In another lifetime

FOURTEEN

Nakakapagod magmahal kung palagi rin lang masasaktan.

Akala ko kaya kong pigilan eh, wala, nahulog din ako kay Yael.

Kanina pa tumutunog yung cellphone ko, si Dan si Ate Piper and even Gwen's been calling me. Wala akong balak makipag-usap sa kanila ngayon.

Gustong mawala itong sakit sa dibdib ko, pero paano, unti-unting dinudurog ng katotohanan.

I turned my phone off the moment I saw Yael's name flashing. Ayaw pa rin tumigil ng mga luha ko.

I looked up the gate, nandito ako sa harap ng bahay nila Gwen, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero dito ako dinala ng mga paa ko. Biglang bumukas yung gate, "Omg Amethy thank God you're okay, tinawagan ako ni Piper sabi n'ya sabi mo raw na magkikita ta-" natigilan sya sa ng mapansin nyang humihikbi ako.

She hugged me tight. After a minute or two, my tears died down a bit. Inalalayan n'ya ako papasok ng bahay nila.

"Dad's not here yet, sa makalawa pa uwi n'ya from Australia" she said while guiding me to sit."I'll get you water sandali lang ha" I nodded tiredly

"Here drink up, para may iluha ka ulit" she joked, I mustered a small smile. Umupo s'ya sa tabi ko. I mindlessly looked at the glass of water.

She cupped my face,at pinahid yung luha ko. "I don't know what happened pero just to let you know nandito lang ako, tell me when you're ready"

"Can I stay here," sobrang pagod ng boses ko, "even just for tonight"

Of course she said yes, she desperately wanted to be close to me. S'ya yata yung pinakamasayang tao sa mundo noong nalaman nya na may kapatid sya sa ama, as per Ate Piper.

Dinala n'ya ako sa isang kwarto malapit sa kwarto n'ya, guest room siguro.

"This is your room"

"Di naman ako magtatagal"

"I mean,pinaggawa talaga ni Dad ito for you, hindi nga n'ya pinapagamit sa iba ito" I kept my mum. I'm really tired, hindi sa ayokong malaman ang about sa family ko sa real father ko pero I have more issues in life na kailangan kong harapin. "Ah, maiwan na kita, if you need anything, sa kabilang kwarto lang ako"

"Thank you" she kissed my temple before leaving.

I lied down, stared at the ceiling. Umiiyak na naman ako, it hurts like hell.

Yael's gonna be hurt as well, alam kong gagawin n'ya ang tama.Walang kasalanan yung bata, I can't bear to see the child growing up without a father.

"I'm sorry Yael but we have to let each other go" I whispered into thin air before I succumb to slumber.