I Like You, Teacher

Big Loss

Gab's POV

I thought it will just be a normal phone call. Akala ko kakamustahin lang ako ng tita ko. It was just a short call but the news was so heavy that I couldn't even get to process it in my mind.

"Gab, wala na mama mo" That was the first thing that my Tita told me.

I couldn't believe it. I mean, how could I? Mom was always healthy. She would always take her vitamins and I know she regularly comes to the hospital for check up.

Tanong lang ako nang tanong kung anong nangyari, kung bakit, paano, kung bakit naging ganun. Hindi pwede. Di ako mabubuhay nang wala si mama.

The phone call was still ongoing for about 10 minutes pero umiiyak lang ako. I wasn't really saying anything. I just cried my heart out. Tita, on the phone was consoling me. But I just cried.

Alam ko walang magbabago dahil lang sa pag iyak ko pero wala naman akong ibang magagawa eh. Mom's gone. Wala na akong mama.

Pagkababa ng phone, pumasok agad tawag ni Ate. Alam ko, alam na nya.

When I answered it, she was crying. Kung kanina ako yung pinapatahan, ngayon naman, ako yung nagpapatahan. I have to man up. Wala syang ibang maaasahan ngayon kung hindi ako.

Mas mahirap ang sitwasyon nya kasi nasa Canada sya ngayon. Si mama naman nasa Albay. Napadalas yung pag uwi nya nang Albay netong mga nakaraang buwan.

Right now, nasa basketball court ako. Yes, naglalaro ako when Tita called.

Right after I called Aira, umupo muna ako saglit sa bench to compose myself. Inisip ko kung totoo ba na nangyayari na lahat ng 'to.

While thinking, napapaluha pa din ako. Wala na si mama. Di ko maimagine umuwi nang bahay na wala si mama.

"Gab?" I was so lost that I didn't even hear someone calling me.
"Why are you crying? What's wrong?" Tumabi naman sya sakin and pag lingon ko, it's Krystal.

"Mom's gone" After a long pause, nasagot ko na sya. Then parang automatically, niyakap nya ako.
"I'm so sorry" Tumulo naman luha ko. I also heard her crying. She became pretty close with Mama. Lagi syang pinagluluto ni Mama kapag pumupunta sya sa bahay.

When she pulled out of the hug, pinunasan nya muna cheeks ko before she wiped hers.

"Be strong, Gab. For Ate Gianna and for Tita. I know it's hard but please, kayanin mo. I know Tita would want that" She didn't ask me about what happened. She just gave me assuring words that I really need right now.

"Gab" It's Aira. Kaya naman when I saw her approaching, tumayo na ako. She slightly ran to me and wrapped me in her arms. When she hugged me, nabawasan lahat ng worries ko.

"Gab" She hugged me tighter when she called my name. I know she's about to cry.
"It's okay, I'm here" She wiped away my tears.

"Uh, I'm sorry. I was just passing by when I saw Gab" Ni hindi ko na naalala na andito nga pala sya.
"I will go now. Again, Gab, my condolences. I will pray for Tita" It's an awkward situation for the three of us. Di ko rin alam ang gagawin ko.

"Thank you" I told her. Ngumiti naman sya.
When she walked passed Aira, tumigil naman sya.
"I never really got the chance to say sorry to you. I'm sorry, Aira. I know you won't forgive but I'm really sorry" Then after that, umalis naman na sya.

Aira's POV

After kong punatahan si Gab, dumiretso naman kami sa bahay nila para mag impake. Uuwi sya nang Albay and his flight is at 3 am and that's only a few hours from now.

I can't go yet with him kasi hindi pa ako nakakapagfile ng leave. I will do it first thing in the morning and follow him the same day. We still have a week left for this school year kaya naman kailangan ko mag excuse.