Gone with the Wind (Upper East Side Two)

Chapter Thirty-Four

34 - Dreamy

Warning. Triggering scenes ahead. Read at your own risk.

And that day, I lost my mom.

The last time I cried was when the doctor told us that she's gone. After that, I got numb and never cried. I don't know what's gotten into me that I can't shed another tear.

Her wake lasted for days. Pati bilang ng araw simula noong araw na iyon ay hindi ko na rin alam. I was too oblivious around me and never bothered anything. Nakatulala lang at hindi makausap.

Huli na ng makitang kong tinatahak namin ang pamilyar na daan. SVD Residences. Kasama ko ngayon si Zoey sa loob ng sasakyan nila.

"Bakit tayo nandito?" I asked, coldly. Nakita ko ang paglamlam ng mata ni Zoey pagkasulyap sa akin.

"I asked Tita Yna if she can allow you to stay here. Nalaman ko rin kasi na wala na iyong apartment niyo... So, I offered."

That was when I realized that I have nothing now. Wala na akong mauuwian na apartment at wala na rin si mommy.

I looked at Zoey. She's the only one that I have now. Siya lang ang nandito sa tabi ko at hindi ako iniwan.

"Anak..." I heard Manang Thelma called. Her eyes looked sad looking at me. Pinilit kong ngumiti ngunit hindi ko kinaya.

"Maayos na po ba iyong tutuluyan ni Thalia, Manang Thelma?" Malambing ang tono ni Zoey.

Tahimik lang akong nakatitig sa kanilang dalawa at nakitang tumango si Manang Thelma.

"Oo naayos ko na, anak. Umakyat na kayo para makapagpahinga na." That was the last thing I heard.

I roamed my eyes around and her parents aren't still here. Ilang linggo na rin nang mag-stay ako dito dahil pumuntang New York ang mga magulang ni Zoey.

Maybe they have important business there that's why they took a long time staying there. Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako.

Zoey guided me upstairs. I didn't bother asking when she directed me towards a different room. I looked at her, and she told me why.

"Uh... baka gusto mong magpahinga na kaya pinahanda ko itong kwarto." She said.

"Okay. Can I be alone for the moment, then?" She looked surprised, but later she nodded. I saw her opened the door for me, and she bid her goodbye.

Sinuyod ko ang buong kwarto. The familiar scent lingered in my nose. It was his. This room is his. Zavi.

Alam kong bihira lang siyang lumagi dito sa kwarto niya since he studied abroad and he do have his penthouse. Pero kung hindi mo alam iyon ay masasabi mong nagtatagal siya dito dahil sa amoy niyang naiwan. His fresh and masculine scent lasted here.

I sat down on the king-sized bed. I glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window. Tulala lang ako doon at kung saan-saan napadpad ang mga naiisip ko.

Nakita kong umiiyak si Tita Yna habang nakatingin sa akin. Nangyari ito kanina bago kami pumunta ni Zoey dito sa mansyon nila.

"Tandaan mo, Thalia. I may not be your real mother, but you can come to me if you want to. You can talk to me, and I'll be here for you." Nakikinig lang ako sa kanya at hindi ko magawang magsalita.

"Zoey asked me if you can go with her. I said yes. I know that she'll give you the help that I might never give. Siya, maliban sa mommy mo, ang mas nakakakilala sa'yo. I am just here waiting for you if you need me. Pwede mo akong puntahan kapag kinailangan mo ako."

She squeezed my hand and waited for me to meet her eyes before she continued talking. She looked at her far side... to my father.

"And... your dad. He's still here, Thalia. It was your mom's idea, na kapag mangyaring iwanan ka niya ay hayaan ka sa gusto mong mangyari. To respect your decision, and that's what your father's doing. You can talk to him if you want. I know he had many shortcomings and left you in pain... and your mom. But, find the forgiveness within you..."