VIANNIARA
When was the last time you feel at peace?
It kept running on my mind while I lay down on my bed. I was half asleep but my mind is clearly functioning.
Funny how people act and pretend that they are all fine but the truth is, they are struggling to have their own share of peace. Life is all about survival but sometimes, surviving is hard enough for us to forget how does it feel to be at peace.
Minsan, mapapatanong ka na lang talaga, ano nga ulit ‘yong pakiramdam nang may kapayapaan?
We tend to overworked ourselves, probably the reason why when we got exhausted, all we wanted is to get back the feeling we used to feel before we got tired. Unfortunately, we cannot. You cannot feel the same thing in just a blink, you certainly need to work hard for it.
Bumaling ang ulo ko sa kaliwa’t kanan nang subukan kong idilat ang aking mga mata. My eyes adjusted from the light. It was blur but kind of familiar.
Tumama ang mata ko sa magulang ko na parehong naka-upo at natutulog sa couch ng kwarto. Nangilid ang luha ko habang pinagmamasdan sila. Nakahilig si Mommy sa balikat ni Daddy habang naka-akbay ito sa kaniya. No matter how cruel and painful it is, they will always be my most favorite persons in this world. Nothing can change that.
The door opened and revealed my pregnant sister. Her belly is much bigger now compared to the last time I saw her. She looks like she is about to give birth anytime. Nagtama ang paningin namin at sabay na nginitian ang isa’t isa.
Kasunod niyang pumasok ay si Kuya. He is holding a big duffel bag while sporting his casual clothes. A cotton long-sleeved button-down shirt with his black casual pants and shoes. He always looks attractive, though.
“Hey…” Kuya muttered while he put the bags on the couch where our parents are sleeping.
I smiled at him then glanced at my sister who is staring at me from afar. Her super model aura is still there although she’s now 39 weeks pregnant.
“Hi…” I greeted her.
“Uh… hello…” Chesie said awkwardly. I see that she’s still guilty and uncomfortable about what happened. I can’t blame her. It’s a deep wound indeed but I wish she’ll learn to forgive herself because I did.
My parents woke up from their sleep. They immediately go to me and gave me a good morning kiss. Ganoon din ang ginawa nila kay Ate. My brother came to me and gave me quick peck on the cheeks.
“You look awesome,”
“I always am.” biro ko kaya sabay kaming napahalakhak. I sighed heavily and coughed after that laugh because I felt my throat went dry.
Napabaling agad sa akin sila Mommy. They immediately give me water so I did.
Lumapit sa akin si Ate nang magpaalam si Mommy na lalabas muna para bumili sa convenient store sa baba at mag-aya si Daddy kay Kuya na kausapin siya tungkol sa negosyo.
I heard Ate Chesie sighed while smiling at me. “You look good.”
“You too.” Natahamik kaming dalawa bago ako muling nagsalita.
“How’s the baby?” I softly said with enthusiasm. She caressed her stomach before smiling at me.
“She’s fine. Very very healthy. Malikot siya kada gabi. I would always wake up in the middle night because of contraction and well… sumisipa. Gustong-gusto na atang lumabas.” Masaya niyang kwento pero hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko kung paanong pumasada ang lungkot sa mga mata niya.
