The Wing Series 2: Eight Pleas

CHAPTER 23

"Are you done?" may halong iritasyon ang boses ni Ate Mikaela nang muling pumasok sa kwarto ko.

Mabilis kong sinulyapan ang mukha sa salamin bago tumango sa kanya. Weeks after New Year when Ate Mikaela decided to tour me outside the hospital. I am still using the wig Ate Mandy bought for me. Inayusan niya rin ako kanina bago sinamahan si Alvin sa treatment nito. Gusto ko rin sanang manatili para samahan ang kaibigan pero ngayon lang nag-aya si Ate Mikaela dahil ngayon palang siya free.

I hug the trench coat tighter to my body when I felt the cold morning breeze. Mag aalas diyez na ng umaga at mataas na ang sikat ng araw pero sobrang lamig parin. May mga snow parin sa daan pero hindi na ganoon ka kapal.

Ate Mikaela was driving to wherever she wants while I was looking outside the window and enjoying the new sceneries in front of me.

"Where are we going, Ate?"

"Mall" nababagot nitong sagot.

Nakanguso ko itong tiningnan. Umirap ito at sumimangot na parang nababasa ang tanong sa utak ko.

"Why? Wala ka namang ibang pinupuntahan kapag nandito ka noon. If not in our house, you're in the hospital. Your life is boring. I don't even know why I agree with this? It's not like you'll remember something if you'd tour the whole Canada anyway."

Napaisip naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"If you want to remember something, go back to the Philippines. Your life is there." she said when she parked the car on the mall's parking.

Sabay kaming lumabas at agad naman nitong pinatunog ang lock ng kotse. Tiningnan niya muna ako mula ulo hanggang paa at ngumiwi bago nagsimulang maglakad.

Nagtataka ko namang tiningnan rin ang soot habang nakasunod rito. I am wearing a dark skinny jeans, white turtle neck sweather, brown trench coat, and a brown boots. At dahil naninibago pa ako sa lamig ay may soot akong white knitted gloves and beanie. Ate Mandy said I look cute though.

While Ate Mikaela said it's too childish and conservative. Nakalong-sleeves leather romper shorts kasi ito at high heeled boots. Parang hindi nilalamig. Pag ako pinagsoot non baka nagyelo na ako sa sasakyan palang.

"Kuya said it's not yet time to go back in the Philippines—"

Pinutol nito ang sinasabi ko kasabay ng pagbukas ng elevator.

"Well, it's because Unix is as boring as you. But compared to you, at least he has a love life"

Napanguso ako.

"I also have a...love life...I think" mahina kong usal na narinig yata nito.

Natigilan ito at sinipat ako ng tingin. Nagtaas pa ito ng kilay at may mapang-uyam na ngisi sa labi na parang hindi naniniwala sa sinasabi ko.

"And where is he?"

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. I should've just shut my mouth.

"I...I don't know..."

I heard her scoff. Nang tingnan ko ay nakangisi parin ito sakin.

"Is that true or you're just imagining things? Well, if it's true maybe he's got another girlfriend now. And hello? You're gone for a year! If I were him, I would cheat on you"

Offended by what she said, my forehead creased.

Hindi ko matanggap ang sinabi nito. Maybe because a part of me believes that he did really cheat? I haven't completely remember him yet so for now, he's still a stranger to me. At may punto rin si Ate Mikaela, nawala ako ng isang taon at wala rin kaming komunikasyon. Baka hindi naman ito nagcheat pero baka may girlfriend na ngang iba?