TBW Novella: Happy Ever After

HEA06

TRI

It was past twelve when everyone's started to leave the court. Tumulong ako sa paglilinis bago umuwi at nang hanapin ko si Allison para makaalis na kami ay hindi ko siya makita.

"Nakita n'yo po si Allison?" Tanong ko sa mga kasama ko.

"Ay, oo, Ma'am. Pinapasabi pala niya na mauuna na siya kasama si nurse Helia."

Tumango ako pero sa totoo lang ay nagpaplano na ako kung anong sasabihin ko sa kaniya mamaya. Hating gabi na pero iniwan pa rin niya ako dito mag-isa.

"Tapos ka na?"

Umikot ako upang maharap ang nagsalita sa likod ko at nakita si Dax. He's one of the people who stayed as well to help cleaning. Kasama namin kanina ang dalawa naming kaibigan pero katulad ng sinabi nila, nauna na ang dalawang umuwi. I'm not stupid to not realize what they are up to. They left me with him.

I nodded.

"Let's go, then."

Nagpaalam ako kina Ma'am Zeny at sa iba pa bago ako sumunod kay Dax. Paglabas namin ng court ay sumalubong sa'min ang madilim na kapaligiran. The light's on court is on, but now that we're out, it's dark again.

Mabibilang lang din kasi sa daliri ang mga poste ng ilaw dito sa San Fernando. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na uuwi ako nang ganitong oras ngunit hindi rin naman madalas mangyari ito. Maybe some people think that I am so brave for living in this town not knowing what dangers I might face alone, but the truth is, I was scared. I'm always scared. Pero kung hahayaan kong matalo ako lagi ng aking takot, hindi ako nakakasigurado kung magiging posible ba ang mga pangarap ko.

When I left the City three years ago to start a new life I always dreamed of, I was doubtful of myself if I'd really make it. I grew up having the things handed over to me. I grew up guarded. I grew up with my nanay always being there with me. Kahit pangarap kong matutong mabuhay ng mag-isa sa mundong ito, laging nandoon pa rin ang takot na baka hindi ko kayanin. I keep making myself believe that I am not the person that others think of me, but what if I really am? What if they were right?

"I can bet this isn't your first time walking at this hour here." He spoke against the silence surrounding us.

"Nope." Sagot ko. "Sa pagkakatanda ko, pangatlong beses pa lang 'to."

Naramdaman ko ang pagbaling niya sa'kin kaya naman tinignan ko rin siya. Even in the dim light, I can see how his brows furrowed.

"Tuwing pista lang ako umuuwi ng ganitong oras. Ganito rin nila pinagdiriwang ang pasko at bagong taon pero hindi ko pa sila nakasama sa ganoong okasyon. I usually go home during holidays to celebrate it with my family."

Tumango siya at ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. I did the same thing.

"You're brave." He spoke again which made my heart jump.

I don't know how to respond to that. Am I really brave?

"Not sure of that." I forced a chuckle.

"Three years ago, when you left, I thought I knew you."

Kumunot ang aking noo sa sinabi niyang iyon pero hindi ako nagsalita. I waited for him to continue.

"Maybe, I did. But looking at you now, I don't think I ever knew you that well." He looked down and smiled.

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya. Nang mapansin niya ang paghinto ko ay tumigil din siya at hinarap ako.

"Hindi ako nagsisi na sinubukan kong pigilan kang iwan ako. But weeks after you left, that's when I realized that I could never stop you."