The original plan was for me to finally go back to Cebu. Staying on Manila for another day or two wasn't a part of it. Pagod lang ang nanaig sa akin kanina kaya naisipan kong bukas na lang o sa isang araw umuwi.
I reached my condo unit and went inside. Laking gulat ko nang makita ang aking pinsang si Beth, nakabusangot na nakahiga sa aking kama.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I dropped my bags in bewilderment.
Napatayo kaagad si Beth na mukhang nagulantang din. Napanguso siya atsaka kumalma, nahigang muli. "Sorry I kinda crashed..."
Crashed, or translation: you ran away? Was that it?
"Seriously, what the hell are you doing here?" Minasahe ko ang sentido at umupo sa kaniyang tabi. Binigyan ko kasi sila ng spare ni Ramona incase. E, incase na nga ito kay Beth panigurado.
"Kung hindi pa ako aalis sa Cebu ay baka ikamatay ko. Its a toxic environment," she lazily drawled. "What's up with you?"
"Maraming-marami." Umikot ang aking mga mata. I didn't bother to ask her anymore questions dahil sa pagod at nahiga na lang sa kaniyang tabi.
I told Beth all the things that happened. Maybe, explained things to her a bit or to myself rather. Wala naman siyang ibinibigay na reaksyon kaya baka hindi niya ako pinakikinggan pero ayos lang sa akin. I was staring at my lovely ceiling while talking. Maybe I was really talking to myself and I figured that it was better. Beth mumbled a few things to confirm I wasn't alone afterall.
Nakaidlip ako nang kaunti ngunit gabi na nang magising ako. Inanggulo ko ang ulo patungo sa isang tabi upang panuorin ang kalakhan ng metro at ang kasagsagan ng trapiko nito sa ibaba.
I blinked and got up to shower.
Iniwan naman ni Beth ang kaniyang sling bag at tsinelas kaya baka umaaligid lang siya riyan. Siguro ay hindi mapakali o 'di kaya'y nagugutom katulad ko.
Suot ang puting spaghetti strap at maikling palda, at tsinelas ay lumabas akong unit para humanap nang makakain, pati na rin ang hanapin ang magaling kong pinsan.
There should be some logical reason why my cousin's here in Manila, alone, and looking a bit stressed. Hindi naman kasi iyon umaalis ng bahay - ng isla - ng walang sapat na dahilan. Siguro ay nagrerebelde kina Tito at Tita, o baka naman mayroong matinding kritiko sa kaniyang academics.
All the reason why I need to confront her. Offer some help but knowing Beth, she likes to do everything on her own.
Sinigurado ko ang aking cellphone habang naglalakad. Ang mga text kanina at kahapon ay nadagdagan lamang, lalo na kina Papa at Harold. I scrolled more. And more.
I pursed my lips when I found none of what I wanted. Kaagad kong kinastigo ang sarili sa pag-aabang.
So, what if there's no text? Ano ngayon kung sa buong maghapon ay walang dumating na kahit ano?
Sa kalagitnaan ng aking paghahanap pa sa cellphone at paglilinga ay muntik na akong mabangga sa isa sa mga pillar sa lobby. My mouth parted only to dry up from much oxygen exposure.
I watched Beth inside the hotel restaurant as she talked with someone. A male. And it seemed like they were not just that casually talking!
Luminga ako sa aking paligid na tila ba may makakahuli sa aking naninilip. Kakaunti na lamang ang tao sa restaurant dahil magmamadaling araw na. Kitang-kita ko sina Beth at ang kaniyang kausap sa loob kahit pa nasa pinakasulok silang banda.
The man looked like in his late twenties, early thirties tops maybe. I was in complete shock! He was sporting a white button down shirt with its sleeves rolled to his elbows, his slacks indicating those ripped muscled thighs. He's a walking sin to be exact! Holy shit, sister Beth!
