Something Spectacular

Spectacular: Twenty Six

26.

Mabilis na lumipas ang pangalawang araw ng convention. Maagang nagising ang karamihan sa amin. Pinanood namin ang pagsikat ng araw mula sa dalampasigan saka nagset up ng breakfast buffet ang hotel para sa mga kasali sa convention.

Karamihan sa activities sa second day ay mga workshop. There was graphic lay out tutorial, photo journalism, feature writing and fiction writing. They gave out tips, we also played games, and we laugh. And in that moment, the time where I was surrounded by artist, writers, and dreamers, that was when I felt it. I found the place where I belong. Far from the corporate world, far from financial statuses and statements. I stood there, the creative conversation and laughter filled the air. And finally, I have a direction to take. I won't be lost anymore.

Noong araw din na yon, tumawag si Mama. Hapon na noon at patapos na ang mga activities. Pabalik na kami sa aming hotel room noong tumunog ang phone ko. Alam ng mga kasama ko na hinihintay ko ito. Kaya napatingin sila sa akin.

"Go on."

I excused myself from the group. Sinabi ko na mauna na sila sa taas. Pumunta ako sa isa sa viewing deck sa hallway at doon sinagot ang phone ko. Huminga ako ng malalim. Kitang kita ko ang lawak ng karagatan at paghampas ng alon sa dalampasigan.

"Isabelle,"

Yon ang bungad sa akin ni Mama. There was an edge to her voice. Anxiousness.

"Na-cancel ang out of town trip ng Dad mo. Nakauwi na siya kagabi pa."

Tila tumahimik ang buong paligid. Napantig ang aking tenga.

"Nalaman na niya ang tungkol sa convention na dinaluhan mo. Gusto niyang umuwi ka agad."

"No." Halos mabitawan ko ang phone ko dahil sa nanginginig kong kamay.

"Mom, no. I'll talk to him when I get back. Ako ang magsasabi sa kanya. I'll explain everything."

"He was furious, Isabelle. This... all of this. Stop it. Go back to your old self. Stop this nonsense."

But how, Mom? How can I go back now that I realize who I really am? This nonsense, this waste of time you're referring to, is the only thing that keeps me sane.

"Stop rebelling."

"I'm not." Mariin kong sinabi. "Mom, I'm not rebelling from you or from anyone. If you really know your daughter, you would know that this... this is not rebellion. This is me, trying to break free from your chains, from the person you want me to be. Please stop erasing who I am to fit into your idea of a perfect daughter."

Silence enveloped the other end of the line. I heard Mom sighed.

"Go home, Isabelle. Let's settle things up with your Dad."

"I will. Just please, let me stay here a little longer."

The call ended. Mom hanged up on me. Halos manghina ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Gusto kong sumigaw. Gusto kong sumigaw ng malakas na malakas. Just then someone held my hand. I turned around. It was Gavin.

"Let's go."

Hindi pa ako tuluyang kumakalma mula sa tawag kaya hindi ko alam ang nangyayari.

"Where?"

"Kung nasaan ang Arcadian ngayon."

Hinila niya ako at tumakbo kami sa hallway. I didn't even know if we are allowed to do so. Nakarating kami sa dulo. There was set of stairs toward a heavy steel door. Is this even legal? Hindi ba kami napapagalitan nito?

Umakyat si Gavin, at dahil hawak niya aking kamay wala akong nagawa kundi sumama.
Pagbukas niya ng pinto halos sumayaw ang buhok ko sa hangin. Open air. We were on the rooftop of the hotel.