Leaving Was the Easy Part (Millennia Series #1)

12

#LTWEP12

I woke up in the middle of the night. Naabutan ko si mommy na natutulog sa tabi ng kama ko habang nakaupo. She's holding my hand tightly. The room's dim and the lamp beside my bed is the only source of light. Binabalot ng ingay mula sa mga aparatong nakakabit sa akin ang buong kuwarto.

I sighed. Nandito na naman ako.

If only I had been more cautious, perhaps I wouldn't have to be here again. Ang kulit ko kasi. Sana nakinig na lang ako. Lately my decision-making became too fucked up. Naging sobrang padalos-dalos ako.

I carressed my mother's head.

"I'm sorry for being stubborn, mom."

Lumipad ang paningin ko sa bintana. Alas-tres na ng madaling araw. I let my tears flow until nothing comes out. And eventually, I fell asleep.

***

"I'm sure you know how risky your situation is now, Celina. I just hope you won't do something stupid again. This should serve you a lesson."

Nag-aayos kami ng mga gamit ko dahil discharged na akong muli. The reason why I fainted was not even related to my case before. I had an episode of panic attack. I didn't even know what that is until I experienced it myself.

"All you have to do now is to rest, completely. And let yourself fully recover," hinagod ni mommy ang buhok ko.

I gave her a warm smile.

I still haven't explained to them what really happened. Hindi na rin naman sila nagtanong pero parang responsibilidad ko na sabihin pa rin.

"About what happened the other night..." panimula ko.

Pareho silang napatigil. I unconsciously played with my fingers.

"Okay na hija, napaliwanag na sa amin ng mga kaibigan mo ang lahat. Let's just forget about it," mommy smiled.

Ginulo lang 'yon ang isip ko. Pero hindi ko na pinilit pa dahil mas mabuti nga sigurong kalimutan na lang na nangyari ang gabing iyon.

We heard a knock. Si daddy ang lumapit para buksan 'yon. He stopped and looked at me. Lumapit din ako para tignan kung sino iyon.

"S-Samuel..." I called.

They're all here.

"Who's that, Celina?" Si Mommy na nasa likod ko na pala.

"Bakit kayo nandito?" Mahina kong tanong.

"Bibisitahin ka sana namin to check up on you pero mukhang okay ka naman na. Babalik na lang kami next—"

"Are they your friends?" Saglit akong tumango kay mommy. "Invite them over, nagpaluto ako for dinner."

One second we're all alone here and then the next thing I knew, on the way na kami pauwi sa bahay kasama sila Santi. They're in a different vehicle since they have their own car with them pero gosh I didn't expect this! Inutos din tuloy sa akin ni mommy na papuntahin pati ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Have you called your friends already?" Si mommy pagkababa namin sa garahe.

"Yes po," my eyes unconsciously went to the car parked in front of our house.

Isa-isang bumaba si Samuel, Eros, at Santi.

"Entertain your guests first, sa kitchen lang ako. I'll tell manang to wait for the girls, sa study na muna kayo, ipapadiretso ko na sila roon pagkarating nila."

Tumango ako at sinulyapan ang mga lalaki. Gumilid ako para bigyan sila nang daan, pinauna ko na muna sila.

"Dito tayo," nahihiya kong sabi.