Leaving The Lights On

Chapter Sixteen: Her Point of View

Jasmine's Point of View

   While we're busy having dinner I noticed someone approaching to where we are. She had this long black hair, long eyelashes, gloomy aura, but she's somewhat pretty.

   She got this curve body that I am more sexier of course.

   "Hi!" agad kung untag nang nasa tapat na ito ng hapag kainan. "Hi!" she replied, but she then started to walk pass through us at papasok sa bahay nila Raphael.

   "Hey!-" I was stopped by a hand motioning to stop calling her around. "She's leaving in here," Saad ni Raphael na ikinalukot nang aking mukha.

   "Ha?" I was confused to that, cause I knew they weren't renting anything. "Ah! Naisipan kasi ni mama na paupahan 'yung kwarto ni Nana noon," he explained that cause me to lean closer to him and smile.

   "So pwedi rin akong umupa rito?" he laughed that cause me to get a bit irritated. "Yung kay Nana lang ang pinaupahan. Kisa maging storage ay pinaukupahan nalang, wala na kaming bakanting kwarto Jas," then why not sa kwarto mo nalang.

   I was dying to say those words, but I should behave. Baka maturn off pa si Raphael at baka masulot pa. "By the way saan ako matutulog?" I asked, that caused Tita Thaleah to answer.

   "Ah! Sa kwarto ni Rap, t'yaka maluwag naman ang hallway sa labas nang kwarto niya roon ba muna siya matutulog," I was surprised but also disappointed. Kung pwedi lang sanang sabihing tabi kami, I mean, magkababata naman kami hindi na iyun issue diba?

   At noon naman wala namang masama, sabay pa nga kami maligo noon eh!

   Pagakatapus nang haponan ay iginaya naman ako ni tita Leah papunta sa kwarto ni Raphael. And akala ko nga siya ang maggagayak sa akin sa mismong kwarto niya. Ngalang nagpapakain pa siya kay Rain at bibihisan din niya.

   But still, I was so excited at sa wakas ay makikita ko na ang kwarto ni Raphael. I mean to tell you honestly, mga bata palang kami ay may crush na ako kay Raphael.

   Pasalamat nga ako sa pinsan ko na ipinakilala niya ako sa kalaro niya noon. I was shy back then and subrang sensitive ko. I was bullied because of how petite I am back then, but he was the only one who protected and also defended me.

   Mula noon gusto ko na siya and also I promised that I should marry the man who defended me. At kahit na hindi niya alam nangako ako sa sarili ko na siya na at siya lang talaga ang papakasalan ko. After all he is my standard, kaya nga wala akong sinagot kahit isa kasi hindi naman nila kuha kung ano si Raphael.

   But sadly, back then we should pack up our things at na pahiwalay ako sa kaniya. I was reaching out before pero nag-iba sila nang number at sa katagalan din ay hindi ko na rin siya na iisip. But now that I am back, magagawa na namin iyung ginagawa namin noon.

   And for sure ay matutupad ko na ang pinangako ko sa sarili ko. I won't break that promise at iyun parin ang promise ko hanggang sa matupad iyun.

   I was about to enter the other door when tita stop me from opening. I was surprised how she grab my hand but then she smiled.

   "Dito sa kabila ang kwarto ni Raprap," anuns'yo nito. "Sa bago namin iyang tenant, ay hala sandali at hindi pa yata iyan naghaponan katukin ko lang muna," tita then knock on her door that was opened slightly.

   I noticed that her room was dark. In the slightest opening of her door I could'nt even see her face. "Ah! Nakakain na po ako sa labas ma'am, might be tomorrow hindi rin ako rito mag-aagahan at maghahaponan," I heard her explained that makes me wonder.

   Is she a cave girl? "Hi I'm Jasmine, what's your name tho? Hindi pa tayo mag kaki lala," I asked.

   She's shock but answered when she recovered. I'm Seahna, you can call me Seah," She extended her arms that I genuinely accepted. "Nice to meet you Seah!" ngumiti lang ito at agaran nang isinarado ang kaniyang pintuan.

   I was smiling and diverted my gaze at Tita Leah when I noticed her eyes was wide open and she seemed out of it. "Tita what's wrong?" I asked.

   She then shook her head then smiled at me. "Halika na dito kwarto ni Raprap," She said, but still I think she was in a deep thought.

Seah's Point of View

   I wasn't feeling good today at kahit na nasa loob nang paaralan ang katawan ko ay lumilipad naman ang utak ko.

   This started when I slept on his grave. I didn't expect na magiging lantang papel na naman ako after. Might be because I'm not yet satisfied and still in pain for his departure.

   "Hi Seah! I'm Jean nice to meet you," out of nowhere someone interrupted my phase of spacing out.

   She was smiling ear to ear while offering her hands for a shake. I just grab it and shake hands with her. "I know this is weird, but I just noticed na ilang months ka nang walang kausap dito sa mga kaklasse natin," I was just silent while she then suddenly grab a chair nearby and sat in front of me.

   "You know it's nice to have someone to talk to," she was smiling and I didn't know why. "Ah! Nahihiya lang ako," palusot ko pa.

   It was a white lie though and slightly it was true. I am a bit shy to talk to others especially building topic to have some conversations to the others. It was like a torture. And the big part of why I did'nt wanted a companion is because I am too afraid to be betrayed and left behind, again!

   "Ah! Ilang taon ka na ba? I'm 21 at gusto ka rin makilala nang mga kasama ko roon," ngumoso ito sa likoran ko na ikinalingon ko naman.

   There where 3 more people all girls weaving from where we are. "Gusto mong makilala sila? Hali ka ipapakilala kita," I don't know, but she immediately grab my hand na ikinatayo ko naman at ikinasabay sa kaniya papunta sa mga kasama nito.

   "Hi!"