The Ocean's Promise

Agatha's POV

"I am Margaret Valerio.." she handed her hand to Niko. Nakangiting sinalubong naman ito ni Niko.

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am.." he glanced at me first before continuing. "I am Nicholas Garcia. I'm Agatha's fiancee."

Mama felt shock. Namilog ang mata niyang nakatingin sa akin. It really felt awkward when no one talked.

Pero agad nakabawi si Mama at pait na ngumiti. "Oh i see.." she nodded like she was convincing her self thag what she heard was real. "It's.. good to hear that." She looked at me sadly even though she was smiling.

Lumapit mula ako sakanya pero umatras siya ng kaunti. Parang bigla akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa ginawa niya. Napahinto ako sa pag lapit. I was a few inches away from her.

She shook her head as if signaling me not to go anymore further. "It was nice seeing you again, Agatha." She smiled.

Her smile scared me a lot. This time I didn't know what it meant. Is she happy for me? I don't know! But it sure is making me nervous.

"I better go.." she looked at the man behind me and back at me again. "You guys enjoy the night." She smiled once more and left us.

"Tara na?" Niko said behind me. "The food is ready.."

It was hard keeping up with their conversation the whole night. Masyado akong nababagabag sa nangyari kanina.

Mama must be hurt. She must be. Baka iniisip niya na tuluyan ko nang makakalimutan si Anton? O baka iniisip niya na hindi ko na mahal ang anak niya? Is she thinking that I have already replace Anton? No way! That can never happen. But then again, sa tingin ko ay iyon nga ang iniisip ni Mama.

Pero kung iyon nga, mali siya. I can never replace Anton. Lalo nat hindi ko siya kayang kalimutan.. silang dalawa ng anak namin. Kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas at magpatuloy ako sa buhay ko, di ko maalis na naging parte sila ng buhay ko.

It has been weeks pero hindi na ulit nag tagpo ang landas namin ni Mama. It's like the universe has its own plans. Minsan sinasadya kong dumaan sa dating kumpanya or sa subdivision baka sakaling makita ko siya ulit para makapag paliwanag. Pero hindi... there were no signs of her.

"We keep on visiting this village." Napansin na iyon ni Niko makalipas ng ilang linggo. "Do you want to buy a lot here?"

"Ha?"

Natawa siya. "Mukhang madami pa namang bakanteng lote. And this subdivision looks nice. Well secured at tahimik.." he added. Sumusulyap sulyap din siya sa labas paminsan minsan habang nagmamaneho.

I grew silent. I don't wanna lie though.. di ko alam ano idadahilan ko. Ayaw ko din naman sabihin na gusto ko bumili ng lupa dito. Baka mamaya ay siya na mismo ang bumili ng lupa para sa akin! It will be more difficult.

It feels so hard for me to tell him about Mama. I'm not judging him. Hindi naman siya siguro magagalit kung gusto kong makita si Mama. But I know he would feel insecure about it. Mama parin ni Anton ang gusto kong makita. It's like wanting to see Anton again. And he knows Anton's stand in my life.

"We're leaving for Batangas tonight.." he suddenly interrupted my thoughts. "Mommy has been calling me non-stop. Ilang linggo na raw tayo dito sa Manila.. baka puwede na daw tayo umuwi ng Batangas."

"P-puwede naman.." nagaalinlangan kong sagot.

I forgot about this whole Batangas thing. Naging abala ako kakaisip kay Mama. Pero mas mukhang magiging okupado ang isip ko lalo nat pupunta kami ng Batangas.