Ex-husband

Chapter 3

Where did I first meet him and first see him? Rykiel Eryx Barjo... Well, in San Francisco.

I met Rykiel in his teenage years. He was 13 years old and I was 21 at that time. I just thought he was 15 or 16 then. I knew that I was a few years older than him when I first met him, but I didn't expect that the distance between us was so much... 8 years...

I was on vacation in San Francisco and I had just graduated from college. K-12 didn't catch up with me so I went straight to college after I graduated from my High School year.

I just went with Dad to their province. Grandma is still alive, Daddy's strict mother used to restrict me from being me.

14 years ago...

"are you okay, son? Aren't you hungry? There's even some food left over there. I ordered double. Son?" Dad asked me worriedly while we were still on the road.

Dad and I are currently carrying a car. Our family driver drives the car to San Francisco and it's a long way from Manila but we stopped over to eat.

Before we left, we went to Starbucks and Dad bought something to eat for us to eat along the way. Yeah, our pocket.

"I'm still full, Dad. We just ate a while ago, eh. Remember?" I said smiling.

I was in the backseat and Dad was sitting in the passenger seat with our family driver next to him. Three boxes of pizza, five burgers and drinks were placed on the seat right beside me.

"That's good," he said and he was reading a magazine, "Take a nap, Jessel. We still have a long way to go," he added and I nodded for response. Because it looks like I'm sleepy too, eh.

I did what Daddy said. I did fall asleep and only woke up when I felt our car stop.

From leaning on the headrest of my chair, I straightened up and ran my fingers through my long hair. I looked out the window and my mouth dropped when I saw the big hacienda.

I think we have arrived...

The height of the gate is black. If only the building of the hacienda wasn't so tall, he might not be visible from the outside.

Grandma's hacienda is like a palace.

"Welcome to hacienda Diamente, Jessel," Daddy said and I glanced at him for a moment. I smiled at him too.

A man came out because he was the one who opened the giant gate and he barely bowed. He was wearing white longsleeves with his loose dark pants tucked in and he was also wearing black boots,

I saw the lowering of the window glass on Dad's side and waved to the man who quickly approached his seat.

"Welcome to San Francisco, Mr. Janus," the man greeted my Daddy with a smile.

"Thank you, Albeo. You are still the same as before, nothing has changed about you," said Dad. There is a trace of satisfaction in his voice, "My only son is with me," Dad said, so I lowered the window glass.

"Hi, good afternoon to you," I politely greeted him. He also bowed and greeted me back.

"Your son is really beautiful, Senyor. He looks just like you in your youth, even now," Mang Albeo continued to flatter. That's why Dad laughed so hard. I admit that I do look like Dad. I got my mommy's eyes.

After a while, they finished what they were doing and our passenger got inside. I was more amazed by the beauty of the hacienda.

It's so beautiful...

I didn't wait for our family driver to open the car door for me, I could do it. I willingly got down from here and my smile was wide.

When I looked at my wristwatch it was 3:12 in the afternoon. The length of time Dad and I traveled, just to get to the province.

As I expected, this place feels good. Unlike when I was in Manila, at this time the sun is still shining and the car horns are too loud, which only brings air pollution and no fresh air.

Just like this... I stopped my monologue when I saw the teenage boy. He might be 15 or 16 years old. He is very tall and not obviously a teenager. His muscles are already big, they are stretching in the thin black shirt he is wearing. He was also wearing loose brown denim shorts paired with black boots. His hair is messy but even with his back he is still handsome. Even though I haven't seen his face yet.

He just turned his back from where I was standing but because it looked like he was feeding a horse I could see the side view of his face. His place was not far away so I could clearly see his sharp nose. Her complexion is brunette, Filipino-Filipino.

I don't know why I seem to be staring at him for so long and I didn't notice the acceleration of my heartbeat which is not normal anymore. I shook my head at the same time I heard Grandma's voice.

"Janus! My son!" Grandma immediately greeted my Daddy and hugged him tightly.

Dad is an only child so Grandma is like that every time she sees my Daddy. When Dad was young, Grandma preferred that my father stay at the hacienda and run their rice mill, but her only son is also an explorer and prefers to be in Manila, to focus on Grandpa's business and that's where he met Mommy.

From the very beginning, my Mommy was not in favor of Grandma. He is very clingy and seems afraid that Dad might be taken away from him. So my Mommy suffered a few more hardships at the hands of Grandma.

Fortunately, Mom survived and Grandma had no choice but to accept Dad's chosen husband. They love each other, she needs to accept the fact. He cannot restrict his son forever.

So when I told Mommy that I was going with Dad, she was still shocked. Because maybe I couldn't handle it but I said, "You did it, Mommy. Am I still?" So in the end he agreed and just warned me not to be stubborn even though he knew I wasn't like that.

I'm just going to see if there's a change in my only Grandma's behavior and I can say now that she's still clingy.

"Mama," my Dad called his Mom. The longing for my Grandma was also in Dad's voice.

