Love at First Coffee

Chapter 31

Betty

“Were here.” Collin said while maneuvering the car. Pagkatapos niyang patayin ang makina ng kotse, agad siyang pumunta sa side ko upang pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

While scanning the place, I saw a garden full of beautiful flowers. Sa sobrang pagkamangha sa nakita hindi ko namalayang humahakbang ang aking mga paa at unti-unti na akong napalapit dito.

It is indeed very beautiful, the fragrance of the flower as well as the fresh air. I absentmindedly closed my eyes while feeling the cold breeze. As soon as I open my eyes something caught my attention, in the center of the garden lies a grave. The grave of my mother.

“Your Lolo wants your mother to feel special that even though she is not here with us, we will always remember how your mother loves flowers and the good memories she brought to us.” Pagbasag ni Collin sa katahimikan. And while saying that both our attention are fixated on my mother.

“Collin, maaari mo ba akong iwan saglit?” I said while my full attention is on my mom. “Yeah, sure.” He said and silently walk to his car.

Pagkatapos umalis ni Collin, katahimikan ang bumalot sa paligid. I bravely walk towards my mom tomb and brought my hands to her name engrave to it.

“Ma.” At sa katahimikang iyon tanging pagtawag lamang sa kaniya ang aking nasambit. Sa simpleng salita ngunit lahat ng nararamdaman ko ay nakapaloob dito. Parang bumalik lahat ng sakit na aking naranasan, mga hirap na aking tiniis at ang pakiramdam na mag-isa.

Upon remembering all my struggles, how I survive alone in this cruel world suddenly the silent place are filled with sobs and cries of a little girl who wants to experience the love of a mother.

“I miss you Mom and it hurts to know that we will not be together.” I said while continue crying clenching my chest. “Minsan tinatanong ko sa Dios bakit ako pa? Ang dami ko ng pinagdaanan, ang pagkatao ko hindi pala totoo. Alam mo Ma kahit alam ko na kung sino ako mayroon pa ring parte sa puso ko ang kulang. Kulang dahil hindi man lang kita nakasama at nakilala.” “Bakit ang unfair?” I suddenly whisper while sobbing.

Pagkatapos kong nilabas lahat ng aking nararamdaman tahimik akong sumakay sa kotse ni Collin. I know Collin sense that I’m not in the mood right now that’s why he didn’t say anything and start driving. Tahimik lamang akong nakatingin sa tinatahak namin na daan.

Pakiramdam ko, gumaan ang aking nararamdaman. I always wanted to voice my heart out with someone to ease this feeling but the hesitation always consume me. Even though I don’t remember my memories being with my mother, I know that she unconditionally loves me and I will forever treasure that.

Pagkahatid sa akin ni Collin sa mansiyon mas pinili kong mapag-isa sa aking kuwarto. Mas pinili kong mahiga at umidlip muna because I feel kinda sleepy.

“Ma’am, ma’am Betty?”

Naalimpungatan ako sa pagtawag ng isa sa aming mga katulong. Dahil sa pagod hindi ko namalayang hindi na pala ako nakapag-palit ng damit.

I was yawning while walking to open the door.

“Yes po ate.” Inaantok na wika ko pagkatapos buksan ang pintuan.

“Ma’am may bisita po kayo sa baba. Si sir Hunter po nasa baba.” Magalang na wika nito.

Upon hearing Hunter’s name my heart start beating abnormally. Hindi ko alam kung bakit andito si Hunter dahil hindi din siya nagpasabi sa akin na dadalaw siya. And it is already late.

“Sige po pakisabi bababa na ako.” I said and after closing the door I walk to the bathroom to freshen up.

Pagkatapos isuot ang aking pantulog at makitang maayos na aking itsura naisipan ko ng bumaba upang harapin si Hunter.

Nakita ko itong prenteng naka-upo sa aming sala tila kanina pa niya ako hinihintay doon. Pagkatapos niya akong makita, agad siyang tumayo tila kinakabahan sa aking presensiya.

“Hey, what brought you here it’s already late.” I suddenly said while walking to sit in front of him.

“I heard from Lolo Alfonso that you visited the grave of your mother.” Nananantiyang wika nito habang ang mga maiinit niyang mga mata ay nasa akin lamang ang atensiyon.

“Yeah, Collin brought me to my mom.” I said returning his heated gaze.

Upon hearing Collin’s name, I saw how his jaw move while his hands turn into a fist.

“Why didn’t you call me?” “I can brought you there myself Cassandra.” Tila ba ay obligado akong sabihin sa kaniya lahat ng lakad ko at dapat siya ang kasama ko. “Why Collin of all people.” He said with gritted teeth.

“Why not Collin.” I bravely answered. “Why, because Collin is your enemy ganun ba?” I return his gaze with a heated one. Hindi siya kumibo tanging pag-galaw lang ng kaniyang panga ang kaniyang reaksiyon.

I feel suffocated to his actions. I want to clear this thing out and face my fear.

“Bakit hindi ka makasagot?” seryosong saad ko habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kanya. Masama ang loob ko sa kaniya dahil sabi niya pagkatiwalaan ko siya, pero hanggang kailan.

“Once and for all Hunter I will ask you, ano ba tayo?” nanghihinang anya ko

Sawang-sawa na akong masaktan, sawa na akong umiyak at kimkimin ang sakit na ito na mag-isa.

“Gusto kita pero ang toxic na eh.” Naiiyak na saad ko “Ang daming against sa atin, alam mo yun?” Bumabalik lahat ng mga masasakit na salitang nabasa ko mula sa estudyante sa school. Ang naramdaman ko nung time na dumating si Camille at hindi ako pinansin man lamang ni Hunter. Mga panahon na sweet sila sa isa’t isa habang ako tahimik na nasasaktan.

“Cassandra just trust me okay?” nahihirapang saad nito. He suddenly kneel in front of me and hold my hand while his eyes are full of tenderness fixated on mine.

“In the second time, I will ask you Hunter, please answer me honestly.” I am hesitant to ask this question but I want to clear my mind. Alam ko na maaaring sa isang simpleng sagot ni Hunter mababago ang relasyon namin sa isa’t isa.

“Wha-What is your relationship with Camille?” kinakabahang wika ko.

Pagkarinig sa aking tanong bigla na lamang lumuwag ang pagkakahawak ni Hunter sa aking mga kamay habang siya ay hindi makatingin sa akin.

“She is.” Nahihirapang anya nito. “She is my girlfriend.”

Upon hearing his answer, my tears suddenly fall from my eyes.

The tears just won’t stop.

And my sobs is the only thing that can hear in this silent night.

“Cassandra, please.” Nagmamakaawang anya nito habang pinupunasan ang mga luhang tila hindi maubos-ubos. “Stop crying, please trust me.” He added, I also sense that he is on the verge of crying.

He suddenly embrace me and repeatedly whispering “I’m sorry, please trust me.” I did not answer him nor nodded to him because literally I feel tired. My mind is tired and my heart is aching.

I just want to rest. Ang sakit pala mahalin ng isang Hunter Ethan Val del Rio.