Ready For It?

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Tapos na ang periodical exams at naipasa na namin ang lahat ng kinakailangang requirements. Tapos na rin ang Year End Party namin at opisyal nang nasimulan ang Christmas and New Year vacation.

Magbabagong taon na ilang oras mula ngayon.

I didn't attend the Year End Party because I never had the chance to have closure with anyone. Hindi ko kasi kinibuan ang lahat sa kanila and they all did the same.

Well, my dad thought I attended the party. They all thought I did. Pakiramdam ko ay walang kamalay-malay ang mga kaklase ko na wala ako roon. After all, who cares?

Matapos ang devotional na ginagawa ng pamilya namin tuwing Media Noche, ilang oras bago magsimula ang bagong taon, I checked my phone.

I receive a message from Kyra. Agad ko naman itong binuksan.

"Happy New Year, Ylona. I hope you can forgive us. Alam naming malaki ang atraso namin sa'yo. Apologies won't be enough so just tell us what to do if ever in order for us to make it up."

Matagal ko nang napatawad si Kyra at ang buong squad nito. I can easily forgive on someone even without them asking for forgiveness. No matter how hurt I am, I will end up forgiving them.

The thing I know, I am not doing this for them. I am doing this for myself. Forgiving them helps me cope up and move on. So why would I be bitter to give it if it's for my own good?

"Happy New Year, Kyra. I already forgave you, thank you for your sincere apology."

The next one who asked for forgiveness is Celestine. Mas nahirapan ako dahil mas nasaktan ako sa kanya. I feel betrayed during that time.

"Happy New Year, Ylona! I wish you the best of all this world could give. I also wish that you'll forgive me. Kahit hindi ngayon, kahit next time na."

I typed some words on my keyboard and sent my reply.

"Happy New Year, Celestine. I already accepted your apology. God bless!"

Ang sumunod ay hindi ko inasahan. They added me on their group chat. When they do that, it's either they need your help o may balak sila na pagtulungan ka.

But this time, they added me to say sorry. Isa-isa silang humingi ng tawad sa akin hindi lang dahil sa eskandalo na ginawa nila kung hindi pati na sa mga pgpapahiya at pagpapahirap sa akin noong grade 7 pa lang kami. Tinanggap ko naman ang lahat ng iyon.

Yes, the pain is still plunging on my chest. Pero kung hindi ko sila papatawarin, mas lalo lang akong masasaktan. Isa pa, pinagdasal ko na sila kanina.

Malapit na ang bagong taon. Hindi ko gustong baunin sa taon na iyon ang bigat na dulot ng kahapon.

"Ylona, let's go." Ani papa habang dala ang susi ng sasakyan.

I wore my sling bag and put my phone in it saka ako sumunod kay papa. Pagpasok namin, nasa loob na sina mama at Yale.

May performance sa people's park ang ilan sa aming mga paboritong local performers kaya pupunta kami roon ngayon. May mga performers rin mula sa iba't-ibang lugar na makikisabay sa aming New Year countdown. May fireworks display rin.

Nang makarating kami roon, nagsimula na ang performance ng group na hindi namin kilala. Nagdesisyon kami na maghiwa-hiwalay muna. Provided na may contact kami sa isa't-isa. May load naman kaming lahat kaya walang problema.

My mom and dad is with their friends, Yale is with his classmates and friends as well, while I'm all alone. Hindi ko naman sinabi kay mama at papa na mag-isa ako.