Safe In Your Arms

Epilogue

Epilogue

Tirik na tirik ang araw ngunit hindi 'yon naging hadlang para tumigil ako sa pag pitas ng mga pulang rosas na iuuwi ko kay Mama.

Mahilig siya sa mga rosas at tuwing lunch time, nanghihingi ako ng rosas sa kakilala kong si Mang John upang may madala ako para sa kaniya.

"What if mag baon nalang tayo, Raf? Ang init oh!" Reklamo ni Niña na nakasunod na sa 'kin dala ang maliit niyang payong.

"I told you, you can bring your lunch with you. Ako, uuwi ako para may kasabay si Mama." My father wasn't always around because he's too busy babysitting that spoiled brat na mahilig sa nail polish. I saw her picture once when i learned her full name.

"I'll come with you kahit sa dulo ka pa ng mundo pumunta. Kailangan mo ng kasama 'no?" Niña tried to share her umbrella with me pero agad akong tumakbo palayo sa kaniya, tumatawa pa.

"Gagawin mo lang akong bodyguard, e," napailing ako.

"Raf! Dito ka! Mainit oh." Hinabol niya ako habang nakanguso. I stopped running and waited for her. Nang makalapit siya sa 'kin ay inagaw ko sa kaniya ang payong niya at sabay kameng nag lakad pauwi sa 'min.

Hindi ko maaalala but Niña was my best friend since forever. She lives with us dahil nasa malayo ang magulang niya kaya halos sabay na kaming lumaki.

"Mukhang umuwi si pops," she whispered nang matanaw ang isang mukhang mamahaling kotse sa labas ng bahay. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa dalang rosas at agad na tumakbo papasok ng bahay.

After how many months, umuwi rin siga sa wakas. But I'm sure he'll leave again.

"Hanggang kailan ka rito? Hindi ka manlang nagsabing darating ka." Naabutan ko silang nag uusap sa sala ni Mama.

"Anak, nandyan ka na pala. Umuwi ang Papa mo!" Mama was always happy to see him kahit na hindi ganon ang nararamdaman ni Papa para sa kaniya.

I used to think that he's a jerk. Why would he marry her if he didn't love her? I couldn't watch my mom cry herself to sleep in secret because my father doesn't even have the slightest love for her

Ang sitwasyon nilang 'yon ang naging motivation ko para hindi magkaron ng love life. I was too busy taking care of my mother that i didn't think of it but if i ever get a girlfriend, I'll make sure she'll feel loved and very special.

I'll marry her and make her the happiest.

"Paano si Mama? Ayaw ko!" One day, a bad news came. My selfish father was back with a bad news. I wanted to punch him and tell him to fuck off pero alam kong kailangan niya ang tulong ko. That brat was in a big trouble because of her parent's business. Aware ba siya sa mga ginagawa ng magulang niya?

Hindi ko mapigilan ang makaramdam ng inis dahil malalayo ako kay Mama kung sakali mang magkatotoo ang sinabi ng magaling kong ama.

"Bakit hindi mo nalang sila isumbong sa mga pulis?" I asked. Hindi niya sinagot ang tanong na 'yon. I was scared for my father's life but i trusted his words when he said he can take care of it himself.

"Bakit hindi mo ginagamit 'to?" Itinuro niya ang regalo niyang Ducati na nakatambay sa likod ng bahay.

"I'd rather walk." I lied. I was so happy that he brought me one and made sure to always keep it clean. Madalang ko lang gamitin dahil gusto kong mag mukha parin itong brand new.

That was the last conversation we had before he died.

"Hindi kita kailangan. Umalis ka na!"

I left home and became Isabella's new bodyguard. Everyone called her Elviña kaya naman ay naisipan kong gamitin ang second name niya. She didn't like it though.