Unsuccessful Landing II: To Crash on His Arms (COMPLETE)

𝓚𝓪𝓫𝓪𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓪 34

It was hard to not look at their way. Still, I stopped myself from doing so. Alam kong masasaktan lang ako kapag ginawa ko 'yon. It was painful enough that I saw them both. It'll be torture if I see them as a family. Siya, ang anak niya, at si Crystal.

Hindi na ako muling lumingon pa. Even though Ate Mia and Ate Ruth stood up and called his name.

Ayokong maiwan mag-isa sa table namin kaya tumayo ako para puntahan ang pamilya ko.

"Maxine! I missed you!" Kanya kanyang tawag nila sa akin.

I kissed my parents first before I went to Tita Louisiana and Tito Drave. Sunod kong niyakap ang mga kapatid ko at mga pinsan ko. I received a lot of pleasantries from them. Kahit papaano ay napagaan no'n ang loob ko.

"You should've told me you're going home, Ate. Sana nasundo ka namin!" Kelsey whine while hugging me tightly.

Sinuklay ko ang mahahaba niyang buhok. She grew up very well. Habang tumatagal ay mas nagiging kahawig niya si Daddy. Nagmumukha siyang masungit.

"I wanted to surprise all of you."

"Who picked you up, Ate? Or did you commute? I could've driven for you."

"I'm fine, Maddox. Louisa and her husband got me at the airport. Don't worry. Nagmumukha kang si Dad."

He smirked and it caught me off guard. He looks like Daddy! Tumawa ako kaya natawa na din siya.

"Mom always say that. Nagiging katulad na daw kaming dalawa ni Kelsey kay Dad." Si Kelsey naman ang nagsalita.

Pinapanood lang kaming magkulitan ng mga magulang namin. Lalo na nang makisali ang mga pinsan namin. Kuya Dracus was teasing Kelsey for being the smaller one among us, although she's one of the youngest. She's a bit smaller compared to Jane and Hillary who are months older than her. But she's still considered tall for an average woman. She's 5'7 yet still shorter than the height of most of us. Men in our family are over 6 feet while women are around 5'10.

She just turned twenty-one. I'm sure tatangkad pa siya.

Hours have passed and the closing program commenced. Bumalik kaming lahat sa kanya kanyang upuan. Just some speech from the newlyweds and their families, then the program ended. Children and minor audiences were told to go home because there would be after party. Alcohol beverages were served and the music changed. The party for adults started.

Mas maingay at mas malaya ang party na 'to. Nagkaroon ng disco lights sa gitna at mas naging upbeat ang kanta. Everyone are socializing at halos wala ng nakaupo. Maliban sa akin.

I might run to him if I go around and socialize. Kung sakali man na nandito pa siya. Mapapanatag lang ako kung malalaman kong umuwi na siya.

Pasimple akong lumingon kung saan ang table nila. My face lit up when I saw that he wasn't there. Did he go home? Nakaramdam ako ng panghihinayang, na agad kong iwinaksi dahil mali 'yon.

Gusto mong pauwiin pero manghihinayang ka? Get a grip, Maxine!

Tumayo ako para muling lumapit sa pamilya ko. Only to step back when I saw him on our table, talking and drinking with my family!

Why is he there? I thought he had gone home already! Saka paanong nakikisalamuha siya sa pamilya ko? Last time I checked, they were angry at Santi for impregnating someone else.

I walked away, confused. What did I miss?

Everything. I know nothing...

Sinalubong ako ng sariwang hangin paglabas ko ng bulwagan. I was used to cold but I still shiver a little when the wind hit me. The dress has thin straps so my whole shoulder is bare. Ilang minuto pa bago ako nasanay sa lamig ng hangin.