Embracing the Scars | ✓

25

Ilang ulit akong lumunok at pinigilan ko ang panginginig ng kamay kong nakakapit sa manibela.

No Vien, Kristoff is a different man. He's your husband. He was the one who saved you that night so he won't let you be in danger.

Trust your man Vien. Kailangan ka niya, sige na. . .

Ilang minuto rin ang itinagal ko sa pagko-concentrate bago ko napagdesisyunang apakan muli ang gas para gumalaw ang kotse.

On the way to the location I was able to call all the possible saints to help me overcome my fear and be able to fetch him. As I was nearing the place my heart hammered.

Mas doble ang tibok nito kumpara kanina. When I park my car infront my forehead creased.

Am I really in Martemillo?

Although I was familiar with the place I can't help but check my GPS, maybe I am lost. After all it has been a long time since I last went here but I could never get lost in this place. Even my GPS said I am in the right location.

I moved out of my car and approached a group of students coming my way. "Hello, I am lost. Can I ask for a direction?"

Tumango iyong pinakamaliit sa kanila. "Ay sure po ate. Where do you plan to go po ba?" I smiled, the design is very Kira.

"Martemillo, do you know where is that?" They looked at me puzzled. I almost hit my head when I realized they are high schoolers.

How dumb Vien, how would minors know such place?

"Ayan po ang Martemillo ate." Ngiti sa akin ng isang binatilyo. Napakurap kurap ako. Ito ba talaga iyon?

"Iyan po iyon ate. Almost seven years na po ako dito'ng nakatira at iyan lang naman po ang alam ko na Martemillo, kayo guys? Any Martemillo around the place?" Ani ng morena. Umiling silang lahat.

"Iyan lang po talaga iyon ate." Saad nila. Tumango naman ako at nagpasalamat sa kanila. Mabuti na lang sila ang kinausap ko.

Pero. . .

Tinignan ko ulit ang lugar at ilang ulit kong binasa ang nakalagay sa itaas ng establishment.

I heaved a heavy breath, nandito pa rin ang karera sa puso ko. Dahan dahan akong naglakad papasok habang nakahawak sa puso ko.

Bakit ganito ang pakiramdam ko? When I entered the door I was even more shocked. Gone was the Martemillo I have known before.

Hindi na ito ang kuta noon ng mga drug addict dahil isa na ito ngayong flower shop. Pero kahit nagbago ang anyo nito ay narito pa rin sa pagkatao ko ang pagiging pamilyar ko sa lugar.

Wala akong nakitang kahit na sino sa baba kaya kahit naguguluhan ay umakyat ako sa ikalawang palapag.

Abot abot ang ginawa kong paglunok halos kapusin na rin ako ng hangin nang makatapak ako sa second floor. Kung sa baba ay maraming iba't ibang bulaklak ang naka-display, higit na mas marami ang narito.

"H-hello po. . . M-may. . ."I Kinakabahan kong sambit. Good heavens please ilayo niyo po ako sa kapahamakan.

"Hello, my Love." Lumingon ako sa paligid nang marinig kong muli ang malumanay at malambing na boses na iyon ng asawa ko.

"Kris! K-Kris! Where are you—where?!" I was panicking as I tried to look for him but he won't show up.

"Please don't panic, you are safe here . . . I am here. Just around the corner but please don't come here. Don't ruin my plan, Love." He chuckled. A tear fell from eyes.