My heart will always be your second home.
-Fix my Heart by SayWeCanFly
--
Lena wore her cardigan for a reason. She wanted to cover her scars. Alam naman niyang hindi bagay 'yong itim na cardigan sa suot niyang damit. The blackness of the cardigan was a harsh contrast to the softness and femininity of the dress. Without it, she felt like she was thrown out of her comfort zone.
But Cyrus told her that she didn't need to hide. And it was somehow freeing, like she can show his family everything without them getting repulsed.
Pagdating nila sa bahay ng parents ni Cyrus, sinalubong sila ng mommy nito sa gate pa lang. His mom hugged her and kissed her cheek before pulling her by the hand to the dining area. Naabutan nilang nagsi-set ng hapag-kainan sina Cadence at Clem. Ang daddy naman ni Cyrus ang nagsasandok ng pagkain.
Cadence and Clem stopped what they're doing to welcome her. Ang daddy naman ni Cyrus ay pinalapit siya at hinalikan sa pisngi bago ibinigay ang hawak nitong serving dish.
"Pakilagay sa table. Salamat," nakangiti nitong sabi.
Walang katulong sina Cyrus sa bahay kaya ang mga ito mismo ang nag-asikaso ng dinner. They made her help as well, so she immediately felt like a part of the family. She was actually glad that she's not just sitting like an idiot while waiting for the table to be set.
Sabay-sabay silang naupo pagkatapos. And everyone's attention was suddenly onto her. Cyrus's mother took a piece of the roasted chicken and put it on her plate. Si Clem naman ang naglagay ng kanin.
"Give her some vegetables," utos ng daddy ni Cyrus.
She was about to tell him no when Cadence stood up and dumped the cooked spinach on her plate. She gave Cyrus a pleading look, hoping he'll take the leaves from her plate.
"Sorry. I can't help you with it," he said. "Kapag sa bahay ka namin kakain, required kang kumain ng gulay."
"Don't worry, Ate, you'll soon get used to it," Cadence told her with a meaningful smile.
Dahil nahihiya naman siyang isantabi ang gulay, wala siyang choice kundi kainin iyon. Masarap naman iyon. Hindi lang talaga siya sanay kumain ng gulay. Pero inubos niya ang laman ng pinggan dahil ayaw niyang magtampo ang nagluto.
Nobody talked about her scars. Kaya maging siya, unti-unti na ring nawala ang pagka-conscious na kita ang mga iyon. They almost became sort of ordinary, na parang parte na lang ng balat niya. Nalibang din siya sa pakikipagkwentuhan kaya hindi niya namalayang dumadaldal na pala siya.
When the dinner ended, they continued the conversation in the living room. Tapos ay naglaro sila ng Monopoly. It was a fun night; she wished it wouldn't end so soon. Pero ganoon talaga kapag nag-i-enjoy ka, ang bilis ng oras.
"Dito ka ulit mag-dinner bukas," Cyrus's mom told her.
She readily agreed. Tinanong pa siya ng daddy ni Cyrus kung ano ang gusto niyang kainin, para makapaghanda ito. Then they asked her to bring some mango graham cake for dessert.
Hanggang sa byahe ay hindi matanggal ang ngiti niya. When Cyrus asked her how the dinner was, she recalled it like he wasn't there. But he listened to her blabbers with interest. Mukhang natutuwa itong natuwa siya sa dinner.
"Ang saya sa inyo," sabi niya rito.
"Thanks. Kung gusto mo, do'n na lang tayo mag-dinner palagi."
"Nakakahiya naman kung nando'n ako araw-araw."
Umiling ito. "My mom would love that, actually."
She smiled. "I like your mom a lot. She reminds me of my own mother."
