Reaching Mr. Superstar

Chapter Twenty-One

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

HINDI pa nalabas si Marie ng kwarto nito mula pa kanina. Niel knew that she was there, sulking alone. Gaya ng sabi nito sa text, kinuha nga ng kapatid nitong si Wren si Kreya na noong una ay ayaw sumama sa tiyuhin. Sinasabi ng bata na gusto niyang samahan si Marie pero pinilit pa rin niya na pasamahin ito kay Wren.

In the end, Niel made a promise to take care of Marie even if she asked him to go away. Nasimulan na rin naman niya ang maging mapilit kaya itutuloy-tuloy na niya at doon naman nagiging unique ang relasyon nilang dalawa.

“I don't know if she's sleeping inside or crying. I cannot hear anything from here.” Niel was talking to her mother over the phone and was asking about Marie. He was hoping that Marie wouldn't do anything stupid inside. Dapat yata ay pinasok na niya ito sa kwarto kaysa maghintay siya sa labas at manatiling walang ka-ide-ideya. “Where's Auntie, by the way?” tanong niya sa kanyang ina.

“She's with Avon now. Doon muna ang tiyahin mo habang naka-leave siya sa ospital. Wala naman kasalanan si Marie. She just stood for herself and didn't let your Auntie to step on her continously.”

“Should I talk to her?”

“Hindi na siguro kailangan. Kay Avon pa lang maliliwanagan na iyon. You did everything yet she's still treating Marie that way. Matapang ang girlfriend mo at napabilib niya ako. I wish I was like her before.”

“You're brave too. You chose our family even if Dad is the one who's breaking it. And you stood up for me and my dreams. Ikaw ang naging sandalan ko habang tinutupad ko ang pangarap ko.”

Ngayon lang niya nasabi sa nanay ang mga bagay na iyon. Wala siyang lakas ng loob na sabihin pero pinapadama naman niya sa ina ang pagmamahal bilang anak.

“Pinaiiyak mo ako, Niel. Ganyan ba talaga ang may balak na magpakasal sa matured na babae? You grew matured too and thanks to Marie. Hindi ka na pasaway ngayon.” Tumawa siya saka sunod-sunod na umiling. “Go check on Marie now. Baka nagugutom na rin iyon at kulang pa ang pagkain, I can bring some there.”

“Ma, let me cook and comfort her, hmm?”

“Fine. Go take care of your girl,” he chuckled.

“Thank, 'Ma. I love you so much!” Those were the last word he uttered before standing up and walked towards Marie's room.

“Love, are you awake? I know you said that you wanted to be alone but I just can't do that. You know that I can't, right?”

Huminga siya nang malalim.

“I'll cook for you incase you're hungry. And Kreya is with your brothers now. She loves to stay but I asked her to go anyway because that's what you want. Nevertheless, I'll stay here with you so when you come out you'll going to see this fucking face first.”

Hinaplos niya ang pinto bago tumalikod at tumungo sa kusina para ipagluto ang dalaga. . .

~•~•~

GUTOM AT NAUUHAW pa nang magising si Marie kalagitnaan na ng gabi. Natulog siya agad nang makauwi at hindi na nga nagawa pa na maglinis ng katawan. Iyong mga gamit na kinuha niya sa kanyang opisina ay nakakalat lang sahig ng kwarto. Katabi noon ang bag niya na may laman din gamit galing sa dating opisina.

Yes, it's her old office now because after today she's jobless officially.

Malalim siyang huminga at tinuloy na ang balak na paglabas ng kwarto. She needed something to eat and drink for now. And when she stepped, a thing made her fall on the floor.

“Aray. . .” Daing na narinig niya at mas malakas iyon kaysa sa reklamo niya.

“Niel?” aniya na may halong pagtataka nang makita si Niel na nakahiga sa labas ng kanyang kwarto. “What are you doing there?”