Gravitational Pull (Completed)

Book 3 Chapter 4

Romano

After shopping, Hindi na nawala sa isip ko si Luca. She has this sweet alluring smile but with a hint of naughtiness. Her eyes big and bright, innocent but evidently wise.

Kahit nasa bahay na kami ay siya pa rin ang iniisip ko. Now I felt guilty for having an emotional affair.

I was interupted by my phone's ring tone. My secretary is calling.

"Yes Glenda?"

"Sir nandito na po yong, napili nating mag c-commision sa designs ng luxury beds."

"I'll be right there in five minutes."

Luckily the streets here in San Benedicto is accessible within five minutes kaya confident ako na mararating ko ang office ng five minutes.  At totoong 5 minutes ko narating ang office ko.

Nag hihintay na ang bisita ko and it is a she. Long hair,olive skin, ragged shirt that looks familiar, and she turned towards me. Wait I've seen those big bright eyes! It is her.

"Luca?"

It made her eyes even bigger and brighter in surprise.

"Ikaw pala si Mr. Dela Llana."

And there she is again with the smile than the sun. Nakaka silaw literally. Iniabot niya ang kamay. Then we ahook hands her hand is as warm as her smile.

"Have a seat." Pag aalok ko.

"Salamat."

I  am so looking forward to work with her.

Jenna

Habang hinihila ko ko ang bagahe ko palabas ng airport hindi ko mapigilang singhutin ang polluted na hangin na hinihinga ng isang  ordinaryong tao. Ordinaryo by means of non-relgious people not that I meant anything, just blame it on the author for not being that well articulated.

So I carry all my stuff in one medium size travelling trolley, called on a jeepney and ride my way home. I can see progress in Panay. Several buildings has been constructed at dumami na ang malls.
If I was my old self I couldn't be more delightful, I would have shop everyday until I drop. That's beyond me of course. My focus now is to maximize my full potential bilang designer.

Habang dumadaan ang jeep sa pamilyar na kalye, images from the past began to flash in my eyes, some ordinary day with Roman, some funny and mostly crazy. I missed him so much that it is sending waves of sharp micro pinches all over my nerves that if I was my old self I could have died.

Bumaba ako sa harap ng coffee shop nila Mama Dells, I could not wait to see Mama Dells, Nate and Joe. I missed them too. Wow! so much emotions na ipinag bawal ko sa loob ko nang nakaraang mga taon has come rushing back like a bomb shot from afar.

I plastered a smile in my face before opening the door. I saw myself on the glass door. Inside me, I know I am Jenna, but my reflection shows I'm still Sister Celeste, maybe she'll be forever part of myself.

"Great! you're still selling the most delicious coffee in town. I need one English Brew please A.S.A.P!"

I clapped my hands like the premadonna customer, kahit hindi bagay sa gusgusin ko na ayos. Mama Dells didn't recognize me at pinataasan lang ako ng kilay. So I ran towards her and hugged her really tight.

"Ma! ako to, si Jenna! ang pina ka maganda mong inaanak sa whole wide universe!"

Syempre totoong ako ang pinaka maganda niyang inaanak, because I'm the only one babaeng inaanak.

"Dios Mio nga bata kaw! Anu gin himo mo sa kaugalingon mo?"

She and her native tongue! She was asking me what have I done to myself?

"Ma, I miss you a lot." I am still hugging her nang pumasok si Joseph galing kusina. Kumunot ang nuo niya nang mapansing may yumatakap sa ina niya.

"Hi Joe, I need coffee now and I missed you!"

Nang ma recognize niya ang boses ko.

"Jen?" Wide eyes and amazed he was stuck in his place unable to move from shock. So I ran to him and hugged him too.

"Jen-jen, I missed you a lot kitten, where have you been?." He planted a kiss on my forehead.

"I missed you too Joe."

Hinawakan pa niya ako sa balikat and looked at me from head to toe. At ipinikit ang mata at nag chant ng pabiro.

"Mahabaging bathala, ilabas nyo po kung anu at sino man ang sumanib sa pinakamamahal naming si Jen-jen."

Hinampas ko siya ng mahina sa balikat.

"Anu ba! pahingi na nga ng kape, kakainis naman."

And he laughed a little saying. "At bumalik na siya, Salamat po."

Narinig naming humagikgik si Mama Dells.

"Pakainin mo na nga yang batang palaboy, Joseph, tapos ihatid mo yan sa bahay nila, baka mapagkamalang taong grasa."

Tapos sabay silang tumawa. I can't believe I'm really back.

"Ma!" I protested by stamping my feet on the floor. Oh it's definitely good to be back.

Habang nag kakape ako, feeling ko inubos ko muna ang aroma ng English brew bago ko ininom ang kape, they are now selling cup cakes, at nang tinikman ko napaka sarap. Nate now has his own bakeshop and pastry house sa mall, and the one I'm eating is his recipe. Alam nila na favorite ko ang strawberry, so they gave me chiffon cupcake with strawberry filling and strawberry syrup.

Isa sa mga tauhan ni Joe ang nag dala ng bagahe ko sa bahay. Nagkwento muna ako ng piling-piling pangyayari sa buhay ko and that doesn't include Romano and me.

"Naku, eh Nu naman ang ginagawa mo sa lugar na iyon? Balita ko meron pang mga Cannibals sa bahagi na iyon ng Cambodia."

Parang aatakehin sa puso si Mama Dells sa mga kwento ko, malakas na ang aircon ay napapaypay pa niya ang sarili sa carton na hawak.

"Oh I was there Ma, they ate those captured enemy from another tribe."

Kwento ko habang inuubos ang second serving ng strawberry cupcake.

"Anu?! grabe" OA na reaction ni Joe habang kinuha ang kanang kamay ko, itinaas at pinag masdan.

"What are you doing?" Parang ini-inspection ang kanang braso ko ngayon naman ay sa kaliwa.

"Tininitingnan ko lang kong kumpleto pa ang bahagi ng katawan mo, mamaya nakain na pala ng Cannibals sa Cambodia ang mga daliri at siko mo."

Saka nag tawanan kami ulit.