Those Blurry Lines

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Hint

Bravery.

It's the quality of showing courage. It's about facing your fears... or the things that haunt you.

And now that I'm in the place where I broke down, I'm starting to feel like a child. One thing is for sure, I'm not safe here.

But if I'll continue running away, I would be a coward forever. I took a deep breath as I looked outside of the window.

I can see that there are new establishments now. Even if the aircon in the car is strong, I can still feel the heat of the sun. I leaned back and closed my eyes.

Pinauwi ko muna ang team ko na taga-Pilipinas sa kanila. The rest were at their respective countries. But we agreed to meet after four days. With their hard word, they deserved a longer vacation, but the schedule is very loaded.

Bukod sa biyahe, napagod rin ako sa pagngiti at pagsagot sa mga reporter. I sighed and took off my sunglasses. I plugged my airpods and listened to some music.

"Ate!" Lizzy came to me when I went out from the car.

Niyakap niya ako kaagad. Nasa likuran naman niya si Daddy, Tita Carol at si Caroline na nakangiti. Tinulungan ng mga helper ang driver sa pagdiskarga ng mga gamit ko.

I approached Daddy and hugged him, making me close my eyes.

"I missed you," he whispered.

"Me, too."

Tita Carol smiled at me. "I cooked lasagna to celebrate your arrival."

"That's nice, Tita."

Kahit gusto kong mapag-isa at matulog na muna sa kwarto ko, pinagtiyagaan kong makisama sa kanila sa dining room.

We talked about my clothing line and my life in Paris. They also told me about the news where they saw me being interviewed.

That's where I realized Daddy's gray hair and Tita's wrinkles. Lizzy and Coraline is no longer babies. It's been so... long.

Pagkatapos ay umakyat na ako sa kwarto para magpahinga. Pagkatapos kong magbihis  at magshower, humiga na ako sa malambot kong kama.

My room is still the same, but it's dust-free. They preserved it, even my drawings on the wall.

I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to sleep, but I couldn't. I shifted from side to side but I'm uncomfortable.

Is it because I'm homesick? But I'm already home. Namimiss ko ba ang Paris? Or is it my thoughts... it's haunting me again.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko. It's still 8 PM, so Maggie would still be up. When I dialed her number, it started to ring.

"Hello, Ma'am?" she said on the other line. Nakarinig ako ng iilang ingay, pero kaagad itong humina.

"Are you busy?" I asked and sat up.

Tumawa siya nang mahina. "Hindi po. May konting kasiyahan lang. Bakit, po? Is there a problem?"

"No, uh... I just want to ask about the developer of our new building. What's the update?"

"Ah, okay naman po. Sabi nila, available daw sila anytime, which is weird, because they are one of the most prominent company in the country."

"Is it because we're famous now?"

Natawa ulit siya. "Siguro, ma'am."

I sighed. "Sige, thanks." I ended the call and lie down.