#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 27

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa amin kaagad?"

I forced a smile when Epione asked me that question after I told them what happened to me— why did I disappear? We're still at the tea house, just talking and drinking milktea. Sumandal ako at bumuntong-hininga bago tumingin ulit sa kanya para sumagot.

"I just don't know how. I was so lost that time... My head is a mess— I couldn't talk about it." I answered, looking down.

Ariell sighed. "Sabihin niyo kaagad kapag may problema kayo, ha? Noong ako... nandoon kayong lahat. Sinundan niyo pa talaga ako, hindi niyo ako pinabayaan. Kaya sana kapag kayo ang may problema, sabihin niyo para matulungan ko rin kayo."

"Hindi ka naman namin tinulungan noon dahil gusto naming tulungan mo rin kami, ginawa namin 'yon kasi kaibigan ka namin." Lizzie answered her. "Hindi ka namin tinulungan para maghintay ng kapalit, Ariell."

She pouted. "Kahit na! Gusto ko kayong tulungan... We're friends!"

"Wala naman kaming sinabing hindi." sagot naman ni Kiel sa kanya. Umirap si Ariell sa hangin kaya bahagyang natawa ang isa.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Kiel Patrick." asar na sabi nito.

"Asar talo, Ariell Khalia!" natatawang sabat ni Epione.

"You don't need to know everything to share the pain, but at least tell us some thing about it... don't leave us clueless." Kiel said, I nodded and bit my lower lip.

"We're here, Kha. We're your friends..." Jeshua said.

"Thanks..." I whispered.

"Woah! Khaisia, ikaw ba 'yan?! Hindi mo kami sinungitan!" Epione joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Since you thanked us, hayaan mong tulungan ka naming hanapin ang mommy mo." Jeshua said. Napatingin ako sa kanya habang naka-kunot ang noo ko.

"How can you help me?" I asked. Ilang linggo na rin ang lumipas pero pangalan pa lang ng hinihinala kong nanay ang mayroon ako.

"I think you forgot who am I." she answered in a casual tone, she wasn't bragging, but I felt like she could really help me.

I chuckled, remembering who she is, what she can and her connection can do. I totally forgot what kind of family she came from. She's smiling at me, not the type of smile to brag, but the type of smile that assures me.

"I could ask my cousin for help. Is that okay to you?" she asked.

"Okay lang sa kanya." sagot naman ni Ariell.

"Huwag ka ngang sabat nang sabat, sabon! Pinanganak ka bang papansin ni Tita?" suway sa kanya ni Epione. They started bickering so we just ignored them.

"Hmm... that's fine." I answered.

"Okay, but since hindi ko siya pwedeng guluhin ngayon, give me three days and I'll tell you everything." sabi naman niya sa 'kin. "What's the name?" he asked.