The Last Teardrop (TS3)

Chapter 18

"Hi, Ninang Sam"

Edzel's annoying smile was the first thing that I saw as soon as I opened the door of my unit. He's carrying his cute son, who's saying inaudible words while biting his shark toy.

"Are you going somewhere?", I automatically got Eros from him since I've been used to babysitting this kid. Nakasanayan na lang din na kapag wala siya, ako ang nag-aalaga sa anak niya. Shirina's busy in the hospital too kaya hindi niya rin maalagaan masyado ang pamangkin.

"Nope", hinayaan ko siyang pumasok sa unit since sanay na rin naman siya dito.

He locked the door while I was sitting with Eros on the floor. May mat na sa sahig kaya inihiga ko na lang siya doon. Pero dahil marunong na siyang dumapa, wala pang limang minutong naihihiga, andoon at nakadapa na kaagad siya. He's already contented with his toy, as if he's talking with it.

"Getting bored in your unit?", I glanced at him before I focused on Eros. Medyo malikot na kasi siya kaya kailangan nang mas bantayan.

"Ipinasyal ko lang si Eros. Umiiyak kanina baka hinahanap ka", I just nodded at him but my attention was on Eros, who's now trying to reach the other toys on the floor. Dahil madalas siya rito sa unit ko, I bought toys and baby things for him. Para hindi na kailangang dalhin ang mga gamit niya mula sa unit nila.

"Eros, c'mon! you can't eat that!", mabilis kong kinuha ang isang bola na nasa kamay niya. Sabi ni Manang, mukhang tutubuan na ng ngipin si Eros dahil ang hilig niyang kagatin lahat ng nahahawakan niya. Mukhang may sumusuloy din kasing ngipin sa lower gum niya. It's not too visible though.

"How's your Dad?", natigil ako sa paglalaro kay Eros nang muling magsalita si Edzel. He's now sitting on the couch, playing the small ball I took away from Eros. "Hindi ka pa rin ba pinapabisita?"

I sighed.

"Tita Monica's not allowing me to enter the mansion but based on what Ate Poly, Dad's getting better. Nakauwi na siya noong Thursday at nagpapahinga na lang"

It's been more than two weeks after what happened to Dad. Ni minsan hindi ko siya nabisita dahil hinaharangan ako ng mga tauhan ni Tita Monica. She's so mad at me. Ganoon din si Juliana. I couldn't even go to my work because I've been blocked in going inside the company. Pakiramdam ko inalisan nila ako ng karapatan kay Daddy.

"Eh ikaw? Kumusta ka na?"

Bahagya akong natulala kay Edzel dahil sa tanong niya. I also wanted to ask myself. How am I? Kasi hindi ko na maramdaman ang sarili ko simula noong araw na 'yun.

"Honestly? I really don't know. I just felt tired. I mean, it's like I was left hanging in a space where I couldn't see anything. Like I was in the middle of darkness", I paused and slowly licked my lower lip, "Alone"

I couldn't even cry. Para bang pati luha, iniwan akong nag-iisa. O baka talagang pagod na ako para sa lahat ng nangyayari.

"We're always here, Sam. I'm always here. Don't hesitate to talk to me whenever you want to talk to someone or you just want someone be with you"

I bit my lower lip for the sudden pinch I felt in my chest. I knew I've got a bunch of great friends and it always feels so overwhelming whenever I think that I could always rely on them. But I also knew that they have their own problems carrying with them so as much as I could, I really don't want to involve them with my own baggage.

"Aren't you going to work?", I subtly changed the subject though I'm sure Edzel knew that. Ngumiti lang siya bago umiling, "What? Hindi mo pa nasisimulan yung kompanya mo tinatamad ka na agad?"