Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Waited

"Take care, Abuela!" A sad smile engraved my lips as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

She gave back a tight embrace, caressing my back and patting it slightly. Maybe she knew I'm sad about her leaving, that's why she was comforting me. My tears threatened to spill out. But when I heard her hushed me, that's when I failed and started sobbing.

Humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa'kin dahil doon.

"Abuela, tutuloy po ba talaga kayo?"

"Oh, nieta, don't make me cry!" she begged. "Don't worry, okay? I promise that we'll be back sooner."

Kahit gaano katatag at kapanata ang boses ni Abuela, alam na alam ko ang totoo. She's surely just holding back her tears for her not to look weak.

Hindi lang siya ang inaalala ko ngayon pagkatapos ng mga narinig ko. I'm also worried about Abuelo's state. He was shot for God's sake! Someone plotted to kill him! And now my family is preparing retaliation against the Sanchezes, whom they accuse of reasons unknown to me. Whatever happens, it will undoubtedly be smeared with the same blood as the previous ones.

Abuela became frightened by my cries.

"Magiingat kayo rito, Titus at Pablo," ani Tita sa kanyang mga anak na ngayon ay yakap na rin siya ng mahigpit.

Kuya Jax and Demi are getting the helicopter ready for their travel to Manila. Hanggang ngayon, gusto ko man makita si Abuelo, hindi pa rin nila ako pinapayagan. They told me he's fine. Pero alam kong hindi. Alam ko ang totoo, dahil narinig ko iyon mismo mula sa kanilang pinag-usapan kahapon. Ang ipinagaalala ko ay hindi ko alam kung nasaan ba si Abuelo.

I just hope he's okay.

I pray for him to be.

"Don't cry na, nieta... Por favor!" Abuela breaks away from me and caresses my cheeks, her thumbs wiping my tears.

Napatitig ako sa maganda niyang mukha. Seeing her worried about me, I can't help but feel guilty. "I'm sorry po for worrying you, Abuela."

She smiled as she softly cupped my face. "There's no need to apologize; it's perfectly fine to cry anytime you're unhappy, nieta. Always remember that. But don't worry about us leaving suddenly. Abuela promised you na babalik kami agad, okay?"

I bit my lip and nodded.

"So don't cry na. My Athena is beautiful, but she's much more beautiful when she smiles."

Napanguso ako sa kanya, nangingiti. "Abuela!"

She suddenly giggled at my reaction. "There! Very lovely, mi nieta!"

Kuya Jax stood behind Abuela and informed them, "The chopper is ready."

Kasunod niya si Kuya Demi. Mabilis na tumingin si Abuela kina Kuya at ito naman ang niyakap at hinalikan sa pisngi. Inayos ko naman ang aking roba at napahikab bigla. My tears dried somehow but my sadness didn't fade.

When the cold breeze in dawn swept, I embraced myself for warmth.

Mag uumaga na, ngunit medyo madilim pa ang paligid. Kahit ganoon ay heto kaming lahat sa malawak na frontyard ng manor. Naghihintay kami sa sa pag-alis nina Abuela, Tita Tamara at Tito Salvador. The maids too are all waiting for them to ascends.

Kahit naman nangako sila na babalik para sa kaarawan ko ay hindi pa rin maalis sa akin ang pangungulila. I anticipated my trip here to be joyful as it had been somehow before. A peaceful ber-months ahead with my loved ones.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Napabuga ako ng marahas na hangin, dahilan para makita ko ang usok na lumabas sa aking bibig. Naputol lang ang pag-iisip ko nang marinig ang mga iniwan na kataga ni Abuela kay Kuya Jax.