Tell Her About Me ( Published Under IMMAC PPH La Gran Lista )

Chapter 22 ~ Tell Her About Me

ZANERO GUZMAN

Ten months later, our long-distance relationship is tough. Feeling alone even when someone loves you is hard. But, it’s not a big deal because we see each other from time to time, making the most of our moments together. We need to stay strong despite the distance.

I miss you more than life, Chelsea. I sighed while looking at her photos on my cellphone. Huling nagkita kami noong January 3, hinatid ko siya sa bus terminal. Almost ten months na, hindi raw siya uuwi this coming December because of class make-up but that’s okay. Our communication is stronger than a typhoon. Palagi naman kaming nagkakausap sa cellphone. Wala namang nagbago, talagang nami-miss ko lang siya nang sobra.

Fourth year high school na ako. End of November was our final exam for the 3rd quarter, kaya kinausap ko ang school head na kailangan kong makauwi muna sa Cebu dahil a-attend ako ng case hearing. Hindi ko rin alam kung ilang araw iyon kaya gumawa ako ng sulat para sa aking excuses.

“Love, uuwi ako ng Cebu after finals,” paalam ko kay Chelsea. “Monday na bukas, kaya finals na namin. So, Thursday ang flight ko. May ticket na ako,” dagdag ko pa.
Kailangan kong pumunta ng Cebu dahil hinahabol ni Daddy ang ari-arian na nasa pangalan ko na. Nagsampa siya ng kaso na magnanakaw ako. I can’t believe him. Wala na ‘kong puwedeng lapitan doon kun’di si Kuya Simon at personal attorney ni Mama. It’s going to be my third time facing my insane father. He has the right to everything, pero nagpirma siya dati na pipiliin niya ang babae niya kaysa kay Mama at sa mga ari-arian at negosyo.

“Mag-iingat ka love,” paalala niya. “Sana, nariyan ako para masamahan kita, kaso hindi ako makakauwi. Kahit Christmas, hindi kami makakauwi ni Ate Levina,” she added.

Yes, I wish you were here with me. Beside me, I feel afraid. How do I become mature? How do I act older? I’m scared of walking alone, but I must confront my reality. In just a few months, I’ll be turning 18 and reaching legal age.

“Okay lang ako, love. Don’t worry, I can handle this,” I lied, pero talagang nami-miss ko ang girlfriend ko. I want to hug her, lalo na ngayon.

Bakit dumating sa punto na kailangan kong harapin ang Daddy ko sa husgado? Hahabulin niya ang nasa akin na, pagkatapos niyang waldasin ang pera niya sa ibang babae at iwan kami ni Mama. Tapos ngayon, babalik siya para bawiin ang lahat? Ibibigay ko naman, bakit kailangan niya pa’ng pagbintangan akong magnanakaw? He is not in the right state of mind.

“Huy! Kanina pa kita hinahanap!” Nagulat ako at napalingon sa boses na iyon. It was Lily, wearing a pink dress. Nasa kuwarto ako habang nag-aayos ng ilang damit na dadalhin ko sa Cebu dahil mamaya na ang flight ko. Backpack lang naman ang dadalhin ko dahil hindi naman ako magtatagal doon.

“Anong oras ang flight mo?” she asked. Naikuwento ko kasi sa kaniya ang pagpunta ko sa Cebu.

“Two o’clock,” matamlay kong sagot. Bakit ba siya nandito?

“I was with Mom; she’s in the living room. Guess what?” I didn’t have time for this, so I just ignored her. “Look at me, Zane! Mama agreed to let me join you in Cebu!” I dropped my backpack on the floor in surprise at what she said.

“What the hell are you saying?! I’m not going there for a vacation!” inis na sinabi ko, pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya dahil alam niya na kapag kasama niya ang Mama niya ay hindi ako makakatanggi.

Ang hirap ng may utang na loob! Alam kaya ni Myrtle ang ginagawa ni Lily? She’s so obsessed with me!

“I’ll go wherever you go,” she said casually. “I bought my own ticket, and Lola Tonette told me about the flight you are on, so I booked a seat next to you,” she explained, making little sense. Damn it! Daragdagan pa niya ang iisipin ko. How about Chelsea? Magagalit na naman siya kapag nalaman niya ‘to.