DISTRICT II: How does the bird sing? (District Series #2)

CHAPTER 6 - YOUTH

CHAPTER 6 

YOUTH

A few days after that revelation, nothing changed between them except the regular visitation of Chez, Kozma and even Stan who always bring food to stuff inside their refrigerator. He even visits her on the cafe whenever Eitan's busy.

Ibinaba ni Phillie ang mop na hawak at saka nilingon ang labas nang makitang kumaway mula roon si Eitan. Nakangiti habang hawak ang helmet at nakasandal sa motor.

The winter is long gone, the trees are slowly recovering from the freeze and the ground are starting to warm up. The wind is not that chilly anymore but the early April is still a season to wear their jackets.

Nang lumabas si Phillie mula sa cafe ay sinalubong siya ni Eitan na inabot ang jacket.

"It's warm!" Phillie complained.

"No. Don't underestimate the late winter." Eitan said as he wrapped the jacket around her.

Habang isinusuot iyon sa kaniya ay pinanuod lang ni Phillie ang pag galaw ng kaniyang malungkot na mga mata. Kada sasapit ang panahon na ito ay hindi maganda ang tingin sa mga mata ni Eitan.

Alam agad iyon ni Phillie.

"Should I come with you to visit her?" Phillie asked.

Eitan tapped her head and shook his head instead as an answer.

"You sure?" She asked.

"Mm." Eitan nodded and smiled at her.

It was a lie. 

She thought.

Whenever his mother's death anniversary is approaching, it takes a great toll on his body and mental health. Even after years of her death, regardless of how well their relationship are, Eitan is still deep down the edge.

Mahigpit lang ang yakap ni Phillie sa baywang ni Eitan habang pauwi.

Pagsapit ng araw na iyon ay naga-alala si Phillie na paikot ikot sa sala habang nag iintay kay Eitan na hindi pa rin umuuwi pagkatapos pumuntang sementeryo. Paulit ulit ni Phillie tinitingnan ang orasan.

At nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto ay dali dali siya roon nagtungo at sinalubong si Eitan.

"Where the hell have you been!? You should've gave me a call--" 

Bumagsak ang katawan ni Eitan kay Phillie. Naamoy niya agad ang alak na halos makapagpawala ng kaniyang pang amoy. Bumagsak silang pareho sa sahig. Naka tuon ang ulo ni Eitan sa balikat ni Phillie.

"If you wanted to drink you could've ask me to join you." Phillie whispered.

Hurt that he didn't rely on her during his most vulnerable times.

Malalim ang pag hinga ni Eitan ngunit hindi siya sumagot.

"Your mother wouldn't like to see you like this." She added.

Eitan chuckled very lowly and humorless. "She...wouldn't care."

"She will."

"She hates me." Eitan added. "I know that she only wanted to be with me during her final months because no one would take care of her."

"It's not like that.." Phillie said with her voice breaking.

"She hates me because...ya ubil yeye syna." Eitan whispered.

Umiling si Phillie nang paulit ulit habang pinipigilan ang sarili sa pag gawa nang ingay dahil sa pag iyak. Mahigpit niyang niyakap si Eitan ngunit tila nakatulog na ito. Basa na ang kaniyang balikat ngunit hindi na iyon alintana.