Field of Emotions

Chapter 9

Growing up, my Avó used to manage all my expenses. But, when she died, I had to manage it all at once. I was the one who bought my cell phone, my laptop, and my tablet. Sometimes, I sell some of my plants to some of our neighbors and by that, I make money...my own money.

Sian ko
Have you received yung pinadala ko kay Gio last week?

Ysabelle
Yeah why?

Sian ko
Nothing, akala ko binigay mo kay Gio.

YsabelleOkay.

Sian ko
Punta ka daw dito bukas sabi ni mom at dad sama mo daw si stacy.

Sa sobrang antok ko, isang like na lang ang naimessage ko sa kanya. It's been a week since he became cold to me. Isa linggo na din akong parang nangangapa sa dilim para lang malaman kung bakit siya nagtatampo.

It's almost 1am, hindi ko alam kung ayos pa ba ang sleeping schedule ko dahil sa mga tambak na gawain at dagdag isipin pa ang pagtatampo ni Sian. Kahit ako ay hindi alam kung bakit ginagawa kong big deal ang pagtatampo ng lalaki. Happy crush ko lang naman siya. Nothing more, nothing less.

Nagising ako ng 3am dahil kailangan ko pang basahin ulit ang ilang lessons para sa quiz namin sa Thursday. Isa pa, mas maaga ang start namin kumpara sa section nina Deia. As I prepared myself, I noticed that its temples are starting to loosen from being screwed in the hinges, a sign that I have to change glasses as soon as possible. Pagbaba ko, nakita ko si Manang Ester na naghahanda ng baon naming dalawa ni Kuya Liam. May katandaaan na din si Manang Ester, si Avó Alyana pa ang naghire sa kanya dito para alagaan ako pero nagtagal siya samin dahil naging katiwala na din siya ni Mama. She was like another mother figure to me and maybe Mama feels the same too.

"Nay, ano po almusal?" tanong ko sa kanya sabay upo sa upuan sa may kitchen island.

Ngumiti sakin ang matanda at kumuha ng gatas. "Sinigang na hipon, hinaluan ko ng dahon ng gabi. Tanim mo iyon sa garden mo diba?" tumango ako kasabay ng pag abot sakin ng baso ng gatas. "Ang lulusog ng mga halaman. At siya nga pala, si Delia bibili daw ng mga gulay na nakatanim sa garden mo kapag namunga." sabi niya at inabot naman sakin ang plato na may kanin at ulam kasama na ang kutsara ang tinidor.

"Sure po, Nay." Napa-isip ako sa sinabi ni Nanay Ester. "Yung...Delia po ba, yung Manang Delia ni Celestine?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oo, hija. Naku, tuwang-tuwa nga nung malaman na ikaw pala ang nagtatanim ng mga gulay na niluluto ko." she happily shared, making me smile again. I didn't know that I can make someone happy by simply planting.

"Sige na, kumain ka na at papababain ko lang si Liam." sabi niya at umalis ng kusina.

Just as I was about to take another spoonful of my breakfast, I heard a loud crash from upstairs followed by the sound of raised voices. I recognized them instantly - Mama and Papa. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

"Ano ba, Aldrin! Lahat na lang ba dapat kontrolado mo?" I heard Mama's voice echo through the house, her words laced with frustration and anger.

"I'm saying this for our own happiness! Nasasakal ka? Nasasakal na din ako!" Papa retorted, his voice equally loud and strained.

I could hear the tension in their voices, and it sent a pang of sadness through me. I looked at Manang Ester, who had just returned to the kitchen. Her face was filled with worry, and I knew she felt the same way. She hugged me and covered my ears as the shouts and breaking glasses, probably picture frames, continued. Manang Ester's way of covering my ears helped to lessen the noise but it doesn't mean I can't hear what they're saying.