"Flat tires" I said.
"Hala! Pano na ngayon yan?" Nagpapanic niyang tanong.
"Bumalik muna tayo sa loob." Sinunod naman niya ang sinabi ko.
I asked for the hotel staff's help sa information area para tumawag ng mekaniko cause they must really know one or two.
Ang lakas pa din ng buhos ng ulan kaya bukas pa daw makakadating ang mekaniko. Nakaupo kami ngayon sa couch sa lobby ng hotel.
I turned on my phone but it's already lowbat kaya tinignan ko si Cheche, that's what his brothers' and I used to call her but I guess she really doesn't remember me. She looks really worried.
"Can I borrow your phone? Mine's lowbat." Naagaw ko ang atensyon niya and she handed her phone.
I dialed her mother's number at sinagot naman niya kaagad nito.
[Sacē! Anong oras na! Masyado ka atang nag enjoy kasama si Veather at nakalimutan mong hanggang 7 PM ka lang pwede?] Bungad ng mama niya sa akin.
"Goodevening, tita. This is Veather." Sabi ko at tumingin kay Cheche na nakatingin din sakin.
[Veather! Hijo, ikaw pala bakit hindi mo agad sinabi?] The tone of her voice changed into lively one.
[Bakit pala nasayo phone ng anak ko? Wala naman may nangyaring masama diba?] She asked.
"Don't worry, tita. We're safe. Flat tires nga lang po at bukas pa daw makakadating ang mekaniko ng hotel."
[Nasa hotel kayo?!] She exclaimed. Napabuntong-hininga ako.
"Yes tita. Yun sana ang ipapaalam ko na kung pwede ay dito muna kami mag stay sa hotel for safety din po. Don't worry, tita. I assure you that I'll take care of your daughter." I said and looked at her. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata nito.
[Sure, hijo. Hindi mo naman siya pinapabayaan simula pa nung bata kayo. You know her situation naman. But, she still got class in the morning. Kaya niyo bang humabol?] She asked.
"Yes po, tita. We'll be back before 7 AM. Promise na talaga 'to. Sorry po talaga." She mouthed something pero hindi ko ito masyadong mabasa dahil nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa tawag.
[Okay, then. Take care of my daughter and by the way, just a reminder. Huwag kang madudulas. I'll talk to her first, please.]
I handed back Sacē's phone. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang nakakunot ang nuo niya. Hindi pa din talaga siya nagbabago.
"Mama!" She shouted kaya napatingin sa kanya ang mga hotel staffs at ibang tao. Bigla siyang nahiya at tumungo bago ibinaba ang tawag.
"I still got class in the morning." Pag-aalala niya.
Ako din naman. May review pa ako but I don't know if this is an unfortunate event or a blessing in disguise.
"Separate rooms ah!" She said kaya napatawa ako. Pumunta siya sa reception area.
"Goodevening, how much for 2 rooms?" She asked.
"14,000 pesos each room, Ma'am." The lady smiled at her. Lumaki naman ang mata niya.
"We have a room with 2 Queen-size beds for an option, Ma'am. It's 17,000 pesos."
"I'll pay for it. We'll have 2 separate rooms please." I said at i-aabot na sana ang card ko nung pinigilan niya ako.
"One room nalang. Dalawang kama naman eh." Sabi niya na parang nahihiya kaya napangiti ako ng palihim.
BINABASA MO ANG
Breathing for Nicotine
General Fiction-Medicus Series No. 1- Sacē Furry Lacosta is a person who cannot feel pain, literally. Physical pain isn't her enemy, but her self is. She's not only numb outside, but also on the inside. She's broken and lost until help come on its way, Nystagmus...
