The Taste of Trouble of Skinny Dipping

Chapter Sixteen

The Promise

Our past is our constant reminder that what we are today is because of our past. Some experienced traggic in the past and manage to become better today. Miracles do happens everyday, we just need to have a little fate.

As Shakespear once said, "the world is a stage, and all men and women are merely players, we have our exits and entrances". Indeed it is. We sometimes failed to act but sometimes we stand out from the crowd. Learned from experiences, and move on for your betterment.

And for people, they come and go. We need them let them go. Dwelling in the past prevents you from going further. That's why took a step and breathe.

"Oh iha, bakit nandito ka?" Napalingon ako sa nagsalita sa likod ko.

"May naalala lang ako sister" mapait kong ngiti sa kaniya.

She is Sister Celly, the mother superior of the Hospicio de Santa Monico, one of the orphanages here in this city.

My mom introduced me this orphanage when I was young. Our company is one of the sponsors here, pero si mommy talaga ang nagpakilala sa amin nito. Their family is the pioneer sponsor of the Hospicio.

Dito ko rin siya unang naranasan ang pinamgakuan pero hindi pinanindigan.

Malayo ang tingin ko sa paligid ng Hospicio habang nakaupo sa ilalim ng Punong Acacia.

Umupo si Mother Celly sa tabi ko at ang mata ay nasa malayo din.

"Do you still think of him?"

Napayuko ako at pinagsaklop ang aking mga kamay. Ituwid ang paa para inunat ito.

"I just want to know the answers to all my whats and whys sister" I pause. " what will be the important thing he wanted to tell me that day? Or why he stood me up and never come back?" I continued.

"Sa mundong ibabaw, lahat walang kasiguraduhan, walang nakakaalam kung ano pwedeng mangyayari sa susunod na segundo, minuto, oras, o araw. Alam ko meron siyang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya nakasipot ng araw na yun... you just have to faith in him" masuyong saad ni sister Celly sa akin.

FAITH. Five letters only but denotes something big. Patience and Trust, two great words that composes Faith.

Kung tutuusin maliit lang na bagay iyong napag- usapan namin pero dahil yun yung unang taong hindi kasapi ng pamilya ang nangako sa akin, nagtiwala ako. In the end, napako lang pa. From that day, I told myself. Be doubtful to guard yourself from any uncertainties and learn not say promise, instead, assure and ensure.

"Nasakasihan ko kung paano kayo lumaki at lumalim ang samahan, kaya alam ko at naiintindihan ko na nasasaktan ka. Tiwala lang iha, babalik siya at ngingiti kanalang kapag nasabi na niya ang gusto niyang sabihin sayo 3 years ago" pagpappatuloy ni sister Celly sa pagpapalubag ng loob ko.

Yeah, she witnessed it all. How we played together, tease each other, and hugged each other when one of us is lonely and crying.

Masakit lang dahil naging party na siya ng buhay ko. Masaya ako kapag kasama siya, masaya kami kapag kalaro siya.

I was not hurt because I was into him. I was hurt because I trusted him and he promised to be here before he bid his goodbye. Naghintay ako ng araw na yun pero walang 'Chester' dumating.

I am at Adi's condo right now. Dito na ako dumeretcho after kong bumisita sa Hospicio. Nagkaroon sila ng occular visit sa site ng new project nila with one of their Professors. Kaya mag- isa lang ako ngayon dito. Tapos ko na din gawin ang mga homework ko nakapagluto na rin ako ng pagkain namin pagdating ni Adi.