The Brainy Rebel

TBR 41

Maxine Valdez

I'm trying not to. I'm trying not to. Damn, Maxine, try not to cry!

"Ate, can I come inside?"

I wiped that single tear off and turned to my door. "Of course, Marg."

She's wearing a floral dress. I knew she was going.

Tumabi siya sakin sa kama. We sat down side by side. "Stand up and get dressed, sister. We've got to go."

I shook my head. "I don't know if I can."

Nabigla ako nang ilapat niya ang mga kamay niya sa pisngi ko. "Stop crying."

"Am I?"

Marahan lang siyang tumango. Pinunsasan ko naman ang pisngi ko. Oo nga, umiiyak na naman ako.

"Ate Maxine, people come, people leave. Some of them become forgotten, some remains remembered. But whatever happens, it's up to you to continue loving them or otherwise. Kaya get ready na!" Hinila niya ako at tinulak sa CR.

No! I don't want to see Nate's fading presence.

Wala na din naman akong nagawa at naligo na lang. After that, nagbihis na din ako. Pagbaba ko, nagulat ako kasi nakabihis din si Mommy.

"Mom... you're coming?"

She wrapped her arms around me. "Mommy will be here, baby."

I felt that I was about to cry. Napakahina ko talaga.

I fought with that urge. I'm not gonna cry. Not this very time.

— 

"Ate, sinabi ko na naman kasi sayo. I can handle myself. Hindi mo na ako kailangan pang ihatid sa France." 

Rinig kong sabi ni Nate. Nandoon silang apat sa Starbucks sa airport. Kasama na nila sina Scott at Glenn, at ang SEB officers. Well, kaming tatlo, naglalakad pa lang palapit sa kanila.

"I want to! Gusto—"

"Maxine's here."

Sabay sabay silang lumingon sa aming tatlo. Lumapit agad si Mommy kay Tita Anne. Si Marg naman, kay Tito Francis yumapos. Tuwang tuwa siya kay Tito kasi miss na raw niya yumakap sa Daddy.

Well for me, niyakap ko agad si Ate Natalie. I'll be missing her too. She was more than just the sister of my boyfriend. She is my friend, my sister.