When The Rain Stops

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Agad akong natauhan nang sambitin niya ito. Nakangisi itong nakatingin sa amin at parang natuwa pa sa naging reaksyon namin sa kanyang itsura.

You’re bad, Archer. You’re bad. You can kill us just by looking at you.

“A-ang gwapo niyo po talaga Sir Kean.” Malanding sambit ni Kevy.

“Ito na po si Amy. Mauna na po kami sa resort, Sir.” Kinikilig na sabi ni Nanli saka dali-dali silang lumabas dala ang kanilang mga gamit.

Naiwan ako ngayon kay Archer at hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko o sasabihin.

Should I tell him that he looks so damn handsome and… hot?

“Are you going to stand there and look at me forever, Rain?”

Can I?

“I-i… um..” humakbang ito palapit sa akin saka inilagay ang kanyang kamay sa aking beywang. He’s still taller even if I’m wearing a 4-inch high heel. I decided to just look at the ground now, I can’t stand his looks.

“or do you want us to just stay here now and not to go to the party anymore?” I know he’s smirking at me enjoying my dumbness.

He placed his finger below my chin and urged me to look at him which I did and met his gaze.

“You’re so fvcking beautiful, Rain Amira.” he looks serious now as his eyes scan my eyes, to my nose, and to my slightly parted lips. He looked back at my eyes with warmth and amazement.

“Those eyes captured me the first time I saw you, did you know that?”

“They haunted me in my dreams, they made me crazy to the point that I will often choose to walk pass your classroom just to see you.”

What? I didn’t know. Yes I’ve seen Archer multiple times in our floor before but I thought he was doing some school works or communicating with Instructors.

“I-I didn’t kn—“

“Shh. Shut up and let me admire you for a while.”

“B-but we’re g—“

“Can I kiss you?” he hesitantly asked.

I cleared my throat to prevent myself from stuttering now.

“No, Archer. We have to go.” Humiwalay ako sa kanyang hawak at saka nauna ng lumabas.

Mabilis siyang humabol saakin at saabay kaming sumakay sa elevator. Hawak ang aking beywang, iginiya niya ako papunta sa sasakyan.

“Mom wants to meet you.” aniya habang nagda-drive papunta sa La Vierna.

“What? Why? Sana sinabi mo na sasamahan lang kita ngayong gabi, that’s all.”

“Your Dad will be there.” Aniya na siyang nakapagpatahimik saakin.

I just looked straight at the road and watch the car lights before us. I don’t want to see him, he’s probably with his new family. I should be okay for me now, right? Or am I acting like a kid again because I can’t accept it? Mom is moving on, and why am I not?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that he’ll be with Tita Korina tonight.”

Then I guess, she’ll be there too… Karylle.

Who is she to you Archer?

“It’s fine. I don’t care.”

He parked his car in their private parking lot, different from the parking lot intended for the guests of the resorts. Agad itong bumaba habang inaalis ko ang aking seatbelt, binuksa niya ang pinto sa side ko saka inilahad ang kanyang kamay para alalayan akong bumaba. He hooked my hand on his arm as we walk towards the hotel.

The function hall’s door opened by two guards and as we enter, eyes are on us. Everyone is wearing either black or red, so I came to realize that it is a red and black theme. There are men and women who are in their mid-twenties, thirties and/or older. But there are also some who are around our age, maybe Archer’s friends, classmates, and sons and daughters of the people here. I tried to avoid their gazes and tried to search for Hannah or Vince, they are the only ones I know here although I already met some of Archer and Vince’s friends before, I can’t remember their names now coz that was only once, they were too many and I’m not good with names.

“My Son, you’re here.” Sinalubong kami ng kanyang ama kasama ang sa tingin ko ay kanyang asawa dahil kahawig ito ni Sophia, she looks beautiful and young for her age. Now I know where Archer got his good genes.

Pwedeng magpa-lahi?

Kidding! Ang landi ng utak ko, kainis.

