Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 23

"That bad, huh?"

I sighed and entered Lulu's condo. Nang makauwi ako ng La Union, medyo nahimashimasan na ako. Kaya lang, pagdating ko sa boarding house ay nakita ko si Tita at si Ron na nagtatawanan sa kusina.

I didn't want Tita to send him away just to comfort me. I know she'll insist once she sees my face. Hindi na ako nag-atubiling sumakay ulit ng bus patungong Maynila. The silence of the dorm was frightening. Umuwi ang dalawa kong roommates kaya solo ko ito kaso... mababaliw yata ako.

Good thing Lulu called me.

"Anong gusto mo? Juice? Kape?" Tanong niya sa akin nang makaupo ako sa couch niya.

"Tubig nalang..." I whispered. My throat feels dry and hollow. Kanina pa nagri-ring ang cellphone ko pero hindi ko na ito pinansin. Alam kong siya lang din naman ang tumatawag sa akin. Tumigil lang iyon pagsapit ng alas tres ng hapon. Ibig sabihin ay pinabalik na sila ng academy.

I could hear Lulu making noises in the kitchen. Tubig lang naman ang sinabi ko pero bumalik itong may bitbit na tray. She placed the tray gently on the coffee table. Bukod sa tubig, may maliit na platito ng cookies atsaka mainit na gatas.

"Cheer up. This is my comfort food..."

Nag-aalangan akong tumingin sa kaibigan.

She laughed when she saw my face. "Don't worry. Hindi ko niluto yan."

Tumango lang ako at kumuha ng isa. Matamlay akong kumain habang nakatingin sa sun catcher niyang sumasayaw sa hangin.

"We can watch movies if you want. Just to distract yourself for a bit."

Tango lang ulit ang isinagot ko. The cookies are surprisingly good. Kumuha pa ulit ako ng isa bago uminom ng tubig. Si Lulu naman, in-on ang flatscreen TV niya at naghanap ng mapapanuod habang nakapamaywang.

"Wala ka bang gagawin ngayon? Baka nakaka-disturbo ako..." nahihiya kong wika sa babae.

She turned to me. "Wala naman. Nag-rearrange lang ako ng bedroom kanina. Gusto ko sanang gumala kaso nakakatamad ang sobrang init. I'm glad you're here."

I gave her a small smile. I was so relieved that she didn't ask questions right away and allowed me to be lost in my own space. Sometimes, all I need is to know someone's here for me without even telling that person my problems.

Tahimik kaming nanuod ng Kung Fu Panda sa living room ni Lulu. The show was funny, and soon enough, I found myself laughing every now and then. Nakahiga si Lulu sa kabilang sofa habang ako naman ay nakayakap sa isang throw pillow niya.

"Ganun ba talaga sa loob?"

"Ano?"

"Nagkakasakitan ang mga cadets..."

She shrugged. "It's a long-standing culture, Avery. After all, they're trained to kill enemies."

I swallowed hard. "Pero hindi pa rin tama yun..."

"Alam ko. Alam din nila yun. May batas naman pero parang wala pa ring ginagawa ang nasa taas. Patibayan nalang talaga ng loob kapag nandun ka."

Tumahimik ako. Lulu turned her full attention to me.

"Si Enrique din ba?"

I slowly nodded. I could feel the physical pain of his bruises and cuts when I saw it. Hindi iyon gawa ng isang suntok lang. Sa laki ng mga pasa niya, impossibleng kamao ang may gawa nun. Was he stomped? Hit? Hindi ko alam...

Lulu sighed and went to me. She engulfed me in a hug and I just cried silently like a baby.

"I'm sorry it has to happen to him, Avery..." she murmured. "I wish I didn't have to normalize their behavior but my father went through the same hell, too. His father is a retired general and he became a target of his seniors. Buti nalang hindi niya iyon ginawa sa sariling plebe niya. He doesn't believe in unnecessary violence, even when you're a soldier."