Left Behind

Kabanata 6

PASSED

"May summary report ka na?" Bettina asked me.

Lumingon ako sakanya habang nag take down notes ng pwedeng isulat sa summary report ko. Napayuko ako nang maalalang wala pala akong naggaawa at nasisimulan.

Years has passed and now I'm already third year college. Some events in past years was vivid. But I can't forget about the dinner. It's been years but I can still remember how he look at me, how I wanted to ask him how is he? Pero naikot lang ang usapin namin sa pagkabata at naging buhay. Naiilang akong tumingin sa kanya, I always avoided his gaze.

Sa lumipas na taon, nakikita ko siya pero hanggang isang tango lang ang kanyang binibigay. How I wish to turn back time. Panahong super close pa kami. I stopped stalking his account, because it doesn't make sense at all.

"CINDY!" sigaw ng katabi ko.

"Ano ba?" I looked at him annoyed.

"Hoy bakla , 'wag mo kong tarayan dyan. May gawa ka na ba tapos na yung semester wala ka pa ding pinapasa?" he pinch my arm. That hurts! "Kanina ka pa namin tinatanong ni Bettina."

"Wala akong nagawa."

"At bakit?" umiling lang ako at tumayo.

"Babae saan ka pupunta?"

"Cindy is my name Bettina, not babae!" naglakad ako palapit sa pinto at lumingon. "Sa comfort room lang ako pupunta, sama kayo?"

"Ikaw nalang!" they answer me in chorus. If I know, tinatamad lang 'yang mga 'yan maglakad.

Lumapit ako sa sink at naghilamos. I can't think properly in these past few days. My brother has a big problem in his business, may nawalang perang malaki at hindi alam kung saan napunta. My Mom business is in big problem also, some investors are backing out na naging dahilan ng pababa ng kita.

And our Kenken, nanghihina na ang katawan niya ayon kay Manang. Laging nakaupo sa isang tabi nakatulala madalas kapusin ng hininga. Dinala siya sa hospital pero nadischarge lang din agad at binigyan ng mga gamot. I can't manage myself to work and think properly.

Nagpunas ako at tinitigan aking mukha sa harap ng salamin. I looked so stress.

I heave a sigh.

'Everything will be alright'

I remember my Dad in this kind of situation. He's always calm, di niya masyadong iniisip ang problema. He's always looking forward to the remedy to our problem. My Mom is opposite with him. She break down easily, and can't think properly.

"Saan tayo pupunta ngayon?"

Tapos na ang last class namin. This is our last day before the Christmas break. It's two thirty in the afternoon. It's too early to go home.

"Mag SM North kaya tayo?"  Dominga suggested excitedly.

"Bakit doon pa?" nilingon niya ako ng nakaarko ang kanyang mga kilay. "I mean, malapit lang naman yung SM manila dito sa'tin. O kaya mag Greenbelt nalang tayo."

"Greenbelt nalang. Total last meet na natin to this year at Christmas break na next week." ani ni Bettina.

It's our wash day, so we are wearing our casual attire. I'll bet that it will fit in. Dumiretso kami sa parking lot.

"Dominga nandyan Driver mo?" tanong ni Bettina at pinatunog ang kanyang sasakyan.

"Wala. Sa'yo nalang ako sasakay, sa Greenbelt nalang ako magpapasundo."

I chose to seat in the back so I could take a nap. Nasa unahan si Dominga katabi ni Bettina. I was trying to take a nap when Dominga turn on the music. 'Rock music'. Oh my!