Lifeless Sea (GL)

Chapter 22

Kinabukasan, agad akong nag-ayos ng sarili. Andami kong agendang gagawin. It's sahod day. Pumunta ako sa shop ngunit sarado, nakapagtataka dahil sarado ito ngayon dahil wala naman sinabi sila kuya Nate, yung may-ari.

Kaba at kung ano-anong scenario ang bumabalot sa utak ko. Umalis ba sila? Baka may emergency lang.

"Don't overthink too much, Sea." Pagpapakalma ko sa sarili.

"Sakay?" Tanong ni manong driver at umiling ako.

"Naghihintay ka ba riyan?" Tanong nito at tumango ako.

Maliit lang naman ang sahod ko dahil pumasok lang ako ng panandalian pero malaking tulong pa rin 'yon para sa'kin. I lowered myself too much to the point na kinain at nilunok ko ang masasakit na salita nila sa'kin. I don't know how I ended up like this.

"Walang tao riyan, umalis. Nag-outing ata kasama mga katulong sa printing shop. Sige alis na ako iha." Sabi ng driver at nagdrive paalis.

Umupo ako sa tapat ng shop. I waited for this day pero ganito. Eight hundred pesos for 15 days isn't too much, right? I've waited for this day. Paano na yung pagkain ni Cloud? Yung medicine ni nanay? Frustrations eat my mind. I can't even think straight.

At this age, at this fucking age, why do I need to face these kinds of problems? This month should serve as a vacation for me, pero hindi.

Bakit ang unfair?

I called Katniss, her voice calmed my nerves down, and her presence assured me that everything will be ok. I need her.

"Please answer my call.." bulong ko. Tumayo nalang ako at naglakad pauwi. Wala rin naman akong mapapala kung magstay pa ako rito.

I can't reach Katniss. So I decided to go home.

I was walking at may nakasalubong akong stray cat, so cute. Maliit lang ito, kulang itim at puti ang balahibo ngunit madaming sugat. I called Surea and she picked up.

"May nakita akong cat, she's cute. Do you want to adopt her?" I asked her politely pero hindi pa rin ako sigurado dahil she likes dogs a lot at may alaga rin sila. Pero this cat deserves a home.

"Sorry, bhie. I can't, maybe kay Serius?" She said and offered.

We're not rich, all of us. May kaya sila pero not be enough to be in the middle class. Sakto lang, ganiyan kami. Noon.

"Ow, ok. I guess sa'kin nalang muna 'to." I said unsure.

I can give this cat a home but not food. I can warm her body and treat her wounds but not enough to be an owner. I am a provider but not able to provide.

Nilabas ko ang panyo ko at kinuha si mingming.

"Hi, my new baby.. do you want me to take you home hmm?.." I asked softly.

"Meoww" the cat responds. I chuckled. Such a cutie baby.

Nawala panandalian ang pangamba ko. Pero nang makarating sa bahay ay agad na bumungad  sa akin si Cloud, my cat.

He was lying on the floor, struggling. Ibinaba ko sa floor ai mingming at pinuntahan si Cloud.

Cats can survive without eating food for days but they can't avoid poison. His mouth was open and his eyes were telling me he couldn't make it.

I was calling Katniss pero wala. Still no answers.

Patuloy ang pag gapang ng kaba ko. My tears flow. Not my Cloud, please..

"Cloud, baby do you hear me? Wag ka naman ganiyan.." I placed my hands on his head and slightly patted it.

Patuloy ang pagtawag ko kay Katniss. Then after a few missed calls, she answered.