Samaniego Side Story 3: Missed Miss Missy

Missed 28

distance ~

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang jacket ko bago sumakay sa kotse ko na si Chaeyoung ang nagda-drive. Nang masigurong maayos na akong naka-sakay ay pinaandar na niya ang kotse at nag-drive papunta sa lugar na lagi naming pinupuntahan mula nang makarating kami dito.

"I'm still confused why you like looking at the Big Ben, Sisa. It's just a huge clock." She stated when we reached our destination. Magre-reklamo na naman yan. As usual.

"It's not just a huge clock, Chae! It's magic." Nakangiti kong saad habng nakatingala sa Big Ben na nasa harapan ko. When I was younger, I dreamt of going to London, not to study or work but to personally see the Big Ben, at nakamit ko iyon. And I didn't knew that it woukd become my favorite place in the whole London.

"Why magical? It looks normal for me, Sisa." She said again, this time looking at the Big Ben as well. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Grabe talaga makapanira ng imagination itong si Chaeyoung, e.

"I don't know. For me, it's magical. It feels like the time stops everytime I see Big Ben." Yun ang totoo. Sa bagal kasi ng takbo ng orasan, pakiramdam ko ay tumitigil rin ang pag-ikot ng mundo. It's really magical because everytime I come here, I am able to see everything clearer, parang nagso-slow motion ang lahat kaya mas naoag-mamasdan ko.

"Your baby bump is already obvious, Sisa. When is your next check up?" Hinaplos ko ang tiyan ko nang banggitin iyon ni Chaeyoung. Medyo kita na nga ang bump ko. Lumalaki na ang baby ko.

"This week. I already set a schedule to my friend's OB in the Philippines." Di na ako nagtaka nang walang ipinakitang pagkagulat si Chae. I already told her my plan to go to the Philippines. Nami-miss ko na rin kasi kaya doon na lang muna kami, plus, she's learning Filipino language, maganda iyon para sa kanya dahil mas effective mag-aral kung nasa lugar ka ng mga speakers ng target language.

Umuwi na rin kami ni Chaeyoung matapos ang ilang oras. We can't stay out too long because it's cold. Nagye-yelo na kasi dito sa London kaya malamig na.

To: Baby
Hey. How are you? It's been 4 months and few days already, Gus. I miss you. How are things going? I hope you are okay. Are you eating well? Are they pestering you? I miss you so much, I wanna see you. Please, don't take too long. I'm still waiting for you to come to me. I love you.

Ibinalik ko ang cellphone ko sa bulsa ko nng matapos kong i-send ang text message ko para kay Agust sa araw na 'to. It's been approximate 4 months, 3 weeks and 4 days since we left Korea. We first went to Saudi because I really needed to attend to my business, yung isa sa mga naiwan sa akin si Aunt Lucille. It's a small antique shop. We stayed there for more than a week because I needed to fix the problem regarding our product shipping, delayed kasi ang delivery dahil sa nagkaroon ng problema sa payments. Mabuti na lang at madali ko iyong naayos. After Saudi, we went here. Dito na kami nanatili ni Chaeyoung dahil dito, konti lang ang bashers. No one even recognizes me here. I can roam around the city without thinking about anyone suddenly lunging on me. People are civil here.

When we arrived home, Chaeyoung went straight to the kitchen to prepare our dinner. Ganyan naman siya palagi. Having her around was very helpful, maliban sa may nakakausap ako, lagi niya akong tinutulungan para alagaan ang baby namin ni Agust.

"Any news on what's happening?" I asked her.

"Sisa, stop worrying about it. Agust is taking care of it so relax." Napabuntong hininga ako nang marinig ko ang sagot niya. Halos ma-memorya ko na yan dahil tuwing tinatanong ko siya tungkol sa issue na iniwan namin ay laging iyan ang sinasabi niya. I haven't watched news for the past few months. No social media accounts for me as well. Text and calls lang ang hinahayaan niyang gamitin ko. Gustuhin ko mang magreklamo ay hindi ko ginagawa dahil alam kong para sa kapakanan ko rin ang iniisip niya. The last time I opened one of my accounts, Chaeyoung had to take me to the hospital because I fainted due to anxiousness and stress. Mabuti na lang at nandun siya. Mula nun ay hindi na ako nanonood ng balita o nagbubukas ng social media accounts ko. Mabubuhay naman ako na wala yun.