Embracing the Sea's Sadness (Amidst Solitude #1)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Cover

"Okay ka lang ba?" Amelia asked as soon as she reached me.

I tried to avoid her gaze when I saw her worried eyes. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa gitna nang mainit na araw sa open field habang pinapagaan ang sarili. Ni hindi ko na alintana ang init ng araw na humahaplos sa balat ko. She tried to reach for my hands, but I did not let her. Mabilis kong inayos ang sarili bago lumingon sa kanya.

"Yeah," ang tanging nasabi at ngumiti sa kanya.

She stared at me for seconds until her eyes saw my neck. I bit my lip trying to suppress my tears again.

"Ngayon ko lang nakita ang necklace mong 'yan ah. Maganda. Bagay sa'yo," nakangiting sabi niya.

Napahawak naman ako roon at bahagya itong sinulyapan, "Thank you, Amelia."

I cannot even tell her it came from Sir Nathan because she might get the wrong idea. Baka sabihin niyang may gusto sa akin si Sir Nathan dahil lang dito at ayokong mangyari 'yon. Nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko para maglakad ay nagpatianod na lang ako.

"What's your plan for Christmas?" tanong niya, nanatili ang tingin niya sa daan.

I looked at her and shook my head; I do not have a plan for Christmas Day. I felt a bang on my heart when I realized this would be my first Christmas and even New Year that I would not be able to celebrate with my parents.

"Siguro sa kasera lang ako, Amelia," ang tanging nasabi nang mahagilap na ang tamang sasabihin.

"Tatawagan na lang kita kapag Christmas Eve na, hindi ako pwedeng lumabas ng bahay, baka magalit si Mama, eh," she said, almost a whisper.

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumango at ngumiti nang konti sa kanya. I understand it. After this day, sa January na naman kami babalik. Ilang araw din naming hindi makikita ang isa't isa pero okay lang 'yon. Magkikita pa rin naman kami sa susunod na semestre.

Hindi ko namalayan ang pagbilis ng araw. Ramdam ko ang lungkot habang tinitingnan ang buong sulok ng kwarto ko. I don't have a plan to go out today, this Christmas day. I just busied myself with things I usually do; fixing my clothes, things, and anything that might help me forget that today is a special day.

Napapikit ako nang mariin nang maalala ang mga nangyari noong nakaraang taon sa Davao. It seems like it only happened yesterday. It's still very vivid to me.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie!" it was my Mommy's sweetest voice that interrupted me with what I was doing.

I immediately looked at Mom and Dad when I saw them entered my room. Inayos ko ang suot na damit bago mabilis na lumapit sa kanila. Bakas sa mukha niya ang saya nang makita ang malaking ngiti sa labi ko. She stared at me as if I am the most important person on Earth. Na para bang ako ang pinakakaingatan niyang tao sa balat ng lupa.

"You should have worn something red tonight, hija! Look at him, Armando! I cannot believe she's turning 18 next year! Shouldn't we prepare her grandest debut now?" si Mommy na lumapit pa kay Daddy para lang sumunod ito sa gusto niyang mangyari.

I chuckled a bit as I stared at them. "Mom, it's no need. I prepare a simple celebration with you two. That would be the grandest and most extravagant debut I would ever have, okay?"

Dad looked at me, amused. "You are really my daughter, Leigh."

"Ako pa ba, Dad? I'm a Ramos, after all," natatawa pa ring sabi ko ngunit nanatili lang nakamasid si Mommy sa amin.

She doesn't want to agree with us. She really wanted me to have the perfect debut so that I will not forget how special I am! That is what she said.