P.R.N

34

"I just wanted you there..."

I sighed as I remember the conversation I had with Cole that was cut short by an emergency call from my department.

What he said did not help me at all. It has been stuck on my mind for days. I was so distracted and I hate it.

It was already Sunday when I made up my mind to go visit Tita Karen's new house with my family. It's been years since I last saw Tita Karen.

"Ate Vienne ko!" She exclaimed then started running to me when she saw me getting out of my car.

Tory is almost 10 years old. She's taller now and even her voice sounds a little different. She doesn't like ribbons in her hair anymore— she likes it braided now. I honestly don't know what to feel about it. My baby is growing too fast.

I opened my arms to welcome her. I missed her. Mas dumalang ang pagkikita namin simula noong grumaduate ako sa Medical School at nagsimula na sa residency.

"I missed you po!"

"I missed you, too! Saan sila Papa?" Tanong ko rito.

"Nasa loob pa po. Hindi pa po tapos mag-ayos si Mama." Tumango ako bago siya akbayan para sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

Hindi ko na kayang buhatin si Tory. Bukod sa mabigat na siya, ayaw na rin niyang nagpapabuhat.

"Erica Vienne." Halata sa mukha ni Papa na nagulat siya na dumating ako. "You're coming?"

"Opo." Sagot ko bago ako lumapit at yumakap sa kaniya.

"Are you sure? Are you gonna be okay?" Sunod-sunod nitong tanong.

"Pa," I stopped him. "Matagal na po iyon at tsaka... wala naman po silang kasalanan sa akin."

It's all Matty. Everything must be blamed on him. Not on the alcohol he consumed, not on the politeness I've shown because he was my boyfriend's friend. Him and his lack of human decency were to blame.

"Hindi ba ang sabi ko sa inyo, yung sa amin ni Cole, kaya na namin 'yon." Paliwanag ko pa. I felt him kiss the top of my head.

"I missed you, my koala." I pouted when he called me that. "I just don't want you hurt."

"I'm going to be fine..."

Humiwalay ako kay Papa para yumakap at humalik din sa pisngi ni Mama.

--

It was just 15 minutes away from our house. Napakunot ang noo ko nang maalala na hindi naman along the way ang condo namin ni Xavi papunta rito.

Bakit nakasunod sa grab namin si Cole noon?

Or maybe Cole doesn't stay with Tita Karen? I have no idea.

Isa-isa kaming bumeso sa sumalubong sa amin na si Tita Karen. Nakita ko ang bahagya niyang pagtigil nang makita ako. Seems like no one expected my attendance today, huh.

"Hija..." She acknowledged my presence.

"Tita..." Why is this awkward? "...nice home po."

It's a bit smaller than their house at our neighborhood but it's still bigger and more spacious compared to other houses in the Philippines.

"Come in! Come in! Marami akong naihanda na pagkain!" She enthusiastically said.

Same old Tita Karen.

Naabutan namin si Cole na tumutulong sa paghahanda ng dining. My heart pounded stupidly when our eyes met. Hindi naman ito nagtagal dahil bumaling siya sa parents ko at bumati.