I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Five: Plan

Chapter Five
Plan

Kinabukasan ay bumisita si Alethia sa bahay. Aalis na pala siya sa susunod na linggo kaya pinili naming magsama rito. We were hanging out in my room nang ma-ikwento ko sa kaniya ang pag-aaway nila Chloe and Won. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay wala pa rin kaming balita sa kanila.

Won hasn't told me about it yet. I don't know about Chloe.

"I don't really know what to do," I complained.

We were having our breakfast in my bed habang nanonood ng Clueless. She turned to me, while my mouth was stuffed with pancakes. Her brows furrowed.

"Hails, sometimes you just have to let them be. Hindi naman masamang hindi tumulong minsan, lalo na't ikaw 'yung nasasaktan."

"I know but I'd be more hurt seeing Won like that."

"For Pete's sake, Hails." She pressed her forehead. "Hayaan mo silang masanay ng walang gumagamot sa kanila. Do you even think they'll work out if it's not because of you?"

"Al, that's mean."

"Just saying." She made a peace sign. "I-try mo rin kayang huwag magparamdam. Let's see how they'll handle it."

That got me thinking. Not to brag about my presence but I wonder what's going to happen if I wasn't here. Para naman masanay silang wala ako or for my benefit, para masanay akong wala si Won sa tabi ko.

"Tingnan mo ako, I'd go to Barcelona. That's a quick escape from all the damned lessons I'm taking here," she explained.

I laughed. "You mean the violin and art lessons?"

"Yeah," she said. "It sucks."

I nodded. "Paano si Jayden?"

She halted for a moment before smiling.

"He won't move away," she said confidently. "Babalik din naman ako. Ikaw ba walang plano?"

I sighed.

What if I move away for a while too?

If only I can be gone for a little time while I am on the state of getting a hold of my feelings. 'Yung tipong malayo muna sa kanila hanggang sa ma-admit kong wala akong feelings sa best friend ko. How about a vacation without them to enjoy my own company and think alone?

That's right. I suddenly remembered Lola Hilda's invitation. Hindi naman sigurong masamang ikonsidera ang pagbabakasyon doon. Matagal ko nang hindi nakikita si Lola Hilda and I guess this is one of the signs for me to go.

"Actually Al, 'yung Lola ko sa Hong Kong gusto akong makita. Gusto niyang magbakasyon ako."

Al snapped her fingers in front of my face. "That's nice. Gusto mo bang pumunta?"

Umiling ako. "Kaso wala akong kasama. Wala parents ko."

"Hindi ba 'yon naman ang kailangan mo?"

Tama naman siya. Isn't it what I need? Didn't I tell myself I only need time to think for myself?

"Siguro nga, Al..."

I spent my whole night thinking about it. I mean, it's just a vacation. I just want to check up on my Lola. Kaysa rin naman mabulok ako sa bahay ng ilang buwan. It's four months before college. Ang pasukan ay sa August pa.

And so the next day, I went to my parent's office to check on them. Mom was already there, facing her laptop na naka-open ang email. When she felt my presence ay agad itong lumingon sa akin ng may halong pagtataka.

"Good morning," I greeted.

"Morning." She sat straight on her seat. "You're early today."

Madalas kasi akong gumising at hindi na naaabutan sila Mom sa bahay. She probably isn't used to see me first thing in the morning. Maliban na lang noong may klase pa.