Along Parallel Lines

01:28

January 11, 2020 Saturday

R E E S E

I sent a letter of excuse for one week the day after I talked with Erika, we both agreed na ngayong Sabado kami umalis, isang maliit na maleta lang ang dala ko at isang shoulder bag. Napag-usapan namin na magkita na lang kami sa Clark International Airport.

Nang makarating ako doon, agad kong nakita si Erika, she always looked grumpy but since she’s helping me to find Sid, iniiwasan kong mainis sa kanya.

I couldn’t bear the silence between us so I chose to broke it. If she doesn’t want to talk then I’ll make her talk.

“Sid told me that you’re his half-sibling,” I started. Medyo mahina ko lang sinabi iyon dahil alam kong sensitive itong topic na sinisimulan ko.

She nodded. “We can’t really keep secrets for too long,” she sighed.

“Yeah, I know it’s hard for you but sometimes you just gotta accept your truth before anyone does,” I said.

“I did not ask for any of your advice but thanks,” she coldly said.

Bigla akong natahimik.

“I’m sorry if my attitude’s kinda bad but that’s just the real me... deal with it for now. Hindi naman tayo magtatagal na magkasama,” she suddenly said.

“I understand,” sabi ko.

“She’s dying,” sambit niya.

Napakunot iyong noo ko.

“Sidney’s mom, I mean our mom,” she said. “Nasa Batanes siya kasi doon niya gustong mamatay, doon kasi niya parehas nakilala ‘yung daddy ko at daddy ni Sidney. Her first love was actually my dad kaso nagkahiwalay sila noong pinili niya na unahin ‘yung pangarap niya sa buhay niya at habang tinutupad niya ‘yung pangarap niyang ‘yun she met Sidney’s dad and ended up marrying him. A year after she gave birth to Sidney, she met my dad again. I guess, you know that first love never dies, that’s why I’m here,” kwento niya.

“Sid told me that he’s fixing up the things between his dad and yours, did he fixed it?” I asked.

“Apparently, no. He’s still fixing it, even my relationship with her mom since we never really in good terms ever since she left me with Dad, like she doesn’t want me,” she bitterly said.

Katahimikan ulit ang bumalot sa amin, limang oras at mahigit bago kami nakarating sa Basco Airport. Nakasunod lang ako kay Erika papalabas ng airport hanggang sa sumakay kami sa isang tricycle at makarating kami sa isang hotel.

“I already booked you a reservation here in Resedencia du Basco, its your will kung hanggang kelan ka dito, the signal’s here is fine kaya makakagamit ka ng google map while roaming around, you can also ask people around here kasi mababait naman sila, I’ll leave you here,” mabilis niyang sinabi.

Napakunot ang noo ko. “You won’t tell me where Sid really is?”

“I’m not going to be your tourist guide Reese, I’m just here to give you a clue, to bring you nearer to Sidney. Hindi ka na mahihirapan since nandito lang naman siya sa Basco and may internet access ka naman,” walang emosyon nanaman niyang sinabi.

Pasakay na ulit siya sa tricycle na sinakyan namin nang hawakan ko ang braso niya.

“What?” she asked.

“Thank you,” I smiled at her. “And I just want you to know even if you didn’t ask for this, you should at least make peace with your Mom. Don’t let yourself regret that you didn’t gave her a chance to talk to you when she is alive. Think about it while you still have a chance to be with her.”

Tinanguan niya lang ako bago siya sumakay sa tricycle.

I breathed in deeply nang hindi ko na siya matanaw.

I looked around where I’m standing. I’ll find you Sid, whatever it takes, I thought to myself.

____

A|N: down to 2-3 last chapters. hehe <3