Help Me Survive

XXIX: All is well

Chapter 29

Sumama kaming dalawa ni Peace kina mommy at daddy patungo sa bahay.

Our ride there was silent but I can feel the contentment in my heart. Panay din ang lingon ni Peace sa akin kahit magkatabi kami sa backseat ng kotse at kitang-kita ng mga magulang ko ang ginagawa niyang pagsulyap.

My hands are shaking as we went out of the car. Matagal na panahon na rin no'ng huli kong nasilyan ang bahay namin. Nauna na sa paglalakad sina mommy at daddy sa hagdan habang dahan-dahan akong inaalalayan ni Peace sa braso dahil ayaw pa rin mawala ang panginginig ko.

As soon as I entered the double doors of our house, I immediately saw the glitter in most of our housmaids' eyes. Lalo na ang mga matatandang katulong dito. Saksi sila kung gaano ako pinahirapan ng mga magulang ko, pati ang pisikal na pagpapasakit kagaya ng pagsampal.

I can't believe na hindi ko ito nakita noon. That despite of the turbulence I've gone through, there are still people who genuinely care for me. I was blinded with my pain that I failed to notice their silent care. But that's all in the past now.

What matters is the present.

Sinusundan lang namin ni Peace sina mommy at daddy patungo sa library siguro nila habang hawak-hawak pa rin ni Peace ang mga braso ko.

I looked at him and gave him an assuring smile. Bumuntong-hininga siya bago tuluyang pinakawalan ang mga braso ko.

"Peace hijo, will you leave us for a moment? We'd like to talk to our daughter alone. Ipapatawag ka nalang namin ulit mamaya. Thank you," my mom gently said. Agad namang tumalima si Peace at lumabas sa library.

"Again, hija I am deeply sorry. Siguro kung hindi sinabi ni Peace sa amin lahat ng pinagdaan mo, lahat ng paghihirap mo mentally and emotionally, hindi kami magigising sa katotohanan. Na sinasaktan ka na namin sa kagustuhan naming maging perpekto ang aming anak para sa aming paningin. Indeed Chaos helped you according to Peace, but then siya lang ang naglakas ng loob para kausapin kami ng daddy mo at para isampal sa amin ang masakit na reyalidad."

I blinked many times trying to absorb what my mother said. I owe everything to Peace.

Narinig kong tumawa si daddy, "Ah, I remember now. Siya 'yong nagpupumilit pumasok dito no'n at talagang sinigawan kami at minura ang mga guard na pumipigil sa kaniya."

I gasped, I never thought that the calm Peace would be able to do such things. But then, I guess he did that for my sake.

"Indeed hon, pinakatumatak sa akin 'yong sinabi niya na 'anong klaseng magulang kayo kung nais niyong maging ibang tao ang anak niyo para lang mabuo ang ideya niyo ng perpektong anak? Hindi kayo pwrpektong magulang kaya wala kayong karapatan na ipagpilutan ang mga nais niyo para lang maging perpekto si Tanleigh sa paningin niyo.' That silly kid," it's mom who spoke again.

Alam kong marami pa silang pinag-usapan but just by hearing a little of what Peace said, it is already enough to make my heart melt.

Dear God what good thing have I done to this world to recieve such reward?

Ilang minuto pa nilang pinuri si Peace bagonipatawag ito sa isa sa mga katulong. When he entered the library, his eyes immediately locked on mine as he slowly strode towards me.

"We entrust our daughter to you Peace, we did a lot of mistakes and wala kaming karapatan na sabihin ito, but pleas etreat her as your gem. Never make her feel the horrible things we gave to her." Tinapik pa ni daddy ang balikat nito bago tuluyang ngumiti sa amin.

"Yes sir, I assure you, she is worth more than thousands of gem. No diamond can compare to her worth."

With that my parents gave him a contented smile. Sinabi pa nila na anytime ay welcome kaming bumalik dito. But they respected my decision when I said that I will still continue to live on my condo. They made me quit my job as a librarian na hindi ko naman tinutulan. They will just give me monthly financial support and continue on paying my achool tuition until I graduate.

"Peace, salamat talaga ha," I said to him no'ng makarating kami sa parking lot ng condo ko. Hindi muna ako bumaba dahil nais ko talagang magpasalamat sa ginawa niya sa akin.

"Hindi ko alam kung paano kakausapin o lapitan man lang ang mga magulang ko but you did it for me. Though you never cknsulted me first, but still thank you. It is such a huge surprise for me. It also helped me in my healing. I think kaunti nalang, tuluyan na akong gagaling."

Ginulo niya ang buhok ko, "Anything for you. And I'm glad that you are almost fully healed. Now I believe thatbtrue healing is not on the form of medicine, not on the form of doctors nor loved ones. True healing is accepting yourself wholly and letting your heart feel the scars because then you will feel the pain and with the seering pain finally closes the open wound."

I smiled at his words before I bid my goodbye and went out of our car. Pinanood ko ang kotse namin umalis upang ihatid din siya sa kanila.

A huge smile is plastered on my lips, I guess it's safe to say now that all is finally well.

Just like one of Shakespeare's creation, "all's well that ends well."