Taming the Waves (College Series #2)

Chapter 25

‍It was hard especially that I'm working at red cross. Madalas kaming nagkikita ngunit ipinagpasalamat ko na kahit isang beses ay hindi na niya ulit ako nilapitan. Kung hindi ko lang kailangan ng pera, aalis na talaga ako.

Tinanong ako nina Vina kung bakit umuwi ako nang ganoon. I just rationalized. Sinabi kong may emergency, may gagawin ako o ano. I invented all sorts of lies. I can't... talk about it. I don't have the power to voice it out.

Ang plano kong pagbisita kay Troy sa La Union ay hindi na nangyari dahil kinailangan ko rin agad maghanap ng company para sa industrial setting ng OJT ko. Unlike the clinical setting, mag-isa lang ako sa VRE. It's a real estate company and I worked there with the HR personnel.

Isang buwan lang akong nagtrabaho roon dahil lagi akong nag-oovertime. I want to finish it quickly. Maganda ang work environment doon at may mga times pa na hinahayaan nila akong manood sa screening and interviews ng new applicants.

I never told Troy what happened in Mandaluyong. Hindi ko na rin sinabi sa kanya ang ginawa kong pagtawag noong gabing 'yon. I don't know. I don't want him to be worried of me. May sarili siyang pinoproblema ngayon. He should focus more on himself.

I didn't demand for more time. May mga ganoon talagang oras. 'Yung mas gugustuhin mo munang mag-isa dahil pakiramdam mo ay nakakapagod lang ang mundo. We're in a relationship. We should compromise with each other all the time. We still talk, though. Lalo noong patapos na ang OJT niya. Hindi na masyadong hectic ang schedule niya kaya pwede na akong sumingit.

Sa educational setting, mas pinili ko na lang na magtrabaho sa school namin. I know I should explore more but I'm really tired. Nasa phase na naman ako na bumabalik ang lahat sa akin.

"Chin!" Troy called me.

Mabilis na lumapat ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makita siya. He's carrying a huge luggage at kabababa lang nilang mga engineering sa shuttle. Alam kong ngayon ang dating nila kaya nagbihis ako nang maayos at sinalubong siya.

Ikinulong niya ako sa bisig niya at pinigilan ko ang maiyak dahil baka asarin niya pa ako. Tatlong buwan kami halos hindi nagkita pero ang daming nangyari. Ang daming sakit agad ang binigay sa'kin ng mundo.

"Miss na miss kita," he said softly.

I'm wearing a sweater, trying to hide my cuts again, but I can feel the warmth of his body. I embraced him. Kahit gaano talaga kagulo ang nangyayari sa akin, basta may Troy lang ako, ayos na.

He was with me when my parents abandoned me. He was with me when my thoughts were killing me. He was with me during my thesis and exam days. We celebrated each other's achievements. Umiiyak din kami nang magkasama kapag may problema. We're simply inseparable. But the issue with my harassment... I feel like it's my battle alone. I feel like I should carry this burden alone. Ang dami na niyang pinroblema sa akin. I can't add another torch of pain to that.

I managed to survive. Naging masaya ulit ako. I overcame my trauma without anyone.

Our second anniversary was also our graduation day. I've realized that with Troy, I am better. I can be better.

"Valencia, Elora Chin C., BS Psychology, Magna Cum Laude."

Nanubig agad ang mata ko. I worked so hard for this. Wala akong kasamang magulang. Tita Ria was the one who gives me my medal. Malaki ang ngiti niya sa akin bago ako niyakap.

"I'm proud of you, anak."

It feels surreal. Hindi mo pala kailangang humanap talaga ng kadugo mo na susuporta sayo.

"Girlfriend ko 'yan!" malakas na sigaw ni Troy kaya nagtawanan ang mga estudyante.

It was supposed to be a formal event pero nang dahil sa sigaw niya, nagsunuran din ang mga kaklase ko.