Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

1 7

"As much as I wanted to stay, I still have studies to finish in the Philippines."

I scratched my head when my sister maintained her grip on my belongings. She looks like she wanted to cry and I can't help but chuckle. I let out a laugh when she glared at me.

"Ilang linggo ka lang dito tapos aalis ka na agad." Napangiti ako nang punasan nito ang gilid ng mata niya, nagpapanggap na umiiyak.

"I will pay a visit soon. Maybe after this school year." Sinabi ko na ang bagay na pwede kong sabihin para lang paalisin niya na ako. Baka ma-late pa ako sa flight ko.

"Hon, he'll visit you soon. Don't be sad. He'll be late in his flight." Thankfully, I have here her boyfriend.

"Sure? I'll wait for that. Dito ka na lang tumira next year." I chuckled when she made a sad face. She pinched me again which made me flinch. Mapanakit talaga. I shook my head at the thought.

"Yeah, yeah. So, I'm going now." I smiled at her. Tinanguan ko lang si Aeron para magpaalam.

"You sure you can go to the airport alone, bro? I can accompany you."

"No thanks. I can handle myself. Thank you for letting me stay here and take care of my sister. I gotta go."

I carried my bag to the elevator. Hanggang sa pinto lang ako ng unit nagpahatid kay ate. I saw her will to follow me but she stopped herself. Of course, she's a sister. Madalang lang kaming magkasamang magkakapatid and I understand her for being this clingy.

When I reached the ground floor, I immediately look for taxi. Thankfully, hindi ako nagkakaroon ng problema sa paghahanap ng masasakyan. Even the first day of staying here.

"EW8, Paya Lebar station," I told the driver.

'Yon kasi ang pinakamalapit na MRT Station mula sa lugar ko. I just wore earphones to let the driver know I was not entertaining conversation. That's the politest way to show that you're not into talking.

Hindi pa man ako nakakalabas ng bansa, parang gusto ko na ulit bumalik. Ganito siguro talaga ang pakiramdam kapag nakapunta ka sa pangarap mong lugar. You will always feel that feeling that you don't want to go back to your original place.

Tumingin na lang ako sa labas habang nasa biyahe. The buildings, the gardens, the trees, plants, cars, the people - I will miss this place. I will surely go back here once I am done with my business in the Philippines.

Hindi ko na alam kung gaano katagal ang biyahe. Basta pagmulat ko ng mata ko, naririnig ko na ang tunog ng train kasabay ng pagtigil ng sasakyan. Tinulungan lang ako ng driver na ibaba ang mga gamit ko bago ito umalis.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Agad akong humingi ng tawad sa lalaking nakabangga ko. He's on his phone that's why he didn't even glance at me. He just continues walking as if nothing happened. I shook my head. Hindi ko na lang pinansin 'yon at naghintay na lang sa pagdating ng train na sasakyan ko papuntang airport.

Nang dumating ang tren, nakipagsiksikan ako para makaunang makasakay. Wala akong panahon para maging maginoo ngayon. I have to be early so that I won't be late in my flight.

Ilang sandali lang ay umalis na rin ang tren. Hindi ko na inabala ang sarili ko na makipag-usap sa ibang tao na nasa loob ng tren. We were just silent. Some are talking but in a minimized voice, almost a whisper. Some busied themselves with their phone and I am one of them.

Nakakangalay tumayo, honestly speaking. Marami akong nakikitang nakaupo at mas lalo lang akong nangangalay kapag nakikita kung gaano sila ka-komportable. Napabuntong hininga ako't napatingin sa relo ko. Gabi ang flight ko at magdidilim pa lang.