordan sa kaniya na ikinatawa naman ni Sandro.

"Kidding aside... she thought me about life. She gave me a full strength. Our dad became soft to everyone again. I wanna protect her at all harm."

"I want that also for her, Mendoza."

"Protect her at all harm? Then you may go now."

"Damn, Mendoza. I want to protect her again as much I protected her before.. but the pains are not included."

"I really hate you right now, Mondelez."

"I really love your sister, Mendoza."

"I can't stand her crying again. Please, make it up your mind. If you really want her, choose her without hesitations. This is me, her brother, begging you to..." Mahinang napamura si Sandro bago magpatuloy at tumayo para harapin si Jordan. "Don't ever break her again."

Bahagya silang nagkatinginan.

"I don't want that to happen again. I promise."

Tumahimik sila at ilang segundo ay may lumapit sa kanila.