Somebody Waiting

Bago Maglima

Raine

Seven years. Seven years since the day I came to a resolution that love is not really for me, that I'm not part of the 'most people' that will have someone by their side.

I've waited for him just like the other days. But that day it took him a little longer. Mukha siguro akong tangang nakatayo sa harap ng gate nila nang halos dalawang oras ng araw na yun. Naghihintay at nakatingin sa isang taong iba naman ang hinihintay at tinitignan...

Sam.

I met him when I was eight. He is two years older than me. Dahil payatot ako nun madalas akong asarin ng mga nasa village namin na 'walking stick' o kahit anong maisip nila na pang asar.

'Reng! Tignan mo to' tawag ng isang uhuging bata sa sakin habang naglalakad na parang zombie.

Payatot ako, hindi ako zombie. Isip ko sa sarili.

Ayos lang, kaya ko naman lahat ng asar nila eh dahil sa bahay ramdam ko na prinsesa ako at pagnakikita ko sina nanay and tatay na masaya kasama ko I believe na there are still good things in life and this family is one of the testament that someone can survive every hurdle in life just by having people in their lives supporting them, loving them---unconditionally.

But all my idea of a perfect life inspite of all the imperfections vanished one day after I went home from school.

Umuwi ako ng walang tao sa sala. Knowing that mom and dad was just inside the master bedroom upstairs, I had an idea to surprise them. Pero ako pala ang masosorpresa as I heard them bickering inside the room. I pressed my ears on the door hoping to eavesdrop.

'Hindi ko na kaya Teodoro! Hirap na hirap na ko.' I heard my mom plead sobbing in between words.

My father whom I know is a patient man throw the next dagger that pierced my soul.

'Eh sino bang gustong tumira pa kasama mo?! Sawang-sawa na ko sayo!'

'Ano, sasama ka na sa babae mo?!' My heart stopped for a while in hearing that.

Another girl? Dad?

'Oo. Tignan mo yang hitsura mo? Ni hindi mo na nga magawang magsuklay.'

'Oo. Tama ka. Nakalimutan ko na ang sarili ko dahil inyo. Kayo ni Raine ang buhay ko. Akala ko sapat na yun, lahat ng sakripisyo ko pero hindi pa pala.'

I ran outside. Afraid to hear another hurtful words from them throw on each other, on our perfect family. I ran as far as I can until my feet hurt and can no longer take another step.

Umupo ako under the shade of a mango tree and there I tear up. Iniyak ko lahat ng galit, lungkot at pangungulila. Parang gumuho ang mundo ko. All our happiness was just an act all along? I ask myself. Then suddenly, out of the blue a young boy passing by probably going to his house stopped, came near me and offered his towel to remove the tears I shed on my face.

Sam. Sam came like a hero. My hero.

'Huy!' I heared someone yell at me that brought me back from my reverie.

Louie Anne.

'Oh hey!' I blurted out of suprise.

'Nasan na naman utak natin bes? Ano na naman iniisip mo?'

'Iniisip? Wala no?' I justified.

'Ay mali pala tanong ko...sino.' She maliciously commented.

My brows furrowed as I know what she is trying to mean.

'Excuse me, hindi si Sa..' I stopped ang threw caution on the wind. 'He! Wala nga.'