After Everything (UP Series #1)

AE 30

Chapter 30

"Faith!" he called. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagdiretso ng lakad.

"Ariadne Faith Celestine!" he called my whole name. Mariin ang bawat bigkas.

I stopped and sighed before I looked at him.

"What?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Are you mad?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

I let out a heavy sighed to calm myself. I'm not mad but I'm annoyed. Naiinis ako sa ginawa niya.

"Ba't mo ginawa 'yon?" I spat.

Mas nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

"Ang alin?" he asked like he didn't know what I'm talking about.

Bumuntong hininga ulit ako at tuluyang ng umiling. Huwag na nga lang! Mukhang hindi naman n'ya sinasadya at ako lang ang may problema sa pagkikita nilang dalawa kanina.

Pinalagpas ko na lang muna iyon at hindi nagsalita. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya nang makarating kami sa table kung nasaan ang magulang ni Adam. Nasa private room iyon at naghihintay na ang tatlo nang dumating kami.

Adam kissed his mom's forehead and ruffled Kendra's hair. Kendra glared at his brother but she didn't say anything. Tumango naman ang ama ni Adamson sa kanya.

Naiwan ako sa gilid na tila estatwang nakatayo. Hindi pa rin malaman ang gagawin.

Kahit pa maraming beses ko nang nakita at nakasalamuha ang pamilya ni Adam, palagi, sa tuwing makikita ko silang muli, tila ba ako'y kabado at hindi malaman kung paanong approach ang gagawin.

"Ariadne," Tito Allan turned to me. I smile a bit.

"Hello po!" I bowed and started to walks towards him. "Mano po!" dugtong ko at kinuha ang kamay n'ya para makapag mano na.

"God bless," he said as he gently tapped my shoulder.

Ngumiti muli ako bago nagtungo kay Tita Helen. Magmamano na sana ngunit mabilis niyang iniiwas ang kamay. Napaatras ako ng kaunti at mabilis na kumalabog ang dibdib sa kaba. Bahagya rin nag-init ang aking pisngi at nakaramdam ng pagkapahiya. Bago pa 'ko makangiti, nagsalita si Tita.

"Beso na lang muna, Ariadne. Saka na ang mano dahil hindi pa naman ako ganun katanda," she chuckled.

Pasimple akong bumuntong hininga at tuluyang ng ngumiti, nawala ang kaba sa puso at mabilis na bumeso rito.

"I love your dress," Tita Helen whispered to me. I smiled and thanked her. 

"Hi!" I tapped Kendra's shoulder as I passed by behind her.

She smiled at me and stood up for a hug. Umikot ako sa rectangular table at bumalik sa tabi ni Adam. He dragged a chair for me and I sat down.

"Takot ka 'no?" Adam leaned a bit closer to me just to whisper that.

May gana pa s'yang mang-asar. Sa tingin n'ya ba nakalimutan ko na agad ang inasal niya kanina. Sa ilalim ng mesa, bahagya kong dinali ang tuhod n'ya para mag warning. Adam chuckled softly but he immediately cleared his throat.

The dinner started and I couldn't deny that the hotel, the restaurant served the best foods.

"Saan ka nga ulit nag-i-intern, Ariadne?" Tita Helen asked while she was putting some foods on her plate.

I swallowed the food in my mouth and wiped my lips before I spoke.

"BDO po," I answered politely.

She nodded. "With Daniella?" she asked again.

I nodded and smiled. She smiled back and continued eating her food. She looks contented with my answer.