(La Mémoire #1) NOSTALGIA

XXXVI

XXXVI
Summer Seven

"Zhalia, this is Lyon Flavio." Auntie Martina introduced a timid-looking boy to me.

Kararating ko lamang kahapon galing America at ngayon ay may nadatnan akong mga bisita sa sala. Katabi ng batang lalaki ang isa pang lalaki na mukhang kasing-edad lamang ng Auntie. The elder guy was dressed in a slick white-button down and a black trousers. 

The boy beside him, on the other hand, wore plain black shorts and a navy blue oversized cardigan. His straight black hair was neatly combed and cut to the sides while his chubby cheeks were slight pinkish in hue. He looked like a good boy.

"Say hi to him, hija." Iginaya ako ng Auntie papalapit sa batang lalaki na aniya ay Lyon ang pangalan.

"Hi." Tipid kong bati.

The boy eyed me blankly. Ngunit kahit na wala itong pinapakitang emosyon, tila nangungusap ang maamo niyang mga mata.

"Mahiyain talaga ito, pasensiya na." Humalakhak ang katabi niyang lalaki.

"And this is Tito Leonelle, his uncle." Iminuwestra iyon ng Auntie.

Pagsulyap ko rito ay napansin ko ang manipis na buhok na nakalatag sa itaas ng kaniyang labi. Magiliw itong ngumiti sa akin.

"Hi, Zhalia. You're a very pretty girl."

"It runs in the blood, Flavio." Ngisi ng Auntie kahit na hindi naman siya kausap sabay dampot ng wine. 

She poured herself a glass and beckoned me to the couch. I didn't know why I was needed there but I still stayed.

Nagsimulang mag-usap ang dalawang nakakatanda habang naglalakad patungong veranda. Mula roon ay bahagyang  naririnig ang usapan nila. 

"Yes, I am sponsoring your campaign so you need to make sure you win." 

"I will win, Martina. The people love us. We are the longest-reigning dynasty in this province."

"And what will that make me, huh? Pakakasalan mo ba ako?"

"Of course. Pagkatapos ng eleksyon." 

"Your father doesn't want me for you, Leonelle."

"Magugustuhan ka rin niya kapag nalaman niyang sinuportahan mo ako sa kampanya." 

"Since your niece would be the Flavios’ heir, make sure he marry mine in the future..” 

"This is boring. Gusto mo bang lumabas?" Kinibo ako ni Lyon, dahilan para hindi ko marinig ang huling sinabi ng Auntie. 

Tumango ako. Inaya ko ito sa veranda upang magpaalam sa Auntie ko. Papalapit pa lang kami roon ay sabay kaming napahinto nang makitang masiyadong malapit ang Auntie at Tito Leonelle sa isa’t isa. Kapwa kami napatalikod.

“I think we’re not supposed to see something like that.” Lyon’s chubby cheeks flushed.

“I know. Lumabas na lang tayo.”

Itinuro ko kay Lyon ang daanan sa mga kwadra. I toured him around the horse stables and introduced the personal horses of my Aunties. 

“Do you think my Tito likes your Tita?” Lyon asked meekly. 

“I don’t know.” I blinked in confusion.

But they almost seemed like kissing.

“But they looked like they were kissing, right?” Lyon voiced out my thoughts. 

I nodded. Tahimik rin itong tumango at hindi na muling nagtanong.

“Do you know how to feed them?” He gestured the horses.