Behind The Scene

Scene 00

Present

Right Now

"Do you really have to go?" Nginusuan ko siya. Pang ilang beses niya na akong tinanong niyan simula nang nag impake ako sa mga gamit namin.

"Dylan, hindi naman kami magtatagal." Tumango nalang siya at napabuntong hininga. Alam kong nag aalala lang siya, pero ikakasal ang nagiisa kong kapatid. Hindi na nga ako umuuwi tuwing Pasko o birthday, at least on his wedding I'd like to be there.

"Sige. But let me come with you. Just, in case." Nagkibit balikat ako sa gusto niya. Wala namang kasi sakin na sumama siya, but I don't want to be a burden to him. May buhay din naman siya dito.

"Ask permission from your parents first. Baka may dapat kang aasikasuhin sa kompanya niyo. I'm not your priority. And I'm not going to make you choose." Ngumuso naman siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko para hilain papunta sakanya.

"Liv, I'm 25. I think I'm old enough to go anywhere without their permission." Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko.

"Kahit na. Paano ang kompanya niyo? Aren't you starting your training?" He knows this is a crucial time for him. Siya ang tagapagmana ng kompanya nila and in no time he'll be appointed as CEO. Pero kung sasama siya sa sakin pabalik Pilipinas, baka ma delay yun.

"Come on. Dad's still kicking well. He's healthy and he's fine. Nagiging tamad lang talaga ang matandang yun kaya gustong mag retire."

"Exactly, he's getting old. He needs and wants to rest." May sasabihin pa sana siya pero may tumawag. Si Mama. Sinenyasan ko si Dylan at lumbas ako sa veranda.

"Hello, Ma." Bati ko.

"Anak. Are you sure okay ka lang talaga na uuwi ka?" Pati ba naman si Mama? Nagkakontyaba ba tong dalawang to?

"Ayaw niyo po ba?" Nagtatampo kong tanong.

"No-no. Syempre gusto ko. I miss you. But you know, I don't want to put you in a hard situation. All up to you, anak." Natulala ako ng ilang sandali.

"Eh diba intimate naman yung wedding? Only close friends and family. No media or showbiz personalities?" As long as he is not there.

"I can't help about the few close friends na showbiz personalities. But, anak, trust me. I know these people at alam kong makakapagtiwalaan sila." Guminhawa ang kalooban ko sa sinabi ni Mama. I'll be there for only four weeks. What can go wrong right?

Dylan tapped his watch signalling me that it's almost time.

"Ah, Ma. I need to go. Susundin pa naman si Lyra sa school. Last day na nila eh."

"Oh ganun ba? Sige sige. I-hug mo nalang akos a apo ko." Ngumiti ako. Alam kong miss na nila si Lyra. Kaya tama lang talaga na umiwi kami. Pumunta si Mama, Papa at Kuya nung ipinanganak ko si Lyra at nung first birthday di niya. I never went back to the Philippines the past six years. It's safer here.

Pagkadating namin sa skwelahan, sinalubong kaagad kami ng napakaganda kong anak.

"Mommy!" She came running into my arms.

"How was your day?" Kinarga ko siya papunta sa sasakayan. Inayos ko siya sa car seat niya.

"Okay naman po. Our teacher taught us how to right out names." Ngiti ni Lyra. I pinched her cheeks.

"Then you better show it to me later." She giggled and nodded her head.

"Okay! It's Friday and it's the last day of school." Anunsyo ni Dylan.