Tale as Old as Time (La Fortuna Series #1)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

Marry 

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"Amen."

Nasa Main Altar na kami at nakikinig ng misa. I sat between Monty and Chamuel. Tahimik akong umupo at pinilit ang sariling ituon ang atensyon sa pari kahit na kanina pa ako kabadong-kabado dahil sa lapit namin ni Chamuel. I could feel his arm slightly brushing against mine. Tumikhim na lamang ako.

The place was majestic. May mga litrato ng mga santo sa naka-arkong kisame at maganda at malawak din ang kabuuan nito. I genuinely wanted to give my full attention to the mass, but when it came to the Liturgy of the Eucharist and we had to hold hands for The Lord's Prayer, I felt like I entered a trance. I had always loved the fit of my hands with Chamuel. And right now, holding it again after almost half a year had past was like walking down memory lane.

"Ang lambot pala ng kamay mo? Parang 'di ka naman naging katulong noon," Monty commented when we sat down.

"Monty, may misa. Mamaya na 'yan."

"I'm just saying. I guess you were right when you told me not to compare Chamuel with saints and angels. One look at you, halata naman nang hindi ka ginawa upang maging kasambahay. Chamuel's a jerk."

Umangat ang tingin ko kay Chamuel na narinig 'yon. He flinched and furrowed his eyebrows.

"He is a jerk," sang-ayon ko.

"I don't think it's right that you both are backstabbing someone while a mass is going on," ani Chamuel.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Monty. He looked confused. Ang pakealamero kasi ni Chamuel at hindi naman ganoon si Rowan. I sighed exasperatedly and listened to the priest instead.

"Last night na natin mamaya. I heard that a party will be held again?" si Monty.

Pababa na kami sa castle church at pabalik na sa kung saan naghihintay ang bus na sinakyan namin. It was 4 PM and everyone was tired from roaming around the place the whole day. After the mass, we only ate snacks because our proper meal would only be given at the bus. Gutom na ako at ang sakit na rin ng mga paa ko. I was wearing a wedge sandals and it was quite inconvenient.

"Oo raw. What else would we do anyway if not party? Last night na mamaya."

"Pa'no 'yan? Sa cabin mo ulit ako matutulog? Ang sakit ng likod ko sa ginawa mo sa 'kin kagabi!"

"Shut up, Monty. Nagustuhan mo naman, e. Sarap nga ng tulog mo."

"Nakakapagod kasi!" Humalakhak siya.

Naglalakad ako nang biglang may humila sa kamay ko. Monty who didn't notice continued on walking. May kausap na siya ngayong kaibigan niya kaya ni hindi manlang niya ako nilingon.

I locked gazes with Chamuel. Itinaas niya ang aviator niya kaya kitang-kita ko ang galit niyang mga mata. We were standing in a small bridge. May maliit na man-made falls sa gilid namin at iilang halaman naman sa kabila. Mabuti nalang at walang batchmates ko ang dumadaan din doon kaya walang nakakita sa 'min.

"What?" anas ko at saka binawi ang braso kong hawak niya.

"What did you do with Monty last night?"

"Anong pinagsasabi mo?"

"Bakit sumakit ang likod niya? At... bakit nakakapagod?"

His eyes were that of a furious god. Pakiramdam ko'y isang malaking trahedya ang mangyayari kapag tuluyan na siyang sumabog. His breathing was ragged and there's a smoldering look on his face.