EPILOGUE
"I'll see you again next month, Ericka."
"See you then, Dr. Sanchez."
I just finished my treatment. Balak pa sana ako samahan ni Rake pero alam ko na marami pa siyang kailangan tapusin sa opisina kahit na holiday na ngayon he'd been busy the past few days.
And it's been what? A year since I started this treatment. So far, maganda naman ang effect sa katawan ko. I no longer having episode.
Everything went back to normal. I get to see and bond with my kids. Nakakausap ko narin ang kapatid ko. I get to argue with Sonya less often and Martha's helping me with everything I need. Who would have thought I finally got he life I've been dreaming from the start?
I feel normal. More likely, I feel human again. Though some nights were heavy but there were joyful nights too. Especially when it's time to sleep with the kids. Para parin akong nasa alapaap kapag pinagmamasdan ko sila.
"Shit!"
Muntikan nang tumilapon ang ice coffee na hawak ko nang may makabangga saakin na babae.
"Bakit ba kasi hindi ka tumitingin sa dinadaanan---"
I instantly removed my sunglass when I noticed who she is.
"E-ericka?"
"Right, Laura, sinasabi ko dito kay Tanya na h'wag na magpakatanga roon sa lalaki kagabi--"
Bumangga ito sa likuran ni Laura at natulala rin nang makita ako sa harapan nila. Well, well... The three musketeers. I tilted my head to let them know na hindi ako natuwa sa pagbangga saakin ni Laura.
"I'm really, really sorry, Ericka. Kasalanan ko. Hindi ako tumitingin sa dinadaanan ko," ulit ni Laura.
I crossed my arms. Well, I, maybe going to some treatment but my real attitude stays with me. Umiinit padin ang dugo ko kapag nakikita ko silang tatlo. Especially Laura, sa lahat ng nagawa niya saakin at sa anak ko. She was one of the reasons I suffered more.
"Sorry, Ericka. Next time, we'll make sure to check 'yong pupuntahan mo. We know how much you hated us," said Tanya. "Hindi na mauulit."
"Yeah right, Ericka." Lumunok si Becka na parang natataranta. "May importante lang talaga kaming lakad kaya kami naligaw dito. Hinding-hindi mo na makikita 'tong mga mukha namin sa susunod."
I raised my brow. Iniisip kung paglalaruan ba sila o hahayaan nalang. Yeah, I know I'd been a bad bitch before. Pero hindi ko alam bakit takot na takot sila saakin ngayon. Ganon ba kalala iyong mga nagawa ko sakanila? Kahit hanggang ngayon, nanginginig padin ang tuhod nila kapag nakikita ako?
"Sure, okay," nakangising sagot ko.
Nagtinginan nang makahulugan ang tatlo sa harap ko. Laura bit her lip and smiled at me awkwardly.
"Thank you, Ericka. Mauna na kami Pasensya na talaga. Let's go girls."
Nagmamadali silang maglakad nang lingunin ko sila.
"Girls, wait." I called out.
Para bang binuhusan sila ng tubig na malamig at dahan-dahan akong tiningnan.
"Y-yes po?"
"Maybe, some other time, we can be friends," I said and gave them an evil smile. "What do you think?"
"Of course!" Tanya laughed nervously. "Let us know when."
"Y-yeah, maliit na bagay. We'll be happy to be friends with you," singit ni Becka.
