Down To The Rabbithole

Pinagmamasdan ni Venice ang kanyang iniinom, habang nakaupo sa biranda ng isang five restaurant; mag-iisang oras na lumipas nang matapos ang kanyang pakikipagpulong sa tumawag sakanya noong nakaraang araw. Hindi pa din mawala sakanyang isipan ang mga sinabi nito sakanya, malungkot ang kanyang mga mata at tila nagpipigil ng kanyang luha. Tumingin siya sakanyang gilid noong may nag abot sakanya isang puting panyo.

Nagulat pa siya nang marealize Niya kung sino ang nasa gilid niya ngayon, Clarabelle was there giving her the handkerchief she hesitantly take it then thanking her old friend. Nakangiti lang ito sakanya, napansin niya nakasuot itong above the knee na pulang dress nakaayos din ito at tila may hinihintay. Pasilip-silip kase ito sakanyang likuran, Venice was about to open her mouth to say something but she got interrupted by her.

"I saw you while I was heading inside the restaurant, it seems you are upset about something. Whatever you are feeling, you can let that out and I'm willing to listen to you" Clarabelle said while looking at the sky.

Venice simply look at her, mesmerized by her beauty even all those years have passed Clarabelle still remain beautiful in her eyes. She is still that kind old friend she had back in the Monterlert, na-divert ang atensyon nilang dalawa noong may tumawag sa pangalan ni Clarabelle.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Venice noong makilala kung sino ang pumanta sa biranda, tinignan siya nito ng mapahiwatig. Sinalubong ni Clarabelle si Deviola nang halik sa pisngi, hindi napansin na nasa iba ang atensyon nito. Ilang saglit pa ay umiwas ang tingin nito kay Venice at pinagbalingan si Clarabelle na nagsisimula na mag rant dahil matagal ito naghintay sakanya.

"You are an hour late, what took you so long?" Clarabelle said while hitting Deviola on his shoulder, hindi manlang nag flinch ito nakatingin lang sakanya ito habang inaayos ang nagulo niyang buhok dahil sa malakas na hangin sa biranda.

"Sorry for making you wait. An emergency happened, but it's all under control for now. Shall we? I know you are hungry, I need to make sure you are well fed before I go" Deviola said while caressing her face, agad naman napahinto si Clarabelle noong marinig ang huli nitong sinabi. Magtatanong pa lang siya kung ano ibig sabihin nito, pero niyakap lang siya nito at tyaka niya narealize ano ang kanyang ibig sabihin.

"Is she okay?" Clarabelle asked while returning the hug, she felt his mood is significantly different from their previous meetings and sa recent phonecall nilang dalawa.

Nakilala na ni Clarabelle ang kambal noong mag-usap sila ni Deviola via video call bago ito lumipad pabalik ng Pilipinas at naramdaman niya din awkward ang mga ito sakanya, pero kahit ganon ang naging treatment sakanya interested pa din siya makita ito personally. Deviola only let out a sigh as he shook his head, she can also feel na nagpipigil lang ito ng luha.

Talagang mahal na mahal nito ang kanyang mga anak sa isip-isip nito. Venice eyes went wide after hearing what Deviola just said. Deviola is the father of Clarabelle's daughters? Is that the reason why Gregory wanted to kill her friend?, That's the question running inside her head. She almost loose a grip on her wineglass after hearing a scandalous news, who wouldn't be surprise on it.

She can feel Deviola eyes on her, Venice look at him as well familiarizing herself on his face. It's a rare occasion to see what he really look like, she can also tell he is surprise to see her here. Deviola mouthed to wait for him, she nodded her head and watch them to walk away from where she was. She let out a sigh and look at the sky while taking a sip of her wine, while trying to comprehend all the information she just learned.

*Franchesca's POV*

Kahit may bonfire, hindi pa din napapawi panlalamig ko. Napatingin ako kay Deviola na nakatingin lang sa baga ng apoy at halata sakanya malalim ang kanyang iniisip. Clarabelle, parang narinig ko na ang pangalan na yon pero I'm not really sure kung saan ko nadinig yon. Napatingin ako sa labas ng kweba salakas pa lang nang buhos ng ulan parang hindi hihinto shuta, kailangan ko na magpalit ng damit kung hindi magkakasakit ako. Nakatakip ng braso ko yung dibdib ko ngayon kase naging see through yung suot ko dahil nabasa ng ulan. Mahirap na kahit tatay ko siya sa panahon namin, hindi naman niya ako kilala ngayon.