Lost in La Trevelino

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2: Them

Nanatili kaming magkaharap ni Reece. She's staring at me as if I am a close book and she wanted to read every pages I have. I'm just wondering that I don't feel the suffocation between our silence. It's as if we're too comfortable to each other's presence.

"Where are your parents?" Nabigla ako sa tanong niya.

Napangiwi ako. "I don't know where they are. I haven't meet them." Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako. "Kayo ba? Bakit tatatlo kayo rito?"

"I am just like you. Hindi ko rin sila nakilala. Therese and Tyrese aren't my siblings. Nakita ko lang sila sa tapat ng bahay ko." Pagkukwento niya. "Kinupkop ko sila kahit alam kong hindi ko pa kayang bumuhay ng bata. Sa murang edad ay naghanap ako ng trabaho."

"Aren't you blaming your parents for giving you this life?" Tanong ko.

"When I no longer know what to do in life, yes. When I am having a hard time to feed myself and them, yes. I do blame them sometimes but I know there will be no changes." Sagot nito sa akin. "But I also thank them because I met my twins. Hindi ko man sila kadugo but they treated me like one. Ikaw ba?"

I sighed. "I am blaming them when I am on the verge of breaking again. I am blaming them for leaving me in this cruel world. I never felt the love and affection that I needed when I was a child. My life had been a survival." Napangiti ako nang maalala ko si Ysla. "But somehow I do thank them because if I wesn't born in this lifetime, I wouldn't meet my greatest love. She gave me everything I needed."

I've never been this open to anyone I just met. Maybe because we have similarities when it comes to experience. Just like what we both have said, we're both orphans. She shared a little information and I listened. And, when I was the one who is talking, she listened attentively.

I wonder what life she had taken just to be where she is now.

Lack of a parent figure can lead to feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and a sense of not belonging. Without a parent figure, they may struggle with decision-making, face challenges in setting goals and planning for the future, and have fewer resources to deal with difficult situations. The absence of a parental role model may make it challenging for the child to adopt positive behavior patterns and make healthy choices.

I am glad seeing her and observing the twins, she did a very good job. She may take several rough roads but I know she's strong enough to pass through it.

Napatikhim ito sa akin. "Where is he now? Your greatest love?" Pag-uusisa nito.

I chuckled. "She's Ysla. Yes, babae." Paglilinaw ko. "She's gone." Maikling sagot ko.

"My condolences," mahinang sambit nito. "Anyways, do you wear clothes like this?" Napatitig ako sa sando niyang butas-butas kaya napatingin na rin siya. "No, it's not what I meant." She bit her bottom lip, trying to hide her reddish face. "I mean, this kind of sando? Shirts? Gumagamit ka ba ng damit ng iba?"

"You lending me your clothes?" I asked. She nodded her head gently. "What about undies?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. "C-can you uhm... don't wear muna?" Nahihiyang sambit nito sa akin. "If it's okay with you? Ngayon lang naman. Ibibili kita mamaya. What's your size—"

"Excuse me, Miss Shiloh!" I raised my voice out of disbelief.

"I was just asking for your own good too! It was as if I'm going to do something to you. Ang malisyosa mo!" Asik nito sa akin at talagang tumayo pa.

"Nag-aaway po ba kayo?" Biglang sulpot ni Therese at ni Tyrese sa tabi. "Bakit po kayo nagsisigawan?" Inosenteng tanong pa ni Therese.

Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Therese. "Hindi. Naglalaro lang kami ng..." napalunok ako nang wala akong maisip na palusot.