"Bea, mananghalian ka na."
"Susunod na lang po ako, La." Bea answered, slouching on the bermuda grass while watching the grazing cows meters away from her.
"Bilisan mo. Lagi ka nalang nandiyan sa likod-bahay."
That was her Lola Fe. Her mom's aunt. It's been more than a month since they "adopted" her.
Bea pursued on her first plan, and that was to have a vacation. To be away from everyone for a while.
She didn't go far, though. Probably, everyone was expecting her to have her vacation in Boracay, Palawan, Siargao, etc. But contrary to probably what they thought, she decided to go to her mom's province. She went to Tarlac the day after she talked to Thirdy.
But since some of her friends knew the place, her aunt suggested her Lola Fe's house, in which she immediately agreed. It was located in a simple barangay in Pampanga.
Right after Bea talked to Thirdy that night, she went straight home and packed her things. She explained everything to her mom, including her plan to move away for a while. And her mom, being the most understanding person ever, supported her all the way.
The day after that, after hours of contemplating on what to do, Bea decided to clarify everything. She opened her Twitter and she admitted everything. She also said that she was not denying anything since it was all clear in the video. She apologized if it caused a little turmoil. And lastly, she sought for understanding and respect.
After that, she deactivated all her social media accounts.
She received messages from her friends and teammates asking her about what happened, but she decided not to answer them. Tutal nakapag-tweet na naman siya. She'll just probably talk to them after her hibernation.
Hindi siya nagbago ng number pero in-off niya ang kanyang cellphone. She bought a new sim though para may connection siya sa parents niya. Ang dalawa lang ang nakakaalam sa number niya. Kahit si Maki ay hindi alam ang number niya. Ibinilin pa niya na 'wag ibigay ang number niya kahit kanino.
Hindi naman niya balak mag-hibernate habambuhay. Sabi nga ng mommy niya ay lilipas lang ng ilang linggo at makakalimutan din ng tao ang video na 'yun. And it wasn't as if she committed a huge crime. So what if she confessed her love to a person, eh everyone does that naman daw sabi pa ng mommy niya.
Bea was still contemplating on when she will go back. She didn't expect that she will enjoy the provincial life. Besides, one month pa naman bago mag-start ang training nila.
Being away from the city and living in this province made her appreciate every little things in life.
Inilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid. Kitang-kita niya ang mga berdeng damo na tila carpet na nakalatag sa lupa. Mga naglalakihang matatandang puno na kapag pinutol mo isa man sa mga ito ay tila isang malaking kasalanan.
At nakapangalat sa malaking bahagi ng kabilang lupain ang mga baka at nanginginain.
It has been her habit everyday to sit there, and admire everything around her.
At gustong-gusto ni Bea ang parte na iyon ng lupain ng Lola Fe niya dahil malamig sa bahaging iyon, dahil na rin siguro sa maraming punong nakapaligid dito. She just loved having fresh air to breathe.
She was startled from her long reverie when she heard the message alert tone of her phone.
Her brows furrowed when she saw an unfamiliar number.
But her heart started to pound when she read the message.
From: 092********
I miss you.
