Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 30

"Graduating na si Karlo, tapos ako magf-fourth year pa!" Yari exclaimed, sighing out loud.

"Ikaw na ang nagsabi noon, diba? Na hindi karera ang college?" I gave her a reassuring smile then glanced back at the screen of my laptop. "'Tsaka, ba't ka malungkot? Schoolmate na tayo, ah?"

"'Te, nagma-master's ka sa university ko samantalang ako, undergrad pa rin! Huwag ka nga! Maka-schoolmate ka, eh tuwing sabado at linggo ka lang naman nagpupunta roon!"

I chuckled and nodded. Totoong sabado at linggo lang talaga ang klase ko sa DMMMSU. Last year, I got a scholarship offer from the university for a Master of Science in Psychology, Major in Clinic Psychology.

It's not my first choice, but I couldn't ask for my aunt to fund my education anymore so I grabbed the opportunity. Isa pa, narito lang sa La Union ang campus. Kahit na kasal na si Tita kay Ron, ayaw ko pa rin siyang iwan.

Right now, I am working as an assistant researcher in a small firm in the city. Hindi kalakihan ang sweldo pero dahil wala na akong binabayarang renta sa boarding house, nakakapag-ipon pa rin ako kahit papaano.

I am happy that I'm back in La Union. After all the traumatizing events that happened in Manila, I just couldn't wait to pack my things and go home.

Nagkikita kami palagi ni Yari nang makabalik ako, pero hindi na iyon gaya ng dati.

"Hindi ka ba nalulungkot?" Tanong niya habang nakatitig sa nalulusaw nitong iced coffee.

"Bakit?"

"Nasa Amerika sina Lulu at Raya, si Celeste naman, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natin alam kung nasaan. Narito naman si Ivo sa La Union pero nasa Maynila si Karlo. Nagkawatak-watak na talaga tayo..."

Tumikhim ako. It's painful to watch my friends go by while I'm still stuck in our hometown. They were all chasing their dreams and healing themselves.

Iyong nagpunta kami sa dagat bago ang high school graduation, hindi namin alam na iyon na pala ang huling pagkakataon na makakapag-dagat kami na kompleto at masaya.

"Busy na si Ivo sa kompanya nila kaya hindi ko na rin siya nakikita. Minsan, pakiramdam ko, tayo nalang dalawa ang naiwan..." she lowered her head and stared blankly at the table, trying to blink back her tears.

I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. Even the group chat is silent now. Wala ng random messages mula sa isa't isa. Celeste sends us a private message now and then, assuring that she's fine right now, wherever she is.

I miss the times when we were so loud offline and online, planning where to go next and what to eat after a tiring day. We are all adults now, and we have responsibilities to take care of. Naiintindihan ko naman yun.

The wound of my first breakup is still fresh as if it just happened yesterday. Mag-iisang taon na pala. I have no idea where he is right now, but I still hope that he's safe and alive somewhere. Hindi na ako tumitingin ng mga updates sa Facebook dahil baka hanapin ko lang siya. He took down all of his social media accounts so there was nothing for me to see. Kahit sa mga balita, kapag may nababanggit na mga sundalo ay kaagad ko itong nililipat sa takot na baka marinig ang pangalan niya at hindi ko magustuhan ang kasunod nito.

Despite all my efforts to erase him from my life, I could still remember his crying face vividly every night before I go to sleep.

I jumped in my seat when my phone started ringing. An unknown number is calling, making me frown. Kinuha ko ito at tumayo bago sagutin ang tawag.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, this is Gabriel from Valor Housing Solutions. May I speak to Miss Avery Felicia Perez?"