He Was My Umbrella

70

Renzo

"Lahat na ba 'yon?" Tanong ko kay Adi kung iyon na ba ang last na box.

"Yep, that's all. Thanks," she smiled.

I put the last box in my SUV. These boxes contain her things. My girl is finally on her second step on pursuing her dream. Law school na. Malapit na.

Ako ang maghahatid sa kaniya sa condo niya sa BGC. Doon na daw siya sa law school ng La Salle. Maintaining the Animo spirit, sticking with the green and white.

"You okay?" I held her hand and caressed it. "You've got cold hands."

Adi avoided my gaze and just looked down. Alam kong kinakabahan siya at natatakot. This is gonna be one big step in her life.

"Yeah. I'm just nervous." Sabi niya. Naiintindihan ko naman. Mahirap nga naman talaga ang papasukin niya. Abogasya ba naman.

"Kaya mo 'yan! Kayang-kaya mo. God's with you all the time. And you can always seek help from your friends when you're having a hard time. Andito lang din ako."

Iyon ang sabi ko. Pero, hindi ko ata mapapangatawanan.

"Whenever you need help, I'm one call away. Nandito naman si Cheska," sabi ko. Magkasama kasi sila dito sa condo na ito.

"I'm okay, Kuya." She avoided my gaze once again. "Thank you, Kuya." She hugged me.

There we were. In the middle of an empty room with boxes cluttered on the floor. I caressed her hair and rubbed her back. I panicked when she started crying on my shoulder.

"Thank you for everything, Kuya ko. Salamat kasi hanggang ngayon nandito ka pa rin para sa akin."

Iyon din ang akala ko, e.

Hindi ko na siya nasagot, hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko.

"Mag-ingat ka palagi rito, Adi. Don't starve yourself, get as much rest as you can get, stay hydrated, and be happy. Make sure Cal always checks up on you,"

Because I don't know if I can do that anymore.

"I'll miss you, Kuya Re-Ren."

Fuck. Ang sakit.

"I will miss you, too, Adadi. Take care always, okay?" I wiped her tears and I kissed her forehead. "I'll be going now. Goodbye, Adelaide."

"Goodbye, Kuya Mav. Take care." She smiled at me. She gave a painful smile.

You're on your own, kid.

I walked out of the room with tears forming in my eyes. Bakit ba ganito? Nasa Pinas pa rin naman siya, pero bakit feeling ko nasa ibang bansa na? Siguro kasi alam kong hindi ko na siya masyadong mahahagilap kasi magiging busy na siya.

I saw Cheska get out of the elevator and she was stunned to see me. She rushed to me when she saw my tears.

"What happened, Renz?" She worriedly asked.

"Can you do me a favor?" I begged. "Take care of her for me, please? Make sure she's happy."

Why was I acting that we're never going to see each other again? Will we?

"I will. Mag-iingat ka din." She gave me a sweet smile. She then hugged me as we bid goodbye.

Pumasok ako sa kotse ko at nagpakawala ng isang mabigat na paghinga.

God, please be with her every step of the way. Please make sure she's safe and happy. May she succeed in everything, with Your guidance and will.