Since Nine Book 3: Shattered

Eleanor

CHAPTER 30

VICTORIA

Tila napako sa kinatatayuan nya si Victoria nang makita si Reese. Her heart almost stopped because she thought it was Ramcel. Magkamukhang- magkamukha talaga ang magkapatid. Mas matangkad lang ng kaunti si Ram.

“Reese,” yun lamang ang tanging nasambit nya. Napatitig sya sa magandang mukha ni Resse, na nakasimpleng collared shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers lamang.

She couldn’t remember the last time she saw Reese. Ang naaalala nya ay ang huling tawag nito sa kanya nang ibalita nitong muntik nang maaksidente sina Eleanor at Tita Jo. Na syang nag-udyok sa kanya para pumayag sa mga gusto ni Hector.

“I miss you,” Reese said and closed the gap between them. Nagulat si Victoria nang yakapin sya nito nang mahigpit. “But Eleanor missed you more,” dugtong nito nang bitawan sya nito.

“Eleanor?”

“This is her idea.” Reese rolled her eyes smiling. “She wants to see you.”

“She’s here?”

Natatawang tumango si Reese. “This is her newly purchased home. Investment daw. Katatapos lang namin maghouse blessing last week.”

Sumunod na sina Monica sa dalawang tauhan ni Eleanor para mai-arrange na ang pagkain sa dining table at naiwan naman sya sa spacious living room kasama ni Reese.

“Come with me. Eleanor is waiting for you.”

Kinuha ni Reese ang kamay nya at saka sya hinila patungo sa library ng bahay kung saan may mahogany desk with intricate wood carving design. Behind that desk, sat Eleanor, who put down the hardbound book she was reading when she and Reese entered.

Victoria missed Eleanor so much but there was hesitation on her part. Malaki ang kasalanan nya sa apo nito ngunit bakit gusto pa rin sya nitong makita? Bakit ang luwang pa rin ng ngiti nito nang makita sya? Bakit ang higpit pa rin nang yakap nito sa kanya?

Hindi na mapigilang mapaluha ni Victoria habang yakap rin nya nang mahigpit si Eleanor. She noticed Reese leaving them quietly.

Nang bitawan nila ni Eleanor ang isa’t isa, they sat facing each other before the desk.

“How are you, iha?” Eleanor’s grayish eyes were fixed on hers. It was like looking into Ramcel’s. They both had piercing eyes. Victoria felt like Eleanor could see her entire being.

“I’m fine.”

Tumitig lamang si Eleanor sa mga mata nya. Hindi ito kumbinsido sa sagot nya. “Too bad you and my grand daughter had to break up. Kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto kong magkabalikan kayo,” napailing nitong sabi. “Mahal nyo ang isa’t-isa but why can’t you be together?”

“Why?” Victoria asked.

Napakunot ang noo ni Elanor. “What do you mean why?”

“Nasaktan ko nang sobra si Ramcel. Iniwan ko sya at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit napakabuti mo pa rin sakin.”

Eleanor was thoughtful for a moment. “The truth is, Ramcel never told us the reason why you two broke up.” Natigilan si Victoria sa narinig. “She said something about differences but she was very vague and she refused to talk about it. She was hurting but she kept her mouth sealed. Nirespeto namin ang gusto nya kaya hindi na namin sya tinanong pa.”

Kusang tumulo ang mga luha nya. Kahit galit sa kanya si Ramcel, nagawa pa rin sya nitong pagtakpan sa pamilya nito. Lalo nyang napatunayan na hindi sya karapat-dapat sa pagmamahal nito.

“It was my fault, Eleanor. I left her. I broke her heart,” amin nya rito. “My love for her wasn’t that strong. Nagawa ko syang ipagpalit sa iba. Yan ang totoo. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

Walang syang makitang galit o pagkadismaya sa mga mga mata ni Eleanor. Pinagmasdan lamang nito ang mukha nya. Tila pinag-aaralan nito. Tinitigan din sya nito nang matagal sa mga mata. She was surpised when Eleanor reached out and caressed her face gently. “You’ve been through a lot, I could tell.”

Hindi nya magawang maalis ang tingin sa mga mata ni Eleanor. Tila nababasa nito ang nasa loob nya. Kahit wala syang sabihin pakiramdam nya alam nito ang pinagdaanan nya.

“I could also tell how much you love my Ramcel. Please don’t give up on her. Give her time,” dugtong nito saka ngumiti. Her grey eyes even twinkled. “But of course, hindi ako makikialam sa inyo. Alam ko kung gaano katigas ang ulo ng apo ko,” naiiling nitong sabi. “I want you to promise me something, iha.”