“Dad. Mom.” Bumeso si Archer sa kanyang ina.

Tumingin sakin ang kanyang ina at binigyan ako ng isang matamis na ngiti kaya nginitian ko rin ito.

“Mom, this is Rain Amira Dovante.” Her eyes widened and her smile got bigger.

“Oh my God, you’re Amy!” agad siyang lumapit sa akin saka ako nito niyakap ng mahigpit. Naguguluhan ako, parang kilala niya ako.

“Mom you’re making her uncomfortable.” Ani ni Archer saka inihiwalay ang kanyang ina.

“Jeez, these boys didn’t tell me that it’s you Amy. By the way, I’m Karmina, you can call me Tita… or better Mom naland din.” Ani nito saka humagikhik na parang kinikilig. She’s so nice and cool, and I think fun to talk to, like Sophia, unlike his Son Archer na ang seryoso.

“Hello po. Nice to meet you po.”

I still don’t know why she is so happy to see me. Some of the guests resumed what they are doing and some are watching us.

“Did your Mom tell you that I was the one who named you “Rain Amira” ?”

Oh what?

“Po?” alam kong bakas saaking mukha ang pagkagulat. Mom didn’t tell me. Mahinang napatawa naman si Tito Ardent, and I felt that Archer looked at me too, I glanced at him and I can see that he’s puzzled as well.

“We are friends with your Mom, so when you were born we rushed to the hospital to visit you both. Your Mom and Dad doesn’t know what to name you, so I suggested Rain Amira and your Mom liked it! and Archer Kean, my son, my son” tumigil ito sa pagkukwento saka mahinang natawa.

“Yes. Yes I remember that.” Saad naman ni Tito at mahinang tumawa din.

“You were so afraid of her before, son.” Humalakhak si Tita sa memoryang nasa kanyang isipan.

I looked at Archer and he looks puzzled still.

“What? I don’t remember that Mom, don’t make stories.”

“Of course you don’t remember son, you we’re just 2 years old that time. You were grabbing my shirt tightly that time hiding behind me. And when we told you to touch her you were so hesitant, so I held your arm to touch her and you were just pointing your index finger, and the look on your face when baby Amy grabbed your finger was priceless!”

Malakas ang buhos ng ulan ngunit rinig ang sigaw ng isang ina na nanganganak sa loob ng delivery room.

“One more push  and hold it Mrs. Dovante, malapit na ang bata. Huwag mong bawiin para hindi ito masakal.” Utos ng doctor na siya namang sinunod ni Hilda.

Ang kapatid at asawa nito ay naghihintay lamang sa labas ng delivery room at rinig din nila ang sigaw nito. Kalaunan ay pinalitan ng iyak ng isang bata ang sigaw ni Hilda.

“Cut.” Pinutol ng isang nurse ang umbilical cord saka nila chineck ang bata at ipinatong sa dibdib ng kanyang ina.

“Congratulations!” bungad ng kaibigan ni Hilda na si Karmina at Ardent. Matalik na magkakaibigan ang mga ito mula kolehiyo pa lamang. Pumasok sila sa private room at nilapitan si Hilda na may hawak sa batang babae.

Kasunod ni Karmina ang isang batang lalake na halata sa mukha ang pagtataka at kuryosidad.

“What’s her name?” sambit ni Karmina saka hinawakan nito ang braso ng bata.

“Yun nga e, hindi pa kami nakapag-isip ng ipapangalan.”

“Naku naman Hilda, siyam na buwan kang nagbuntis tapos wala kang naisip?” natatawang ani ni Karmina.

“What if…. Rain Amira nalang? Tutal maulan ngayon ipinanganak siya.”

“Rain… Amira.” Nagandahan si Hilda sa pangalang sinabi ng kanyang kaibigan.

“That’s it! Rain Amira.” Aniya saka tumingin sa anak na nakapikit.

