IN BETWEEN

19

In between- 19

"Bitch you really cut your hair!?" Penelope's jaw almost drops seeing me in very short hair.

"I almost not recognize you, akala ko may girlfriend na dala si Finn," Kaira added while fixing her things in the trunk.

"I told you so, I'm gonna cut my hair."

"We're drunk last time. Akala ko nagbibiro ka lang." Sambit pa ni Penelope, hindi pa rin maalis ang tingin sa akin.

I'm starting to feel awkward, lahat kasi sila ay pinapansin ang buhok ko. Even Mama and Papa almost had a heart attack when they see me in this haircut. Not to be sound overacting but they're just really dramatic. May pahawak pa si Mama sa dibdib nya habang hindi maipinta mukha ni papa. Si Finn, nagsisigaw.

Swear to almighty, they are the most dramatic people.

"Come on, titigan nyo nalang ba buhok ni Maia? Hindi kayo dadalhin nyan sa Lakeside." Cayden uttered, I thank him in silence.

Nagulat man sya noong nakita ako kanina ay wala na itong sinabi, ginulo nga lang nya ang buhok ko.

I take the gunshot sit while the two girls are at the back seat, eating sandwiches that Mama prepared for us to eat when we get there but knowing them, hindi na makakaabot duon ang mga sandwich na 'to.

Bahala silang magpaliwanag kay Mama kapag nagkita-kita na kami duon.

My eyes laid on the hospital, dito nga pala ang daan papunta sa lakeside. I can't help but feel sad, it's been a week since Abri leave the hospital. The ward was never the same as before since she left. You can still hear the cry of the patients or their laughter but it feels so quiet.

I feel homesick. There was one time where I took a nap then my phone alarm at 12 in the midnight, a reminder to wake Abri for her to drink her medicine. I was out of mind at that time since I had a straight duty. I came running into her room, running out of breath only to realize that she's not there anymore.

It's not only me who done the same thing, Doctor Muarez also mistakenly do his rounds in Abri's room. Nasa likod nya ako habang sya ay abala sa chart na hawak nya, nagulat ako nang bigla itong pumasok sa kwarto ni Abri at bumati pa dito. Narealize nya lang na wala na si Abri nang ibaba nito ang tingin sa kama. Wala itong nagawa kundi mapabuntong hininga. He really miss Abri.

"Hey, you okay?" I snapped when I hear his voice.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You seems out, nandito na tayo oh." Napa-tingin ako sa labas at tama nga sya, nandito na kami. Nasa labas na sila Pene at Kai, tinutulungan sila Mama na mag-unload ng gamit.

"Oh, hindi ko namalayan." Sambit ko at bahagyang napatawa.

"You should spend this day taking a rest, your work seems to stress you out this past few days." He uttered with a voice of concern.

"Uhm, it's been exhausting but I can carry on. Thanks for your concern, Cay." Cayden nodded.

The morning breeze welcomed me as it touches my skin, I can't help but close my eyes, a little smile glimpse on my face as I feel serenity.