A Flower With Seven Thorns

CHAPTER 11: THE ENCOUNTER

Dedicated to: trishamaelazaro

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"Ok guys, it's been a hard day. Magpahinga na kayo. Goodnight." pamamaalam samin ni Cas.

Dahil pagod ang lahat, diretso kami agad sa aming mga kwarto. Yung iba naliligo na pero mamamaya na ako. She sent her Gucci wallet for me. Bakit kaya?

Binuksan ko ang wallet at tumambad sa akin ang isang kapirasong papel at yung picture ko kanina na nasa picture holder sa loob ng wallet.

Tinitigan ko muna yung papel bago buksan. Isa itong sulat.

Son,

I'm sorry for everything that I have done to you and to your group, especially with the girl. I was carried away with my anger since the day you choose to be one of them than to be with us. Me and your father knew we've been selfish because we only thought about you having a life of prosperity ignoring that you have been building your own dream. I cancelled running as a mayor not because I am guilty but because I have seen you and your life grew as an artist. Seeing you smile and enjoy who you are with, makes me at ease. Your father wanted me to run for mayor because we both knew we couldn't reach you that easily so just to reach you we have to think of something that's why I choose your group to be my endorser. I know you can't forgive us, especially me, but I want to tell you the house's door is still open for you if you want to come by. We love you not as an artist but as our Jonnie.

Mom

Matapos kong basahin ang sulat nya, naramdaman kong gumaan ang katawan ko. This letter made me smile. Bukod sa sulat kamay talaga ito ni mama, lahat ng katanungan ko ay nasagot na.

Humiga ako sa higaan ko habang hawak-hawak pa rin ang sulat tsaka ngumiti. Wala kayong naging kasalanan ma, pa. Nagalit man ako sa inyo, it doesn't mean that you need forgiveness kasi kahit anong mangyari, I still love you both.

Saan ba ako nakalanghap ng swerte? I found the girl that I like at nakapagtapat pa ako at hindi sya nagalit doon. At higit sa lahat, I met my mom na hindi ko na nakikita ng ilang taon na at kahit may konting gulo, in the end, happy ending pa rin. Sa tingin ko may dalang swerte ang babaeng yun.

CZERA POV

Saktong alas singko ng madaling araw nagising na ako upang pumasok. May 7:30 to 8:30 class kasi ako at yun lang naman ang schedule ko every morning and the rest ay hapon na. Tulad ng nakasanayan, ginawan ko sila ng sandwhich bago umalis ng dorm. Nagdala na rin ako ng sariling akin at since may nakaschedule din sa aking driver para sa hatid-sundo sa akin sa university, dinalhan ko na rin ng sandwhich si manong.

"Mam, hindi nyo naman kelangang araw-araw nyo akong bigyan ng sandwhich. Nagkakape naman po ako bago kayo sunduin." magkasundo na kasi kami ni Manong Tino.

Eh sa madaldal ako eh kaya naging close na kami sa araw-araw nya akong hatid-sundo. Mga nasa 45 na ang edad nya.

"Manong naman. Iba po yung kape sa sandwhich. Tubig at pampainit lang yung kape, itong sandwhich may carbs na, protena at nakakabusog." sagot ko at nginitian nya ako sa rear view mirror.

Dumating ako sa university by 7 at kasabay ko pa sa pagdating si bestfriend ng may marinig kaming tsismis.

"Really? Do you think that girl is his girlfriend?"

"What do you think? After what happened between him and his mom yesterday, he might need some comfort."

"A lover's comfort?"

"Kyaaaaah! Hindi pwedi! Hope my loves! Hanggang dito na lang ba tayo?"

Pagkatapos naming marinig ang mga usapang ito ay napatingin ako kay Ren. Just what I thought, he's staring at me with malice. Aish, wala pa naman akong planong sabihin yun sa kanya.