Our Promised Land (The Valdirrama's Series #1)

Chapter 18.

Last

It's been a couple of days since the last time I saw my dad even just in his coffin. And it's been how many days na hindi ako pumapasok sa kompanya. Wala naman akong dapat ipag-alala, my tito Lando is there. Palagi lang akong nasa aking silid, tulala at laging nasa hangin ang pag-iisip.
This is my biggest downfall, to lose my beloved father. This is going to be really difficult for me to get over it.

Now, I am just lying on my bed doing nothing but to stare outside my terrace. Ilang beses akong kinatok ni nanay Linda kanina upang kumain at mamasyal sa aming hardin subalit ilang beses din siyang nabigo. Hindi maganda ang aking pakiramdam, hindi ko lang sinasabi, pero alam kong nararamdaman niya. Ayaw niya lang ipakita na sobra ang pagkaawa niya. I am still thankful dahil marami pa ring taong nagmamahal at nag-aalaga sa akin.

Time is the great healer, they must say. But how long would it take to heal my wounds? How long would it take to vanish all the pains inside of me? How can I forget those pains and lonely nights without my father? Matatagalan pa kaya ito? Dahil sa tingin ko, hindi ko na kakayanin ang ganito.

I was back on my senses when my phone rang. I didn't pick it up. Ilang beses pa itong tumunog kaya pinilit ko nalang itong sagutin.

"Era." walang lakas kong sagot.

I was tired. I was exhausted and I don't want to talk that much.

"Is it okay kung tumawag ako?" banayad sa kaniyang tono ng pananalita ang pag-aalala.

"Nagpapahinga lang naman ako. Okay lang naman, Era." sagot ko.

She sighed heavily.

"I called you....kasi..uhm. Invite ka sana namin mamaya. If it is okay with you, Beige. Para na rin makalanghap ka naman ng hangin. Don't lock yourself inside your mansion. You're pretty face shouldn't be hide." she's really determined to convince me. Pero gaya ng mga paanyaya niya noong nakaraang araw, hindi ako pwedeng sumama.

Anong gagawin ko roon, ipakikita kung gaano ako kalugmok? No!

"I'm sorry. I can't make it tonight." I answered huskily.

She becomes silent for a while. I know she's disappointed, but, I badly wants to be alone. I need some space and time to heal myself.

"Okay." she said sadly. "Oh! But wait!" she exclaimed na para siyang may nakalimutan.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We were invited to a party by your tito Lando. He even sent us the invitations. Mayroon din sina Dia and Josh." she said.

Napahilot ako sa aking sentido. I suddenly forgot about that party, dahil na rin siguro sa mga problema.

"That's a party for my cousin." tipid kong sagot.

"Oh, yung pinsan mo na hindi mo pa ulit nakikita matapos ang napakahabang panahon? Yung pinsan mo nag-iisang anak ng tito mo sa babaeng nabuntis niya noon?" tanong niya. She knew about that because of me. Naikwento ko ito sa kanya noon. Wala namang problema, she's one of my trusted friends.

"Yes."

"So, she's finally back, huh. Pupunta ka naman siguro sa party hindi ba? Don't tell me hindi?" she sounds hopeful.

I was about to get the invitation. Titignan kung kailan nga ba iyon nang maalala kong iniwan ko nga pala iyon sa loob ng cabinet sa aking office.

"Okay, fine. I'll go. Kelan nga ba ulit iyon?" I asked lazily.

She sighed for relief. Natututwa siya marahil sa aking pagdalo.

"Tomorrow, seven in the evening." she answered. "Oh my gosh! I'm so excited." she giggled.