When He Left

Chapter 12

"ANAK gising na. Mahuhuli ka sa klase mo kung hindi ka pa tatayo ngayon." Napabalikwas ako nang makaramdam ng pagtapik sa aking balikat kasabay ng tinig na 'yon.

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang mga mata at nakita ang nakangiting mukha ni nanay Cora. I smiled at her too before I took stretch on my bed.

"What time is it na po 'nay?" I hoarsely asked, medyo paos pa ang boses galing sa tulog. But the hoarseness on my voice is different compared to my usual morning voice, it's huskier because of my nonstop crying yesterday and last night.

I shook my head as the memories of last night came rushing back like a raging river. The memories from yesterday and last night is probably one of the most unforgettable moment of my life. It just happened recently, but I know that it won't leave my mind for the rest of my life.

I just need to suppress it and pretend that it didn't happened. I'll just pretend that everything's back to normal now. Especially that I cause disarray to tatay Junie and nanay Cora.

"Alas-sais na ng umaga Kaycee. Ginising na kita kasi malayu-layo ang magiging biyahe natin pabalik sa metro. Babalik pa tayo sa bahay niyo para makapagpalit ka ng bagong uniporme. Medyo traffic pa naman diyan sa Sumulong highway dahil sa itinatayong estasyon ng LRT. Maligo ka na, suotin mo muna 'yung damit na nabili namin kanina ni Junie sa palengke para maging kumportable ka." Nanay Cora gave me a warm smile before she stood up from my bed and left me with a reminder that I should get ready.

I sighed as I lower my gazes to my fingers. This is it, haharapin ko na naman ang mga taong may malalapit sa puso ko. But now, I don't know where to start. I don't know what I should do once I see them again. Hindi pa naman bente kuwatro oras ang lumipas pero pakiramdam ko ay ilang taon ko silang hindi nakita dahil sa dami ng nagbago. Nagbago dahil sa mga bagay na hinayaan kong tumakbo sa isipan ko kahapon.

How can I pretend that everything's alright? That I'm okay? What should I do? What should I say? How can I approach everyone without them misunderstanding the way I will behave? Would they judge me? Would they ask me questions that I still can't find answers to? Kakayanin ko kayang magpanggap na naman na maayos lang ako?

Sa huli ay bumuntong hininga na lang ako. I stood up from where I was sitting and prepared all the things that I'll be needing before I head out and went to the common bathroom located outside the room they provided me. Nag-iisa lang ang banyo sa maliit na bahay na ito dahil nga sa sila tatay Junie, nanay Cora, pati na ang pamangkin niyang si Christian lang naman ang naninirahan dito.

The house is just a simple two story building made up of bricks and a little bit of woods that's filled with love and laughter. It consists of three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor, while the living room, the kitchen and the dining area are located downstairs. This is just a small house for some people, but this house was full of love and laughter. Unlike our house that's undeniably massive compared to theirs, but abandoned most of the time because of busy workers and a student. I can't even call it a home anymore.

Mahina na lang akong napailing sa naiisip at binaling ang isipan sa mga gamit kong dala. Laman ng school bag ko ang isang extra underwear na nakalagay sa emergency pouch ko. Naglalaman ang pouch kong 'yon ng dalawang underwear, two pads ng panty liner at ang regular pads na ginagamit ko tuwing mayroon akong dalaw.

I have those with me because I'm irregular. I'm also glad that I always bring them with me kaya may magagamit ako ngayong araw. It's good that my emergency kit became handy now even if I'm not going through an emergency situation.