DINALAYAN FALLS 2.0

“LOOKS LIKE YOU and your brother are okay, now.” I looked up at him then he nodded.

“Well, blood is thicker than water, you know?” He then smiled broadly.

I did not speak until now. I still cannot believe what is happening.

It feels good that they are probably okay with each other. I know that Lawrence’s heart is open for his

brother.

We spent a few more minutes in the water before we decided to go up. He picked up my clothes and

handed them to me before traveling to the small hut there.

Loud group stories greeted us. Lawrence turned his gaze at me. His features darkened, but his delicate

lips always had a faint smile.

He stood up and greeted me. “You should wear your shirt, sweetie. Don’t give me a hard time,” he

whispered under his breath.

My face heats up. I also immediately felt ashamed of what he said. So I decided to change my clothes.

We just ate lunch and then agreed to retake a bath. It was afternoon when the group decided to leave.

Too much has happened today. I am happy with what Lawrence and I have today.

But they say that if you are too happy, there will be sadness and pain in return.

***

WE GOT OUT of the car one by one. Laughter is still loud because of the incredible story that Santino

was making.

Lawrence and I held hands as we entered the mansion. But I was shocked when I found Samuel in the

living room hugging Clarence, right next to Elliesse, on the sofa.

My heart tightened. I tried to pull my hand back to Lawrence, but he held it tightly.

“Oh, how’s the falls? Did you enjoy it?!” his father greeted us. I wanted to take Clarence from him, but I

could not move my legs.

“It’s great, Uncle. Have you been here before?” Carrick answered after looking for his child Kyzler.

“You didn’t tell me that you are going to Dinalayan. I wish I were with you!” Elliesse smiled broadly at us

regardless of Lawrence’s tight grip on my hand.

“Thick indeed!” Cindy blurted out. She did not stop commenting.

“Oh, there you are. Dinner is ready, come, while the food is still hot,” said Mirasol.

“Finally! We can eat! I’m hungry because of the trip!” Jocko exclaimed. He seems to want to alleviate

the tension between us.

“Okay, let’s go to the table!” Cindy again, obviously refraining from speaking on her own.

He gave his grandson to Doris, whom I approached for a moment before following them to the dining

room.

“How are you, my little handsome?” I beat him with a kiss that made him giggle.

“Hey, come to daddy!” Lawrence said at my back.

With a smile, I gave him the child who was not afraid to come. As I watched them, I could not explain

the joy I felt at these times.

Lawrence and Clarence had a strong connection. I never want to deny his being a father to my son.

We left the child to Doris before we went to the table together.

***

THE FAMILIAR NERVOUSNESS came back to me when Samuel was so close. His presence made

my heart tremble and my knees weaker. He was sitting in the center, while to his right was Lawrence,

right next to me.

We started eating. The intense tension and nervousness were evident to everyone. Well, Lawrence put

some food on my plate.

“Thanks, sweety,” I murmured, looking up slightly to saw a smirk coming from Elliesse, who looked at

me sharply.

“I also want to go to Dinalayan Falls!” she suddenly said and glanced at Lawrence.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Elliesse!” Lawrence cut her off.

“Why not, son? It’s only now that Elliesse can go to the waterfall again,” his father interrupted.

“If you want, join me tomorrow. After all, I will also go to the plantation. I have lots of free time!” I turned

to Franco, who was playing with a smile on his face.

Elliesse turned her face into a frown, then stared at Franco.

“You know what, you must try there with Franco. I’m sure you can enjoy it there, as we enjoyed earlier,

right, Love?” Cindy sighed as if she could no longer hold the silence.

“You’re right, Love!” Carrick replied.

“It was Lawrence and Margaux who suddenly disappeared earlier. They were bathing in the lake when

they were just two!” Cindy rolled her eyes as she looked at Elliesse.

She seemed bored with what she heard, so she lowered the cutlery before drinking water.

The older Saavedra tasted the reason for Cindy to keep quiet, but I couldn’t help but smile because of

the plastered smile on Cindy’s lips.

“Son, you have nothing to do tomorrow, do you?” It seems that he does not like the idea that Franco

will join Elliesse.

“I will take my family and me to Manila,” he said, cocking his head to my side and turned to face me.

“She has a car with her. She can drive on her own,” he said without looking at his son.

I glanced slightly at Lawrence. His face darkened, and the muscle on his jaw started working. I held the

cutlery tightly and held my breath as I listened to them.

Tensions between the father and son seemed to recur, and the table became quiet due to his father’s

explicit refusal to take us home.

I can’t seem to swallow the food because of the intense tension. This belongs to .

“It’s better if Franco and Elliesse go to Dinalayan Falls while my family and I will go home,” he insisted.

He lowered the cutlery he was holding and pulled out the glass of water to end the conversation.

But his dad doesn’t like his idea. I even laughed at it before gently laying the cutlery on the plate. He

was leaning against the table with his arms crossed.

“Hija, what can you say?”

His eyes didn’t move. I could not answer immediately. His question was buffering in my head. Add to

that my heartbeat as well as the attention they gave me.

“You don’t have to ask her, Dad. I want you to respect my decision, and that is final.”

“Just answer me, hija.” He just ignored what Lawrence said, nodding at me and waiting for my answer.

I filled the chest with air before bravely meeting his stares.

“I can use my car back home, but if Lawrence really wants to take us home, then it’s okay with me,” I

said with my shaky voice.

I felt Lawrence’s hand on my thighs, and he bent over me, so I could barely close my eyes. “Good

answer, sweetie! Can I kiss you here?” he said huskily.

I bit down my lower lip and tried to fix my posture. Damn it! I shouldn’t have said that.

I saw the older Saavedra shook his head at us. If Lawrence wants to fight for me, I must not disappoint

him. I must support him because we are two in this fight, and it will not work out if one of us did

nothing.