That night I can't even sleep. Nananatili sa isip ko ang interaksyon namin ni Tross Ashiel Del Rico. His raspy voice and enticing eyes are still vivid to me even if I haven't seen him after that night. Crisosmo bombed me with a lot of question as I step inside the door. It seems like he's really waiting for me.
"Dad, let Hollis rest," pagpipigil ni Carden noon nang mahalata na walang balak ang ama na pakawalan ako.
He asked if I did speak with Tross or if I just act like a robot inside his car. He wants to know if I did something that might humiliate not just me but the entire De Guia. Of course, hindi ko sinabi na umiyak ako.
I don't like to hear another painful words from kapag nalaman niya na ang ginawa ko lang sa byahe ay umiyak at sabihin sa lalaking pakakasalan ko na hindi maayos ang pakikitungo niya sa akin.
"Don't worry. He's pleased. He even discussed that we'll have our own house once the wedding is over..." I answered stoically.
With that, Crisosmo heave a sigh. He looked pleased.
"Then... go on. You can leave now," he motioned his hand like he's trying to shoo an insect away.
Tita Selena stood up and walk towards me.
"Mag-snacks ka muna, Hollis," aniya sa malambing na boses.
Bago pa ako makasagot, naunahan na ako ni Crisosmo.
"Kumain na siya kanina roon sa restaurant, hindi ba? I'm sure she's full. Let her rest, Hon."
That's not true! I feel like I am deprived from the usual amount of food I take. Kasi kanina, ayoko na mapahiya siya. My appetite is quite big. Laging sinasabi ni Crowell na ang lakas ko kumain at ang pandalawang-tao ang laging kinakain ko. Ang kanina, hindi pa umabot sa lalamunan ko.
"Akyat na po ako, Tita..." paalam ko.
Tita Selena nodded. Carden is still eating pizza while Crosson is sipping on his cup. Alam ko na kanina pa sila nakamasid and they are waiting for my response. I'd like to think that they are having fun while Crisosmo and I are exchanging sentiments. Sadly, pagod ako ng gabing 'yon at 'di na makuha pang makipagtalo.
Sa mga sumunod na araw, Tita Selena is doing everything to pleased me. Palagi ding humihingi ng pasensya. Crisosmo's gone because he's still teaching Carden everything about the business. Crosson has his own condo and Crowell... he's still avoiding me.
Bumuntong-hininga ako.
"Don't worry, hija. Crowell's not mad at you. Kung may kinagagalitan siya, ang Daddy niyo 'yon..."
Iyon lang ang pinanghawakan ko. Isang lingo nga ang dumaan, Crowell knocked on my door with a pizza on his hand. A peace offering. Hindi niya naman kailangan noon dahil alam ko na nagtampo siya kasi hindi ko magawang ipaglaban ang karapatan k okay Crisosmo.
Inilapag ni Crowell ang espresso sa round coffee table bago umupo sa Adirondack chair sa harap ko.
"Eat, Hollis. Tigilan mo muna ang cellphone," aniya.
Kami lang ang naiwan sa bahay. Crisosmo and Tita Selena attended some party while the two is probably hanging out or having a business meeting. Katulad ng sinabi ko, hindi ko sila kasundo kaya imposibleng malaman ko kung ano ang kani-kanilang ginagawa sa araw-araw.
Crowell should be in the party with his parents but he decided to stay here because of me. Sometimes, I would like to think that I'm burdening him. Hindi niya magawa ang mga bagay na dapat ay nagagawa niya. He can go clubbing. Iyon ang karaniwang iniaalok ng iilan sa mga kaklase niya.
Kapag sinusundo niya ako sa public school, may dalawang kaibigan siya na paminsan-minsan ay nasasabay at ang dalawang 'yon, walang bukambibig kundi bar. Tumatanggi si Crowell at ingunguso lang ako. Matatahimik na ang dalawa.
ΔΙΑΒΑΖΕΙΣ
Del Rico Triplets #1: Bound By Duties
ΡομαντικήHollis, who was raised as an adopted child to conceal her true identity as an illegitimate one, hoped for freedom as she turned eighteen. However, her hopes were shattered when she was forced into an arranged marriage with a stranger. Learning that...
