Free From The Cage

Chapter 7

Mabuti na lang pag uwi ko sa bahay wala pa si mommy. Atleast she will not see my swollen eyes.

It's 20th of December today, and how could I forgot this day, it's my father's death anniversary.

It's 10:00 in the morning. Late ako nagising , maybe mom understands why I wake up that late. As i go down, I went to the kitchen and feed myself. I didn't see my mom, maybe she's also in her room. Knowing mom, maybe umiiyak na naman siya. It always happens every year. Even she didn't tell it to me, I know by just looking in her swollen eyes. I can't blame my mom, she really loves him like how I also   love my dad.

After eating, I silently went to our music room where my father and I always hang out. My father taught  me how  to play piano before because he said that mom loves to hear him play piano and sing for her, but after he's gone, I stop playing that instrument.  As I reached the room, I saw my mom sitting on the chair in the piano and looking on it as if she remember something. Then, she looked at me and smiled.

"Ice. You miss him, do you? I also miss your dad"

"Yes." I hardly stop myself to cry. I don't want her to see me in pain. I need to be strong for mom that's why I gave her my sweetest smile.

"Can you play the piano for me, please?" And my smile fade away, I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to play but something in my mind stops me from playing that.

"Please?" Mom's looking at me hoping I could give her what she wants. I sighed and immediately sit beside her.

"Thanks." Mom smiled at me.

As I was starting to play the intro of Out of my league , I can stop my tears from falling in my eyes. This is their favorite song and dad used to play it to mom before. I still remember when my dad told me na  because of this song daw, sinagot daw siya ni mommy.

I'm almost done with the chorus part and I can't stop myself from crying. My sobs become louder and this time I already stop playing the piano and I feel the warm embrace of my mother.

"Sshhhhh. It's okay anak. Your dad loves you so much." And that time, I feel the love of my mother. And i know that i'm not the only one who's hurting, because she's also in pain.

'promise dad, I'm make mom happier this time"

It's 5:00 pm when I decided to go home. Just going here in the cemetery makes me calm thinking that my father listens to my rants.

I stand up and fix the blanket, I bid my goodbyes to the guards and decided for a place where I can have my dinner. As soon as I chose where to eat, I go there, order my food and enjoy eating. After that, I went to my favorite park inside our subdivision. I sit in the swing and watch as the children starts to bid goodbye to their playmates.

"Nice to see that you're smiling." Oh, I know that voice.

"Hey, it's been a while." I greeted him with a big smile.

"Glad to see you're not crying anymore. You look happy." he replied to me.

"Sorry for that kung palagi mo Kong nakikitang umiiyak. Yah, I think I'm happy today. "

"Good to hear that. "

"Yeah, anyway, we keep on talking with each other but I don't know your name " I chuckled with that thought, we're completely strangers, but strangers who'd seen each other for already three times.

"Pierce. How about you?"

"Ice" then I offered a handshake which he gladly accept.

"Nice to meet you." I sincerely said.

"Glad to meet you too." we stared with each other for seconds and I was lost in his piercing brown eyes. Suddenly, my phone rang and I was able to break the stare.

"I'll just answer. "

"Take your time." I answer the call without even looking who's the caller.

"Where are you? Kanina pa ko sa inyo. I'm worried."

"What? You're in my house?"

"Easy, I parked few blocks away from your house. I haven't seen you arrive, so where are you?"

"Inside the subdivision already, why? You want me to accompany you?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay , fetch me here in the park. I'll wait you here. Iwan ko muna dito yung sasakyan ko. "

"Okay. " Then, I hang up the call. I go back to the swing and saw Pierce seriously looking on the sunset.

"Hey, I think I have to go. Thanks."

"Okay, take care."

Then I turn my back to him and decided to go to the entrance of this park where Rav will fetch me.

As soon as Rav arrived, I immediately went to his car.

"San ba tayo?"

"Mall, help me find a gift for a girl."

"Nag improve na ata ang role ko sa buhay mo." I rolled my eyes and he start to laugh at me again.

"I know na hindi mo ko matatanggihan."

"Kapal mo din. So what do you want to buy?"

"I don't know, kaya nga nagpapatulong ako sayo Ice."

"Yah. Whatever. Why not give her Teddy bear? A big one?"

"Do you think she will like it?"

"Aba ewan ko. Maybe. Most girls like to receive something like that.

"Okay i'll buy that." we decided to go to the blue magic and buy a human size teddy bear.

"Let's just put in in my car please. Ang hirap dalhin."

"Tss. Sino ba naman kasing maysabi na ganan kalaki?" Then, he laughed. Maybe that girl is so special to him that he choose to give that kind of gift.

"Ikaw na lang maghatid nan sa car mo, I still need to buy something."

"Are you sure?" I nodded.

"Okay, wait me at Greenwich. Let's grab some food there. Okay?"

"Okay." As he went back in to his car, I went to cosmetics shop and buy something for the birthday celebrant this coming 23rd. I actually don't know her but I want to give something to her. Nakakahiya din naman kasi. I choose to buy a make up kit for her. Hopefully, she'll like it.

I went directly to our meeting place and saw Rav comfortably sitting on the table in the side.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Lasagna will do, I'm done with my dinner."

"Okay, wait me here." Then, I nodded.

When the food came, we eat silently dahil napagod ata kami. Then,he drive me to the park where I left my car and bid our goodbyes with each other.

I received a text from Rav saying 'Thanks' and I just replied him 'welcome' , then close my eyes and doze to sleep.