When The Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7)

03: The Years Apart

"Fitzmael?" Her forehead creased. "It really sounds familiar..." She looked down, murmuring. Ang lalim ng kanyang iniisip. Ilang minuto ang lumipas nang bigla niyang hinigpitan ang paghawak sa braso ko. She then looked at me, full of confusion. "F-Fitzmael? Y-You're part of the Fitzmael clan?"

I nodded. "Hindi ba halata?" I frowned. "Am I ugly or doesn't have the charm like my siblings and cousins?" I asked in a sad tone.

"Huh? Anong pinagsasasabi mo riyan? Hindi ka pangit, ano! I was just shocked, okay? Second year pa lang ako ngayong pasukan sa Fitz University at hindi ko naman kayo laging nakikita. Kapag may events lang naman kayo pumupunta ro'n," she explained. "To tell you honestly, you're the most attractive guy that I know and you're chivalrous." She just looked away.

"T-Thanks, I guess?" It felt weird thanking people after the compliments.

"Shit!" She gasped. Tinakpan niya pa ang bibig niya saka tumingin sa 'kin. "The Fitzmael also owns Bloom Restaurants, Hotels and Airports, right?"

I nodded. "Oo." I chuckled.

"D-Don't tell me y-you own B-Bloom?"

"My parents own it."

She gasped, again. Her face looked pale then she frowned. "Dammit!" She muttered. "S-Sorry sa mga nasabi ko kanina."

Malakas akong humalakhak. After a minute of just laughing, I stopped. "Isusumbong kita kina Mommy." I was just kidding! Of course, I wouldn't do that.

"Luluhod ako sa harapan mo. Patawarin mo lang ako."

Pinigilan ko siya nang akmang luluhod siya. "Joke lang naman!" Natatawa kong sabi. "Hindi naman ako na-offend sa sinabi mo. I actually find it cute when you rant about our business. It was my first time to hear it. At kung gusto mo talagang bumawi sa 'kin, dapat hindi ka umaangal kapag sa Bloom Restaurant tayo kakain," I briefly paused then smiled at her. "Araw-araw kitang pakakainin do'n."

"Sure ka bang hindi ka talaga nasaktan?"

"Hindi. Don't worry. We're good. We're still friends." Then I chuckled.

"Ren!"

Napalingon ako kung saan nanggaling ang boses na 'yon. My smile faded when I saw Zius' grinned while watching us. "Kanina ka pa ba riyan?" I asked.

"Oo. Kanina pa nga kita tinatawag pero masyado ka yatang busy," patutsada niya. "Nagbago ka na, Ren."

I let out a loud breath to calm myself down. Kung wala lang si Elimae at ang mga pamangkin ko ay tiyak na bubugbugin ko 'to si Zius. Ang hilig mang-asar! "Tsk!"

"Siya ba ang brother-in-law mo, Ren?" Elimae asked, she then clung her hands in my arms. I think she liked it and I was happy to know that she was comfortable with me.

"Yes, Eli." Marahan ko siyang hinila patungo sa loob ng kotse ni Zius. Malawak akong ngumiti nang makita ang triplets sa loob. "Hi, baby elements!" masaya kong bati sa kanila. Tiningnan ko si Eli na sobrang nasisiyahan sa mga bata. "This is your Aunt Elimae."

"Is she your wife po?" Krypton asked.

Mahinang bumungisngis si Erazius saka niya sinaway si Krypton. "Baby, you can't ask questions like that."

"I'm sorry po. Nakita ko po kasi sila kanina na masayang nag-uusap. Parang parehas sa inyo ni Mommy kaya natanong ko po," paliwanag niya. "Sorry po, Uncle Ren and Aunt Elimae."

Napangiti lang ako sa mga bata saka ko binalingan ng tingin si Elimae. "Triplets sila. Si Arsenic." Turo ko sa batang tipid lang ang ngiti. "Si Krypton..." Turo ko sa katabi ni Arsenic na naka-peace sign pa at namumula-mula ang pisngi. "And Cadmium." I pointed at Cadmium who was widely smiling. Siya ang pinaka-jolly at makulit sa kanila. "And that..." Tinuro ko si Erazius. "That's Erazius, my sister's husband."