Once There Was A Twist

MCG 43

CHAPTER 43: VINDICATION

MY MIND and body were in the state of dormancy.  Something I needed the most at the moment. However, something stirred my peace, a vibration that made me groan in disappointment. Agad kong kinapa ang cellphone, it's been ringing for seconds now. I opened one of my eye to see the answer button.

"What?" wala sa sarili kong wika. Napapikit akong muli. Pakiramdam ko, tulog pa ang kalahati ng pagkatao ko. It was already one in the morning when we got home yesterday.

"Where are you?" Napalayo ko ang cellphone sa tainga nang marinig ang boses niya. I could imagine Lance's face now. Sa malamang, lumalabas na ang litid sa kanyang leeg sa sobrang lakas ng boses niya. Nakauwi na siguro siya galing probinsya at baka nasabi na ni Vaughnn sa kanya ang lahat.

"Oh, it's my long lost brother," I stated. I labeled him as such. His worries were genuine and it made me feel happy that I got someone like him too.

"Drop the sarcasm, Hanaiah. Ano na naman ba ang pumasok sa ulo mo? Does this concern the question you asked before?"

Haist, it was too ironic to tell but one of the persons who always watch on us and sometimes drop advice wa a womanizer. Mahirap man paniwalaan pero tama ang kadalasang payo niya.

"I'm still sleepy. Can I just call you later?" I said. Pumipikit pa ang mga mata ko. I bet this was too early.

"Sumasakit talaga ang ulo ko sa inyong dalawa. Can you stop being a kid? Oh, and let me just say, Vaughnn doesn't look good. Parang wala siya sa sarili. You know what I mean," he said. Hindi ako umimik, wala naman kasi akong masabi.

"Just remember, it wasn't the people around that makes you feel bad. It was you cause you let them do it. You just have to sorround yourself with people who encourages you. Kick those toxic people away. Wala silang maaambag na mabuti sa buhay mo."

"Yeah, like you," I joked. I received an angry shout from him but I just smiled.

"I will bear that in my mind. But can you please save the lecture? Tatawagan kita pag-uwi ko," sabi ko. Pumayag naman siya at pinatay ko na ang tawag. Ay salamat naman at makakatulog akong muli.

"Who's that?" Jimma asked, sleepily.

"My acting brother," I replied, yawning. Inayos ko ang pagkahiga at nagbalot ng kumot. It was getting cold.

"You are one lucky bitch. You're sorrounded with good people who sincerely cares for you," she said. Mukhang nanaginip pa siya nang sabihin iyon.

"Yes, that included you. Thank you," I whispered. Sadya ko namang hindi iparinig, aasarin niya lang ako pagkatapos. With a smile, I closed my eyes.

I woke up later than Jimma, pagkamulat ng mata ko, nangangape na siya sa may bintana banda. Nang mapansin na gising na ako ay tinuro niya ang isang tasa sa lamesa.

Kinuha ko iyon at lumapit sa kinaroroonan niya.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked. We should spend our vacation doing what we want para masulit naman namin.

Nagsimula na kaming magplano ng mga activities na gagawin  ngayong araw. We started with snorkeling.

And indeed, we consumed the whole morning doing that. Pagkahapon ay nagpasya muna kaming magpahinga sa harap ng dagat.

We will go banana boating an hour later and watch fire dance at the evening.

"Have you decided what to do?" she asked. Napalingon ako sa kanya na kasalukyang nakahiga katabi ko sa isang  bench.