Time and Fallen leaves

The reason of my smiles

The worst way to welcome a Monday is with a fever or cold. Unfortunately, Erin had both.

"Tumawag na ako sa paaralan, I told them you're sick and won't make it to school" isang tango na lamang ang pinakawalan ni Erin at kumuha ng panibagong tissue para sa kanyang sipon. Keeana's mom hand her a clam soup, the smell made Erin drool.

Erin doesn't know why she became sick all of a sudden. Umuwi naman ito galing sa bahay nila Leeon nang walang hassle —it didn't rain either, perhaps it's the emotional turmoil she felt during their not so good dinner. She takes note not to accept another dinner invitation from the headmistress next time.

"How are you feeling?" Concern is spread all over her adoptive mother's face. Ngayon niya nalang muling nakita ang ganitong expression sa kanyang mukha. The last time she saw her like this is when they brought Keeana to the hospital. Erin smiled and tried her best to look cheerful as possible. Hindi niya gustong nag-aalala ang nanay ni Keeana, she doesn't want to be a burden.

"Ayos lang ako tita, onting pahinga lang 'to" a cough escaped from her mouth. "Hindi mo na po kailangan umabsent sa work"

"I told you to stop calling me tita, you should call me mother" bakas sa boses nito ang pagtatampo. Erin look down in embarrassment, paano niya nga ba sisimulan? Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito sanay. Her thoughts were distracted with the continuous notification pop ups coming from her phone. Sunod-sunod na text messages galing kay Keen, Leeon, Milo, and Jade —asking her whereabouts. Hindi niya muna nireplyan ang mga kaibigan and focused on the warm soup. Mamaya ko nalang sila rereplyan.

It took Erin a few scolding bago nito na convince ang adoptive mother na pumasok at huwag siyang intindihin dahil kaya niya na ang kanyang sarili. She had herself ever since she was little, a slight fever is nothing compared to the orphanage —or so she thought.

Turns out being adopted and finally living comfortably lessen her immune system. Dati ay hindi ito nagkakasakit kahit pa exposed sa alikabok o kung ano man, a little life of luxury made her weaker compared to when she was an orphan. Tila nahilo ito at naisipang humiga sa kama, forgetting about the reminder to reply to her friends. Naramdaman niya na ang biglang paglamig ng kwarto, but she doesn't bother to turn on the heater; her eyes are getting heavy, and so she took a quick nap.

She was awoken with the simultaneous sound of her ringtone and the doorbell. She check the caller —still half asleep, her eyes went wide upon realizing that her quick nap was 5 hours. She then looked at the caller ID and saw Keen's name in it, agad niya naman ito sinagot.

"Hello"

"I'm outside" biglang napabangon si Erin but regrets what she did. Bigla kasing umikot ang paligid nito, nakalimutan niya nga palang may sakit siya. Pinilit niyang maglakad papunta sa sala atsaka binuksan ang pinto. She was welcomed by Keen grinning from ear to ear, embracing a black cat in his arms. Tila nahawaan si Erin dahil ngumiti rin ito pabalik na parang wala siyang iniindang sakit. The mere presence of Keen made her feel light and positive.

"Paano mo nalaman ang bahay namin?"

"I always knew, ayoko lang pumunta" pumasok siya sa loob at naupo sa sofa while putting down his cat, letting it roam around the house. The cat comfortably lay on one of the couch as if it is his domain. "After you told me about Keeana, hinanap ko na agad ang bahay niyo."

"Nakita ka na ba ni tita?" A slight crease was visible in his forehead, nabalik lang naman ito sa dati nang mapagtanto kung sinong tita ang tinutukoy ni Erin.

"I never intend to, I still hate her for giving up on me" kinuha niya ang isang slice ng watermelon na inoffer ni Erin. "I mean, what kind of mother let her son get taken away? What's worse? Sinama niya lang si Keeana and left me with my dad"  a hint of anger and pain was audible in his voice. He tried not to choke as he tried his best not to cry, but Erin can see something shine in his eyes; tears.