Solas

Opening

The gate opened when I pushed them. Entering the talyer means I will start with my work. But today is my last day since the owner of this business, my uncle, Jam enrolled me to an high-end school in the city.

It has a wide space with a car hanging upside down, a table and chairs in near the opeation, a spacious office covered with glass doors and windows.

The gray interior that matches the logo of J's talyer. I wonder if Uncle Jam is around. It seems so quiet.

Confused and furious, with the letter I received earlier this morning. I pushed the table with it and called someone's attention.

"Uncle Jam! Where are you?!"

I know that I am being hard but he didn't even bother to tell me why should I enroll in that school. We completely agreed to enroll me in VSU. Now, why the earth am I going to Cebu anyway?

I started ranting about the issue and I can't help but to cry out loud. Until I saw him sprinting from his office towards where I stand and he gave me an unbelievable expression.

"H-Hey, Sol.. Chill, okay?" Tapping my shoulder and took the letter from the table.

I pull the chair to sit on and glared at him. "Chill?! I was not informed about this! And I am leaving sooner? Tomorrow as possible? How ridi-"

"Woman! Shut up! Listen to me-"

"No, Uncle! You list-" I insisted.

"Your father wants you to enroll in Cebu!"

Finally. I got the answer. What took him so long to tell me the truth?

My father was nowhere to found. He is somewhere in Visayas but I really don't care where is he. He left me alone and told my uncle to take care of me. And he is giving me this reason?

I shot my eyebrow up, "What? And Why?"

I knew they keep communicating even if he's away. He keeps reaching out on me but I keep on dimissing him. I'm still in pain and a bit shock when he left me three years ago.

"Nasa Cebu na siya, Sol. You have to be with him. He missed you."

"What?" I sighed heavily. "Bakit babalik ang isang 'yon? You knew he left me!"

"He is your parent, Sol. Please, listen to him. Why don't you both start anew?"

"Anew? Ano ba 'yang pinagsasabi mo, Uncle? Nahihibang na ba kayong dalawa?" I muttered few curses and does some annoying gestures.

"Nak, Sol, papa mo iyon. Miss ka na niya. Ayaw mo ba 'non? Kasama mo na siya?"

I stared at him for five minutes and he gave me a pleading look. No, hindi mo ako madadala niyan uncle.

He is wearing his usual clothes, a faded jeans and a gray v-neck shirt and a plaid longsleeves matching his black leather boots and gave him a look like a cowboy.

He is still giving me that look and I glared at him. No way! Ayokong pumunta nang Cebu. Malayo 'yon dito sa Leyte. I knew where in Cebu my father wants to stay. But I like it more in here, this is where I found my friends, my family.. and my home.

Hindi ko alam anong nakain ng magkapatid kung bakit nila ako inenroll doon. May unibersidad naman didto. I want to take up a business administration course. I want to handle a business. Ako narin kasi ang namamahala nang talyer habang wala si Uncle, abala sa ibang business niya.

He is also busy with his family and ako lang magiging katuwang niya sa lahat. His wife and his children lives in the next barangay and they're happy to be with. Busy rin sa pag-aalaga ng mga bata, my cousins.

This is why I find it hard and confusing. No one took care of this business, eitherway its me or si George and she's not around.

Uncle Jam took the other chair and stared me for a while. Umiiling-iling pa talaga. I saw fear and other emotions in his eyes. Para bang may gusto siyang sabihin pero di niya masabi-sabi.

Defeatedly, I heaved another sigh and close my eyes. Bahala na nga.

Hindi naman siguro sila magpadalos-dalos ng desisyon kung para naman talaga ito sa kapakanan ko diba?

Maybe.. maybe I am going to be okay.