"You surprised me, my son! I thought you would arrive tomorrow, so I was really surprised when our maids informed me that you had arrived!" Grandma, I'm still here. I'm with my Dad. Hello...

"It's a surprise, Mama, and my son is coming. Your granddaughter," my father said and he gently pulled me from my arms so I could be close to them.

"Good afternoon, Grandma," I greeted her with a genuine smile. I reached out to kiss his back. Then I kissed her cheek. What's her name, again?" Grandma asked with a look on her face as if she really forgot my name.

I scratched the back of my neck and Dad laughed softly, "It's Jessel, Mama. My son is your only grandchild," said Dad and put his arms around me.

"You're only 18, there's an I right?" I winced at his second question.

Is Grandma forgetful? Or does he just not want to remember my birthday and my name? Because I'm not important to him? Grandma was present at my debut, huh? And how many years ago or maybe he thought I was really 18 until now? That was two years ago, Grandma. I'm 21 years old now. You forgot?" I politely asked.

Surprise appeared on his face and he looked me over from head to toe. It just stopped in my face. I can see the... amusement? Or is he just laughing at me? How I look? Do I look like a child in his eyes?

"You've got to kidding me, dear. You look like a teenager, just your looks," she said.

I looked at my Dad and asked him, "It's a bad thing, Dad?"

Daddy just kissed my senses and he even laughed a little.

"It's like your Grandma says you never get old," she whispered.

"Because I am not, anymore I'm still 21, Dad," I burst out. Would I be happy about that?

"Anyway, I'm glad that you're here too, my only grandchild," Grandma said and I was even more shocked when she hugged me. But I hugged her back and because I was looking at my left side, I didn't expect that our eyes would meet with that... teenager.

It was like the world stopped at that time. His eyes were deep as he stared at me. It's like he's examining my soul as well. But I couldn't tear away any emotion from his gentle face.

And yes, he's handsome...

"Ms. Jessel?" I blinked as my mind flew back to the past, to a good memory...

I think the elevator opened a while ago and I was just stunned. They also wait for me to go out first.

"Are you all right, Ms. Jessel?" Sabel asked me. She sounds worried.

I touched my nose that was already hurting, "It's just itchy," I answered and I pointed out my nose.

"You have medicines for your allergy to flowers, Ms. Jessel. I prepared them before we came here," she said.

"I'll drink later. Thank you, Sabel," I said.

Who gave me that flower? Doesn't it know I'm allergic to flowers? Or they just don't know me that's why?

I just shrugged my shoulder and we entered our respective hotel rooms. I looked at the medicine that Sabel was referring to but it looks like... she forgot or I forgot? Because I didn't find any medicine inside my small duffle bag. He often prepares it.

I also couldn't stop sneezing and when I looked at myself in the mirror in the bathroom, my nose was very red. Even my throat was itchy because of my repeated sneezing.

I didn't bother Sabel anymore and just poured water into the pitcher and drank. I also have two glasses.

I'm carrying a glass of water in my left hand and I'm holding my phone in my right hand which has been buzzing for a while. I went out and hung out on the terrace. He had a chair and a table so I sat there and put the empty glass of water down there.

Khai baby is calling...

Hello, baby," I answered the call.

Are you okay, Mom?" he asked me right away I'm fine, baby..."

"Why is your voice like that? It's like you're going to be arrested?" his question made me sneeze more and more.

"Did someone give you a bouquet of roses? A flower?" he asked and I nodded even though he couldn't see me. Accidentally, baby. He probably doesn't know that he only likes flowers but not my nose," I joked that I laughed along with it but I didn't even hear my son keep up with me.

"I'm fine, baby. I drank a lot of water," I said and I couldn't help but sneeze.

"Can't help, Mom," he said from the other line and I was about to say something when I heard a familiar baritone voice.

"Come closer. Drink this coffee, this can help your allergies." I was shocked. I didn't expect that he talked to me and...why he seems worried about me?

"Mom? Who was that man?" Khai asked me seriously.

"Uhm..." I didn't answer either... I was nervous.

Does Rykiel Eryx remember me? Is he like this if he's worried about me because he remembers that... I shook my head and stood up.

I will not refuse that he offered me coffee. Will this really help me? A coffee?

I approached the end of my terrace. It turns out that he owns the room on the other side, which is also right next to our hotel room.

Our terrace is within arm's reach, but I'm not sure if it can climb up and move to the other side.

"Mom?"

"Just a minute, baby," I said and felt Rykiel staring at me coldly. I sneezed and reached for the coffee from his hand.

"Don't tell me, Mom. You're going to drink that coffee of a stranger? Did you know him, Mom?" I still heard my son's voice and I stared at Rykiel's face.

His face hardly changed. He's still handsome, he just looks like he's matured.

If anything, maybe he is 27 or 28 years old now?

Dear, he was still 16 when I married him. Yeah, Rykiel Eryx is my ex-husband..

To Be Continued...