The One I See

Chapter 20

ALISHA

Her eyes widened after I asked it. Natutuliro siya habang nangangatal ang kanyang mga labi.

"S-Saan mo narinig 'yan?" Her voice sounds ridiculous. Parang may tinatago.

I tried to fake a smile bago pumikit. "I just...heard it somewhere. Hindi ko naalala."

I lied. Napasinghap siya at ngumiti. But I can't look at her again. My heart is breaking once again.

"Fine. Now, you take a rest. Kailangang bumawi ka sa katawan mo."

Tumango ako at sinubukang ngumiti. For the last time, she kissed my cheeks before guiding me downstairs.

I woke up early and the first thing comes to my mind is to go to the place where my dreams located. I texted Megan last night sa bahay namin muna ako matutulog. I promised them though that I will be there today.

I roam my eyes. Maraming tao na nagjojogging. I look at my watch, it's still 5:30 AM. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sabay nagchat kay Blake. I asked him how he is and I told him how my life ruined after he left.

I closed my eyes before my tears escapes. The only thing he gave before leaving me is the endless pain and ever lasting tears. I just want to know the reason. I'm waiting for his reply. Tatanggapin ko kahit tuldok lang o kahit seen. Kaso wala.

He said he'd love me forever.  Forever ended quick. Sad yet painful end. But it's still not the end. I believe that he will comeback, to me...again.

But I'm also furious. Very furious about everything.

I feel something touches my face. Tuloy-tuloy 'yon hanggang sa mabasa na ang buo kong katawan. I smiled bitterly as I glanced at the sky.

Thank you for hiding my tears.

I went home immediately before my parents and sisters know that I went outside and letting myself drown with the rain. Mabilis akong naligo at nagbihis. Pagkababa ko ay agad akong sinalubong ni nanay Rose. She asked me if I'm okay, tumango nalang ako sa kanya. I help her in preparing breakfast.

Matapos ang ilang minuto, I saw Mom and Dad leading their ways to our kitchen. Sinalubong agad ako ni Dad. Tinanong niya ako kung ayos na ba ang pakiramdam ko. Paulit-ulit lang 'yon at paulit-ulit ko naman siyang sinasagot.

"Bakit ka pa kasi tumira doon sa apartment na 'yon, Aly? Kung bumalik ka nalang kaya rito. Mababantayan ka pa namin," saad ni Dad.

Sinubukan kong hindi matawa. Sobrang kunot nang kanyang noo. Parang stress na stress siya sa'kin.

"Don't worry, Dad. Tatapusin ko lang ang school year na 'to. Babalik ako rito." Nakangiting-aso ako. Ngumiwi lang siya sabay pinagsabihan si Alyzza.

"Kung hindi kayo nag-aaway nang kapatid mo, baka rito pa 'yan titira-"

"I'm now innocent, Dad!" maarteng aniya. Natawa ako sabay umiling.

"Wag kang tumawa-tawa, Aly. Shauna told us na ilang beses na sumasakit 'yang ulo mo. Hindi namin alam kung anong pinaggagawa mo roon. Wala kami para tingnan ka."

Naglapat ang labi ko. "Dad...Dad I'm fine. Huwag kayong mag-alala sa'kin. And besides, uuwi naman ako rito  anytime. Miss mo naman talaga ako, Dad." Biro ko. Agad siyang umismid at masamang tingin ang ipinukol sa'kin.

"Puro ka talaga kalokohan. Basta! Wag mong pabayaan ang sarili mo, Alisha Yuri. Kapag nalaman kong nagkasakit ka ulit, hindi na kita pababalikin sa apartment mo."

Napanguso ako at tamad na tumango.

I still went to school. It was still just like the usual routine though. Although, I noticed that Nakihiro lie low than the usual. He's now quiet in the corner at hindi na rin siya lumalapit sa akin. I'm wondering but I think it's fine.