Behind Closed Doors

twenty nine

My mind filled with a lot of thoughts because of what Ghei told me earlier when we talked earlier. I stared at Aliah who was sleeping peacefully beside me. 

"Kapag ikaw nasaktan na naman Miro." 

Ghei's voice keeps echoing in my mind. Okay lang naman masaktan, siya na yan.

I got off the bed and walked out of the room. I carefully closed the door behind me. 

I went straight to the kitchen, Lola and Lolo are happily talking about something. 

"Oh apo, halika." Lolo smiled at me as he motioned to come closer. I did approach them. 

"You look stressed, hindi dapat masaya ka? May love life ka na kaya." May pang-aasar ni Lolo. They laughed and that made me pout. 

"Aakyat na lang ulit ako." They laugh even more. Nagtatampo akong umupo sa tabi nila. 

"E bakit ka nga malungkot?" Lola asked me as she went behind me as caress my shoulders, while Lolo filled the glass of juice and passed it to me. 

"Kung pakiramdam niyo po na nasasaktan na kayo at masasaktan pa lalo, ititigil niyo na po ba?" I asked them. They stared at me.

"Kapag ba sinabing kong tumigil ka, gagawin mo?" Lola asked me. Ibinuka ko ang bibig ko para lang isara ulit dahil hindi ko naman alam kung anong isasagot ko. 

They just look at me with knowing stares. 

"Just let your heart love that person because at the end of the day, you will just regret those risk you didn't take." Lola pat my head gently.

"Kapag nasaktan ka, umuwi ka lang sa'min ng Lola mo. Dahil walang sugat na hindi naghihilom lalo na kung puso ng taong wagas magmahal. Kami ng Lola mo ay lagi lang handang gamutin yang mga sugat mo. Pero yung mga bakas hindi namin kayang tanggalin yun." Lolo smiled at me lovingly. 

I stood from my chair as I pulled them in my embrace. 

"Mahal na mahal ko kayo." Bulong ko habang pinipigil ang mga luha ko na tumulo.

_

"Kumain ka lang marami Aliah, mamaya pwede kayong gumala sa tabing dagat. Malapit lang dito yun." Lola suggested. 

Aliah smiled at her. I look at them silently. 

"O matutunaw na yan." Lolo suddenly spoke which made us turn to me, confused. 

"Yang ice cream ni Miro." 

"Ah!" I exclaimed but my lolo gave me a knowing look. 

'Lolo talaga e' 

"Don't eat too much sweet Miro, sasakit na naman ngipin mo." Aliah reminds me. Natigilan naman ako sa sinabi niya pero tumango na lang din ako. 

"Water?" She offers. 

"Yes please." I happily uttered. I can feel those stares from Lolo and Lola, but I ignore them. Nang-aasar lang naman e.

"Here." 

We finished our meals quickly and now Aliah and I were left here in the kitchen to wash the dishes and clean everything. 

"Aliah, do you want to walk with me later?" I asked her while putting the utensils back on the cabinet. 

"Sure, I would like to." she smiled at me. I nodded at her. 

_

"Wear something thick, malamig na doon mamaya." I reminded her. 

"Wait for me here then."

I nodded. She went back upstairs to get warm clothes.

I sat down for a while and browsed through my phone.