Best Part

PART 6

HER POV

"Emily, don't forget to drink what your doctor said... please?" Napangiti ako kay Mama dahil bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala. I nodded my head, kissed her forehead.

"Opo, Ma. Hindi ko po naman kinakalimutan 'yong mga bilin niyo." Nawala lang talaga sa isip kong inumin 'yung gamot ko kahapon at nung isang araw sa sobrang pagod.

I didn't notice that I fell asleep early. Sa sobrang pagod ko siguro nung galing ako sa bahay ampunan atsaka noong nag-away kami ni Travis sa bahay nila.

"Lagi naman kaming nag-aaway, wala ng bago." Napakunot noo si Papa habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Sino kausap mo, 'nak?" I shrugged my shoulder. Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at iniwanan sila ng halik sa pisngi.

Today is Saturday, I'll be going to Travis' house. Ang alam nga lang nila Mama at Papa ay pupunta ako kila Gwyn. Well, I have to lie. I want to spend my weekends with Travy.

"Dito nalang kaya kayo mag-sleep over ni Gwyn, Emily?"

"U-Uh... 'di p'wede. Nagpaalam na rin kasi siya sa parents niya, Pa. Okay lang naman ako kila Gwyn."

"Sure ka 'nak? Hatid na kaya kita?" Hinawakan ko ang magkabila niyang braso at nginitian siya.

"Dad, I'm already grown up. I can handle myself. Let me enjoy... as a teenager. Let me be free. You've been caging me for years and I think it's time to let me free... let me do what I want. I know my limitations." He hugged me tight. I can really feel that Dad doesn't want to lose me.

"I'm sorry, we're just worried for you. Natatakot kami na baka isang araw mawala ka nalang bigla, 'nak."

"That will happen... pero matagal pa naman po."

"Don't say that Emily Van Wyk. You will be cured. You will be fine. We're going to do everything. Hahaba pa ang buhay mo. Hindi puwedeng hanggang gan'to ka lang. You will survive this, honey. Trust Him." I hugged my mother, kissed her. The way she comforts me is really the best.

I don't think I'll be able to replace my mother. She's the best among the rest. She always remind me that I am beautiful. She became my number one fan. I couldn't wish for more. Ang gusto ko nalang ay sana sa susunod na magkaanak sila ni Papa, 'yong hindi kagaya ko.

I waved goodbye to them, rode at my bicycle. Nagsimula na akong magpadyak habang ninanamnam ang lamig ng hangin. Napakasarap talaga mabuhay. Ewan ko nalang kung bakit ayaw na ayaw mabuhay ni Travis.

That guy is so cold and rude. I'm not mad at him, I understand him. Alam kong marami siyang pinagdaanan kung kaya't naging ganoon siya katigas.

Ganoon naman tayong mga tao e. People wouldn't change if they didn't get hurt. People change to improve themselves. Para maipakita nila sa nanakit sa kanila kung ano 'yong sinayang nila.

Kaya lang naman nagbabago ang isang tao dahil gusto na nilang magkaroon ng bagong buhay. Away from those people who hurt them. Malayo sa mga taong naging dahilan ng pag-iyak nila sa gabi gabi.

Some people changed for the better but some people changed but still bitter.

As I was parking my bike in front of Travis's house, I saw him in the window standing while eating something. I smiled while looking at him.

"Some people changed because they learned something but in Travis' case? He changed because he suffered a lot and he got tired of experiencing the same thing."

Dumiretso na ako sa pintuan at walang pakundangan na pumasok. I saw him staring at me, blankly. Ibinaba niya ang kinakain niya at pinagkrus ang kaniyang braso.