SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Surprise

CHAPTER 15

Kinagabihan, disappointed si Victoria dahil hindi dumating si Ramcel. Nasa Studio 11 pa ito at may tinatapos na trabaho. Sumaya rin sya kahit papano dahil nakilala na nya ang Lolo Leonardo nito at naging magiliw sa kanya. Tita Jo, Eleanor and Lolo Leonardo arrived in time for dinner.

“Pasensya ka na at maraming ginagawa si Ramcel. Susunod na lang daw sya mamaya.” Tita Jo gave her an apologetic smile. It was supposed to be a surprised dinner for Ramcel at para na rin makilala ni Victoria ang Lolo nito. “Mabuti at nakauwi ka sa Pilipinas. Make sure to have a vacation before you and Ramcel go back to New York.”

“Yes, Tita.”

Hindi rin nakarating si Reese dahil may kausap itong client over dinner. Habang kumakain, panay ang tanong sa kanya ng Lolo ni Ramcel. She didn’t feel that she was being scrutinized. He was genuinely interested with her. Ramcel said that the old man could be very intimidating with others but very gentle with those people he found likable. He was very amiable with her and he ‘s impressed with her achievements and hardwork.

Muntik pa syang maiyak nang sinabi nitong parte na sya ng pamilya kaya huwag mahihiyang magsabi kung may kailangan at welcome sya sa tahanan ng mga Villarances anytime. It still turned out to be a beautiful evening.

Si Eleanor na mismo ang humingi ng paumanhin nang wala pa rin ang apo nito nang matapos silang kumain ng dessert. Nagstay pa ang mga ito ng isa pang oras but since Monday tomorrow, kailangan na ng mga ito ang umalis. Ipinangako ni Victoria na sa bahay naman ng mga Villarances sya tutuloy bago bumalik sa states.

Bumagsak ang balikat ni Victoria nang magtext si Ramcel kay Jenny na hindi na ito makakarating dahil hindi pa ito tapos sa ginagawa. Paulit-ulit na tinawagan ni Jenny si Ramcel hanggang sa sagutin nito. Naka-loud speaker kaya rinig nya ang usapan ng dalawa.

“Hindi pwedeng hindi ka darating. I need to talk to you. It’s important,” seryosong sabi ni Jenny sabay kindat kay Victoria, na noo’y kumakain ng vanilla ice cream. Nakaupo sila sa tabi ng pool.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. May tinatapos pa ako,” pagdadahilan ni Ramcel.

Victoria’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Ramcel’s voice. Sobrang miss na nya ito. Pinigilan nya ang sariling agawin ang phone kay Jenny para sya na mismo ang kumausap rito. Sigurado syang uuwi ito agad pag nalaman nitong narito sya.

“Please Ram. I need you right now.” May pagsusumamo sa boses ni Jenny.

“May problema ba? We can talk over the phone if you want.” Ramcel sounded worried.

“I’m pregnant,” Jenny said.

“Okay?” Ramcel said slowly. “What’s wrong with that? You are 24. Nasa tamang edad ka na. I’m sure pananagutan ka ni Joshua. You can get married.”

“That’s the problem! Hindi si Joshua ang ama!” 

“Shit! Seriously?!”

“Yes, I’m in a deep shit. I need you, Ram. Please.”

It took all of Victoria’s effort not to burst out laughing. Pang-Academy Awards ang acting ni Jenny. Nagsabi si Ramcel na darating ito. May aayusin lang ito pero nangako itong pupuntahan ang kaibigan.

“You know she’s going to kill you right?” Victoria said and they both laughed.

Past midnight na nang magtext si Ramcel kay Jenny na on the way na ito. Nauna nang natulog si Jenny dahil may pasok ito mamaya.

Victoria waited for Ramcel. Tinulungan sya ni Manang Lydia, ang kasambahay nina Jenny, para maghain ng pagkain sa dining para kay Ramcel. Nagkwento pa ang may singkwenta anyos na ginang, na tuwang-tuwa itong pakainin si Ramcel dahil napakatakaw nito at hindi pihikan sa pagkain. Ang kapal din daw magpalaman ng keso sa tinapay. Nangingiti na lang si Victoria dahil totoo naman. Kahit sa apartment nito, hindi pwedeng mawalan ng cheddar cheese. Kung hindi nito ginagawang palaman, kaya nitong kainin ng solo ang keso.