“W-What is it?”

“That you will visit me when you have time.”

“Of course, I will.” They smiled at each other.

“Since that’s settled, let’s enjoy the food. Baka dumating na sya,” sambit ni Eleanor saka tumayo.

“Sinong darating?” Victoria shot Eleanor an accusing look. Lumakas ang tibok ng puso nya.

“I know, I promised I won’t meddle but I love to have dinner with you two,” natatawang sabi ni Eleanor. Mas nagmukha itong bata. Aakalain mong Eleanor was not on her late seventies. “Pagbigyan mo na ako, iha.”

Naiiling na lang si Victoria habang papalabas sila ng library. Nakahawak sa braso nya si Eleanor nang makarating sila sa living room kung saan kausap ni Reese sina Monica at Ramcel. Agad naman nyang ipinakilala si Monica kay Eleanor.

“I ordered food from Victoria and requested to have her deliver it personally,” Eleanor told Ramcel, who kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Mabuti naman at nakarating ka. Akala ko magca-cancel ka na naman.” May himig itong nagtatampo.

Ramcel hugged her grandmother. “I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy recently.” 

“Busy with Crystal probably,” Victoria couldn’t help saying in her mind. She couldn’t help but be jealous.

“Baka naman busy ka lang sa mga babae?” Eleanor’s voice was reprimanding. “Nakakalimutan mo na yata akong puntahan.”

“Buti nga,” Victoria said to herself triumphantly.

“I’m sorry, ano yun?” Tanong ni Ramcel.

Victoria froze. Did she say it out loud? Napatingin sya rito. Nakakunot ang noo nito. Kita naman nyang nagpipigil ng tawa sina Reese at Monica.

“I didn’t say anything,” tanggi nya.

Gusto nang matunaw ni Victoria sa kinatatayuan dahil maging si Eleanor, na nangingiti, ay mukhang narinig ang sinabi nya.

“I’m famished. Pwede bang kumain na tayo?” Lihim na nagpasalamat si Victoria nang magyaya si Reese because Ramcel was still looking at her suspiciously.

“It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Villarances,” sabi naman ni Monica. “Hindi na po kami magtatagal.”

“Why don’t you join us? Madami akong in-order na pagkain. Hindi namin mauubos yun,” Reese said.

Victoria tried to catch Monica’s eyes and signal for her to say yes but she was unsuccessful. It seemed her friend purposely ignored her. “Naku, huwag na. Thanks for the offer though. May mga pagkain pa kaming ide-deliver tonight.”

Victoria mentally rolled her eyes. Her friend was lying. Hindi rin nya magawang pandilatan si Monica dahil nakatingin pa rin sa kanya si Ramcel. Napansin nitong suot nya ang sun shaped locket na bigay nito. Litaw na litaw ito sa black sleeveless blouse na suot nya.

Nang makaalis na sina Monica, dumiretso naman sila sa dining room kung saan naka-arrange ang mga foil trays sa table. Sa pinakakabisera umupo si Eleanor. Sa magkabilang side naman nito umupo sina Ramcel at Reese.

“D-Dito ka na lang sa tabi ko,” Victoria heard Ramcel said when she couldn’t decide where to sit.

Umupo sya sa tabi nito. Nag-usal ng short prayer si Reese bago sila kumain. Agad na kumuha ng pasta at humiwa ng porchetta si Ramcel. Nagulat si Victoria nang ipaglagay rin sya nito sa plato nya.

“Okay na ako, Ram. Ang dami na nito,” Victoria protested when Ramcel kept adding pasta on her plate.

“You are thinner than the last time I saw you,” Ramcel said frowning. “For a chef, hindi ka yata masyadong kumakain.” Hindi na nya ito napigilan nang lagyan pa sya nito ng croquette.

“Concern?” Nang-aasar na sabi ni Reese.

Ramcel ignored her sister. “Baka kasi hindi na fit sayo yung gown mo,” pagdadahilan nito pero lihim na kinilig si Victoria nang mapansing namula ang pisngi nito.

Her heart swelled when Ramcel complimented her Macaronnes con Chorizo. She was glad she added more cheese than the usual when she made it.

Akala nya magiging awkward ang dinner but the conversation flowed naturally. Reese talked about her recent projects. Natuwa si Victoria nang mag-offer si Reese na ito na lang ang kunin nyang architect ng restaurant nya. She said yes of course.

She also answered Eleanor’s questions regarding the dishes. Nagkwento rin sya tungkol sa business nya. Nakikinig lamang si Ramcel habang nilalantakan ang pasta. Natatawa lang sya dahil sinasaway ni Reese ang kapatid dahil puro ang mga cheesy parts ang kinukuha nito. Naiiling na lamang sa mga ito si Eleanor.

