The Wounded One

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

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No matter how much I've tried to stop the time, time is still passing. It won't stop just because you want to. And when it ends, you'll realized that all things are just short-lived and temporary. Because in reality, everything in this world is not meant to last for eternity no matter how it feels like it was. 

But I thank God for times like this, for being able to feel these incredible emotions towards a person, all at once. I felt better, lighter, and above all, I felt loved. 

I smiled.

Muli kong pinasadahan ng tingin ang bangle na nakasuot sa akin bago muling ibinaling ang tingin sa kalsada, hindi ko na rin napansin ang oras. 

It's already 9 o'clock in the evening, may gumuhit tuloy na kaba sa aking puso hindi ko alam kung ano ang dahilan na sasabihin ko kay Mommy. For sure, magtatanong 'yon. 

"I'm sorry ginabi na tayo." he said, apologetically. Hindi niya naman kasalanan dahil ako ang nagpumilit na magtagal pa kami kahit saglit doon. I just wanted to savor the moment. 

"No, maiintindihan naman ni Mommy..." I said in uncertainty. Hindi ko nga naman talaga alam kung maiintindihan ni Mommy hindi man lang ako nakapagtext or kahit tawag sa kaniya. 

I couldn't afford to lie again to her. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi, guilt was starting to creep into my heart. 

Akala ko kasi nasa ibang mundo ako kanina. Masyado akong nadala sa nararamdaman! 

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa aking maliit na bag. I found more than five texts and calls from Mom! Kung kanina ay kaunting kaba lang ang nararamdaman ko ngayon I could feel my heart beating in my throat. 

Binasa ko ang thread ng texts ni Mommy, ilang beses niya akong tinanong kung nasaan na ako. Hindi man lang daw ako nagpaalam at nag-aalala na raw siya nang sobra.

Anak, I'm worried where are you?

I feel so irresponsible! Isang tawag lang naman ay mapapakalma ko na si Mommy pero hindi ko nagawa. Damn it!

Her last text was 7:30 PM, there were no texts from then on. Nakakapagtaka... hindi kaya nagalit na sa akin nang tuluyan 'yon?

Mom, I'm on my way home. Malapit na po.

I sent one text to mom before I let out a long breath, and tightly closed my eyes. 

"Hey, are you okay?" Nicho asked in a very worried manner. Binaling ko sa kaniya ang pagod at takot kong mga mata. I saw how his eyes looked so concerned. 

He swallowed hard, the sudden guilt was etched on his face. Lalo naman ako nakonsensya, I don't want him to feel that it was his fault. Do I make him feel that way?

"No, it's okay... she'll understand. Hindi lang ako nakapagpaalam pero lilipas din 'yon." I said, reassuringly, convincing him that it's really alright. Sa akin naman ay okay lang gabihin. 

Hindi na rin nagtagal nakarating na agad kami sa bahay. Tiningala ko ito at nakitang bukas pa ang mga ilaw sa labas at pati na rin ang ilaw sa kwarto ni Mommy. She must be so worried and upset. Sino ba naman ang hindi mag-aalala sa anak niya na minor tapos hindi umuwi sa tamang oras? Higit sa lahat hindi man lang nagpaalam? 

He parked his car in front of our large gate, akala ko nga ay hindi na niya ako ihahatid sa mismong tapat ng gate matapos ako pagbuksan ng pinto ng kaniyang sasakyan. Still, he accompanied me. 

I shivered a little when cold breeze pressed against my skin when I got off the car.

I glanced at him, and found his eyes gazing through me. Tila ba'y pinagmamasdan niya ang lahat ng kilos ko at manghang-mangha siya roon. I can't help but grin. How I wish na sana ay may epekto rin ako sa kaniya kung paano yung epekto na ipinaparamdam niya sa akin.