Holdap (Kinuha Na Nga Sa'kin Ang Lahat, Hoholdapan Mo Pa Ako?!)

KABANATA 47

Miguel

"Thomas, Bert, pakipuno nga ng basket na yan." Tinuro ko ang malaking basket sa storehouse.

I changed my mind. Dana's portion will be given to them. Bibigyan ko na lang si Dana ng mas malaki at marami.

"Wag kakalimutang lagyan din ng pomelo ang kabilang basket."

And I will not settle for mangoes only . Our harvest is very good this season, I want to let her have a taste of our farm's best. For sure, it's not something she can buy anywhere in her city.

I crossed my arms, wondering what to tell her as an excuse. Magtataka 'yun kung bakit dumoble ang ipapadala ko sakanya. No, it's not as if I'm the one delivering it to her, right? Right, ipapadeliver ko nga pala sakanya. Hindi ko na kailangang mag-isip ng idadahilan since hindi niya naman ako makukwestyon.

But before I had it delivered, I couldn't stop myself to write a letter.

'Masyadong napadami ang harvest.'

I'm not lying. Napadami nga ang harvest namin ngayon. Well, hindi naman siya magsususpetsya. She does not know that much when it comes to crops.

Days passed. I was busy once again with the normal things I do before I met her. Hindi ko din siya naiisip na ng matagal, but never did a day came across without her slipping in my mind. To be honest, this place became dull without her presence.

Paano kung pumunta akong Davao? Wala namang masama doon dahil lagi naman akong nagtatravel dahil sa negosyo namin. But, will I even meet her? I do know which university she goes to. But, wouldn't it look weird if I barge in there? There's also a slim chance na makikita ko siya. Or, what if I visit her house? Pag kinwestyon niya ako, I can come up with an excuse lalo na't in the first place, binigay naman niya ang address niya sa'kin.

"Sir, sir Miguel. Sir Miguel."

My bubble of thoughts popped and I came back to reality.

"Huh?"

"Tumatawag po si Maam Cecilia sa telepono."

My fist tightened as I heard her name. Suddenly, para bang may bombang sumabog sa utak ko. The worries and uneasiness that stopped have suddenly reappeared again. There were so many questions in my mind.