บท 22: Bittersweet memories (1)
He was not able to say goodbye to her when Joseph sent her away. He was not able to ask forgiveness for what happened on his birthday. He owes an apology to her. He wanted to contact her before but was scared that she might not forgive him and that Joseph may find out what actually happened that night.
"Jolo!" called Christine excitedly after she dismounted from the horse leaving Joseph sulking with jealousy.
Jolo put the guitar down on the table before rushing out to meet Christine. He missed her and he has so many things to tell her, so many things to apologize for. Christine ran towards him and excitedly hugged him. He was taken aback, not able to react right away. He thought she was mad at him and did not expect to receive a warm welcome from him. He became tensed when he saw his big brother approaching them. He did not know how to react and Christine felt it. Feeling awkward, she let go of Jolo and composed herself. She was a little excited to see him again after five long years and she got overboard.
"How are you? I thought you won't be here until your final exams are over?" Christine asked enthusiastically even though she felt weird with how Jolo reacted.
"Are you done with your exams or it was just an alibi?'', Jolo asked him the moment he got close to them. He has a serious expression on his face which means he meant business and Jolo does not want to mess with him if he is in this mood.
"I asked my professors if I could take my exams early so I could go home early and they agreed, so here I am", Jolo shrugged his shoulder. He did not want to tell him that exams were actually over but he did not just want to back to the hacienda until he was told that Christine came back.
"I see. Well, that is good to know. Have you talked to Celine?'', Joseph asked him while looking at his hands being held by Christine. Christine felt awkward and immediately let go of Jolo's hand.
"Not yet, she was sleeping according to her maid when I arrived so I guess, I will just see her at dinner", Jolo said with a little quiver in his voice, his eyes turned misty. She is his mother but sometimes, she acts like not a mother to him and it saddens him. He was devastated when the incident happened, he rushed home but he did not expect that he will be rejected but his own mother. She only has Joseph as her son, she was always clinging to him. So he chose to stay at C City. If not for Christine, he will not be here right now.
Christine was observing Jolo and she can how Jolo was trying so hard to hide his emotions. 'What is wrong with the two of them? They don't look normal', Christine thought to herself.
"Ahem", Christine said awkwardly, trying to break the intense situation.
"So how are you, it has been a long time since. You looked mature now", Christine said, took his hands and guided him back inside the cottage. They have a lot of things to talk about and she wants it settled before she will go again, rather she will be sent away again, she sarcastically said to herself.
She led him to sit in the bamboo bench inside the cottage. The cottage was around 4 meters wide and 5 meters long. It has a small room on the left side of it and a small receiving area with bamboo benches and a center table which is also made of bamboo. Jolo sat on the bench facing the room while Christine sat opposite him. Joseph who followed behind sat beside Christine. She did not expect him to follow but she wants to talk to Jolo alone.
"Don't you want to check on your mom? We were out the whole day so she must be looking for you now", she asked Joseph, turning her head towards him and looked at him straight in the eyes.
"She must still be resting, I will see her at dinner", he said looking at her and then to Jolo.
"Yeah she is resting right now", Jolo said who really felt awkward but he just shrugged his shoulders and decided to just talk to Christine alone later.
"How was your study?", Joseph asked Jolo.
"It was okay. I only have 1 more semester left", he answered feeling a bit proud of himself.
"Good. I really hoped though that you have taken business management or commerce, so you could help me run our business", Joseph said. He was really hoping that and he tried to convince him before but Jolo does not have any interest in managing the business and decided to take civil engineering despite all his efforts to change his mind. But he respects his decision and he is proud of him.
"Nah, business is not for me. Besides, you are very capable to handle it", he said proudly. Joseph has been handling their family business right after he graduated from college. Even before that, he was already trained by their Dad. He realized that he missed Joseph. When they were kissed, he was always there for him, a big brother that always protect him. He just can't figure out what happened. he felt like they have grown apart after that incident on his birthday 5 years ago.
"Excuse me Master Joseph, Master Jolo, Miss Christine", said the maid with her down. "Dinner is already ready and Madam Celine is already waiting for you at the dining table", she continued with her head bowed down, afraid to look at her masters.
"Thank you", Jolo and Christine said at the same time.
"Ahahha. Letter for you, money for me", Christine said smiling at Jolo.
"You are still childish you know", Jolo smiled back and reached out to rub her hair, making a mess out of it.
"Stop it. You are still the prick", Christine caught his hand and tapped it.
"Right, dinner is ready. We shall go and join Celine", Joseph interrupted their exchange of happy banter.
Christine: "___"
"Yeah, let us go", he said and took her hand with his.
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