YOU ARE MY HOME

Chapter 05

"What happened to your hair?" tanong sa'kin ni Marcus nang makita niya ako.

Kakarating ko lang sa school para sa panghapon na klase. I didn't attend the morning class. I wasn't ready to face my schoolmates yet but Papa forced me to go to school.

The kids were looking at me with the surprised look in their eyes. Some were even pointing their fingers at me as they were talking. Siguro nagchichismisan, tungkol sa akin or tungkol kay Mama.

Kung maugong ang balita sa school na panlalake na ang gupit ko, mas maugong ang balita na naglayas si Mama sa lugar namin.

"Papa cut my hair. I didn't have a choice," sabi ko nalang kahit na maiiyak ako.

But, I had to hold it in. I need to be strong. Tears will make me weak, sabi ni Papa. I can't cry in front of Marcus.

"Ohhhh. You know, Azie, it doesn't really matter if your hair is long or not. You're still my friend," aniya at tinapik- tapik ang balikad ko.

Marcus acts like a brother to me, sometimes although we're of the same age. He would always defend me when other kids were talking about me behind my back.

"Thank you, Marcus!" I exclaimed as I placed my arms around his waist.

He was a bit surprised but he never pulled me away. After a moment, I felt him hugging me too. With Marcus, I can be comfortable. We've always been friends and I can feel that I can trust him all my secrets. I can cry in front of him without feeling ashamed. Only this time, I won't do that.

"I heard about it. Don't worry. Tita Sophie will come back. She will. She loves you and Tito Bert," he said, trying to comfort me.

"Are you sure?" I asked him while still hugging him. I lowered my eyes and saw him sliding his hand into his pocket. He slowly pulled me away and held my hand using his other hand.

"This is for you." He placed something in my hand and closed it. "Guess what is it?"

"Ano ba 'to?" I wondered what's inside my closed fist. Marcus was smiling from ear to ear. I don't know why. He likes giving surprises all the time.

"Open it," utos niya habang hawak pa rin niya ang kamay ko. Na-excite ako bigla. By the suspenseful moves he's making, it must be a big surprise.
I slowly opened my hand and saw candy. Seriously?

"A candy a day keeps your worries away," he said, still smiling while dragging me along to the classroom.

Bahagyang iwinasiwas ko ang aking kamay sa pagkakalupot sa kanyang kamay kaya natigilan siya. He didnt let go of my hand .Mas lalo lamang niya hinigpitan ang paghawak 'non.

"Starting now, you can't treat me like a girl," untag ko.

Lumingon siya at tuluyang humarap sa'kin. His eyes were giving me this weird look I really can't describe. It seemed like he was angry at something. Doon ko na nabawi ang kamay ko.

"It's up to me how I treat you, okay?" He said with conviction. He paused for a moment. Nakikita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata niya. "It's my decision to make."

I couldn't say anything. Napaawang ang bibig ko. Marcus really talks like an adult. Sometimes, I really think that he's just so mature for his age although we're just grade 6 students.

The way he views things is far different from mine. I'm in awe and completely envious of the way he talked and proved something. Kung ayaw nito gawin ang isang bagay ay hindi nito gagawin hanggat may malalim syang dahilan.

Hindi gaya ko na nagpapatianod nalang. I want to be like him, too.

"Papa will not let you do that," I said.