Max's POV
Angel and I finally meet Travis family, her parents, 2 siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins. We had a great night. Just laughing, reminiscing Travis past life, talking how Travis loved when he was still alive.
He was a great son, excelled in school, good listener to his friends, and a humble adviser. I couldn't imagine how painful it was for the family to lose someone like him.
It's almost midnigt when we decided to go home.
"Thank you Mrs. Palacios. We really enjoy your food." Angel honestly said.
"I'm glad you like it. You know you can visit our restaurant anytime, you're very very welcome." Magiliwng wika ng ina ni Travis. She's a chef and their family own a restaurant.
"Yeah sure. Before we go back to states we'll come to visit you."
"States?" Singit ni Candice na kakalapit lang at narinig yata ang sinabi ni Angel. "When?"
"Uhmm, i think end of the month. Di ba Max?"
"Yeah. Sana makaalis na kami sa katapusan." Marami pa talaga akong kelangan tapusin sa school.
"And staying here in the country was really a bad idea." Dugtong ni Angel. She's right. Ang daming masasamang nangyari sa amin dito.
"What a coincidence. Hindi ba't sa states mo na ipagpapatuloy ang pag-aaral mo ng medicine Candice?"
"Yes tita. Actually i'm about to leave next week but unfortunately something came up. So again i'm planning to rebook my flight."
Kung ganun magdodoctor din pala sya.
"Well this is a great timing. Bakit hindi ka na lang sumabay sa kanila. I'm sure they won't mind." Ngumiti si Mrs. Palacios sa akin. "Right Maxwell?"
"Sure. That would be great. Saan ka ba sa states?"
"I'm staying in New York but i'm going to move soon in Maryland. Johns Hopkins University just accept my application."
Wow! Napangiti ako. I can't hide my amazement. No doubt that she's smart. JHU is a prestigious school. Marami rin akong kakilala na galing sa skwelahan na yun.
"Congratulation." Angel said and grip my arm. Ouch.. Tiningnan ko sya. Bakit bigla na lang nyang pinisil ang braso ko? "Sige ok lang na sumabay ka sa amin."
Tinikom ko ang sariling bibig para mabura ang ngiti ko. Tumango-tango ako para ipakita ang pagsang-ayon ko sa sinabi ni Angel. Wala namang problema kung sasabay sya sa amin.
........................
It's almost 2 pm when we arrive at the airport.
Bago kami umalis nagkaroon muna kami ng kunting salo-salo kasama ang mga pamilya namin sa bahay.
Tapos na rin ang lahat ng kelangang gawin para sa legal adoption ni Luis. Sa wakas at mapapanatag na rin ang isip si Angel.
Gusto na naming kalimutan ang lahat ng nangyari dito sa pilipinas.
"Ang tagal naman ng babaeng yun." Maktol ni Angel sa tabi ko. Nakakandong naman si Luis sa akin habang naglalaro sa ipad nya.
"Baka na-traffic lang." Tiningnan ko ang cellphone ko kung may text ba si Candice. Kanina lang sabi nya papunta na sya pero hanggang ngayon wala parin. Tumingin ako sa mga taong dumarating. "Oh sya na yata yun love." Turo ko sa babaeng nakasuot ng black cap.
Wala namang reaksyon si Angel.
"Hi." Ngumiti si Candice sa amin at umupo sa katapat na upuan. "Sorry medyo natagalan ako, may nangyari kasi." Tinanggal nya ang suot na cap kaya napansin ko ang mumunting pawis sa kanyang noo.
