Kabanata 15
"Amanpulo?" Cindy asked, "I never heard of that place. Hotel ba yan?"
I chuckled and shook my head, "Hindi ah! It's an island located in Palawan." I told her, "Only a few people knows about it pero unti-unti ay nakikilala na rin ito. I recently read a blog about it, the place is breathtaking."
Nakita ko ang pagtango ni Jay, "Mukhang maganda nga. Knowing na kaunti palang ang nakakapunta sa lugar na yan, I'm sure the island is still untouched." he said.
I also agreed to what he said. According from the photos I've seen on the internet about Amanpulo, the island is really beautiful and looks untouched. With white sand and clear waters, it seems like a virgin island. Parang kailan lang noong nakilala ito, and I guess it's a good idea to go to a place where only few people knows it. Parang secret 'hideaway' place kung baga.
"It's really beautiful guys, we should go. We can even rent a boat to go island hopping and eat on a floating kawayan bar."
"Really?" Cindy exclaimed, her eyes glistening with excitement, "Well we should book a flight to Palawan as soon as possible!"
I chuckled, "Ano ka ba, your wedding is still months from now. Masyado kang excited."
Napa-tigil bigla si Cindy at tumikhim. Jay's forehead creased, "O? Ano'ng problema mo girl?" he asked.
Bumuntong hininga si Cindy at tinapunan kami ng tingin ni Jay bago magsalita. I saw her biting her lower lip trying to suppress a smile, "We moved our wedding!" she exclaimed, "I'll be busy next month at baka mas mapatagal ang date ng kasal namin kung ipagliliban ko. Both Travis and I decided to adjust the wedding date a month earlier." kwento nito.
"Huh? bakit? Ano ba'ng gagawin mo?" Jay asked.
I was staring at her blankly in shock. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil maski ako ay nagulat sa nalaman. I felt a sting in my heart because of the news.
"Sa work nga kasi e," she sighed and looked at me, "E ikaw ba Chelly?" agaw nito sa aking atensyon, "Diba sabi mo pupunta ka ng New York para sa work? Maybe this trip can also serve as your despedida. Puwede natin ipagsabay yung atin! How's that sound?" she exclaimed.
I just looked at her stunned. Hindi pa rin pumapasok sa isip ko ang mga naunang sinabi nito. Kung dati naman ay wala lang sa akin na ikakasal sina Travis at Cindy－because my mind was set that it will not be this soon. I am not mentally ready to see Cindy walk down the aisle, with Travis as her groom.
Habang malalim ang isipan ay naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Jay sa aking kamay. I looked at him as he gave me a sly smile, "It's okay" he mouthed. He kept on caressing my hand underneath the table.
"That.. sounds great!" I stuttered, "I really wanted to have a vacation in Amanpulo and this is a great timing. Maybe I can ask Joven to come with us."
"Then we're all set! May kakilala ako na puwedeng bumili ng plane ticket for us. She can arrange everything from our transportation, food, hotel, and everything."
After that, we continued to talk about what our trip is gonna be. But the entire time I felt like floating on a cloud, telling myself to have a grip and be strong. Ginusto ko naman na gawing lihim ang katotohanan kaya bakit ako mag-iinarte?
My conscience kept on telling me that I got too fond of Travis these past few months of him giving me attention. Siguro nga. Nasanay akong tinatawagan niya ako para kamustahin ang baby namin, pupuntahan ako para tignan ang kalagayan ko. And I think I don't want that connection to stop. Kasi alam ko, na kapag kinasal na sila ni Cindy, kailangang putulin na namin ang lahat ng koneksyon na nag-iigting sa aming dalawa. Mahirap, pero dapat kayanin.
"IT'S GETTING late." Jay called as he looked at the time.
Medyo napahaba-haba nga ang usapan namin at past five pm na.
"Kailangan ko nang umuwi, may work pa ako bukas at kailangan kong gumising nang maaga." anito at sabay tingin sa akin, "Gusto mo ihatid na kita? I have my car with me."
Agad akong tumanggi rito, "Ayos lang Jay, I can take a cab from here. Baka mas mapalayo ka lang kapag hinatid mo pa ako."
He kept on insisting to send me home pero sa huli ay tumigil din. Sumang ayon nalamang ito saakin na baka mas gabihin pa siya kung ihahatid niya pa ako. Out of the way kasi ang lugar ko sa daan niya pauwi.
"Puwede ka naman sumabay sa akin Chel." Cindy offered, "Susunduin ako ni Travis ngayon at dadaan muna kami sa mall na malapit sa apartment mo. We can drop you by your unit."
"Talaga? Sige sasabay na ako sa inyo."
I excused my self to use the bathroom.
Palagi akong pumupunta ng banyo para umihi. Nang makalabas sa cubicle ay tinignan ko ang sarili sa salamin.
And I have to agree that I look even better when pregnant. I gained weight na tama lang para sa akin. I chuckled when something crossed my mind. Kung hindi kami nagpaka-lasing nung gabing iyon, baka hindi ganito ang estado ko ngayon.
Confused feelings. Pregnant. With a bunch of lies underneath my sleeves－with that, I stepped out of the bathroom.
Pagkalabas agad kong nakita si Travis katabi ni Cindy sa inupuan naming pwesto kanina. They were talking and smiling when I saw them.
"Hi Travis!" tawag pansin ko dito nang makalapit sa table.
Agad naman itong lumingon sa akin at bahagyang ngumiti, "Rachel, kamusta?" he asked and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I shrugged, "ayos lang naman, ito malaki pa rin ang tiyan."
Natawa naman si Cindy sa sinabi ko, kinuha muna nito ang bag sa table at tumayo bago magsalita. "Dapat pala ihanda ko na rin ang sarili ko para sa baby namin ni Travis." she said.
"Dapat lang" sabi ko, "mahirap din mabuntis kasi dapat maging maingat ka rin sa kakainin mo, and a lot will change in your body." sabi ko rito habang naglalakad kami palabas ng cafe.
"E pano yan?" aniya, "You're flying to New York soon, ano'ng plano mo? Dito ka ba manganganak o didiretso ka na?" she asked.
Napansin ko ang pag lingon sa akin ni Travis nang magtanong si Cindy, para bang hinihintay ang sagot ko.
"I'm bringing my baby with me to New York." sabi ko, at kasabay nun ay ang pagsinghap ni Travis. He looks taken aback because of what I said.
"My flight is moved two weeks from now. Kaya, dun na rin ako manganganak."
Mag sasalita pa sana si Cindy nang maunahan siya ni Travis, "Paano ang ama ng baby mo?"
"Hon, I think Joven doesn't mind naman. Baka sumunod na lang siya dun sa New York kung matatagalan si Chel." Cindy answered.
Because of our small talk back at the restaurant, our ride home was a bit awkward for me. I don't think Cindy noticed the atmosphere between me and Travis, though. I saw how Travis frowned every time and how he clenched his jaw. I know he's pissed.
I got out of the car without hearing a goodbye from Travis. Kahit tingin man lang ay hindi niya nagawa.
