I'm Coming Back, Manila

25

"So, tomorrow? Final date of releasing the blueprints. Kaya ba?"

I looked at Ms. Andy, she's the head of our team at the same time our Engineer ever since I started working. Hays, I really miss my friends, Zoe and Ellie. They decided to work abroad kasi for a higher salary. Sana all na lang din ako. It's hard to earn money lalo na kapag hindi ka na supportado ng pamilya mo at may kailangan kang supportahan na bata. This is the reality of living.

"Yes, miss. Kaya po." I smiled at Ms. Andy. I'm confidently answered her dahil polishing na lang ang kailangan sa blueprint kong isusubmit sa bahay bukas. Hindi naman masyadong mabigat yung project dahil renovation lang naman 'yon.

After that meeting, lumapit ako kay Andy to talk to her again. Halos mag iisang buwan na kasi akong humihingi ng tulong. Not financially, pero I need a proper shelter, para na rin kasi sa anak ko. He needs a healthy lifestyle.

"Miss, meron na po ba? Space?" I asked. 

"Nako, wala pa rin kasi. Babalitaan kita kung meron na talaga. Pasensya na ha." She held my hands. Inalis niya rin ito at umalis. Wala na rin naman akong ibang nagawa kung di ngumiti. 

I ride a jeep until I reached our mini apartment. Parang college lang diba. Nakakamiss din 'yong condo ko, simula kasi nung malaman ng mga magulang kong buntis ako, condo ko ang kinuha sakin. Wala naman ibang kukupkop sakin kung hindi yung kasama ko rin sa apartment ngayon.

"Faris, anak?" I said while entering our place. 

"He's sleeping. Anong oras na oh," Sagot ni Jay sakin.

"Nakahanap ka na ng trabaho?" I asked.

"Hindi pa." Sagot niya.

I let out a heavy sigh before walking inside my room, I'm only with Faris. Don't worry. Ang gulo ng buhay ko simula nung maghiwalay kami ni Caeleb. Humingi ako ng tulong kay Jay, dahil wala na 'kong ibang pwedeng mahingan ng tulong simula nung umalis ng bansa ang dalawa kong kaibigan. It was so depressing that time.

We were sure that Faris is not Jay's. Jay told me everything. He took advantage of me but with a condom. Ayoko na lang din siguro guluhin si Caeleb, I tried reaching out pero ayaw niya talaga 'ko pakinggan and I'm sure he's happy with his life now. Pero ngayon, my goal is to seperate ways with Jay. Ayoko ng ganito. Tinitiis ko lang ang bawat araw na nakikita ko siya. Atsaka, kailangan ko ng magbabantay ng anak ko tuwing wala ako. 

"Anak, mommy's home." I caressed Faris' hair. Manang mana sa ama niya. He has the details of Caeleb's face. Parang carbon copy o xerox, sabi nga nila. "Bago na naman 'to ah," I held the bruise on his arms, It's kinda reddish pa. I held his forehead with the back of my hands. "Ang init mo, anak." Nagaalala kong sinabi. 

I didn't expect any response from him. He's just 1 year and 5 months now. I get a wet towel to put it on his forehead, para namang bumaba pa ang lagnat niya. Pagkatapos, iniwan ko muna siya sa kama at ako'y gumawa na ng blueprint na kakailanganin bukas.