Book Of Unknown

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Matthew’s Point Of View

It’s already 8 o’clock in the evening yet we’re now at the dining area, having dinner with her and grandpa and with the takers of the mansion. Malaki ang lamesa at saka maluwag ang dining area na meron ang mansyon ni lolo, kakasya ang benteng tao rito sa lamesa upang kumain.

Nasa pagitan namin si grandpa, habang ang upuan na nasa tabi niya ay bakante. Nasa dulo ang puwesto ng mga tao ni grandpa upang bigyan daw kami ng komportableng kwentuhan. We’re now eating a lot of foods on the long table, maraming iba’t-ibang pagkain ang narito

While we were eating, grandpa suddenly pointed his hand at the takers who were further away from us, “Hali’ kayo. Lumapit kayo, sumasakit ang ulo ko dahil ang layo ninyo.” He said to them while his other hand was holding a spoon.

They followed and then quickly moved to a seat near us. Maia sat beside me, followed by Aling Ria and Mang Joey, and grandpa’s other people were in the vacant seats in Bellia’s direction.

Tumawa si grandpa at saka sinenyasan silang kumain na, “Edi mas magandang tingnan, ‘di ba? Parang pamilya tayo na bumubuo ng isang dosena.” He urged and then sipped his soap.

“Senyorito, kumusta po ang pag-aaral ninyo roon?” Mang Joey suddenly asked me.

Sinulyapan ko ito habang ipinatong ang magkabila kong siko sa lamesa, “Ayos lang naman po Mang Joey, walang problema’t pinoproblemahan,” I adduced as I continued to chew in my mouth. “Si Diego po? Nasaan?”

I heard Aling Ria’s laugh, “Naku, Senyorito, naroon po sa kwarto at naglalaro, e, busog daw kaya hinayaan na namin. Bago po kasi ang hapunan, e, kumain siya ng dalawang mamon. Talagang ‘yong batang ‘yon kahit hindi pa oras ng pagkain mag-aaya’t mag-aaya siyang pakainin namin siya.” She said as she wiped the soap that drops on her mouth.

I just nodded. I can see myself in their son, Diego. It’s like when the times come, and he will be like me. Hopefully, he will not. My last visit here was a year ago, and maybe he’s now nine years old. I hope he comes out of their room so we can meet.

“Hindi po namin sinabi sa kanya na nandito ka na upang mabigla siya kapag nakita ka na niya, pupuntahin niya po kami rito kapag alam niyang tapos na kami, Senyorito,” sabi ni Mang Joey habang napapasabay ang kanyang hawak na kutsara sa kanyang pagsasalita. “Walang araw na hindi ka po niya binabanggit at tinatanong sa amin, Senyorito.”

My cellphone suddenly vibrate in my pocket while we’re enjoying the food. Kinuha ko ito at saka sinilip kung sino ang nagpadala ng mensahe sa akin.

“I’m here in front of the gate; there are no takers out there. I can’t go inside.”

When I put my cellphone back in my pocket, Bellia took my gaze. I saw him looking at me as if he was watching me with every move I made. I gave him a nod while both of his hands were holding a spoon and fork.

Tumayo ako at saka hinawak sa braso si grandpa. “Grandpa, I’ll be back, may bisita lang ako sa labas.” I uttered as I gave him a smile when he nodded at me.

I no longer glanced at her as I adjusted my seat and then went straight to the living room. I took my cellphone out of my pocket and then sent a message to Gabriel as I walked out of the mansion. I looked straight at the gate and saw him there.

I ran and then I opened the gate for him, “It’s good that you’re here now. Kumusta ang byahe? Pawisan ka o galing ‘yan sa ulan?” I asked as he entered.

Pinangunahan niya ako sa paglalakad at saka naman ako sumunod pagkatapos kong ikandado ang gate.

“Why she had to go with you here, Matt? Did not she thought about me? Even we’re ain’t cool this past hours, I am still worried ‘bout her. This girl was so… Ah, hindi ko malabas sa bibig ko. Where is she now?” Sunod-sunod niyang sabi habang mabilis ang lakad niya.

I shrugged as I put my two hands in my pocket.

The rain had hit him because even his shoes that left a trace were wet. His hand went in front of him, and he looked like he had adjusted his necktie.

We entered the living room together and quickly went straight to the dining area. He didn’t stop walking and just went straight to grandpa’s place, and he gave respect by handing grandpa. I looked at Bellia, who now had an obvious shock on her face as she had stopped chewing her food.

Grandpa looked carefully at the one who suddenly waved at him, his two eyes narrowed as if he was wondering if he knew who was in front of him now. I approached Gabriel and then held him by the shoulder as my gaze went to grandpa. “It’s Gabi, ‘lo.”

Grandpa’s head suddenly twitched as if he couldn’t believe what I said, “Gabi ba ang sinabi mo, apo? Si Gabi ba ‘yan?” Hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong sa akin. Inayos pa niyang ang kanyang suot na salamin habang sinusunod niya kami ng tingin ni Gabriel.

Tumawa si Gabriel at saka hinawak ito sa braso. “Yes, ‘lo. Gabi is now standing in front of you.”

Grandpa stared at Gabriel again and then slowly took his hand that was holding his shoulder as a wide smile appeared on his face. “Ikaw nga, apo. Tingnan mo nga naman, sa kabila ng lahat kong iniisip na susuwayin ako ni Matthew sa pangako niya, e, magsasama pala siya ng mga kaibigan niya. Ang saya ko ngayon, Matthew, apo. Pinasaya mo si lolo,” sabi niya at sinenyasan na lumipat ng upuan ang katabi ni Bellia’t doon umupo si Gabriel.

