Clouds Are Getting Heavy

Chapter 4

"Jennie, come here."

I immediately approached him.

"Sit here, I'll push you." he said with a smile. I followed his order and sat on the swing. He started pushing me from behind.

"More! Higher James." I said happily.

"Jennie, it's Kuya James." he corrected me.

"Higher, Kuya James."

He complied and pushed harder, just the right amount so I wouldn't fall off.

"Jennie, can you hear the-"

"Ice cream!" I shouted. He stopped the swing, and I immediately ran towards the ice cream vendor.

"Two ice creams, please."

The vendor promptly gave us the ice cream, and Nanay Belet paid.

"Is it good, little sis?" the boy asked me.

I nodded in response. He laughed and ruffled my hair.

"James? Where are you going? What is this?" I asked curiously as a young child to another young boy.

"Jennie, call me 'Kuya' because I'm older than you, so you should call me 'Kuya James'." he said with a smile.

"What is this? Are you leaving, Kuya James? Can I come with you?" I asked.

"Diba gusto mo makasama sila mom and dad?" Ngumiti nitong sabi, agad naman ako nahawa sa mga ngiti nya.

"I'm going there to bring them back. I won't come back here until I'm with them." he said with a smile. The little girl caught his smile and smiled back at him.

"Promise? You'll be with them?" I said happily.

"Promise!" the young boy replied to me.

I woke up because someone was knocking on my door. I felt my cheeks were wet, I must have been crying again while asleep. I wiped away the tears that flowed down my cheeks.

Me and him, I wish I hadn't allowed him to go. I wish I had stopped him from fetching our parents. If I had, we would be together now, and I wouldn't be alone.

Once again, there was a knock on my door.

"Jennie iha, gising kana" Bumangon na agad ako.

"Jennie iha, tumayo kana malalate ka-"

"Yeah" Putol ko sa sasabihin ni Nay Belet

I swiftly composed myself and descended the stairs. I consumed my meal in silence while Nanay Belet stood by my side, patiently awaiting my completion.

I allowed them to remain there. It can be exhausting to constantly remind them that they are welcome to join me for a meal, but as long as I remain silent, they simply stand beside me.

Do they not desire to be in my company?

Once I finished eating, they cleared the dishes I had used.

They still did not take a seat, as if waiting for me to depart. What is it about me that causes everyone to avoid me?

I took a deep breath at tumayo na, they remained standing, waiting for me to vanish from their sight.

Upon entering my room, I retrieved my keys and personal belongings.