spring was gone | Buenvenidez Series #1 [COMPLETED]

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

"Tagal. Tapos na ba?"

Napa angat ang mata ko kay Aeola na kakapasok lang sa hotelroom ko.

"Saglit lang," Sagot ko saka nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat.

Nang matapos ay tinupi sa tatlo at pinasok sa envelope.

"Sigurado ka bang makukuha niya 'to?" tanong ko.

Nagkibit balikat siya, "Nakita ko pangalan niya sa guestlist, susubukan kong ibigay kung kaya," Aniya.

We were in North Carolina for an event held by my family. Kakatapos lang noon kagabi at pabalik na din ako sa Manila mamayang madaling araw, samantalang si Aeola ay maiiwan dito para sa exhibit na dadaluhan.

I sighed and handed her my letter.

She asked me a while ago to write a letter for Faith if I want to. This is only a hope for us to communicate again and Aeola just grabbed this chance because they might bump to each other tonight, and she wanted to help me.

"Balitaan mo nalang ako pagbalik mo sa Pilipinas," sabi ko.

Tinitigan niya naman ang envelope, "Pwede naman kitang isama. Ayaw mo talaga?"

Umiling ako at nginitian siya.

Nakuha niya naman kaagad ang ibig kong sabihin, "Okay. Una na ako. Ingat!" Aniya at umalis na sa hotelroom.

The exhibit was dated next week. She's asking me to come with her so I could meet Faith but I refuse the offer. I don't want to pressure Faith. I don't to hurt her with my presence.

Magtitiwala nalang ako na kung talagang magkikita kami, mangyayari iyon, kahit gaano pa katagal, at katulad noon, maghihintay ako.

I had hopes with the letter. But I guess it wasn't the right time, yet.

"How was your plan went?" I asked her immediately when she entered my office.

She pouted and scratched her temple.

"Hindi ko nabigay, umalis din kaagad, eh," Aniya saka nagiwas ng tingin sa akin.

I could easily read her mind. I can obviously see her lying.

"Sabihin mo na totoo," pagod kong sabi sa kanya saka binitawan ang binabasa kong papel.

"Ayaw niyang malaman mo na nagkita kami. Hindi daw siya handa—"

Sabi ko na nga ba. I don't have to hear it. I already expected it.

"Tama na. Okay na," Pigil ko sa kanya.

I could feel something wrong inside me. Maybe I was disappointed? Na kahit inaasahan ko na ang sagot ni Aeola, may parte padin sa akin na umaasa.

"Pero sabi ko sa kanya babalik ako next year. Bibili din siya ng painting!" Bawi niya.

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"Painting?" I asked. She nodded and smiled widely.

Napangalumbaba ako at pinaglaruan ang ballpen sa harap ko. Nagisip ako ng pwedeng iutos kay Aeola. Well, I guess this is another hope, right?

Malay ko, next year, handa na siya.. Kaya ko pa namang maghintay.

"Paint something for me," I told her.

"Conditions?" She asked.

I chuckled, "Samahan kita sa Basilica?" Ani ko.

She twisted her lips, "Yan lang? Kaya ko 'yan magisa,"