Chapter 17

KINABUKASAN, tahimik na nagbe-breakfast sina Sindy at Gabryel. Parang walang sinuman sa kanila ang gustong magsalita tungkol sa pagdalaw ng mama nito nang nagdaang gabi. Hindi kasi niya alam kung paano bubuksan ang paksa rito.

"Ano'ng gagawin natin?" naitanong niya bigla nang hindi na siya nakatiis. "Iniisip ng mama mo na boyfriend kita at nagpaplano na sila ng kasal."

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Wala."

"Wala? Hindi puwedeng wala tayong gawin sa ganito kaselang sitwasyon. Your mother is planning our wedding. You didn't even bother to correct her wrong perception about us. We can't just stay here and do nothing."

He gave her a tight smile. "Sindy, they had been planning our wedding since birth. Pero may nagawa ba sila nang umalis ka? `Di ba, wala?"

"Iba noon. Iba ngayon. We are together. Or sort of."

Sumimsim lang ito ng kape at tumayo. Hindi na nito inubos ang agahan. "Don't fuzz over it. It will pass. Hayaan mo lang siya sa ngayon." He was trying to act tough but she knew he was disconcerted, too. "I will take a shower."

Nakatulala lang siya sa pagkaing halos hindi nila nagalaw pareho nang mag-ring ang cellphone niya. Namutla siya nang makita sa maliit na screen kung sino ang caller. "`Ma!"

"I heard from your Tita Bless that you are staying in Gabryel's house at the Stallion Riding Club. Is it true, daughter?"

"`Ma, I can explain."

"So it is true that you are living with him?"

"It's not what you think!"

Napaungol siya. Hindi niya alam kung anong paliwanag ang gagawin niya rito. She could see the whole picture. She was such a disgrace to her family. Nakikisama siya sa isang lalaki nang walang basbas ng kasal. Her mother would surely drag her by the hair. And she would parade her around and brand her as a scarlet woman. Sasabihin nito na parang hindi siya isang Arevallo. Na pati mga ninuno nila ay itatakwil siya.

"Oh, I am so happy for you, darling. You and Gabryel are together!"

"`Ma!" Sa tono nito, parang magpapa-fiesta ito sa buong Altamerano. Hindi siya ikinakahiya nito. Masaya pa ito para sa kanya.

"You finally had sense. Me and Blessilda are right. You and Gabryel are right for each other."

Pumikit siya nang mariin at sinapo niya ang noo. It was worse than she had expected. Mukhang makikiplano rin ito sa kasal niya. "`Ma, listen. I am just here on a vacation. Gabryel was just gracious enough to lend me his villa since I am writing a series of novels about this place."

"You don't have to explain anything. I understand. I perfectly understand. Love caught you like the ones in the novels you write. Why don't you and Gabryel visit Altamerano sometime? I will throw a big bash for you. Finally, my daughter, a popular novel writer, is coming home to Altamerano. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes," she said theatrically.

Noong nakaraan lang, isang kahihiyan ang tingin nito sa kanya. Ngayon, kulang na lang ay ipagpatayo siya nito ng rebulto dahil lang inakala nitong may relasyon na sila ni Gabryel. Gusto niyang tanggapin siya nito bilang isang anak hindi dahil inakala nitong gusto na niya ang lalaking gusto ng mga ito para sa kanya.

"What's the matter? You look pale," puna ni Gabryel nang maabutan siya nitong nakatulala pa rin sa harap ng breakfast table.

"Ha?" Naipilig niya ang kanyang ulo. "Nothing. May iniisip lang ako."

"Huwag mo nang isipin si Mama, okay? Just concentrate on your novels."

She just smiled and nodded. She didn't have to bother with her problems. Tatapusin na agad niya ang nobela niya para makaalis na siya sa bahay nito. Hindi ito dapat mapahamak dahil sa pagmamagandang-loob nito sa kanya.

She had to get out of there soon. She was falling for Gabryel so fast. Baka dumating ang oras na pati ang mga maling dahilan para pakasalan ito ay maging tama. At ang pagkukunwari nila ay naisin niyang maging totoo.