My Handsome Architect

Chapter 10 Cousin?

Bumangon si Sam at kaagad na inayos ang hinigaan nya. A small smile crept to his face when he saw a small paperbag on the bedside table. May note sa loob non at bahagya syang natawa ng mabasa iyon. 'binilhan na kita ng damit, you dimwit! But I still hate you bro! ʼ

“Crazy.” kinuha nya ang phone nya and send him a message. Pagkatapos ay nagtungo na sya sa banyo to do his morning thing.

After taking a bath he simply wrapped the towel to his lower body. Napakunot ang noo nya ng marinig ang katok sa kanyang silid. Tinungo nya ang pinto at binuksan iyon. Lalong lumalim ang gatla sa kanyang noo ng makita ang lalaking kasama ni Hestia kagabi.

“Hi, can we talk?” seryosong tanong nito.

Nagkibit-balikat sya. “Sure, come in.” Niluwangan nya ang pagbubukas ng pinto at ng makapasok ang lalaki ay sinara nya iyon. “Wait a sec, I'll just make myself presentable.”

“Sure, take your time.”

Tumango sya at nagtungo ulit sa banyo para magbihis. Nagtataka sya kung bakit pinuntahan sya nito kaya minadali nya ang pagbibihis.

Nakita nyang nakatanaw ang lalaki sa veranda at parang malalim ang iniisip. “Sorry for taking too long.”

“It's fine. I won't make it long, Mr. Logan. Do you know Santiana Stavros?”

Natigilan sya sa tanong nito at pinakatitigan ang lalaki. “Why?”

“Do you know her? Where is she?”

“My mom passed away.”

Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ng binata ng makita ang panlulumo sa mukha ng kaharap.

“I forgot to introduce myself, Mr. Logan. I'm Cadmus Eleazar Nicolaides Stavros. Your mom and my father were siblings.”

Nagulat sya pero hindi nya pinahalata iyon. “What about it?” kung totoo man ang sinasabi nito ay nangangahulugan lang iyon na pinsan nya ang binata.

Bakas ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Cadmus sa sagot nya. “Weʼre relatives, Mr. Logan.”

“That's what you say.” He shrugged his shoulders. Matagal na nyang alam na may kaugnayan sya sa mga Stavros simula pa noong sumali sya sa org pero hindi nya inisip na lumapit sa mga ito. What for? He doesn't need their help. Wala na si Sammy at ang mom nya. Wala ng dahilan para iugnay nya ang sarili nya sa mga ito.

“I'm telling you the truth.” giit nito.

“So what? And how do you know that I know her? I didnʼt tell you about my whole name.” ibinoses nya ang kanyang pagtataka.

“Because you look like her. Her picture was hung in our house.”

Tumango sya. “Okay. You can leave, Mr. Stavros.”

“Samuel....”

“I don't care about being a Stavros. Youʼre ten years late for telling me about this. Momʼs dead and so Sammy. I don't need your help in any way.” totoo sa loob na sabi nya.

“Sam, my father search for aunt Santi.”

“Logan for you. And I don't care. It's all in the past. Please leave.” aniya at tinalikuran na ito.

“I don't know what exactly happen, Sam. But please give my father a chance to explain.” anito at umalis na.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang sya at napahawak sa singsing na pendant ng kanyang kwintas. It was her mom wedding ring. It was a simple ring that made from ten peso coins in the Philippines. Iyon ang singsing na binigay ng Daddy nya sa kanyang ina dahil ang pinag-ipunan nitong singsing ay nanakaw..

“Mom, What am I gonna do? I know it's not their fault but Iʼm mad. Why do they have to find me when I already lost all my family? Kung sanang dati pa sila dumating noong panahon na kailangang kailangan namin ni Sammy ng makakasama... Siguradong matutuwa sya diba mom? Sammy always like to have a big family.” His voice quiver a little. Hinamig nya ang sarili bago nagdial sa kanyang cellphone.

“Sam?Why are you calling?”

“Nothing. Just want someone to talk to.”

“May problema ba? Nasaan ka ngayon?” nag-aalalang tanong nito.

“My fiancee house. How's Dren, Lily?”

“Ayos lang sya. Kailan ka babalik? Hinahanap ka ng mga bata and James is grumpy.” natawa ito sa huling sinabi.

“Heʼs always like that. I donʼt know when will I go back.... Rose?”

“Yes? You can tell me whatʼs bothering you.”

“About Samantha... Help me find a good resting place for her. Please? And also mom and dad... I want them to be together.” a lone tear fell from his eyes.

“Oh Sam.... I wish i can give you a warm hug. I know itʼs hard but itʼs the right thing to do. Everything will be okay.”

“Thank you, Lily. Thank you.” aniya at pinatay na ang tawag. Ayaw nyang pagsamahin dati ang mga ito but he realize that heʼs just fooling himself. Hindi ibig sabihin na hindi magkakasama ang mga ito ay hindi na sya nag-iisa.