Sunsets and Heartbreak

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

"Love will always bind the two right people," lolo Panfilo said before he sipped his tea. "Not now, but at the right time and in the right place."

Nasa garden nila Greg kami ngayon. Kasama ko ang lolo niya at siya naman, tumutulong sa mga kasambahay nila para ipaghanda kami ng meryenda.

I was nervous about seeing his lolo. In our way to his house, Greg told me about his attitude. He said that he's strict and not the type of person who would mingle and talk to a person like me. But he told me that he wants to see me and looking at how his lolo was sweet to me and how he told Greg's childhood life made me like him. He is a friendly and likeable person.

Kaya niya rin pa namang gumawa ng mga bagay pero magagaan lang. Ayon lang, hindi na siya masyadong nakakalakad at kailangan ng wheelchair.

"You are pretty, iha. If my wife were still alive, she would like you. She would teach you on how to use makeups because she was fond of them," his voice cracked and I saw tears dripping on his face.

I was about to go near him but he stopped me. He motioned his hand telling me that he is okay. I sat again on my chair and began to show him my empathy.

"I'm sorry, iha. I just missed my wife so much. She loved to do something that had a connection with the arts. She also loved pretty girls, so she would probably like you," he smiled on me while he is wiping his tears.

"I understand how you feel po. My mom died and I also missed her so much," I said. I didn't expect that I will share some things on him. I just feel the need to tell him that, so he can see my sincerity.

"They are probably happy now," he said and looked at the sky. "But you should move on for the meantime, iha. You have more time to spend here with the people you love while me, I think, I will see my wife again, soon."

"Don't say that po," mabilisan kong kontra sa kanya.

"I know but sadly to say, I will," malungkot nitong saad pero mabilis ang pagbago ng reaksyon niya sa masaya. "But we shouldn't talk about it. We should talk about how you and my apo met. I should see first your wedding before I depart to this world."

Hindi ko man sinasadya, napatingin ako sa kanya ng masama. Tumawa siya kaya napasimangot ako. Dapat hindi niya iniisip na mawawala siya.

"You are so cute... Fine, fine, I won't add it to our conversation."

"I also need to correct you lo, Greg and I are not something. We don't have any romantic relationship."

"Is that true?" tanong nito na at umakto pa na parang hindi naniniwala. Kung hindi ko lang alam na may malubhang sakit ang lolo ni Greg, papatulan ko siya sa salita.

"Yes po."

"Bagal naman pala ng apo ko," mahina nitong sambit.

"Ano po iyon?"

"Nothing," ani nito at kinuha ang tasa niya at nakikinita mo ito na nag iisip.

Sa haba ng katahimikan na namutawi sa kalagitnaan namin, nagulat ako nang magsalita ang lolo ni Greg.

"Do you think, may pag asa ang apo ko sa'yo? You said you aren't a thing yet."

Napanganga ako sa katanungan niya. Greg asked me the same question yesterday. I was about to answer him but he just said that he needs to prove a thing to me first. I don't know what he is talking about but I can say that he is now a successful one.

"What do you think po?" I answered the question.

"If I said yes, am I correct?" nakangisi nitong tanong.