Change of Fate

Chapter 16

@gvalentins tagged you in his post

@gvalentins my lifeline

It was a Tuesday afternoon when I saw that Galen posted our picture on his Instagram. A picture of us in the ferris wheel, with only our eyes seen because of the plushies. It garnered many likes. Even Misha liked it, and commented.

@anastasia 😌

Some of his friends also commented on the picture. Some of them were our classmates in Ma'am Amelia's class.

Nang tumila ang ulan noong Sunday ng gabi, buti na lang at may dalang towel si Galen para pwedeng ipangyakap sa amin habang papauwi. Nang nakarating ako sa unit, hinalikan ko siya sa pisngi at sinabing mag-ingat siya. Dumiretso na agad ako ng banyo pagkapasok ng unit para makaligo. Mahirap pa naman magkasakit.

Sinabi sa akin ni Galen na magiging busy siya ngayong week, at hinayaan ko na lang siya. Mukhang nasa isang probinsya siya para sa trabaho sa isang linggo. Tuesday na ngayon at pauwi na ako maya-maya. Wala akong hatid-sundo kaya dala ko na ang kotse ko.

Nang makarating ako sa unit, nakita kong tumatawag sa akin si Kuya Aspen. Sinagot ko ang tawag niya.

"Hi, kuya ko!"

"Hi, little Sam. I just want to tell you that I'm back in the country. Nandito ako sa bahay nila mom all week bago sumabak ulit sa trabaho. Can you visit me?"

"Of course, kuya! Kaso baka sa Friday na ako makapunta." I pouted as I remember several meetings to attend this week.

"It's okay, but nasa penthouse na ako niyan. Nagtatampo sila mom dahil hindi mo na daw sila napupuntahan."

I chuckled. "I'm sorry, busy lang talaga sa work. Please tell them babawi ako!"

"They also asked if kumusta na kayo ni Daniel, sinabi ko agad na wala na kayo. Sabi ni dad buti na lang daw." I heard my kuya's laugh on the other line.

My eyes widened. I was surprised that they were relieved when they heard us parting. Parang dati lang, halos yayain nila si Daniel sa bawat kain sa labas! Mga plastic!

"Anyways, I know you're busy. Please let me know if you will visit me. I miss and love you, Sam. Bye." Kuya cut the line before letting me say goodbye. I frowned. Nagmamadali kasi.

I cooked myself dinner then nagpahinga. Katext ko si Galen na nagsesend sa akin ng pictures kung nasaan siya ngayon. I laughed when I read his rants about everything. Mostly dahil hindi covered ng internet ang ibang areas sa probinsya, hindi daw masyado makapag-update sa akin. Lagi daw siyang late send or reply. Baka daw wala na siyang mabalikan kapag nasa syudad na ulit siya.

The whole week has been a drag without Galen's presence. Tila nasanay na akong lagi siyang nandyan sa tabi ko, which I admit is getting so serious on my part. Nagiging dependent na ako sa kanya. Galen's reassurance has been enough for me but I'm still wary of depending on him. Nahihirapan pa rin ako na tuluyang mahulog sa kanya.

"Mahal, miss na kita. Sana tayo na pagbalik ko." I can even see him pouting on the other line. Ilang araw na niya 'yang reklamo and it never fails to bring me butterflies. Alam niya kung paano ako kunin eh.

"Makakauwi ka na rin naman bukas. Stop whining at magtrabaho ka na lang dyan. Akala ko ba out of coverage ang connection dyan?" I asked as I also read this week's reports regarding the sales of each medicine. It's all in full bloom, making the company prosper and making me worry because many have sickness.

"Boys scout 'to, mahal! Alam mo kung nasaan ako? Syempre 'di mo alam pero nasa taas ako ng puno!" I heard his laugh on the other line.

"Wala akong jojowaing kapre."