Labo: Hate the Game

Run Free

Adrie's POV

I could barely remember what I told Ros when I last called her because I was drunk. I think I told her that I missed her again then she nonchalantly replied "Ayan ka na naman." I could care less if it was a dream, but as I stared at my phone, I saw the call history in our conversation, it was all true. I hurt her again.

"Tulala ka na naman, anak." Dad said as he's lying down on the hospital bed.

I smiled, "Sorry dad." I said then I handed him his medicine.

Suddenly, the doctor came in with a nurse. The nurse looks young and looks like Rosena, I can't help but look at her. She looked simple yet stunning. They explained what treatments our dad would further need then went out of the room.

"Kamukha siya ni Rose." Dad said.

"Yea." I said.

"I miss Rose too, anak. It's okay to admit that you miss her." He answered.

"Hindi ko naman siya namimiss." I said.

"Are you sure?" Dad asked.

"No." I answered.

We laughed.

When Ate Anne arrived, I went to work. I work at the local Taco Bell as a cashier, what I did the whole shift was take orders, take payments then give orders while standing up. For someone who has social anxiety, this job is draining, especially here in the US, where people talk a lot. I had to turn on my professional mode all the time. Apart from missing Mom, Kuya, Rosena, our babies, and our friends, I also miss the atmosphere in the Philippines. It is something that I have to fight with every single day.

I'm not one to initiate calls, apparently, unless I'm drunk. But I have to do this to be better and for my family, and I guess for Rosena.

As annoying as it may be, I still don't know.

Rosena's POV

"Remember how we laughed until we cried
At the most stupid things like
We were so high
But love was all that we were on, we belong

And though the world would never understand
This unlikely union and why it still stands
Someday, we will be set free
Pray and believe

When the light disappears
And when this world's insincere
You'll be safe here

When nobody hears you scream
I'll scream with you
You'll be safe here (Ooh ooh, Ahh hah ahh)..."

(You'll Be Safe Here By: Rivermaya)

"Ganda ng boses mo, tapos ang ganda mo pa." Pambobola sa akin ni Van, nandito na naman siya sa pinagtatrabahuhan ko na bar. Parang bodyguard.

Tumungga ako ng light beer bago magsalita.

"Magdahan-dahan ka naman, Ros. Bukas na 'yong college-wide seminar, ikaw pa naman lead." Pagsaway ni Van.

Kaya ayaw kitang nandito e.

"Alam mo, light beer lang 'yan, hindi ko ikakalasing 'yan." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Sure ka ha." Sincere niyang sabi.

Dumating si Ate Yanyan, "Hi guys, kanina pa kayo dito?"

"Opo, dito po ako nagwowork." Sagot ko.

"Ay oo nga pala." Nakangiting sabi ni Ate Yan. "Nga pala, ito na 'yong bayad ko do'n sa sponsorship ng event tomorrow." Sabi pa niya tapos inabutan ako ng pera, na agad ko namang ibinulsa.

Pagkatapos ng shift ko, iniwan ko na sina Ate Yan at Van do'n sa bar, hanggang matapos shift ko e nagkwekwentuhan at nag-iinuman pa rin sila. Kailangan ko na rin kasi matulog.

Pagkadating ko sa bahay, nagsusuka ng dilaw si Adie sa litter box nila. Nawala antok ko nang makita ko dahil pati si Roie malapit na rin magsuka.

"Halaaa, babyyy anong kinain mo? Huhu" Sabi ko habang nakaupo sa tabi nina Adie at Roie. Pagkatapos nila magsuka, dinala ko sila sa emergency ng pet hospital na malapit.

"Ano pong nangyayari, doc?" Tanong ko sa vet na nagcheck sa kanila.

"May nakain lang sila na hindi nag-agree sa stomach nila, negative naman sa parvo at distemper, try muna bland diet for 2 to 3 days." Kalmadong sabi nung vet.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang onti, onti lang kasi hindi ko rin talaga alam kung anong mali na napakain ko sa kanila, hindi naman sila nagngangatngat ng ibang bagay. As in ngayon lang nangyari 'tong ganito. Pagkauwi namin, nakatulog na sila sa kanya-kanya nilang bed habang ako tulala pa rin.

Hindi na rin ako nakatulog dahil 5am na rin at 7am ang call time namin, naligo na lang ako at nagbihis ng kabogerang corporate outfit. Bago ako umalis ng bahay, ipinagluto ko sina Adie ng manok tapos hinimay ko at nilagyan ng tubig 'yong dispenser nila.