Always and Forever (Allyse Sequel)

KABANATA 51 - Sister? I Don't Give A Hoot

"So, I'm glad you're back here safe." Ibinigay niya ang isang red cup ng iced tea at tinanggap ko iyon.

"Thanks. That means I'm back to work." Tawa ko.

"Yeah, we missed you at work. Ciara asks me everytime about your return." Uminom siya sa kanyang baso. Tumango ako. Binalot kami ng katahimikan kahit na dinig na dinig ang mga huni ng mga kasama namin sa kusina.

Nandito kami sa likod ng bahay namin. May malawak na ground dito at puwedeng magpicnic dito at isabay pa ang pagpapatayo ng apat na tent ay puwede.

Sa hindi masyadong kalayuan ay may picnic table doon kung saan kami nag-uusap ni Dave. May spot light naman sa isang poste ng bakod namin kaya maliwanag sa buong paligid.

"I'm sorry about your mother. We really have no idea what was happening there. We thought you're enjoying your toes in the sand and being sunkissed." He looked up at me with concern.

"I thought so too." Iyon lang ang isinagot ko. That vacation is far from enjoyable. It's like I was in the middle of the storm na kahit saan ka man tumingin ay wala kang lalabasan mula sa realidad.

"Well, you can still enjoy your vacation though. You'll be working on June-"

"I'll go to work tomorrow." Sabi ko na siyang tinaasan niya ng kilay. And what am I supposed to do here in two weeks without doing anything? God, ayokong matorture ang utak ko dahil sa kaiisip kay Allister.

"You sure?" Tanong pa niya.

"Yeah. I... I need a diversion, Dave. I don't want to keep those memories awake... When you have no choice but to leave everything behind... All the memories you had in your past, gone... Dave, the pain is unbearable." Lumandas ang luha ko sa aking pisngi at ako'y tulala sa kanyang baso.

"Unbearable enough that you can't even convince yourself that you're living a nightmare - when your love ones leave you and they didn't even say goodbye. One moment you're with them happy and seems like it would never end then next thing you know is you're alone." I felt his hand squeezed mine. I started to weep.

I suddenly feel alone without mama and papa... and Allister.

"Hey." Banayad niyang huni. "You're not alone, Allyse. There are people who have been there, I know. You have the same struggles and yet they are succeeding. I don't know how you feel but I thank you for trusting me your feelings. However, I want to assure you that you can always look up to me whenever you feel down, okay?" Paos niyang wika. Lalong lumandas lang ang mga luha ko dahil sa kanyang nakakataba-ng-pusong mga salita.

"Oh, Dave! Thank you!" Inihagis ko ang aking mga kamay sa kanyang leeg para yakapin siya nang mahigpit.

"Just cry it out, Allyse... just let it out." He whispered as he hugged me back.

I wonder why Maven and my boss have different personality. He's the complete opposite of Maven.

•°•°•°•

Mula sa pinto sa aming kusina ay nakita ko si Jessa na mukhang may hinahanap. Nang tumigil ang mga mata niya sa direksyon namin ay bahagyang umawang ang bibig.

Wala na akong pakialam kung sasabihin ba niya ang kanyang nakita kay Xavier at ipagsasabi iyon kay Allister. I have to make him feel that he's not the only one for me, that he can just keep his fuse blown to.

Lumapit si Jessa sa amin at nang malapit na siya ay doon lang ako humiwalay kay Dave.

Bigla akong niyakap ni Jessa at inalu-alu ako.

"I miss you, Allyse! I'm glad you're back." Aniya nang humiwalay siya.

"Thanks and I miss you more, Jess." Inakbayan ko siya. Nakangiti naman si Dave habang pinapanood kami.