Everything Went Last

Phase 25

Phase 25

Staring at my friend on the screen made me feel at ease. It's been so long since I've had a moment like this with them. I feel a bit emotional because this is what I left behind after the crash I have been through.

"How are you, guys?" Pangangamusta ko sa kanila.

Inilapit ni Rida ang muk8ha niya sa screen, "Halla, totoo nga siya," sabi niya na halos pasigaw na.

"Ay, hemlu, my bebegurl, okay lang naman ako. Ewan ko sa dalawa,"pagsagot niya sa aking tanong.

"Ang ingay, Rida. Can you please tone down your voice," Jane called her out. "But anyway, Kaye Arvie, you look glowing. We're fine..."

Tumango-tango ako dahil sa sagot nilang dalawa. Leon, on the other hand, is still silent on the phone. He's the one who started this video call and he's not talking.

"Leon?" Patanong na tawag ko sa kanyang pangalan.

"I'm also good, Kaye," daling sagot 'tsaka nanahimik naman.

"Kaye," pasigaw na naman na tawag sa akin ni Rida. Kaya napapikit na si Jane dahil sa ingay niya.

Natawa na lang ako sa reaksiyon niya dahil ganitong-ganito rin kami noon. Habang nagsasalita sila ay napabangon na ako sa aking kama at unti-unting pumunta sa aking table.

"OA mo rin, ha, Jane," pang-iinis ni Rida. "But anyway, Jane was right. You look glowing. May kakaiba bang tubig diyan kung nasaan ka man at mas lalo kang naging maganda."

As I was putting down my phone on the phone stand where my art materials are. I shyly smiled at them because even if it took me months to have a word with them. They still stayed the same-a constant reminder of me that even though the storm has shaken me there is still someone who stayed steady.

Namumula ako dahil sa sinabi ni Rida. Hindi ko alam kung ano dapat ang isasagot ko. Kaya tumikhim ako saglit 'tsaka inayos ang aking buhok at tumingin sa aking screen.

"Si badet, oh, nag-ayos," saad ulit ni Rida.

"Kumusta ka diyan, Kaye?" Tanong agad ni Jane.

"Uh, thank you for the compliment," paunang sabi ko 'tsaka pinaglapat ang aking labi at ngumiti ng maliit. "I don't know what to say, but hey, I am doing great..."

Looking back when I first came here. The big change is really visible. I was so quiet and unapproachable just like what Tala said. Slowly, I warm up when they give me the space to adjust. Only Tala get to be accustomed to my silence that's why she's the only person I'm comfortable talking about my past together with my Grandma. The rest made me feel at ease, but I guess, Tala and I just have a different bond that's why.

"Coping with the things I have caused. You know what I mean," I explained.

Tahimik silang sumangayon sa akin. Patango-tango si Rida, habang si Jane naman ay napa-ah na lang, at si Leon naman ay tahimik na nakikinig.

"What were you doing out there?" Jane asked. "From what I'm seeing you're not in your house. Where are you?" Sunod pa niya.

I quickly looked at my room and went back to them. Hindi ko pala nasabi na nandito ako sa ancestral house no'ng nagpaalam ako. Kaya ngumiti ako na humihingi nang paumanhin.

"I paint," mahinahong saad ko. "And I didn't get to tell that I am in our ancestral house," I informed.

"Wow, big time si ate gurl," narinig kong mahinang sabi ni Rida kaya natawa na lang ako dahil do'n. "Pero maiba tayo. Nakita ko si tita nakaraan. Hindi rin pala kayo nag-uusap 'no, sa lola mo na lang siya nakikibalita."