DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Chapter 13

Riding my bicycle slower at its regular pace for the first time has put me in a different dimension. I’ve never enjoyed taking things low especially when it’s about heading home since my patience is so short, however, tonight seems different as I’m heading home with Cherry’s dad. He’s walking while I’m riding my bicycle.

“Bitbitin mo ng maayos ang cage,” puna ko ng medyo tabingi ang pagkakabitbit niya. Baka kasi makaidlip si Yorkie at malaglag. Iniiwasan ko lang na masaktan siya lalo na ang mga pakpak niya.

“Opo madam,” sagot niya at pinakita pa sa akin kung paano niya inayos ang pagkakabitbit niya. “Bakit hindi mo nalang ipasakay si Yorkie sa bike mo?” tanong niya na nagpataas ng kilay ko.

“Wala ka namang dala...” pagdadahilan ko. Sayang ang ipapasweldo ko sa kanya kung wala siyang ibang gagawin bukod sa samahan ako sa pag-uwi.

Our journey was silent and boring. Kung hindi ako magsasalita ay wala rin siyang sasabihin kaya mas pinili kong manahamik nalang hanggang sa dadating kami.

Nang madaanan namin ang park ay naalala ko si Ady na nakita ko kanina. Magsasalita na sana ako tungkol sa nakita ko pero naalala kong nagdesisyon na pala akong tumahimik nalang.

And it was as if he read what I was thinking as he whispered Ady’s name. Kasunod nito ay ang pagkakalaglag ng birdcage ni Yorkie na ikinahinto ko.

Cherry’s dad crossed the street in a flash, leaving me astonished as Yorkie escaped from his birdcage.

“Yorkie... come to mommy...” mahinahon kong tinawag si Yorkie habang nag-hohop sa sidewalk. Once he’ll use his wings, I don’t know if I’ll be able to see him again.

“You can’t just fly away from me Yorkie...” I called on him once again. Naglabas na rin ako ng pagkain niya at inilatag iyon sa loob ng birdcage niya na ngayon ay sira na ang maliit na pinto nito.

I felt a sudden chill when he continuously ignored my pleas. My head started to spin uncomfortably as my handshakes in desperation. It was like I was pulled back from my peaceful present to the day I was desperate to claim my freedom.

“Don’t do this to me Yorkie... I cared for you!” my tears started to fall from my eyes unconsciously. People who might see me might say I went overboard for crying over a bird but Yorkie is all I have other than the money in my bank account.

I whistled. I whistled several times to catch his attention before he’ll saw other birds flying in the sky and finally leave me alone.

Nang makuha ko ang atensyon niya ay naglagay ulit ako ng pagkain sa loob ng birdcage niya. I let out a sigh of relief when he entered his cage and started to peck on his food.

With my handkerchief, I tied the opening of the birdcage to lock him up. “Yorkie you must stay with me despite the circumstances, hmm?” I reminded him although he will never understand me.

Pinanood ko si Yorkie na kumakain sa loob ng birdcage niya. Muntikan na siyang makalaya mula sa akin pero hindi niya ginamit ang pakpak niya. Yorkie has wings whilst I do not have yet I managed to escape by spreading my invisible wings.

My hands curled into fists when it dawned on me how Yorkie could possibly leave me earlier. I don’t deserve to feel this way — to feel agitated. The way how Cherry’s dad undoubtedly let go of Yorkie’s birdcage after he uttered Ady’s name will never be forgivable.

My whole body trembled in fury. Nang binitawan niya si Yorkie ay para niya naring binitawan ang mundo ko para mahulog ako sa kawalan. Nagawa niya talaga iyon dahil kay Ady — a woman who’s nothing compared to me.

After I placed Yorkie’s cage safely on the bike’s rack, I followed the track of Cherry’s dad.

***