AS I PUSH YOU AWAY

Chapter 6: STRANGER HUG

SOPHIA IZABELLE

"Sophia, wake up! You're having a bad dream again, Sweetie?"

Said mom as she offered me a cup of water and towel.

"Yes, mom. I dreamt about that guy again. But this time... m-m-mom... d-d-dad..."

"You're stuttering, Belle. Here, sweetie, wipe your tears. Tell me, what about your dad?"

"In my dream, I saw dad with another woman and another child, mommy. It's like, they're family."

Mommy just shrugged and smiled. Hinaplos niya ang aking buhok sabay sabing,

"Sleep back, honey. It's just a bad dream, okay? Just a bad dream. Matulog ka na, I love you."

She kissed my forehead and turned of the lampshade.

Lately, every night in my sleep, I always had a dream about that guy named Nate. But I don't know him. It feels kinda weird having him in my dreams these past few days because he's a stranger. How strange it is.

And that dream about daddy, well, I don't think so.

I'd always look up to him for being such an incredible father to me and a loyal partner to my mom, and I can't imagine him cheating on us either.

I just laughed at that funny thought. And closed my eyes for another round of sleep.

My daddy loved us so much and I trust him on the fact that he will never cheat.

Yes, he won't ever.

———

Morning came and here I am doing my daily routine. After I fixed my self,nagpasya na akong pumunta sa school.

"Bye, mommy. Bye daddy. Love you both."

"Bye sweetheart, do you have your money already?"

"Ah that, I don't have one yet po, mommy."

Daddy gave me a 500 peso bill. Both of them kissed my cheeks and whispered their "I love you's" to my ear.

"Take care, baby. Be home right away after class. And don't forgot to drink your meds. Alright?"

"Okay, daddy. I'll be going"

I waved them as our driver executes me in our car. It kinda feels warm seeing my parents watching me like they're always afraid of losing me.

Hanggang ngayon, namamangha pa rin ako sa sikat ng araw. Parang ang sarap lang tingnan ng mundo kapag umaga. Kaya nakasanayan ko nang nakatunghay palagi on our car window.

Hanggang sa natanaw ko na ang signage na nagsasabing, "WELCOME TO AURIELLE UNIVERSITY"

Tinigil ni manong ang kotse sa harap ng gate.

"Bye po manong, thank you."

"Walang anuman, iha."

I displayed my warm smile atsaka hinintay kong mawala na ang kotse sa paningin ko.

And then, I turned around para pumasok na. At dahil alam kong maaga pa ako para sa first period ko. Pinili kong magliwaliw na muna.

Tumigil ako sa statue ng isang babae.
May nakasulat sa ibabang bahagi nito.

It says, "Aurielle Andromeda. The greatest love of Henleigh Andromeda. Sir Henleigh named this school in order to show his greatest love for her for they started as classmates before. And this statue, symbolizes love and loyalty."

"Ah, young love. A love that will never fade 'till death."

I heared a little sniff beside me so tiningnan ko kung sino 'yon.

I saw a guy.

"How do you define love?"

He asked. This guy seemed familiar to me kaya kahit di ko siya kilala ay sinagot ko pa rin ang tanong niya.

"Uhmm-- love is giving your all without asking so much in return."

"At that point, you were right. But you know what's the hardest part of being in love?"

Umiling ako.

"It's when no matter how much you wanted to hug someone and tell that someone how much you love and misses her, you can't, because you know it can complicate things. And worst is, you can't... because that person doesn't recognize you at all."

A tear fell from his eye. He immediately wiped it with the back of his right hand.

"Oh shit, nakakahiya, this is so gay. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. Real men cry. Gotta go, salamat. Mauna na ako ah?"

"Sige"

At tinahak ko na ang daan patungong classroom.

Ang lungkot naman ng lalaking iyon, nakikita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata niya at hindi ko alam kung bakit kumikirot ang puso ko sa sinabi niyang iyon.

Ngunit sa ikalimang hakbang ko ay may sumigaw ng pangalan ko. Nilingon ko iyon. Ngunit nabigla ako nang tumakbo siya papalapit sa akin at niyakap ako.

"I'm right over here. Why can't you see me? Miss na miss na kita mahal ko, bumalik ka na, please?"

"N-nate."