Best Friends to PARENTS? (Ongoing)

XXVIII

【Clair's】

Dinala ako ni Rafael sa kwarto ko na wala kaming imikan.

"Get yourself cleaned." Sabi niya sa akin bago umalis ng kwarto ko.

Napasapo ako ng noo. I'm tired but it's ironic how I'm not sweating and tearing up instead.

I took a shower to clear up my thoughts, at least for a little while.

And everything flashed in my mind. When we were in senior year and Rafael coming to me after breaking up with Agnes, me coming to him when I broke up with Xander, Anika coming to our lives.

But I thought I couldn't care less about my state. I never really thought about other people's opinions until today.

I'm nothing but a clumsy person na sumisiksik sa buhay ni Rafael-I mean look at what happened at Anika's party! It was all my fault.

I took a deep breath.

There's no holding back. I've made my decision.

11:32 PM. Nag-impake ako ng mga gamit ko. Everyone's asleep except kay Mama at mga kasambahay. Tinulungan muna kasi ni Mama ang mga kasambahay na maglinis.

He should also be asleep by now, right?

Bumaba ako mula sa hagdan na bitbit ang dalawang maleta.

"Clair! Saan ka pupunta?!" Tanong ni Mama.

Humarap ako sa kanya bago magsalita.

"Aalis muna ako Mama. I need space and time for myself."

I just want to get out of this mess. I'm sick and tired of this same shit.

"Saan ka naman pupunta?"

"Somewhere na walang gulo."

Sa lugar na kung saan makakampante ako na wala akong binabanggaang tao. Sa lugar na wala akong masasaktan na iba at walang mananakit sa akin.

Sa lugar na walang Rafael. Walang Xander at lalong-lalo nang walang Agnes.

My heart aches for leaving Anika, but I have to. I wish I could easily say she's not my own anyway, but I have learned to love her. I never regretted all the things I've done despite the fact that she isn't really Rafael's.

"Sigurado ka bang kaya mo?" Tanong ni Mama na naluluha na.

Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay niya.

"Ma, kaya ko na po. I'll be back soon. Alagaan mo si Anika habang wala ako."

"Sige anak, mag-ingat ka ha?" Sabay halik sa pisngi ko.

"I will." Sagot ko bago ako tumungo sa pinto.

I'm going to have a fresh start.

I decided to stay in our rest house. I saved up some money to build a decent rest house by the beach-gusto ko kasing tumira malapit sa dagat, although I ended up living with Rafael back then. 

I stopped by a convenience store just to pick up a few things that I needed to last me a week.

It only took me about 2 hours of driving before I reached our rest house. 

Pumasok ako at tumungo sa kwarto. Huminga ako ng malalim. It's going to be only me this time. 

I then went  to sleep.

【Rafael's】

Nagising ako sa ingay ng mga taong nag-uusap mula sa labas ng kwarto. Bumaba ako sa sala at nakita si Anika na umiiyak.

"What's the matter?" Tanong ko sa kanya at kinarga siya.

"Daddy, iniwan na tayo ni Mommy." Sabi ni Anika habang kinusot-kusot ang mga mata niya.

"Shit!" Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

Where the hell are you, Clair?

【Clair's】 

Nagising ako sa mga sinag ng araw na nagmula sa bintana. I checked my watch for the time. 

It was 8:45 in the morning. 

I went downstairs and made myself a cup of coffee.

I can hear the sound of waves crashing against the rocks from my home.

But who am I kidding? This house is definitely home without Anika.

And Rafael too...

I decided to sit outside and just watch the sea. May duyan  kasi sa labas ng rest house. 

I've always loved the sea, it's a view that I find so calming. 

【Rafael's】  

Napasabunot ako sa sarili kong buhok. 

Damn Clair, you're making me worry. 

"Do you have any idea where Clair could be?"

"I'm so sorry hijo. As much as I want to help you, I think Clair would very much like to be alone now."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. 

Think Rafael. Think. 

(Flashback)

"Stop crying Clair. Lalo kang pumapanget diyan eh."

"Hayop ka talaga!"  Hinampas niya ako sa balikat. Humarap ako sa kanya.

"Clair look, he don't deserve you at all. Say, what if I take you somewhere nice?"

"Really?"

"I told you I'll protect you. And I guess that package includes making you happy right? Come on."

I drove and took Clair out to the beach. 

"We're here."

Bumaba kami and we sat against the car's  hood. 

"Do you like it?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

Pinikit ni Clair ang kanyang mga mata at tila ninamnam ang simoy ng dagat.

"I could stay here forever."

"Then maybe you should live here."

"Maybe yes, maybe no. Aha! Baka dun sa private beach namin."  Nginitian niya ako bago niya isinandal ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ko. 

(/Flashback)

I immediately went outside and started up my car. 

"Rafael! Saan ka pupunta? Kumain ka muna ng tanghalian!" Awat ni Tita sa akin.

"Huwag na po. Salamat!"

Pinabuksan ko ang gate at nag-drive papunta sa rest house nila.

Wait for me, Clair.