53.000 Steps

Chapter 8

Eight

Parental Guidance

“A-anong gagawin ko?”

nanghihinang napaupo ako sa upuan when I heard the reason why my best friend, Ally, came here to look for me. It was very clear and straightforward. She came to bring me back in England. Because in a span of two days and I’m still not there…

My mom’s gonna be here.

At hindi yun pwede. Hindi pa pwede. Neither of us, my mom and I, are ready for this.

Hindi pa akong handing harapin si Mama and I’m not sure if she’s ready to here it from me.

Hindi ko pa alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin kay Mama, kung paano ko sasabihin sakaniya.

I’ve thought of several things to consider regarding my situation.

Pero isa lang talaga ang nasa utak ko ngayon, which is to escape again. Oo, lalayas ako ulit.

Di ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. Hongkong? Thailand, maybe?

But then, I realized…

Wala na nga pala akong pera. Wala na akong pambili ng plane ticket ko.

I’m doomed. End of the world.

But then, before I got totally drifted from my thoughts…

Gab spoke.

“edi harapin mo siya. There’s no other way, Niobe. Malalaman at malalaman din niya.”

Parang nung time na yun ko lang narealize na, tama siya, wala ngang patutunguhan ang mga pinag-iisip ko. Malalaman nga rin nila kahit anong pagtatago pa ang gawin ko. Like what Gab said, there’s really no other way.

“Pero…I don’t know if I can already face her. I don’t know whether I’d go back or stay here and wait for her.” Right after I finished the sentence e umiwas ako ng tingin sa dalawang taong nasa harap ko ngayon.

“Bes, either way, you’ll still end up facing your mother. Bakit mo pa patatagalin? Dun din naman ending nun.” My best friend, Ally, commented for the first time.

“But I still suggest na antayin mo na lang pumunta dito ang mama mo. At least you’ll have time to think things through. In a way, makakapagprepare ka hanggang sa magkita kayo.” I think I’ll take his advise. Kailangan ko rin talagang magprepare kasi…

“Natatakot ako.” Sabi ko sakanila nang nakatingin sa floor.

Naramdaman ko na lang Gab was on his feet standing infront of me.

Hinawakan niya ko sa balikat kaya napatingin ako pataas sakaniya.

He smiled. I wish I could smile back pero masyado akong nadedepress ng situation kaya hindi ko magawa.

“Don’t be. Sasamahan kita kausapin ang mama mo.” I saw his sincerity kaya hindi ko maiwasan but to feel awed by his gesture.