Forever and Always

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

"Hello?"

"Is this Madeliene De Leon?"

"Who are you? Why are you using Bea's phone?"

"I'm Nurse Cha."

"Nurse Cha?"

"Yes. Bea's in hospital. She got into accident."

"What?"

"Please, come over. Will text you the details."

I woke up again with a bad dream. Almost everyday, lagi akong nagkakaroon ng bad dream. I don't know anymore kung may cure pa ba sa ganito.

"Saan na tayo?" I asked Caloy.

"Lapit na." She said. "Had a bad dream again?"

I nodded.

"Iniinom mo ba?"

I nodded again and she sighed. "Are you tired of me?"

"No." She said. "Pagod na akong nakikita kang ganyan."

Ako din, pagod na akong nakikita yung sarili ko sa ganitong sitwasyon. Huminto muna kami ni Caloy sa isang simbahan malapit sa kanila. This is our routine, na kapag uuwi siya kanila isasama niya ako at pupunta muna kami ng simbahan.

"Mads?" She called while looking at the altar.

"Hmm?"

"I know you have been struggling to keep yourself together.." She paused. "... and to be there for people while hoping that someone is there for you; to put up a strong front while mending your inner wounds."

"Caloy.."

She smiled, not reaching her eyes. "And you’ve held back your tears just because they say grown-ups don’t cry. Or so you think. But I also know something else."

"What?"

"I know all these will pass." She said. "And, I will always be by your side."

I hugged her. After all, I'm still blessed. I got my life back. I have a family who supports me in everything I do. I have Caloy and Jamie.

"Ate Maddie!" Sigaw ni Mikay sabay takbo sakin. I smiled at her and carried her.

"Hello." I said.

"Mikay, wag na papabuhat kay ate Maddie." Wika ni Caloy sa likod ko.

"Tito Pogi!!!" Excited na sabi ni Mikay at nagpabuhat kay Caloy.

Pamangkin ni Caloy si Mikay. Last month ko lang din sila nakilala dahil pinilit ako ni Caloy na sumama sa kaniya.

"Oh, andito na pala kayo." Wika ng Mama ni Caloy na kakalabas lang.

"Hi, ma." Bati ni Caloy sabay baba kay Mikay.

"Hi, tita." Bati ko at nagmano sa kanya.

"Halina kayo, kumain muna tayo." Aya ng mama ni Caloy.

Nang nasa hapagkainan na kami ay si Mikay ang nagdasal. Bigla ko naman naalala si Kelvin. It's been a year na rin since nung huli ko siyang nakita.

"Okay ka lang?" Bulong ni Caloy.

Tumango lang ako at nagsimula ng kumain. Puno ng tawanan habang kumakain sila. Doon ko lang napagtanto na, no matter how much pain they gave, there's still so much reason to be happy.

Nang natapos kaming kumain ay tinulungan ko si Tita na magligpit at maghugas ng plato. She's like a second mom to me.

"Okay ka na ba, ija?" Tanong niya.

"Opo, tita." Wika ko. "Thank you po, ha?"

"Para saan?"

"Sa pagtanggap niyo po sakin."

She smiled at me. "Para na din kitang anak. Mas mahal na nga kita kay Caloy."

"Ma, narinig ko yon!" Caloy interrupted and we laughed.

"But, Maddie." Wika ni Tita kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. "‪The ones who notice the storms in your eyes; the silence in your voice; and the heaviness in your heart are the ones you need to let in.‬"

I nodded. "Yes po, tita."

She smiled at me. "And please, try to let go all the pain. I want to see the Maddie smiling with no eyes." I was shocked at what Tita said. "Blame, Caloy. Pinakita niya sakin yung picture mo dati."

I just smiled. She really reminds me of my mom. Her wisdom and her jokes. I just love it.

"Ma, kung ano ano sinasabi mo kay Maddie." Reklamo ni Caloy.

I just laughed and that made them stopped. "Ma?! Kita mo yun? Tumawa si Maddie?"

"Oo nak. Ang ganda pala niya."

I stopped laughing and frowned at them and they laughed. "Cute mo, kainis."

"What." I said and Caloy shook her head.

Lumabas naman kami ni Caloy. Nakaupo lang kami sa may duyan and did nothing.

"Mads? Paano kung matanggap ka sa bali?" Tanong niya.

"Ha? Matatanggap tayong dalawa."

"What if, ikaw lang?"

"I won't let that happen."

"Mads, if ever na mangyari yun, I want you to join them. Alam mo naman na tanggap na ako sa Pocari."

"So iiwan mo ako?"

"I'm in Pocari, yes. But that doesn't mean na iiwanan kita."

I sighed. "Pero.."

"Mads, you can't escape from everything.. but instead, we can face it together."

I sighed again. "I know I'm a bit selfish.."

She shooked her head. "I will stay with you through all the tough times, Mads. Let us be strong enough for each other. Okay?"

I nodded. She really knows the right words to calm me. I lost my faith in her but Caloy made my faith in Him even stronger.

"Basta ha? Kung magkalaban tayo wag mo ipamukha sakin na matangkad ka."

I laughed at her remarks. "I'm a blocker, Caloy."

Napakamot naman siya sa ulo. "Oo na."

"Excited ka na ba na maglaro ulit?"

I nodded. "It's been a year."

"Sasabihin mo ba sa kanila?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi."

"Bakit naman?"

"May mga bagay na dapat sikreto lang."

"Wag na nga natin pagusapan." Wika niya. "Kailan nga pala next ano mo?"

"Sa saturday." Wika ko. "Sasamahan mo ba ako?"

"Uhm, oo."

"May practice ka nun diba?"

"Mas mahalaga ka naman."

"Pero makakasama mo si Isa nun. Tsaka kaya ko naman."

"Oh ano naman kung makakasama ko si Isa?"

"Bitter ka pa rin?"

"Hindi."

I just laughed at her reaction. Nawala lang atensyon ko nung biglang nagvibrate phone ko. May message ako mula sa unknown sender.

"Sino yan?"

"I don't know."

Napakamot naman siya sa ulo. "Buksan mo kaya?"

I opened it and as expected. Caloy just smiled at me and I shooked my head.

"I told you." Aniya

"That fast?"

"For formality lang naman yun." Aniya sabay halakhak.

Unknown:

Hi, Maddie! Isa ka sa napili para maging middle blocker ng BaliPure. You can start your training tomorrow. - Ate Alyssa