The Tragedy of Us

Chapter 2: Beginning of the Beginning

"Are you sure you'll be okay there? Its just gonna be you... alone..." Mama said as she straightened my clothes and tucked my hair behind my ears.

I smiled to hide my irritation. "I'll be fine, mama. For the nth time since we got here, I'll be fine."

"But..." she bit her lip, "we've never been apart."

And I think it's about time we do, I said in my mind. No fucking way I'd say that in front of her. 

"Ma," ate laughed. "Let her go. She's 18 and she wants to study there. Let her go." 

I looked at ate and gave her a thankful nod. 

"Exactly, ma! We talked about this already!" 

She looked back and forth between ate and I. Her eyes stopped on me. She sighed, "Im gonna miss you so much." She mumbled. I quickly replied that I'd miss her back. She pushed me softly and held both of my shoulders. "If there's anything wrong, you call immediately."

"Of course." I nodded.

"But if it's really an emergency," she swallowed and looked away, "you call your father."

I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded once again. "Yes."

Mama pulled me in for one last hug. She did a recap on all her remainders before finally saying her goodbyes. I gave ate a farewell hug too before gathering all my things and walking up to the boarding gate. 

This is it.

I looked back at mama and ate one last time before I slowly made my way into the plane and away from their eyes.

Freedom, you are finally mine.

***

"Anak... Kathryn, anak, bangon ka muna," pag gising sa akin ni mama.

Dahan dahan kong dinilat ang aking mga mata. Sumalubong sa akin ang luhang mukha ni Mama at si ate na nasa likuran niya, kinukuskos ang kanyang mata at hawak hawak ang paboritong stufftoy.

Agad akong tinayo ni mama at sinuotan ng jacket. Binuhat niya ako at nagmadaling lumabas ng kwarto. Halos takbuhin na niya ang hagdanan para lang makalabas ng bahay. Pinasakay niya kami ni ate sa likod bago siya umupo sa harap at mabilisang nagmaneho. 

Hindi nagtagal ay nasa kalsada na kami. Nakatulog na si ate habang ako naman ay pinapanood ang bahay na kinalakihan ko na unti unting lumiit hanggan na sa tuluyan na itong mawala sa aking paningin. 

That was 13 years ago but it is still very clear in my mind. A few weeks after that, we flew out of the country and moved to the States. I've never been to the Philippines again.

Until today.

"Cabin crew, prepare for arrival." The pilot's voice was heard through the speakers.

I felt the butterflies making its rounds in my stomach. I couldn't stop my smile. 

This is it. This is really it.

***

"Kathryn! Anak! Ang laki laki mo na!" The lady wearing all white said. Her white hair is in a bun. "Nako, mas maganda ka pa sa personal!"

I laughed as the man she's with, which I assume is the driver, collected my bags and placed it inside the trunk.

"Uhm," I smiled shyly, "anong name niyo ulit po?"

"Si Yaya Nora ito!" She waved it off like it was nothing. "Panigurado hindi mo na ako natatandaan! Mahigit sampung taon na nung huli tayong nagkita pero si Anton, jusko! Laging pinapakita ang mga litrato niyo ng ate mo sa amin--"

"Sorry po ahh," I cut her, "But pwede na po ba akong padrop sa condo ko po?"

"Ay, syempre!" She opened the door for me and I immediately rode the car while she occupied the seat beside the driver. "Pasensya ka na ah, napadaldal ako. Nainitan ka pa tuloy."

"Oh no, it's okay lang po." I smiled as I reached for my phone in my bag in order to text mama that I've already arrived.

"Excited ka na ba sa pasukan? Buti naman ay naisipan mong dito na mag kolehiyo!"

"Well, the Philippines is my home." I shrugged.

I only went her cause I want to prove to everyone that I can be independent. That I am independent. 

"Nako, dapat ay nakita mo iyong mukha ni Anton noong una niyang nabalitaan na dito ka na sa Pilipinas mag-aaral--"

"Actually," I cut her off again, "ayaw pa nga po akong i-allow ni mommy nung una. Baka daw kase delikado... being alone... and all..."

"Si Patricia talaga," she laughed, "sobrang strikto at matatakutin pa rin."

"Yeah nga po eh," I agreed.

Nilingon ako ni Yaya Nora. "Pero wala naman dapat siyang alalahanin, nandito naman ako at si Anton. Talagang hindi ka mapapabayaan! Jusko, kung nakita mo lang si Anton kanina! Ang daming pagkain na inorder! Dalawang beses pang pinalinis iyong bahay!"

I coughed. "Gusto ko na po sanang magrest--"

"--Tamang tama! Pinarenovate pa ni Anton iyong guestroom para sa pagdating mo--"

"--Sa condo ko." I disregarded what she said. "I'd like to go straight to my condo po sana. If that's okay with you."

"Ay... eh..." She glanced at the driver before looking at me again. "Si Anton kase--"

"I'll text my father." I assured her. 

Of course, I won't do it! No way.

Yaya Nora sighed before telling the driver to go straight to my condo na. I hid my smile.  

Not too long later, we arrived at the building where my condo is located. The driver unloaded the bags as Yaya Nora helped me bring them up to my room. It took a little convincing before Yaya Nora finally left me alone. As soon as she left, I looked around and examined the condo which now serves as my home. I couldn't help but smile.

Just me. Alone. No one to restrict or dictate me. 

Hello freedom.

I quickly unpacked everything. I hung up picture frames and all of my clothes. I took a shower as soon as I finished. I called mama and ate to inform them about how the flight went and so on. After they hung up, I glanced at the clock. It's just 6:30pm.

I changed into a black slip dress and threw a kimono cardigan on top of it. I wore my favorite flats and tied my hair into a ponytail as I exited my unit and made my way to the lift. I went to the floor where food is located and searched for the coffee shop. Everyone I see looks like they're the same age as me. 

Siguro nga this building is really filled with students cause it's near lang to the university. 

I sat down as soon as I got my drink. I got my phone and scrolled through my social media accounts. I put my phone back on top of the table when I got bored. I scanned the coffee shop and due to the walls being glass, my attention was immediately stolen by the boy who just got out of the lift. 

I kept my eyes on him as he met up with his friends and walked out of the building. When he finally disappeared from my sight, I couldn't help but smile.

Im loving this place already.

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