When Love Was Found In Bicol (WLD)

Fifteen

Chapter 15: Packed

Jolaizza

"I'll think about it, babe." That was his answer after I asked him about Ms. B's offer. I shrug and just nodded. I actually didn't expected that answer from him.

A direct no was what I expected.

"La, kakain na po." Yaya ko kay lola matapos ihanda ang hapag. Gabi na at kadarating lang nila lola galing bundok. Aniya'y nagabihan sila dahil nilinis pa nila ang puntod ng yumaong kapatid nila na si Lola Nina.

"Hay, ang sakit ng balakang ko." Ngiwi ni lola habang nalakad palapit saamin. I look at her and saw her holding his hip.

"You want a massage, yah?" Ani Zac na siyang komportable ng nakaupo sa usual sit niya. Naupo na rin ako sa kaharap niyang upuan at hinintay ang pag-upo ni lola.

"Wag na, Zac. Pahinga lang ang katapat neto." Sagot ni lola. Zac shrugged before he put all his attention to his food.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain and all throughout, nagkekewento si lola ng ginawa nila sa bundok. Mostly she would complain about how dirty Lola Nina's graveyard was. Sinisisi pa ang naroong kapatid na si Lolo Greg dahil hindi man lang daw neto binisita ang puntod ng kapatid.

"Who's this Nina, yaya?" Zac asked in the midst of Lola's story.

"Bunsong kapatid ko, Zac." Sagot ni lola.

"Oh." He gulped the food in his mouth, "What was the cause of her death?"

"Nabangga siya." Ako naman ngayon ang sumagot kaya tumingin siya saakin. I smiled sadly, "8 years old ako nang nangyari yun."

"Wala ba siyang mga anak? Hindi man lang ba nila naisip na bisitahin ang puntod ng nanay nila?" Lola chuckled at Zac's innocent questions.

"Matandang dalaga ang kapatid kong yun, ijo. Masyadong nasawi sa unang pag-ibig kaya hindi na nangahas pang pumasok sa isang relasyon."

Namilog ang labi ni Zac bago tumango at binagsak ang mga mata sa pagkain. I also look at my plate and remembered Lola Nina. She and lola were the only ones there as I grew up. Yun nga lang, konting alaala na lang ang naalala ko sakanya dahil 8 years old pa lang ako ay namatay na ito. I was there when she got hit by a fast moving truck. That was the worst moment of my life. Seeing her lying on the road side, unconscious and bloody.

"Babe,"

I stop washing the glass I'm holding when Zac called me. He was nearing me, wearing a simple white tee and khaki shorts.

"Ashley keeps on asking about the date of enrollment." He frowned, "Kailan ba yun?"

Ibinalik ko ang paningin sa hinuhugasan at pinagpatuloy iyon. Yun lang pala, akala ko kung ano na namang... kabalbalan ang gagawin niya.

"Next week, Zac. Are your requirements complete?" I answered.

"Yeah. Yung enrollment na lang ang hinihintay ko." He lazily said.

Tumango ako, "That's good."

Katahimikan ang bumalot saamin pagkatapos nun. I thought aalis na siya pagkatapos nun pero hindi. Nanatili siya sa gilid ko.

I look at him and saw him bitting his lower lip while looking at me, irises deep in thoughts. Pinangunutan ko siya ng noo.

"May kailangan ka pa ba?" I asked curiously. He blinked like he just came out from his reverie. He freed his lower lip and pouted.

"I was just thinking about what you asked me earlier." Nangunot ang noo ko. Nakita niya ata na naguluhan ako kaya he talked further, "About me working in the eatery. When your boss neared me, she told me that if ever Rica would go abroad, you will be the only one left there."