He Was My Umbrella

44

"That was your mom?" he asked me.

I followed her through my sight. I saw her getting in the car with her family.

I was so stunned. I couldn't speak. Tears were forming that's why I went out of the building and went to the car and locked the doors and I screamed. I screamed my lungs out and cried my eyes out.

"BAKIT BA?! BAKIT BA KASI KAILANGAN MO PANG MAGPAKITA SA AKIN?! MASAYA NA AKO, E! MASAYANG MASAYA. TAPOS MAKIKITA LANG KITA?!" sigaw ko.

Hindi nagtagal at kumalma na rin ako. Bumalik ako sa loob dahil malamang hinihintay ako ni Renzo. I didn't want to ruin this day that's why I chose to set my emotions aside.

Umupo ako sa harapan niya at tiningnan niya ako sa mga mata, sa mga maga kong mata.

His gaze softened when he saw my bloodshot eyes. He did not hesitate to stand up from his seat and hugged. I wanted to cry on his shoulders but we're not in the place to do so.

"It's okay. I'm here," he tapped my back. "You don't need her, we're here. You don't need anyone else but your strong self. Never take that off your mind. We love you, and we'll always will. I'll always will." He whispered in my ear.

"Iced chai latte for Adi! And a caramel macchiato for Renz!" Sigaw noong barista.

Pumunta kaming dalawa sa counter para kunin ang drinks. Ang daming tumitingin kay Renzo. Agaw pansin naman kasi talaga.

"Hi, Ma'am, Sir! Here are your drinks po! Enjoy! Cute niyo talaga! Have a great day!"

"Thank you, Miss! Have a great day, too!" Bati pabalik ni Renz. Ayaw niya talaga i-deny na hindi niya ako girlfriend! Nakakainis!

Bumalik na kami sa kotse dahil uuwi na rin kami agad. Dumaan din kami ng 7/11 para bumili ng snacks for the movie. I bought ice cream kahit kaka ice cream lang namin kagabi. Bumili rin kami ng maraming chips at drinks.

Habang nasa byahe, ininom na namin ang mga SB drinks namin. Kanina pa ako natatakam sa caramel macchiato niya pero sa kaniya 'yon, e! Nakakahiya naman, baka sabihin na sana iyon ang in-order ko. Ilang beses akong napapasulyap sa pag inom niya kasi naiinggit talaga ako.

"Oh." Binigay niya sa akin ang cup niya. "Tikman mo lang, 'wag mo ubusin." Mahigpit niyang ipinangbilin.

Dali-dali akong sumipsip sa drink niya at biglang tumigil kasi may na-realize ako! Hindi ko pala pinunasan 'yung hole ng inuminan! E 'di ba ininuman niya na 'to?! Binalik ko sa kanya agad pagka-realize ko.

"Bakit? Hindi mo gusto?" Tanong niya kasi nagtataka siya kung bakit ang bilis kong ibinalik.

"Wala lang, sa 'yo 'yan, e," palusot ko.

"Are you okay now?" he asked.

"Not okay, but better." I sighed. "It was really...." I took a pause. "Unexpected." I bit my lower lip. "This day was heavy, to be honest. It's my first time seeing her with her... you know."

"I'm sorry if I made your day heavy. I know I shouldn't have opened the topic about us. And maybe it's a lot to take in, you know, seeing your mom with another family. That just sucks," he scoffed. "I always wonder how many people live their lives without their moms. I am very grateful that I have mine by my side all the time. Even though I'm all grown up, I'm still her little boy." He chuckled slightly. "Be comfortable with Mama. She loves you, you know? Kung alam mo lang kung paano mag-alala 'yan sa 'yo."

"I know. I love Tita Sally, too, of course. She's done so much for me in the last 5 years. I couldn't thank her enough," I smiled. "I also couldn't thank you enough. You're the best thing that's happened to me after my life broke into pieces. You rebuilt me." I held back my tears. "In my rain of problems, trials, tragedy, loneliness, adversity, pain..... you served as my umbrella." I let my tears roll down my cheeks. "You prevented those things from harming me, just like how an umbrella prevents a person from raindrops."