This is one of the best sleeps I've ever had since I was 6. I looked up to the white-colored ceiling and smiled. It's still dark outside dahil alas kwatro pa ng umaga.
Vina called me yesterday saying we should bond today. Sinabi nyang gusto nyang mag-unwind because she feels more pressure now. Gaya ng nakagawian, we will go to our favorite place.
I told her na dadaanan ko sya para sabay na kaming pumunta. Knowing her, mabagal rin syang kumilos.
Nakababa na ako ng taxi at kita ko na ang mataas na palapag ng condo na tinutuluyan ni Vina. Manong guard knew me because I sometimes visited her on weekends.
I called her on the phone when I reached her floor.
"So glad you're already here, Eli." Vina hugged me when she opened the door.
"Nandito si Mommy, pasok ka muna. Kunin ko lang bag ko." She smiled and turned her back. Nag-alala naman ako para sa kanya. I know what's happening.
As soon as I stepped near onto their doorstep, I could already hear her Mom's voice.
Tumanggi na akong pumasok at naghintay na lang sa labas ng pintuan nya.
"-why don't you be like my friend's children? Running for Magna or Summa. Vina! Be responsible for your gra-" Napahinto naman si Tita Jane ng makita ako.
"-Oh. Or be like Eli, Vina!" My heart suddenly stopped beating when I heard her Mother's unending comparison.
"Don't be hardheaded-"
"Mom! Please stop comparing me to others." Vina said and dragged me away from her Mother. Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag ng makalabas kami at makasakay na ng taxi.
"Ang aga ni Tita Jane ha." I said and we laughed again.
She was very open to me about her family. She would always talk about how irritated she was whenever her mom talked about her academic status and compared it to others.
Nakarating kami sa favorite place namin. Ang mga stalls ng kainan kaharap ng tabing-dagat. Maaga pa pero bukas na sila.
We sat on the bench, facing the beach. Bitbit ang mga binili namin na ipinatong sa maliit na mesa sa harap.
Nakakatawang isipin na ito ang paborito naming lugar. Pero ni minsan ay hindi kami lumapit sa dagat. At kahit kailan ay hindi muling nakalapat ang mga paa namin dito.
"Thank you, Eli." She mumbled and ate the sinangag we bought.
"I didn't do anything, Vin."
"Your presence is already a life-savior, Eli." I smiled at her.
"Did you forget? You saved me, Vin. The dark night and stars witnessed it." I told her. She hold my hand trying to stop her tears.
"Nakakasawa na rin minsan si Mommy. Nasasaktan ako, Eli." she started crying. I put my sinangag down and hug her.
"It's okay to feel the pain, Vin. It's okay not to be okay, remember? Words are hurtful and you can't ignore if it's too much."
"A-alam mo yung sakit pag lagi kang nacocompare?" She tried to wipe her tears.
"Maybe I don't, but I know how hurt the pain was, Vin. Iba-iba man ang napagdaanan natin."
"Eli, Mommy won't mind if I get hurt. She won't mind as long as she gets what she wants. I can't understand her."
"I don't know what she thinks, Vin. Maybe she just wants the best for you. But tell her what you feel. If you're not ready, I'm just here." Napangiti sya sa sinabi ko.
