To You, From Me

Prologue

DISCLAIMER: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, schools, situations, events, locations, and incidents are either the result of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is genuinely coincidental.

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"Aliana! Hoy, Aliana Celestine! Teka lang!"

I was walking when I suddenly heard a familiar voice shouting behind me. Tumalikod ako at nakita si Isabelle or Belle for short, ang aking bestfriend, hinahabol ako.

"Parang ngayon ka lang ata late nagising, ah? Lapit na time, oh, anyways, nakaaral ka na ba para sa long quiz mamaya sa Science? Ang hirap ng topic, 'di ko mamemorize lahat ng terms and concepts, huhu. Sana lumabas mga pinagaralan ko." Daldal niya nang maabutan niya ako.

"Sus, ako pa? Nagpuyat nga ako kagabi para lang matapos aral ang topic. 'Di ko na nga naabutan si Mama kanina, eh. Late na kasi ako nagising. Pagkagising ko, umalis na sya." I said as I looked down on my phone, waiting for a text from my mom. This was the first time na 'di ko sya naabutan. Usually, mauna ako magising para magluto ng almusal, o gisingin niya ako bago siya aalis papunta sa kanyang trabaho. Naisip niya ata na puyat ako kaya't hinayaan niya nalang ako matulog. I kind of overslept, buti nalang malapit lang ang school sa bahay.

My mom is my only nuclear family left. My dad died when I was 4 years old due to some illness, or so I was told he did, and my mom has been my mother and father figure my entire life. She made sure I wouldn't feel any emptiness from not having a father. I don't really remember much of my dad since I was still so young when he passed, but they did say my politeness resembled his, which they say is the only trait I got from him. I have my grandparents, but they're living off their pensions, and neither my mom and I wanted to burden them with expenses, so my mom is typically always busy with work.

Isabelle and I arrived at our noisy and chaotic classroom and sat in our respective seats. The sound of my classmates laughing, talking, and playing was something I was used to. I mean, who wouldn't be used to this? Araw-araw ganito rito eh. We start the day by complaining we're sleep-deprived, we don't want to leave our beds, and we're tired even though we just arrived, but we are always so energetic when we come to class.

I rechecked my phone, pero wala pa ring text galing kay Mama, kaya pinasok ko nalang ang phone ko sa aking bag at nilabas ko ang notes ko para magreview dahil Science ang first subject at mayroon kaming long quiz. 'Yan nalang ang ginawa ko habang hinihintay ang aming teacher.

I would usually go to my group of friends, but this time, I'm not really in the mood to talk since we have an upcoming test. I'm not an introvert, but I'm also not an extrovert. You can say I'm an ambivert, someone whose an introvert and also an extrovert. There are times where I socialize, and there are times where I would prefer to be alone, and when I'm studying or reviewing for a test, I would rather be alone and focus on what I'm doing.

"Aliana, pa-help ako sa Math assignment later, please?" Lumapit sa akin si Krista at pinakita ang kaniyang notebook. Mukhang nahihirapan siya sa kaniyang assignment dahil marami pa siyang hindi nasasagutan.

"Yeah, sure, I'll help mamayang recess," I told her, and she thanked me.

I am always at the top of the class, and as much as possible, I help others with their academic struggles. Lahat naman tayo ay nahihirapan, eh. Kung 'di top 1, ako ang top 2. And this is also my way of helping with the expenses. I am a scholar. And, I hate cramming because I won't be able to learn anything and mas nase-stress lang ako. Naging habit na para sa akin na kapag binigyan kami ng scheduled quiz or assignments, tinatapos ko as soon as possible para 'di ko na kailangang mag cram minutes before the submission or quiz, and to get things done immediately so I can still help with the household chores when I get home.

"Please get a one-half sheet of paper. Write your name on the upper left corner, your section, and your class number on the upper right for easy recording: test one, enumeration. Item number one..." Sunod-sunod na sabi ng Science teacher namin pagkapasok niya sa klase.

Dali-dali nagkuha ng papel ang mga kaklase ko at nagsulat. After the quiz, pinapasa na ni Ma'am ang mga papel.

"Please pass your papers. Late papers won't be accepted..."

Nang maipasa na ang mga papel, nagsimulang mag-ingay ang klase at nagta-tanungan ng mga sagot sa pagsusulit kanina. Sinubukan kaming patahimikin ni Ma'am ngunit tinawag siya ng adviser namin sa labas para kausapin kaya't iniwan niya muna kami. Pumunta ang class president sa harap para mag-supervise at patahimikin kami habang wala si Ma'am pero walang nakikinig at pumapansin sa kaniya. This class is really noisy and chaotic.

"Pst! Aliana, ano sagot mo sa number 10? 'Di ba mitochondria?" Tanong sa akin ng kaklase ko at tumango ako. "Sabi ko na nga ba mitochondria ang powerhouse ng cell. 'Di kasi kayo maniwala sa akin!"

"Omg, Sean, ang ingay mo! P'wede naman ata 'di magsigaw, 'no?" Belle rolled her eyes. "Anyways, Aliana, let's hang out mamaya at my place with Rin and Krista. My mom wants to invite you and the girls for dinner," aya niya.

"I'll see if I'm free later. Baka kasi late na umuwi si Mama at walang tao mamaya sa bahay. I might need to do some chores, and school works" Sagot ko.

Medyo napatagal ang usapan nila Ma'am at ng adviser namin. Pagkabalik ni Ma'am sa classroom, everyone stood up and went back to their seats. Ma'am looked worried, bad news, maybe. She scanned the class as if she was looking for someone. Nagtama ang tingin namin at sinenyasan niya akong lumabas para kausapin ang adviser namin. Tumingin ang mga kaklase ko sa akin. I was confused, pero tumayo ako at lumabas ng room. I saw my adviser waiting and staring at me, parang 'di niya alam anong sabihin sa akin. Nalilito ako sa tingin niya.

"Aliana, hija... yung Mama mo... n-naaksidente... n-nasa hospital siya ngayon..." pautal-utal na sinabi ni Ma'am.

Natulala ako sa narinig kong balita at 'di ko magalaw ang katawan ko. My legs felt weak, as if I was about to fall on my knees. Pinakuha ni Ma'am ang mga gamit ko kay Belle at nagmadali akong umalis.

When I arrived at the hospital, I saw my grandmother crying beside an occupied bed with a white cloth, stained in blood, covering the patient.

"Celestine, anak... w-wala na ang Mama mo... w-wala na si Amber..." umiiyak si Lola habang binabalita sa akin ang nangyari kay Mama. She was hit by a car while she was on her way to work, and when she arrived at the hospital, it was already too late. She already lost too much blood. The driver was also sent to the hospital and is currently in critical condition.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't know what to do nor what to feel. I fell on my knees, and tears began streaming down my face. A mix of regret, anger, and sadness engulfed me. Ngayon lang ako 'di nagising ng maaga... ngayon lang...

If I knew it would be the last time I get the chance to hug my mom, I would've woken up earlier and bid her farewell.

I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye.

The only person I had, is now gone.