Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 43

New York

Nang mapakalma ko ang sarili ay saka ko pa lang sinagot ang tawag ni Genesis. When I ended the call, he started calling nonstop again.

"H-Hello," I answered.

"Nasaan ka?" bakas ang pagpipigil niya sa galit.

Narinig ko ang maingay na mga sasakyan sa background. Pati ang pag speed up niya kaya nataranta ako.

"Pull over Genesis!"

I'm scared he might get into an accident with him driving while raging mad. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata.

"Genesis please..." I plead, almost crying.

"Can you just tell me where you are? You're driving me mad Lalie!" Ngayon ay hindi na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses niya.

"Just pull over. Stop driving and go back to your house. Please." Mas nag panic ako ng marinig ang pag bilis ng pagmamaneho niya. "Do you want us to break up Genesis?! I told you to stop the car!"

"Sabihin mo muna kung nasaan ka. Lalie mababaliw ako kakaisip kung nasaan ka ng ganitong oras!"

Then I heard him stop his car. Ngayon ay tanging mabibigat na hininga ang naririnig ko sa kabilang linya.

"Look, I'm in somewhere safe. Don't worry about me. Now bumalik ka na sa inyo, Genesis. Please? I won't let you drive while you're mad, baka mapaano ka." I tried to explained it in the most calm way. I don't like us shouting to each other over the phone. "We're both mad. Let's just talk tomorrow morning. Rest for now. Promise, I'll call-"

"Lalie naman! Sa tingin mo ba papatulugin ako ng pag-aalala ko sayo?"

"I'm begging you. Go back and rest. I'll really call you tomorrow."

Bago pa man siya makasagot ay ibinaba ko na ang tawag. I took a deep breath when I finally realize what just happened. Kahit pa nanginginig ang kamay ay minabuti kong patayin ang phone ko.

I don't think talking with him at this rate, where we're both mad and tensed will resolve anything.

Bumalik na muna ako sa meeting at humingi ng pasensiya. It took hours before it ended. I have so many plans today but since I'm out of myself, I decided to head home already after the meeting.

Naubos ang oras ko sa pagkatulala sa kawalan habang iniisip kung paano ko ba sa kanya ipapaliwanag. The next thing I know it's already six in the evening, most probably it's seven in the morning in Philippines.

Should I call him now?

I opened my phone, only to see Genesis' numerous missed calls. I just hope he would understand my decision. I bit my lower lip hard while dialing his number. One ring and he answered it immediately.

Dinagundong ang dibdib ko ng kaba. He's not talking and I don't know what to say either. Maiiyak ako sa sobrang kaba.

Then I heard him clear his throat, as if getting impatient with the silence.

"First, I'm really sorry for making you worry awhile ago..." natutop ko ang labi habang nag-aantay sa sagot niya pero wala akong nakuha. "I'm sorry for not telling the truth."

"So where are you?" he asked impatiently.

Nag-alangan ako kung sasabihin ko ba sa kanya ang totoo. But I don't want to lie anymore. That would cost more trouble.

"I'm in... New York."

The line went silent and I thought he ended the call pero hindi naman. So I waited for him to talk. I'll understand if he gets mad at me. It's understandable.