Thirteenth Blend
Petal
A warm hand pulled me then enclosed me for a hug. It was a fleeting embrace, but it was enough to calm me down.
Mabilisan kong pinalis ang mga nagbabagsakang luha, nahihiya sa inasal sa loob. Sinabi ko naman na lalayo ako sa limelight, pero mukhang iyon pa ang naging highlight sa event nila.
"I'm sorry." Paumanhin ko sa napapaos na boses.
Ngumiti lang siya at inalalayan akong hinila papunta sa sasakyan niya. I obliged when he asked me to hop in.
"Saan tayo pupunta?" Kuryuso kong tanong habang paalis kami sa lugar.
"Away from here."
"Pero paano iyo—" He cut me off with a wink and grin.
I settled down and decided to trust him this time. Staying nearby means a high chance of another encounter with my mother, so I'd rather runaway with Primo.
He seemed relax as he maneuvered the steering wheel of his car. The veins on his hands show everytime we're taking U-turns or changing lanes. Bilang ko pa lang ang mga beses na nakasakay ako sa sasakyan niya at paunti-unti, nararamdaman kong nababasag na ni Primo ang matayog na gusali na ginawa ko noon pa man para sa lahat.
Napagtanto kong palabas na kami ng Metro at natantong masyadong pamilyar ang daang tinatahak.
Kunot-noo ko siyang binalingan, "Iuuwi mo ba ako?"
A clever smile rose, "Mamaya. Pero sa akin ka muna."
Somehow, Primo alleviates the amount of sadness and anger that I've been dealing with. This is the second time that I got distracted from the negative feelings my mother has awaken. How I wish I could pay Primo tenfold with the good things he does for me in the future.
Huminto kami sa isang lugar na lagi ko lang naririnig sa mga kwento ni Annie. Their family often escape the hassle of city life and prefer to go to Antipolo since it's just hours away from the Metro.
Nang marinig ni Annie na titira ako kay George, she was thrilled because it's in Antipolo. So everytime I would ask them to visit me in the house, she would immediately agree. Pero kahit isang beses, hindi naman kami nakagala dahil laging nasa bahay lang kami. Ano pa nga bang hahanapin, kompleto naman ang amenities sa bahay ni George. Kaya laging nasa movie room lang kami o hindi kaya'y naliligo sa malaking pool.
"Good afternoon. How can I help you?" The lady receptionist greeted us with a dulcet smile.
Hindi ko alam sa totoo lang. I haven't been here. Nilibot ko ang panangin at lumapit sa glass window kung saan tanaw ang isang maliit na pool na pinapalibutan ng makukulay at magagandang halaman.
"Would you like to try their spa?" Primo suggested.
"Hmm, I think gusto ko lang lumublob ngayon." I answered while looking at the lush garden vicinity.
"Alright."
The receptionist informed me that they have available swimming clothes that I can purchase. Maybe she noticed that I'm properly dressed up for a place like this.
Hindi ko na nahintay si Primo at lumusong na mag-isa sa maliit na pool na pinapaligiran ng mga halaman, bulaklak at puno. Ang sabi sa akin ng receptionist ay lumabas dahil may katawagan.
Malamig ang tubig at mas lumamig pa iyon dulot ng simoy ng hangin. I'm only wearing a yellow two-piece swimsuit that I've purchased inside.
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi matulala sa ganda ng nakikita. The place has a majestic and a spectacular view of Sierra Madre Mountains. Napayakap ako bigla sa sarili at napangiti dahil sa galak na nararamdaman.
