For few seconds, we stayed just like that, unmindful of the rain that was pouring so hard. Surprisingly, her hug felt warm amidst the cold rain. It was something soothing and comfortable—something I never felt a long time ago.
Maingat niyang iniangat ang pisngi ko habang pinapanatili ang titig sa akin. She then tried to wipe my tears with her hands. I didn't even notice I was crying too hard. She caressed my back as she softly whispered some comforting words to me.
Since then, Alex became more persistent with being friends with me. She was there for me even when I wasn't there for her.
For years, I'm used to being alone and so I found it really hard to open my heart for anyone, even for her friendship.
Pero sa kabila ng pagtataboy ko ay hindi siya natinag. She stayed.
Slowly, without forcing myself to, I began to find a room for her as well as for her family somewhere in the deepest corners of my heart.
"Kumain ka nang marami, Gab," masiglang sabi ni Tita Jenny habang pinupunan ng kanin ang plato ko.
"Ma, busog na 'yan," rinig kong sabat ni Alex pero hindi man lang siya pinakinggan ni tita. Sa halip ay pinandilatan siya nito at nagpatuloy sa paglalagay ng iba pang pagkain. I smiled at the gesture.
Tiningnan ko siya at pabirong binelatan. Nakakatawa lang na kung sino pa 'yong hindi mo kaano-ano, sila pa 'yong makapagparamdam sa'yo ng diwa ng isang tunay na pamilya.
"Ma, kita mo 'yon?" kunwari ay sumbong ni Alex. She tried to sound jealous but tita just spanked her on the forehead before heading out from the kitchen. And I couldn't help but laugh.
"Aba! Aba! Napapansin kong madalas na ang pagngiti mo ha? Mabuti 'yan. Mas maganda ka kapag nakangiti, Gab," she beamed a smile.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ako napapayag ni Alex na sa kanila muna tumira. But I'm thankful because they were never indifferent to me. They treated me as one of their own.
Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng lungkot at panghihinayang. Why can't we be like them? But then the answer was there all along, because we just can't be like them.
"Happy birthday to you~"
Hindi ako nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan dahik sa gulat nang sumalubong sa akin sa may pintuan ang pagsabog ng party popper. Nagliparan ang confetti. Sabay silang kumanta habang nilalagay ni Tito Paul ang party hat sa ulo ko.
I stood frozen there, unsure of what to do, didn't know what to feel.
Nang mawala si papa, hindi ko na makuha pang alalahanin ang mga espesyal na araw tulad ngayon. All I could remember was the day when he took his own life.
Everyday was just plain and somehow tormenting for me. It felt like hell.
Pero ngayon, sa halip na sampal at masasakit na salita ang bumungad sa akin, sinalubong nila ako ng sorpresa, at init ng pagmamahal ng isang pamilya.
"Thank you, tita, tito," I choked on my tears, overwhelmed by all of this. Mas lalo pa akong napahagulhol nang lumapit sina tito at tita at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
I glanced at Alex who was holding a laptop where Ate Cherry is watching through. I smiled at Ate Cherry on the screen.
Bahagya akong natawa nang mamataang pasimpleng nagpahid ng luha si Alex. What a ceybaby. I broke free from their hug and walk toward her.
"Words are not enough to describe how grateful I am to you and your family. Thank you, Alex," I whispered as I pulled her into a tight hug.
