When Stars Start To Fall

01

This is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination and used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

"Kape ka muna, anak"

Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Tita ko iyon na nilagay ang tasa ng kape sa gilid ng study table ko.

"Thank you po" sabi ko sabay ngiti sa kanya. Hinanap ng aking mga mata ang naliit na beige na orasan sa side table ko. It's already 2am. I sighed.

"You gotta rest too, anak. Baka magkasakit ka sa pagpupuyat mo. Remember your body is-"

"Your puhunan." I cut her off. "I know tita. I just need to finish this page and then I'll go to sleep. Thank you for waking up and getting me coffee" I smiled at her.

"Remember to come home right after school tomorrow, okay? We need to go to your Tito Rico's place. We didn't go the last time he invited us. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ulit tayo pupunta. Baka isipin nila lumalayo tayo sa pamilya" ani nito.

Kung pwede lang.

Tumango lamang ako at uminom ulit ng kape.

Hiinaplos nya ang aking likod bago lumabas ng aking kwarto.

Tinuloy ko ang pagbabasa hanggang alas dos ng umaga. I put my arms up the air and stretched, yawned too.

Iniisip ko pa lang said scenario bukas sa party ay napapabuntong-hininga na ako. I hate gatherings. Feeling ko nakaka suffocate. I feel like people there don't really care they just want to brag about their success in life. They just want to show that they're on top and how miserable their other relatives are. Awful.

I finished my coffee, brushed my teeth and went directly to bed.

"Beh! Mall tayo mamaya! May nakita ako sa Tiktok na maryjane shoes ang ganda! Want ko pa naman yon! Samahan mo'ko buy ko please!" pangungulit ni Hazel sa'akin.

"I can't. I have plans today" I said apologetically.

My friend just pouted her lips and nodded. I felt guilty so I hugged her. "Next time, sasamahan kita. Promise"

"Promise 'yan ha? No excuses" she said still pouting. Tumango ako kaya napangisi siya.

Papalabas na ako ng school gate. Kakaunti pa lamang ang nakasabay ko sa paglabas dahil sobrang aga pa. Usually, lumabas at nagsisimulang umuwi ang mga  studyante kapag alas singko o ala sais, alas kuwatro pa lamang ng hapon.

Umupo muna ako sa bench sa harap ng school. My eyes wandered around on what's infront of me. What caught ny attention is a little girl na ang cute naka dress at may bangs. Her cheeks are chubby at mamula-mula. "Cute" I mumbled to myself. A minuted passed and dumating ang isang babae may dala-dalang ice cream sa kamay. I fugured it's her mom as she gave the ice cream to the kid and made her smile. Hinaplos nito ang buhok ng anak at hinalikan sa noo. 

I spaced out. I felt empty. I just wonder how it's like to feel a parent's love.

Isang busina ang gumising sa akin. Si Manong Jim iyon at pumarada sa  tapat ng school ang sasaknyan. Tumayo ako at inayos ang pagkakalagay ng bag sa aking mga balikat saka tumawid.

"AHHH"!

Patawid na ako nang biglang may humarurot na sasakyan. Nabitawan ko ang aking bitbit na mga gamit at napapikit sa gulat. Ilang minuto rin bago ko ibinuka ang aking mga mata.