No Strings (Strings Series 1)

Epilogue

Luther Jameson Vera Cruz/ Dela Fuente

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I was only 10  when I've realize that I'm living with a not so normal life. I mean-- papa and mama were constantly fighting for something I don't understand.

Ibang iba ang pamilya ko sa pamilya ng mga kaibigan at kaklase ko. I was born in the Philippines but raised in USA.

"Can you go home alone?" my teacher asked me. Umalon ang blonde niyang buhok ng hinawi niya ito. Ako nalang ang natira sa school dahil hindi pa dumadating si mama.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko. It's our last day at sembreak na. I was excited to go home dahil pupuntahan daw ako ni Simon.

We met when we model in the same clothing line. Sa tuwing may auditions ay palagi kaming nag ta-try ni Simon. And luckily, we've never been declined.

"I can, miss.." I lazily answered my teacher. Pagod na pagod na ako ngaung araw. Ang gusto ko nalang ay umuwi at kumain ng paborito kong luto ni mama.

My mom is my everything. Mapag-alaga siya at mapagmahal. Unlike ni papa na sobrang uptight at puro negosyo nalang ang inaatupag.

He's kinda perfectionist, too. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali maliit o malaki man bagay. I wonder why papa was so hard on me.

Palagi kong pinapatunayan sa kanya ang sarili ko. I even got high grades at school but he never gave me any credits.

"Are you sure, Luther?" my teacher forehead creased. Tumango ako. Kung hindi ko kakayanin umuwi. Baka amagin na kaming dalawa dito kakahintay kay mama.

I wonder why she didn't fetch me today. She's always early, but now? Even her shadow didn't showed up.

I started to walk. Wala naman kasing available na taxi, jeep or kahit ano dito. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang bahay namin pero hindi din ganoon kalapit.

Patuloy na kumalam ang sikmura ko sa gutom habang naglalakad. Kaya naiinis ako kay papa for not giving me anything for communication. I have my own money pero tinatabi ko iyon sa bangko. And besides, I'm not allowed to widraw any of it, yet.

Hingal at pagod ang nadadama ko ng makadating ako sa bahay. I stopped when I saw an ambulance infront of our house while all the stuffs was in hurry.

Nagmadali akong tumakbo papalapit sa kanila.

"What's happening?" kabado akong nagtanong sa isang staff.

"Someone committed suicide." the staff answered me. Nalaglag ang bag ko na nakasabit sa balikat ko. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa panlalamig na naramdaman ko.

Then, I saw some men carrying my unconscious mama on the stretcher.

"Did you know who is she?" the staff asked me again. Ipinasok nila ang stretcher sa loob ng ambulance habang ako ay tulala lang.

"She's my mom.." I answered him though,  my knees felt like jelly.

"Are you coming?" he asked again. Bumalik ako sa katinuan at tumango sa kanya.

Why did my mom committed suicide? I don't really get it. Okay naman siya tuwing nakikita ko siya. What happened?

Kabado ako hanggang makarating kami sa ospital. I can't call anyone at the moment coz I don't have the phone to call papa or auntie Teressa.

"Do you have anyone who can come here?" the nurse asked me. Nung una, hindi ako makasagot coz I'm madly focus on my mom.

"Can I join my mom?" instead, I asked her. Umiling ang nurse. "I'm sorry..you wait here.." sagot niya.