I looked at Bellia, who was now sipping broth, and couldn’t look at the two of us. I sat down in my chair and adjusted my seating.

Gabriel went there at what grandpa said and then sat down next to Bellia. I could feel the awkwardness between them right now, it’s funny. Inumpisahan ko ng kumain habang iginagalaw ko ang kabila kong binti.

“Oh, handaan niyo ng pagkain ang aking apo,” aniya habang nakaturo kay Aling Ria.

Aling Ria quickly followed and then prepared food for Gabriel. Gabriel watched Aling Ria put food on his plate, and he gave a word of “Thank you."

I heard grandpa moan after he wiped his mouth with the handkerchief that was on his chest, “Hmm, kumusta ka Gabi, apo? If you will ask me if I’m alright, I am, apo. Balita ko ay kaibigan mo pala ang prinsesa mo,” he asked as he finished wiping his mouth and smiled at Gabriel.

Tumingin ako kay Gabriel na ngayon ay inaalis niya ang suot ng necktie na basang-basa, stupid, he didn’t managed to take a shower first, he might catch a cold. Umubo ako at tinuro siya gamit ang hawak kong kutsara, “You should take a shower first, Gab, you might catch a cold if you stay still.” I urged as I continued on eating.

Hindi niya ako pinansin at ibinaling lamang ang kanyang tingin kay grandpa, rude. “I am doing fine as well, ‘lo. Thank to god that you have still strength to do things.”

My grandpa laugh at what Gabriel said. Well, Gabriel has that sense of humor, masasabi ko na mas gusto siya ni grandpa kumpara sa akin, dahil ako napapasaya ko lamang siya unlike to Gabriel whom making him laugh hard.

Napailing si grandpa dahil sa tuwa at saka ako tinuro habang ang tingin niya ay na kay Gabriel. “Matthew is right, apo, you might catch a cold. Mas mabuti pang maligo ka muna bago ka kumain, kaysa sa pagkatapos mong kumain at saka ka maliligo, baka magsuka ka lamang.”

Umiling si Gabriel habang ang dalawa niyang braso ay nakapatong sa lamesa pagitan sa kanyang pagkain, “No, ‘lo. I’m alright. Hindi naman ako gutom.” He uttered as he taking a peek from Bellia.

Kumunot noo si grandpa sa nakitang pagsulyap ni Gabriel sa kanyang katabi. “Bakit ka nga pala nandito, apo?”

Sumulyap sa akin si Gabriel habang ang kanyang panga ay umigting at umayos sa pagkakaupo, “I just missed you, ‘lo. Hindi ako nakasabay sa byahe nilang dalawa dahil marami pa akong tinapos ng mga school stuffs. I also missed playing billiards with you, ‘lo.” He adduced as he gave his sweet smile to grandpa.

Walang tigil sa tawa si grandpa dahil sa kanyang galak, “Oo nga, apo. Kung bukas hindi kayo maagang aalis, e, we should play billiards together, hindi ba, Matthew, apo? We should enjoy the time for tomorrow, minsan lang naman tayo magkakasama, e.” Grandpa said as he turned his gaze to me.

“Matthew can’t play billiards, ‘lo, remember?” Gabriel suddenly urged.

Grandpa sniffed his mouth suddenly and looked at me from eyes to my hands while holding utensils, “Is that so? Hmm, but it doesn’t matter, apo. We will teach him how to play billiards so he could play with us together sooner,” sabi ni grandpa at tumatango pa habang nakangiti sa akin.

I nodded and wiped my mouth with a white handkerchief on my chest. “How can I say no to you, ‘lo? We will enjoy tomorrow, so you should finish your food, so you can take a rest and have your full strength and energy by tomorrow, okay?” I said when I stood up and tapped his shoulder.

He nodded too and then wiped his mouth once again, “You’re right, apo. So, I will now take a rest, everyone in this room. Good night and have good nightmares ahead.” He adduced as he stood up while his hand was on my arm as his support.

Bawat isa sa mga tauhan ni grandpa ay binati siya at saka nagpaalam. Nang sulyapan ko si Gabriel ay binigyan niya lamang ako ng isang tango at nagsimula ng kumain.

I supported him from the living room to his bedroom as I heard his every breath heavy as he stepped up the stairs to his bedroom. I could listen to him complaining about the size and length of his mansion, and he didn’t seem to be able to walk and step.

“Mukhang kailangan ko na ng wheelchair, apo. Grandpa wasn’t able to take the stairs up here to his room. I should buy a wheelchair of my own so that I wouldn’t be trying to catch my breath anymore, hindi ba, apo? Mas mabuti siguro ‘yon sa akin,” he said while we’re entering his bedroom. “Thank you, Matthew, apo. You made my night, and you completed my day.”

Ngumiti ako habang inalalayan ko siya sa pag-upo sa kanyang malambot at malaking kama na kulay abo. “You don’t have to thanked me, ‘lo. You should take a handsome rest now. Maia will be here when it’s time for your medicine, okay? Huwag mong tanggihan ang mga gamot na ipapainom niya sa ‘yo, it’s for your strength.”

Inalis niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking braso at saka na umayos ng higa at sinabing, “Yes, apo. Don’t worry about grandpa, hindi ako tumatanggi sa mga gamot na pinapainom sa akin ng akong nurse.” He uttered and coughed.

Inayos ko ang kanyang pagkakakumot. “That’s good to hear from you. Good night, grandpa.”

I was able to leave his bedroom, but he suddenly called me, “I like Gabi’s closest friend, Matthew.” He uttered while closing his eyes slowly.

I nodded and smiled. “Is that s—”

“You should show her the River of Uki.” I heard him whisper as his eyes finally closed and listened to his breathing.

Napatitig ako sa kanya dahil sa kanyang binulong, did he mean it?