Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 21

The one

"So... your parents will be there later?"

Napalingon ako kay Zaid. Naka-angat ang isa niyang kilay habang nagmamaneho.

"Hmm, no."

He glanced at me.

"You don't live with them?"

I nodded. "Anak ako ng mama ko sa pagkadalaga." I shrugged. "She was young and incapable of raising a child so my Lola took the responsibility from her. Hanggang sa kanila na 'ko ng Uncle ko lumaki,"

Zaid didn't say anything. But I can tell that he was intently listening.

"I still see my Mom though. Sobrang rare nga lang since she's currently working in Cebu right now," I shrugged. "Yung tatay ko naman yung never kong nakita since before. Taga ron lang din daw sa probinsya namin yun eh pero ewan ko, hindi na ko nag-abala pang hanapin o habulin siya,"

I don't know why I'm suddenly telling him all these. Kung tutuusin ay oo o hindi lang naman ang sagot sa tinanong niya. It's just that I feel like I want him to know everything about me. Those pieces of information that completes my being. The significant facts that make up the Ellie that she knows.

"Pero alam mo 'yun? I've never felt like I was less of a person despite those things. Although hindi ako lumaking katulad ng sa ibang normal na pamilya na may nanay o tatay sa tabi nila, hindi ko naramdaman na may kulang sakin."

He might not be looking at me the entire time I was talking but the fact that he was very much attentive to everything I has to say was enough to make me feel like my thoughts are welcome. That I can let it all out. Just by looking at him, I can tell that he was paying attention.

The time we have spent together may have been enough for me to know when he is concentrating and lending an ear.

"Yeah.." he softly exhaled. "You actually seem like someone who had such an awesome childhood," he smiled warmly.

"Uy totoo!" I couldn't agree more. "Growing up with cousins who are almost the same age as you is nearly the best,"

Ngumiti siya bago nagkwento na hindi man daw siya lumaki kasama ang mga pinsan niya ay may dalawang kapatid naman siya. He has an older sister and a younger brother. It feels so light talking to him about anything.

I love how he didn't dwell much on the matter about me not growing up with my parents.

Tuwing may mga kaibigan kasi ako noon na napagsasabihan ko ng tungkol doon ay lubos-lubos ang awa sa kanilang reaksyon. Kahit pa sabihin kong wala lang iyon sa akin, ang tingin nila'y tinatanggi ko lang na sobrang nalulungkot din ako.

But with Zaid, it's different. It seems like he knows exactly when I'm telling the truth. Like he can see the difference when I'm being transparent or hiding what I really feel. It was as if he can tell when I'm really fine or when I'm not.

I love how we vibe. It was almost like no one understands me the way he does.

Matapos ang matagal at ilang oras na byahe, sa wakas ay natatanaw ko na ang tarangkahan ng bahay namin. Nakita ko pang nagduduyan si Lola sa may labas.

Nang ihinto ni Zaid ang makina ng sasakyan ay agad kong kinalas ang seat belt. He didn't move though.

Nilingon ko siya. "Ano? Tara na,"