GRACIELLA

Is this day going to be just like the others? Or will this day be the last one?

Ayan ang nasa isip ni Gracie the moment her consciousness crawled back to her after an eight-hour sleep. This doesn't always happen. Sleep is something foreign to her especially with the nature of her job.

They cater to customers from abroad who are having a bad day while the rest of the country sleeps. When they're done entertaining the shouts and complaints, the sun is already up. And when the country is awake, it's not really an environment you can peacefully sleep in, lalo na sa boarding house niya.

But today is different.

For one, it's the first day of her two days off. Second, anniversary ng break up nila ng ex niya.

"Tatlong taon na pala," she silently whispered amidst the chaos she's hearing outside.

It's not that Gracie looks forward to this day. Not at all. But she doesn't dread it too. In fact, it doesn't visit her mind until the exact day comes. And when it does, the familiarity sits beside her like a frequent tourist in her messy room. With an ache and heavy sigh, she welcomes it like an old friend inside her piece full heart.

Tumayo si Gracie sa pagkakahiga at inayos ang higaan. She got her towel from the rack near the bathroom door at saka pumasok dito. It's time to start the day. She has a routine to do, afterall.

People sometimes think that it's not good to be emotional, or worst to be full of it. But they haven't talked about the heaviness of being totally void of it. Gracie lives with the heaviness most days of the year. The only day emotions willingly visits her is today.

For Gracie, the only sane thing to do is bond with it like a tight-knit cousin that's been away for long. What does she do? Simple. Re-enact the day they broke up. Collect all the emotions there is for the days she'll feel nothing.

She took a bath first bago siya nag skin care. She doesn't know how others do it but to her, it's the perfect sequence. May natira pang dumi sa mukha o kung anuman? Skin care ang sagot diyan. That's not her line, though. It was said by a friend she once knew. They don't even talk now.

Staring at her cleanser and toner reminds her that even this brand was not her sole choice. It was recommended by Francis, ayon daw ang nakikita niyang gamit ng kapatid.

"Lagi namang maganda pagmumukha n'on, kaya sure ako effective 'to, 'Ga." An assuring smile lingering on his lips. Habang pinagkukumpara ni Gracie ang dalawang produktong hawak, she felt Francis' arms caging her waist. He rested his chin on her right shoulder. "Kapag mas lalo kang gumanda, 'wag mo akong iwan ha."

She did not become prettier; at least that's what she thinks.

She didn't leave Francis, either. That is something he did.

Prepared for the day, she made sure her door was locked before she took the stairs and start her routine.

On the day they broke up, they were celebrating their monthsary. And the first thing they do when the date turns 17? Buy a matcha sundae at Big M. Walang malapit kung saan siya tumutuloy, so she rode a jeep first to go to the nearest Big M in her area.

Mas madali noon dahil may sasakyan si Francis, hatid-sundo siya. Lagi pa siyang may halik sa pisngi bago bumaba. Minsan, kung hindi siya nito hinahatid sa pintuan mismo, may pabaon pa itong, "Ingat, Langga, ha? Text 'pag nasa loob ka na at na-lock mo na ang pinto. Mahal kita lagi."

Mas madali rin noon dahil hindi naman siya sa isang boarding house nakatira. She, and her parents, had a house they once called home. But her mother got sick and her father had to go abroad for her mother's medication. Unfortunately, that didn't help much when the heavens decided it was time for her mother to go.