Flashed Golden Photographs (Sunset Avenues #1)

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Past

"We're going to meet the De los Rios."

"Hindi ba ang akala nila ay si Cathina.." mahinang anas ko.

"Cathina's out of the picture. I only did that because I was consumed by jealousy. I have no intention of forgetting you but all I did was to hurt you."

Isang malalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ko. I am with you and so you are with me. Kagaya rin noon pero siguro nga ay mas mahirap nang sumugal ngayon.

"Where are we going, Mama?"

"We're going to meet your Daddy's family."

"Like my grandpa Favelo and grandma? Tita Elicia and Tito Enrique? I have lots of grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, Daddy?"

"Yes," ngiti ni Archi.

We started packing our clothes morning after. Hindi ko lang alam kung anong oras ang biyahe namin papunta roon. O kung saan mang parte ng Spain iyon. I went to the De los Rios wineries here in Barcelona once. Hindi ko lang alam kung doon din ang punta namin.

"Are you sure you aren't busy?" I asked.

"And why would I be?"

"Don't you have training?"

"No, I don't have one for now."

"Okay."

He's maybe given the chance to rest pagkatapos ng La Liga. Binuhat niya ang mga bagahe namin papunta sa kan'yang kotse. I was amazed by the digits of his car. Mayroon din akong kotse sa New York pero hindi ganoong kamahal kagaya ng sa kanya. Tumabi ako sa sa kan'ya at sa likod naman naupo si Hopie.

"Tatanggapin ba nila kami? Your abuelo probably thought that Enrique and I.."

"You are my family, Samaria, our family.."

I was so nervous all throughout the drive. It felt nostalgic. Parang kailan lang nang humarap kami ni Enrique sa mga De los Rios. And now we're here, kasama ko naman si Archi. The old man's eyes widened when we got out of the car. Archi held my hand and intertwined it with his. Napataas ang kilay ng matanda.

Karga-karga ni Archi si Hopie habang hawak-hawak naman niya ang nanginginig kong kamay.

"What a surprise visit, hijo! And you are with? Wait, have we met before, hija?"

He turned to me. Humakbang siya sa aming pwesto at humalik sa pisngi ko.

"Why, Hugo's right! You are Kristine Cameron!"

Tumikhim si Archi kaya bumaling sa kan'ya ang atensyon ng matanda.

Kilala niya ang mommy ko?

"Sir Santiago De los Rios, I am Samaria Bautista."

"Yes, hija. Nice meeting you again?"

"And who is this young handsome boy? He's kinda like you, hijo!"

"He's my son, abuelo," walang pakundangang wika ni Archi.

Hindi naitago ng matanda ang gulat. I bit my lips. Lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay ni Archi.

"A son!"

"How old is he?"

Tinitigan niya ang bata, admiration in his eyes.

"He's almost five years old, abuelo," Archi said in his thick voice.

"Almost five years old! And you didn't bother to tell my grandson about him?" taas-kilay niya sa'kin. His voice is calm but dangerous.