Where I Belong

Kabanata 16

Going Back

Dalawang linggo na ang lumipas simula nang magbakasyon kami dito. I was about to head to the beach when Tita Alisa called me.

“Brea, can I talk to you?” she asked, her voice gentle but serious.

“Sige po, ano po ba ‘yon?” I responded, feeling a bit nervous dahil parang naghe-hesitate pa siyang sabihin ito.

“Earlier, Kade called me saying that your mom is out of the rehabilitation center. Bukas, makakabalik na siya sa bahay niyo, and she wants you to come back home,” Tita Alisa said carefully.

Para akong nabingi sa sinabi ni Tita Alisa. Pilit kong pinapasok sa isipan ko, pero parang ayaw niyang tanggapin na makakauwi na ako.

“I talked to them na kung pwede patapusin mo muna ‘yung vacation natin. Tutal isang linggo na lang naman ang natitira. Pumayag naman ang mom mo,” she added, her voice soothing, clearly trying to ease my worry. She must have noticed my sudden silence and concern.

I just smiled, kahit na ang dami kong nararamdaman sa loob. Ayoko lang na mag-worry pa siya sa akin.

“Salamat po, Tita Alisa,” I managed to say.

Later that evening, habang nasa dinner kami, napansin ko ang mga Miller brothers at ang kanilang mga pinsan na nagkukulitan at nagkukwentuhan. Pilit kong ini-enjoy ang mga sandaling iyon, pero sa likod ng aking isip, iniisip ko pa rin ang sinabi ni Tita Alisa.

After dinner, Aiden approached me. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about something,” I replied, forcing a smile.

“If you need to talk, I’m here,” he offered.

“Thanks, Aiden. I appreciate it,” I said, genuinely grateful.

As the night went on, nakapag-decide ako na i-enjoy ang natitirang linggo ng bakasyon na ito kasama sila.

Kinabukasan, nagising ako nang maaga. Pinagmasdan ko ang dagat mula sa bintana ng aking kuwarto. I decided na hindi ko muna iisipin ang pagbabalik ko sa bahay. Instead, I would make the most out of the remaining days here.

Paglabas ko ng kuwarto, naabutan ko si Tita Alisa na naghahanda ng breakfast. She smiled at me, and I returned her smile, feeling a bit more at ease.

We spent our whole day at the beach, nag-swimming, nag-snorkeling, at nagkayak. Halos nakalimutan ko ang lahat ng worries ko dahil sa saya ng mga sandali.

Aiden stayed close, always making sure I was okay. Alam kong kahapon niya pa gustong tanungin kung anong problema ko pero hindi niya tinuloy.

Nang magtatapos na ang araw, sabay-sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa beach house, pagod pero masaya. It was a perfect day, and for a moment, naisip ko na kahit anong mangyari, I would always have these memories to hold on to.

As the sun set, I found a quiet spot to sit and watch the sky turn orange and pink. Aiden sat beside me, not saying anything, just being there. It was comforting. Just to break the silence, I spoke up.

"I'm going back home after this," I said, looking at him to see shock on his face.

He didn't speak, nakatingin lang siya sa akin, kaya nagpatuloy ako.

"Darating naman talaga yung araw na babalik ako sa sarili kong bahay, diba? So thank you for being with me all this time."

Aiden finally found his voice. "I knew this day would come, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. Brea, you've become such an important part of our lives. I'm just... going to miss you."

His words touched my heart. I felt a lump in my throat and tears threatening to spill.

"I'll miss you too, Aiden. You've all been like family to me. But I have to go back and be with my mom. She needs me."

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I know. And I support you. Just remember that you always have a place with us, whenever you need it."

We sat there in silence for a while longer, watching the colors fade from the sky. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that our time together was coming to an end but also feeling grateful for the bond we had formed.