I just stared. Because I did not know what else to do but stare and gape at her. But then she smiled and I exhaled a breath of relief.
"Ano ba naman, Annica, ninenerbiyos naman ako sa'yo, eh," I said as she laughed softly.
"Ang tagal na kasi nating hindi nagkita, Cyd. Nakalimutan mo na ba how you used to do pranks on me when I was younger? Gusto lang kitang gantihan."
"O, tama na, ha. Nakaganti ka na. Muntik na akong atakihin sa puso. Halika na nga. Nagutom ako sa'yo, eh."
She walked beside me as we headed to the parking area. I had to give to her, I knew that her father's death must have crushed her because she was a Daddy's girl but she seemed holding herself rather well.
"Condolence pala..." I quietly said. "Hindi na ako nakauwi para sa libing ni Ninong. It was too late to apply for a leave when I heard about it."
"I know..." she replied. "We received the wreath and we appreciate it."
"Okay ka lang ba?"
"Hindi. But I am trying to be. Hindi pwedeng kaming dalawa ni Mommy ang hindi okay. One of us has to be stronger. I sort of accepted that role to be our little family's pillar after Dad passed."
"Why work abroad? Hindi ka na lang maghanap ng trabaho rito o sa atin para hindi ka na malayo sa Mommy mo."
"Mahirap maghanap ng trabaho sa atin. I tried applying and since wala naman akong work experience kasi bagong graduate ako, all I could get were entry-level jobs and the salary is not even enough for Mom's medicines."
"Ninang Salve is sick?"
"After Dad died she was hospitalized, I thought it was a heart attack but thankfully it wasn't. She was diagnosed with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy."
"Broken heart's syndrome?"
She nodded.
"I used to have that illness."
"Talaga? Walang naikuwento ang mommy mo. When was this?"
I chuckled. "Matagal na. Okay na ako ngayon. Pero, si Ninang, ano ang lagay n'ya?"
"Medyo okay naman. But she stayed in the hospital for a week because she had to be monitored. A week after she was released, we went back for a follow-up check up kasi sabi n'ya nanghihina raw s'ya. The doctor told me that Mom has an irregular heartbeat so she's under medication."
"I am so sorry to hear that, Annica."
She smiled weakly in reply. "H'wag na nating pag-usapan ang buhay ko, masyadong gloomy. Ikaw, kumusta ka na? I heard from your mother that you're doing well. Nakabili ka raw ng sarili mong condo at sasakyan. She's extremely proud of you."
"Mom might make it appear as if I just went to work and got myself a condo and a car for free but that's not what happened. I had to work my ass off for them. 'Yung condo ko nga binabayaran ko pa rin monthly 'yung amortization n'ya and I still have four years to go bago s'ya maging fully-paid."
"Aminin mo nang big time ka na, Cyd, don't downplay your achievements."
I laughed. "Sinuwerte lang. I got lucky with the company I work for. Bago lang kasi sila n'ung pumasok ako, I was one of the pioneers. Dati isang maliit na kuwarto lang 'yung opisina namin until naka-jackpot kami sa isang project at naging sunud-sunod na ang suwerte."
"I am really happy for you, Cyd," she sincerely said before she looked around the parking lot. "Teka lang, is this your floor? Dito ka ba naka-park?"
I nodded.
