The Missing Piece

Mariya

Hinila ako ni Clarisse para pumunta sa comfort room kung saan hindi maingay. Ani niya ay kailangan ko nang mag paalam agad habang hindi pa ganon kalalim ang gabi.

"Lancelot, come with us. We'll be back guys." Paalam niya sa lahat.

"What? I'm not allowed in women's comfort room. Saka bakit kasama ako?" Confusion is visible on Lancelot's eyes. Kahit ako ay nagtataka. "Duh! You're the best story maker in town. Sasamahan mo kami para maka isip ng paraan kung paano mapapayagan si Mariya." Pareho kaming hinila ni Clarisse.

We passed by a lot of people partying. Karamihan ay kakarating palang ata dahil kakaunti pa ang drinks na nasa table nila. May mga sumasayaw na rin sa gitna kahit maaga pa naman. I heard, it's more fun when the night is getting deeper when you're in a bar.

Lumiko kami sa isang pasilyo. Kumpara sa labas ay mas tahimik dito. Wala kasing masyadong tumatambay.

"So we're here. Call your parents now." Kinakabahan ako dahil unang beses kong mag paalam ng ganito. Paniguradong hindi ako papayagan kaya hindi ko alam kung anong rason ang sasabihin ko. If I tell them the truth, it would be a shallow reason for them. Specially to, papa so probably he won't allow me sleeping over.

But I decided to take my chances. Bahala na kung hindi payagan, eh di uuwi ako.

One ring and, papa immediately answered.

"Hello, Mariya. Where are you? It's getting late. Go home now." I swallowed all the lumps on my throat. I can't find the exact words to say. "Uhm, papa. C-can I sleep at my friends house?" Napapikit ako sa kaba.

"What? Why? Mariya, you know I don't allow sleep overs. Why would you sleep at their house? May bahay tayo." Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Sabi ko na eh. Bawal talaga. "It's just that, m-my friend needs me. She needs my help." I wouldn't say 'our' because he'll probably think there's a lot of us so they probably won't mind if I won't go.

"Mariya, I know your friend needs someone. But let her family take care of her. You're not responsible for her." Napayuko ako sa pahayag ni papa. He really wouldn't understand how important it is for someone to be comforted by friends when their family can't.

"Papa, she just really needs a friend right now." Malungkot na saad ko. Naramdaman ko ang pag tapik ni Lancelot sa balikat ko.

"Tell him how you want to be there for your friend. Just tell him what you feel." Bulong niya kaya tumango ako.

"I really want to be there for her. She's one of the reason why I'm happy at school, papa. Kapag may problema ako, palagi po siyang nandiyan. I just wanna be there for her because she really needs me right now. I know she would understand me if I can't be there, but I really want to, papa. Please po." Bahagyang natahimik sa kabilang linya kaya nawalan na ako ng pag asa.

Akala ko ay binaba na ni papa ang tawag kaya naman ibababa ko na sana nang marinig ko ang boses niya.

"Alright. I'm glad you found friends, darling. I hope they know how lucky they are to have you." Gusto kong mapasigaw sa tuwa pero baka marinig ni papa. "Really, papa? Thank you po!"

"What time would you be home tomorrow? May klase ka pa diba?" My first subject tomorrow is 10:30am so I still have time. "I'll be home early tomorrow. My class is at 10:30am." Nakikita ko ang pag ngiti ni Clarisse at Lancelot. Kaya naman gusto ko ring magtatalon sa tuwa kung hindi lang ako mag mumukhang baliw.

"Alright. I will ask, Jenna to pick you up tomorrow. You sleep early okay? Take care, darling."

"Yes, papa I will. You and mama take care too." Nang maibaba ko na ang tawag ay patalon akong niyakap ni Clarisse. Impit siyang sumisigaw habang tuwang tuwa naman ako. Lance is laughing beside us. Nang kumalas sa yakap si Clarisse si Lance sana ang susunod pero nahila siya ni Clarisse.