Hindi na namalayan ni Victoria ang oras hanggat hindi pa nagsabi si Eleanor na kailangan na nitong matulog. Since fully furnished na ang bagong bahay, doon na ito matutulog at bukas na lang uuwi sa Spanish style mansion ng mga Villarances. Sinamahan na ito ni Reese sa kwarto nito.

Naiwan silang dalawa ni Ramcel, na niyaya syang lumabas sa likod ng bahay dala ang isang bote ng red wine at dalawang wine glass. Dinaanan nila ang back patio na may dining set at comfy looking rattan chairs na nakaharap sa isa na namang hardin na may makukulay na bulaklak. Tahimik silang naglakad sa isang pathway lined with palm trees on both side. Kagaya ng sa harap, may mga lanterns din kaya maliwanag.

“Ang ganda ng bahay,” komento nya.

“Reese designed it,” Ramcel shared.

When they reached the end of the pathyway, Victoria saw a large swimming pool. The bright moon reflected on the water. It’s inviting her to swim.

They took their shoes off and sat on the soft grass near the pool then drank wine. Ramcel talked about her recent movie project and told her she’s about to finish her book.

“Pasensya ka na ha, kung lagi akong nagca-cancel sa dinner natin,” nahihiyang sabi ni Ramcel.

“Don’t be. Alam ko namang busy ka.” Wala naman syang karapatang magtampo di ba?

“Salamat pala dun sa pagkaing hinatid mo sa condo last time. It was delicious.” Napangiti sila sa isa’t-isa. “Ummm…Vi.” Kapag nagsasalita si Ramcel, lagi itong confident sa mga sinasabi nito. Nakikita lang nya ang ganitong hesitation kapag silang dalawa lamang ang magkasama. “About Crystal…”

“Ram, you don’t have to explain. If you are dating her, that’s fine with me.” Victoria was hurting but she couldn’t tell her that.

“Vi, I’m not dating her,” Ramcel said and rolled her eyes. “We are just friends.”

“Fuck buddy then?” She retorted.

“No!” Natatawa itong uminom ng wine. “Good girl na kaya ako. May nagsabi sa akin dati that I should stop womanizing dahil baka magkasakit ako.” Pareho silang napatawa. “Sa banko nagt-trabaho si Crystal. She’s also a financial advisor. She offered me Insurance. Dapat makikipagmeet ako sa kanya before having dinner with you but I got a call from our Head Writer about revising a script so I stayed at home and had her come over instead. She brought food with her but unfortunately natapunan ng sauce ang damit nya kaya pinahiram ko sya ng shirt ko.”

Walang dapat ipaliwanag sa kanya si Ramcel pero hindi maipagkakaila ni Victoria na natuwa sya sa narinig.

“Why didn’t you tell Eleanor?” Seryosong tanong ni Victoria maya-maya.

“Tell her what?” 

“Na iniwan kita. Na ako ang dahilan kung bakit tayo naghiwalay.”

Hindi napakapagsalita si Ramcel. Napatitig lamang ito sa mga mata nya. Maya-maya nagsalin ito ng wine saka ininom. Naisip ni Victoria na hindi na siguro dapat nya tinanong iyon dahil nagpaalala ito ng sakit kay Ramcel.

“Because I was hoping back then that you would change your mind. Na baka balikan mo ko.” Ramcel was looking at the moon. Her cheeks glistened with tears. “I didn’t give up easily, Vi. Kahit pinili mo sya, bumalik ako para magmakaawa sayo but you weren’t there anymore. I waited and waited everyday but you didn’t come back.” The pain on her voice was heart wrenching. “It took a while for me to stop blaming myself.”

Victoria moved near Ramcel and hugged her tight from behind. “I’m sorry, Ram. I’m really sorry for hurting you. For breaking your heart.” Ramcel didn’t push her away and she took that as a good sign. “Walang mali sayo. It was all me, Ram. Everything was my fault because I was weak and I’m sorry for that.”

They sat there crying for a moment. Victoria held Ramcel tighter hoping she’d feel that this time she’s never letting her go. If she had to atone for her mistakes forever, she’d do that. She didn’t have to tell Ramcel that because she’d show her instead.

Nasaktan nya si Ramcel sa naging desisyon pero kung meron man syang hindi pinagsisisihan sa ginawa, ito ay ang katotohanang nailayo nya ito sa kapahamakan. Dahil ngayon may pagkakataon na syang bumawi at hindi na sya makapapayag pang kunin pa ito sa kanya.