Since Nine Book 3: Shattered

Kayaking

CHAPTER 12

RAMCEL

Ramcel woke up when she felt a glimmer of light on her face.  When she opened her eyes, she was glared by the sunlight coming through the glass to ceiling widow of her room. Nakahawi pala ang makapal na kurtinang nakatabing rito. The sight of the red and purple outside made her smile. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Sana ganun din ang buhay nya.

Hindi sya masyadong nakatulog last night. Madaling araw na nang maisipan syang dalawin ng antok. It’s almost 7AM in the morning and she’d love to go back to sleep but she had to do something today. Since hindi sya makatulog last night, nakapag-isip syang mabuti.

She took a quick shower then she put on clean shirt, denim shorts and her white converse. Bumaba sya sa kusina at naabutan doon si Jenny na nagp-prito ng hashbrowns.

“Morning,” bati nya rito. Tinapunan sya nito nang tingin pero itinuon ulit nito ang pansin sa ginagawa. Alam nyang nagtatampo ito sa kanya.

Lumapit sya kay Jenny at malambing na yumakap rito. Naamoy nya ang citrusy scent na paborito nitong pabango. “Huwag ka ng magtampo.”

“Hindi ako nagtatampo, Ram. Sabi ko naman sayo di ba, naiintindihan kita.” Humarap ito sa kanya. “I’m sorry for being selfish.”

“No, you’re not selfish, Jen. Naiipit ka lang sa amin ni Vi. Pasensya ka na kung nahihirapan ka sa aming dalawa.” Bumuntong-hinga sya. “Where is she? ” Hindi kumibo si Jenny. “I need to talk to her.”

Jenny looked skeptical. “Lumabas sya. Kanina nandyan sya sa may pool,” sumagot din ito pagkatapos syang titigan nang matagal. “Kung anuman ang sasabihin mo sa kanya, just do your best not to shout. Maiintindihan ka naman nya. You’ve been through a lot. Pareho lang kayo, Ram. Alam kong galit ka sa kanya, pero daanin mo na lang sa mabuting usapan.”

“I promise, magiging mahinahon ako,” Ramcel assured her friend.

“Hanapin mo na lang sya sa labas. Pagkatapos nyong mag-usap, let’s eat together one last time.”

One last time. Biglang nalungkot si Ramcel sa narinig pero walang kibong iniwan nya si Jenny. Hinanap nya si Victoria sa pool at sa paligid niyon pero wala ito. Naglakad sya palayo sa villa at nagtungo kung saan naroon ang mga Fire trees at Pride of India.

Pinaghalong pula at violet maging ang inaapakan nya dahil sa mga naglaglagang bulaklak galing sa mga puno. Huminga sya nang malalim at nilanghap ang sariwang hangin. She continued walking under the trees until she saw Victoria, who was busy taking pictures of the scenery around her.

Bahagyang tumigil ang tibok ng puso nya nang makita ito. She was so beautiful on her yellow dress and it reminded her of the first time she saw her many years ago. Nakalugay ang itim at alon-alon nitong buhok. Nakangiti ito habang kinukuhanan ang mga makukulay na bulaklak sa paligid. Para itong diyosa sa gitna nang napakagandang paraiso na kinaroroonan nya. But she had to remind herself that she’s the same woman who broke her heart.

Napatingin ito sa gawi nyang maramdamang palapit sya rito. “Don’t look at me like that,” she mentally told Victoria, who was gazing at her longingly. Ramcel tried to infuse coldness as she stared back into her beautiful brown eyes.

“I fell in love with someone else... Akala ko ikaw lang ang kaya kong mahalin but I was wrong. I tried to fight it. I tried to stay in love with you but my feelings for him is stronger.” Victoria’s letter echoed in her mind. She clenched both her fists to calm herself. 

“I must be testing your patience,” Victoria said sadly. Nakatingin ito sa nakakuyom nyang mga kamao. “I deserve your anger. I know how much you hate me, Ram. Pasensya ka na kung ipinagpipilitan ko ang sarili ko sayo. I just miss you so much. Alam kong kakapalan ng mukha ang mag-assume akong patawarin mo ko at tanggapin muli.” Tumingin ito sa kanya. Nagsusumamamo ang mga mata nito. “Can we at least be friends? Can we start over?”