Safe In Your Arms

Chapter 32

Old friends

"Do you really have to move out?"

Asaki pouted, mukhang hindi masaya sa desisyon ko. Nilapag ko ang dalang maleta sa harap niya at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Yes, hindi ka magkakaron ng pamilya kung nandito ako!" Napailing ako.

"If she can't accept my daughter than I don't need her," he said dramatically. Inirapan ko siya kaya malakas siyang natawa.

"Yuck ha!" Ngumiwi ako, disgusted by what he said.

"Ouch, pagkatapos ng lahat, anak..."

"Fuck off, Asaki!"

Pinulot ko na ulit ang maleta ko at nag simula nang mag lakad palabas ng apartment niya. Pilit na binabalewala ang bigat sa puso ko. He followed behind me, hindi parin matigil ang mga reklamo but he can't do anything to stop me kaya ihahatid niya nalang raw ako sa bagong titirhan ko.

I'm not gonna lie, living with Asaki made me really happy and he helped me get through these painful years kaya ngayong naglalakad na ako papalayo sa bahay niya, leaving it and starting my own life, I can't help but feel sad and empty inside... but I just have to do it.

Kaya ko nang kumita ng sarili kong pera kaya ayaw ko nang maging pabigat sa kaniya. Hindi man sabihin ni Asaki, I know he's lonely and wants to build his own family and with me around, hindi niya 'yun magagawa. He would always put me first and his girl won't like it. Kahit sino naman 'di ba?

Isa pa... Buong buhay ko, everyone took care of me. Narealize ko 'yon habang dumadaan ang mga taon. I always had someone to do everything for me. Palagi nalang may nag liligtas, umaako ng kasalanan ko o 'di naman kayay pinagbibigyan ang hiling ko. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of repeating the same things over and over. Pagod na akong maging pabigat.

"Asaki..." I held his hand.

"Ano? Nagbago na isip mo?" He was hopeful but I won't change my mind.

"Thank you... I won't make it until today without you." He was a big part in my life. Kahit ako mismo, hindi ko inakalang magiging ganito kame kalapit sa isa't isa. I never expected him of all people to be the one to help me when everything fell apart. Words won't be enough to show him how thankful I am.

Akala ko I would always live the life I had back then, that I would always depend on that person but now... I made it here, safe, without him and I'm so proud of myself.

"I'm always proud of you, Elviña. Call me if you need something, okay?" He pinched my hand and smiled at me.

Nang makarating sa boarding house na napili ko, agad akong hinatid sa loob ni Asaki at umalis rin nang maipasok lahat ng gamit ko. Hindi lang ako ang tao sa boarding house na ito, I own my room but I share the kitchen, sala at CR sa ibang mga nag b-board. The rent was affordable at malapit lang 'to sa school kung saan ako nagtuturo kaya ito na ang napili kong lugar. Kapag nakapag ipon, I will buy my own land and ipapagawa ko ang dream house ko. I'll make sure of it.

Nang maayos ko ang mga dalang gamit ko ay napag desisyonan kong lumabas upang mamili ng hapunan ko. Mrs. Wilma, the landlord smiled at me and I smiled back at her.

"Hello, ija!" She greeted with a bright smile on her face.

"Hello po," I greeted back.

"Ito oh, para sa'yo." Napatingin ako sa inabot niyang caserola, naglalaman 'yon ng mukhang masarap at mabangong ulam kaya agad akong nakaramdam ng gutom.