“Kean come, this is baby Amy.” Lumapit ang batang lalake ngunit nagtago lamang ito sa likod ng kanyang ina habang hawak ang dulo ng damit ito at sumilip lamang upang tignan ang baby na nakapikit na animo’y natutulog. It’s his first time to see a baby in real life dahil nakikita lamang niya ang mga ito sa telebisyon.

“Come on, greet her. Say hi.” Ngunit hindi tumalima ang bata. Natawa ang dalawang magkaibigan sa ina-akto ng batang Kean. Ipinuwesto ni Karmina ang batang Kean sa kanyang harapan at kinuha nito ang kanyang kamay upang ihawak sa bata na Amy. Gamit ang kanyang isang daliri ay nag-aalangan na hinawakan ng batang Kean ang likod ng palad ni Amy natatakot na baka masaktan nito ang malambot na balat ng bata. Ngunit laking gulat nito nang biglang ipinalibot ng batang Amy ang kanyang palad sa daliri ni Kean.

“M-mom? Mom!” tawag nito sa kanyang ina at hindi nito inaalis ang kanyang daliri nangangambang masaktan nito ang sanggol.

“It’s fine Kean. She likes you.”

Nang pakawalan na ni Amy ang daliri ni Kean ay agad itong pumunta sa likod ng kanyang ina.

“I thought you guys are already flying to US?”

“Na-move ang flight bukas dahil sa panahon. Pero mabuti na iyon kasi nakita pa namin si baby Amy bago kami umalis.”

“Kailan pala balik niyo?”

“Hindi ko pa sigurado.”

Nang pauwi na ang pamilya Saavedra ay kuryosong napatanong ang batang Kean sa kanyang ina.

“Mom? That.. a baby?”

“Yes. Are you afraid of her?”

“N-no! I-it’s just… I Kean scared.. I might h-hurt baby.” dahil sa edad ng bata ay hindi pa nito masyadong maayos ang porma ng kanyang mga salita

TV said babies are soft… f-f-fragile? can be hurt easily.” Sa murang edad ay mahilig ng manood sa telebisyon ng mga news ang batang Kean kaya hindi nakapagtataka na lumaki ito na kuryoso at matalino kahit na sa ganoong edad ay iilan pa lamang ang talagang kanyang naiintindihan.

“But baby i-is c-c-cute.”

“Whatever Mom.”

“I didn’t know you’ll really end up with her, son.” Makahulugang ngumiti si Tita kay Archer saka bumaling saakin.

“How’s your Mom by the way? I heard what happened.”

“She’s doing fine Tita. Better I must say.”

“That’s good to hear. Tell her to come and visit me next time.”

“Yes tita.”

“Ate Amy!” tumatakbo si Sophia na lumapit sa akin kasunod niya ang kanyang Kuya Karvin.

“Hello Sofie. How are you?”

“I’m fine ate.”

“Can we go play?”

“Sophia, it’s your Kuya’s birthday and Ate Amy needs to accompany him. So let’s go for now.” Inaya na ni Tita Karmina si Sophia matapos niya akong yakapin at nakipagbeso.

“The guests, son.” Ani lamang ni tito bago sumunod sa kanyang asawa.

“I didn’t know you were scared of me.” I joked at Archer while he hooked my arm to his as we neared to greet some guests.

“I don’t remember anything Rain. Mom’s just making up a story.”

“Why would you Tita lie, Archer.” Asar ko sa kanya at umiwas na lamang ito ng tingin.

“Damn. I shouldn’t have agreed on that dress of yours.” Aniya ng mahina habang nakatingin sa paligid.

“Oh you picked this gown for me?” it’s like there’s something on me that switched on and made me… happy?

“I looked good on them, right? Right?” I tugged his arm to make him look at me while I am beaming.

“I can see their looks on you, I don’t like it baby.” Aniya habang nakabusangot na tumingin sakin.

I just giggled at his reaction he looks cute.

“Don’t smile. You’re just making them like you more.”