Running After The Wind(Manila Encounter Series 1)

13

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"I'll fetch you on Monday, Bri,"

I sighed. It's just Friday and I don't think I can still wait for her. I scooter on my bed while talking to my Mom on the other line.

"Alam ba ni Papa na dadalaw tayo?" tanong ko. I was trying my best to divert my attention from the pain I am dealing with. Ngunit, kahit gaano ko pa kagustong lunurin ang sarili ko sa ibang bagay ay sadyang hindi iyon maalis sa utak ko.

I heard some frying noise. She's probably cooking. I glanced at the clock and realized that I didn't cook for my approaching lunch.

"I didn't tell him," she replied. Tumahimik ang linya ng sandali. Tanging paghinga lang ang ginagawa ko sa bawat takbo ng oras. "Do you want me to tell him?" pagbabakasakali niya.

Umiling ako kahit pa alam na hindi niya naman makikita iyon. I reached for my pillow hotdog and hugged it. "H'wag na po. I want it to be a surprise, tho."

"Ahuh..." she paused, I get that she continued what she's doing. "Ayos ka lang ba? Hindi ka pumasok, siguro ay may sakit ka?" her tone was testing me.

Mas hinigpitan ko ang yakap ko sa unan. I've already decided, I won't tell my parents about what happened to me in that hotel. Kaya ko naman na iyon. Isa pa, kasalanan ko 'yon at hindi ko na sila dapat pag-isipan pa.

Nag-init ang sulok ng aking mata. Nasanay ako na laging bukas ang saloobin sa'king ina. Pero ngayon, nahihirapan ako. Naiisip na huwag ng dagdagan pa ang mga iniisip niya ngayon. I'll keep it to myself no matter what.

I should trust myself. I can do this. If they won over me. I certainly going to win again myself back.

"I am not giving up," I cheered myself, cuz no one would do it for me.

No. I have my Nicia. She's always cheering me through happiness and sadness.

Tinapos ko na ang sauce ng carbonara. Isinunod ko ang paglaga ng pasta at saka naupo sa kitchen counter.

Nakapangalumbaba ako habang dinadama ang gutom. I skipped my lunch. Mom did ask me if I ate and I lied. Tinanong niya rin kung may sakit ako at sinabi ko na lamang na masama ang lasa ng tiyan ko.

After I cooked the pasta, I strained it and prepare to eat. I ate a little more til' I guessed I'm full. Habang hinihintay si Nicia ay inubos ko ang oras sa panonood sa netflix.

I watched three romance movies on hit. Pero hindi man lang iyon pumasok sa isip ko. Wari ko ay tumititig na lamang ako sa screen kahit ang totoo'y wala namang naiintindihan. Unsatisfied, I didn't finish my last pick and just ended up packing my things.

I was quite hesitant with my decision. I want to go home. To my mother's home.

"Ano? Uuwi ka ng Las Piñas?" hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

Kauuwi lang niya. Nasa lounge kami habang pinapanood ko siyang tinatanggal ang kaniyang heels. "Do'n na muna uli ako. Dadalaw kami ni Mama kay Papa,"

"He's jailed in Makati," aniya. Hindi naniniwala na iyon talaga ang dahilan ko.

I squeezed my arms, getting cold now. Ngayon ko lang ata naramdaman ang aircon, gayong nilakasan ka pa 'to kanina. She stood from her seat and sat beside me.