The Project Perfect

15: Remember, Allison

Hey Violet - Guys My Age

***
Allison

"Ali! I heard what happened. Are you alright?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Bridge sa akin. I don't know when she got here and how she know what happened. She's still wearing her pink pajamas while hugging her white bunny stuff toy.

"Why are you here? You should be sleeping now." seryosong sabi ko rito. She shouldn't be here. It's dangerous here.

"Cut the crap, Ali. Hindi kita iiwan!" mariing sabi nito sa akin. I couldn't do anything but heaved a deep sigh. She is too stubborn.

Nakaupo ako sa hagdan sa labas ng bahay namin. Pinanapanood ko ang kulay pulang ilaw na nagmumula sa sasakyan ng mga pulis na dumating sa bahay namin. Kausap nila si Dad kararating lang galing sa meeting nito. Ang mga maids naman nmay nasa loob ng bahay namin at naglilinis.

"Tatawagan ka nalang po namin kapag may nahanap na kaming lead. Be careful, sir." sabi ng mga pulis kay Dad at sumakay na sa sasakyan nila at umalis. Isinara na ni Dad ang gate at lumapit sa aming dalawa ni Bridge.

"Do you want me to call your parents to pick you up?" Dad asked Bridge nonchalantly. It's amazing how he is still calm after what happened. Mabilis namang umiling si Bridge at kinawit ang braso sa akin.

"No, Tito. My parents will understand. I'll stay with Ali." sabi nito. Pumasok na kami sa loob at umakyat sa kwarto ko.

"It's been a while since I slept here." pagkapasok palang nito ay humiga na agad ito sa white queen size bed ko. Pagkalabas ko ng banyo ay sinamahan ko na siyang humiga sa kama and turn of the night lamp.

"Everything's going to be okay, Ali." Bridge said as she hugged me. I closed my eyes and darkness embraced me.

***

The next morning, I went down the stairs only to see Bridge and Dad eating breakfast.

"Hey, Kate! Good morning." bati ni Dad ng mapansin ang presensiya ko. Tumabi naman ako kay Bridge. Dad gave me a plate.

"Morning, Ali. You were sleeping soundly I did not want to wake you up." sabi nito with her mouth full.

"Uuwi na rin pala ako after I eat. Kuya Sam came home from Wilford and he's looking for me." hindi ako sumagot and instead ay binilisan lang ang pagkain. Matapos kumain ay hinatid ko siya sa labas ng gate namin and waited for her brother to pick her up. Hindi naman nagtagal ay dumating ang isang pulang mustang lulan si Kuya Sam na nakangiti ng makita kaming dalawa.

"My pretty Allison! How are you? It's been ages since we saw each other." nakangiting sabi nito sa akin na parang hindi alintana ang matatalim na mga tingin ni Bridgette rito.

"I'm doing good, Kuya Sam." magalang na sagot ko rito. He chuckled lowly and turned his gaze to his sister.

"Hello my bratty sister. Did yah miss me?" mapagbirong wika nito. I saw Bridge rolled her eyes and opened the  car door. Nang makapasok na sa loob ay ibinaba nito ang bintana at tiningnan ako.

"I'll get going now. Take care, Ali."  tumango lang ako sa sinabi nito.

"Yeah, drive safely, Kuya Sam." paalala ko kay Kuya at sinilip ito mula sa nakabukas na bintana. He moved his head slightly to see me and made an okay sign. Pumasok na rin ako sa loob ng marinig ko ang tunog ng kotse nilang papalayo. Umakyat ako sa kwarto at agad naligo.

I have to go somewhere today. And I hope I can find answers there. I opened my closet and decided to wear a peach dress coat and black high boots. It's the month of October and nagsisimula ng mag-snow sa buong Rosenburg. Pagbaba ko ay naabutan ko si Dad na inaayos ang tie niya. Even though it's weekend ay may trabaho pa rin ito. Nilapitan ko ito at ako na ang nag-ayos ng tie nito.