The Life That Has Been Saved

101

Andito na ako ngayon.

Sa loob ng bus na aking sinasakyan patungo sa isang lugar na di ako masyadong pamilyar.

Gusts of wind from the window seat blew against my face and hair. Tinali ko ang buhok ko at tumingin sa mga nagnininigningang bituin sa kalangitan.

This, is what I want. To feel nothing, but awe towards the most beautiful things in the universe.

Huminga ako ng malalim. This is not some sort of cliche romance movie na kung saan tumakas lang ang bida dahil hiniwalayan ng jowa, o di kaya'y rebellious movie na kung saan sinuway ko ang aking mga magulang like a spoiled brat. Realistically speaking, wala akong jowa, at never pang nagkakajowa. Secondly, this decision of mine was supported by my parents. They said this is for my own good.

The bus passed by some of the tallest buildings in the city. Nagkikislapang mga city lights ang bumungad sa akin. Napangiti ako ng kaunti at saka muling napag-isip na di naman talaga lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay puro pighati at sakit lang ang dala.

Alam ko yan. In fact, matagal na. As a pyschology student, I don't fail to appreciate life's simplest wonders. Pero yun nga, kahit pa ganoon, siguro may tukso pa rin. At nasa dugo ng bawat isa ang lumaban.

Then why are you running away? Bigla akong napatigil dahil sa sarili kong pag iisip. Oo nga, bakit nga pala ako tumatakas sa issue na yon?

Hindi naman ako tumakas. I did put up a good fight, in fact. But some things needed to be assessed too. And with my self assessment, I think it would be better that in order for my trauma to heal, I would move in to another place far away from that dreaded memory.

The bus came to a stop at sumakay ang isang pasahero. Babae, at may maleta. May isa pang malaki laking backpack ang bitbit niya. She looked like somewhat in the same age as I am.

"Hey!" I greeted her. "Need some help?" I offered.

"Oops, thank you." Sabi niya and I held her first bag para makaupo siya. Inayos niya ang mga bags saka hinarap ako.

"Tumatakas ka rin ba?" She asked, a  smile popped on her face.

"Sa mga magulang?" I shrugged. "No."

"No, that's not what I meant." Her eyes sparked a light nang tumama sa kanya  ang ilaw ng isa sa mga lamp posts na nadaanan ng aming sinasakyang bus. "What I meant is, may tintakasan ka rin bang problema?"

I don't know what or how to respond. This girl is amazing in reading what's on my mind. Pero nabasa niya nga talaga iyon sa akin? Am I that easy to read? O baka naman nagtatanong lang talaga siya?

"Yes." Iyon nalang ang naisagot ko. I need to be honest with it. It's not like ikakamatay ko ang pagsasabi ng totoo.

"Me too." A heavy sigh escaped from her lips. Mula sa aking anggulo, makikita ko ang malulungkot niyang mga mata. So she's also running away from something...

I felt my phone vibrated. Mukhang may nag text sa akin. I opened the message and saw Philip's text.

"Keep safe, Vee."

Nag vibrate naman ang phone ko nang ikatlo pang beses and Philip's text went popping up all over.

"I once stayed at Alcatreo Apartment. And the accomodity is nice, so don't worry."

"Hey, remember to cheer up, okay? Wag mo na isipin yong nangyari."

"It doesn't define the good destiny that awaits you ahead. Anyways, keep in touch! We're always here for you."

Philip's texts made me somehow smile. Siya nalang ata at si Alexa ang mga natitira kong tunay na kaibigan ngayon. I breathed deep and affirmed myself silently.

All will be alright in time.

*
I woke up to a firm tap on the shoulder. I rubbed my eyes. Goodness, ilang oras na ba akong tulog dito?

"I think we arrived now."

Boses iyon ng katabi ko. I hadn't even processed what she meant when she immediately took my hand. Sa kabila ng napakaraming bag ba dala niya, nagawa pa rin niyang kunin ang aking kamay saka kami bumaba ng bus.

Wait, don't tell me...

"Yup, you're right!" She almost squealed. "We're gonna be boardmates now!" Masigla niyang sabi sa akin nang nakababa na kami.

"W-wait, how did you know..." I trailed. So far, never naman akong nag share sa kanya na dito ako bababa.

"I'm sorry," she let out a deep breath. "But I pried on your messages. But I never read the others. Yung Alcatreo Apartment lang ang nabasa ko. Di ko nga binasa kung kanino yon galing."

My eyes widened. "So dito rin pala ang destination---este, place of stay mo?" Well no wonder she tapped me awake back then in the bus. Pareho pala kami ng bababaan.

She nodded. "Temporarily, yes. Tara pasok na tayo?" She told me.

"Yeah." Tugon ko at sabay na kaming pumasok sa nasabing Alcatreo Apartment.

Magbabago na ba talaga ang buhay ko dito?

Let's just hope it will be--- that all will be alright in time.

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A/N: The song is Leaves by Ben and Ben.