Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

35

35, Into a remedy

Umuwi rin kami pagkatapos mag-agahan kasama ng pamilya ni Kuya Jude. It was a great, sunny day. I've never seen mama being so happy like how she is while being in such conversations with Kuya Jude's parents. Ngayon lang ulit sa pagkaka-alala ko, mula noong bagong taon.

I can laugh at myself because surely, I'm one of the reasons why her mood is usually sour, aside from the stress she's getting from work.

Today is a Saturday. I've nothing else to do than take care of my niece. Sa edad na dalawang taon ay nakikita na talaga ang kanyang kalikutan at ang pagiging makulit.

Dito umuwi ngayon sina Kuya Benj, maging sina Kuya Oxenn at ng kanilang mga asawa para bukas ay sama-sama kami sa pagsimba. Ate Apple and her boyfriend, fiance pala... naiwan pa rin sa Bataan at susunod na lang mamayang hapon papunta rito sa bahay.

I guess my parents aren't still done in giving talks to Kuya Jude about marriage and all that.

"Stacy!" I called upon seeing her pulling the papers on the lowest part of my cabinet.

She was startled so it made me laugh. Lumapit ako sa kanya, nakasalampak sa sahig ng kwarto ko, walang salawal at tanging pink dress, diaper at undies lang ang suot. She's too cute with her big ribbon headband.

"Stacy! Hay naku. Ang likot mo ha."

Pinulot ko ang mga iyon at isa-isang inilagay sa ibabaw ng vanity table ko.

She still continued to grab whatever she can with her height. Sinusubukan talaga niyang abutin ang kung anong gamit na makita niya. I was fixing the papers, with my body bent down a bit when my phone beeped for a possible chat in my messenger.

Tumayo ako at saglit na sinulyapan ang pamangkin kong inabot ang kanyang boteng may nakahanda ng gatas. She instantly suckled on her bottle and laid down comfortably on the floor. I shook my head and chuckled at her cuteness.

Nakataas pa ang isa niyang paa at pinaglalaruan iyon ng isa niyang kamay. The other hand is holding her bottle while her eyes on the other hand are still roaming around.

Humakbang ako nang kaunti para abutin ang phone sa kama. Nakapambahay na ako ngayon, black cotton shorts at dark blue loose t-shirt.

The moment I saw the notification on the screen, it quickly doubled my heartbeat. I stared on the wall, calming my nerves down before I opened the message silently.

Hope reacted on your story.

Hope: congrats.

I felt kinda weak as I sat on the floor, close to Stacy and I rested my back on the side of my bed. Tumingala ako at idinantay ang kamay na hawak ang phone kong iyon sa bandang itaas ng noo ko.

Finally, he messaged me. Hindi nga lang para sa'kin.

I posted a picture of my sister last night. She's holding the bouquet of roses, showing the diamond ring on her finger. I put a tiny caption on the bottom part of the picture, saying... wedding bells.

I sighed and took a glance of my phone once more. Siguro... hindi naman masama ang magreply ako. Lalo na't simpleng mensahe lang naman.

Me: Thank you. Hoy miss na k|

I paused on typing my message and stared on it for so long. I feel like there's a sudden hollow on my chest by seeing those words which my heart truly wanted to say.

Telling him that last part of what I'm composing is like digging my own grave. I erased the other words and sent my simple reply.

Me: Thank you.