Somewhere in the Avenue (Velez Cousins Series #1)

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Offer

I found myself sitting in one of the sofas here in the living room. Yaya was observing me with a smile on her face habang ako ay pinupunasan pa ang basang mata. I quickly forgot about everything and focused on Yaya Imelda's presence. I badly miss her and I longed for her. Those years being away made me miss her like crazy.

"Tumangkad ka..." nakangiti niyang sabi.

Ngumiti lang ako pabalik. Hinawakan niya ang dalawang kamay ko na nakapatong lang sa ibabaw ng binti ko.

"Ang daming nagbago sayo, anak. Kumusta ka naman?"

I think we spent an hour just catching up with each other. We weren't able to talk a lot when I reconnected with her dahil may emergency ako sa araw na 'yon. Hindi na rin nasundan ang paguusap namin na 'yon dahil sa pagiging busy ko. I told her everything she needs to know during my six years stay away from here. She cried again but managed to get a hold of herself.

"Ang tapang mo, anak. Ang tapang-tapang mo..." she whispered, still teary-eyed.

I smiled at her, getting teary as well. I just told her how I managed to stand up again after loosing two of my family members in a short time span. I also told her about my college days and how I managed to graduate and passed the licensure exam. Tuwang-tuwa si Yaya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

Technically, inabot kami ng alas siete ng gabi at nag-uusap lang. Kahit hindi pa ako nakapagpahinga simula noong nakarating ako dito mula New Zealand, hindi ako napagod. Doon ko lang naramdaman ang pagod nang natapos na kami sa pag-uusap at nag-offer si Yaya na ihatid ako sa dati kong kwarto.

Ayaw niya akong bitawan. Kahit noong nakarating na kami sa kwarto ko, ayaw pa rin. I just smiled and let her be. I understand why she's acting this way. I could help it but to feel nostalgic again when we reached my room. Walang ginalaw sa mga gamit ko dito sa kwarto.

"Nang umalis ang Mom mo at hindi na bumalik pa dito, umalis din ang karamihan na mga kasambahay at iba pang trabahante..." Yaya paused and sighed.

She caught my attention. Pinaupo niya na ako sa kama habang siya ay nakatayo sa harapan ko, nakahawak sa dalawa kong kamay.

"Alam mo naman na ang tanging nagpapa-sweldo lang sa amin ay si Ser. Nang nawala siya, umalis din ang lahat, anak, maliban ako."

I gasped for air as I heard what she said. My eyes widened a fraction as I saw her smile a bit despite of the dim lights of the room.

"Ayokong umalis kasi...kasi gusto kong hintayin ka, anak." Yaya sniffed and suddenly knelt down in front of me.

Humigpit ang mga hawak niya sa kamay ko. My chest tightened at such sight. Hindi ako naka-imik.

"Kaya, anak...pakiusap, dito ka nalang." humikbi na siya.

"Y-Ya..." my voice trembled and my lips quivered.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin sa kaniya. I was so sure back then that I am not coming back anymore but then, things changed. I am still contemplating whether I should stay here or fly back to New Zealand. Maiiwan ang bahay doon at iba pa. My deceased family, everything...

If I'm going to stay here, I'm sure the reason would be because I want to work at Dad's previous firm here. A part of me wants to stay here because of that reason. But now that my cousins, Tita and Yaya Imelda is...I shook my head. I don't know what to say.

Iniwan ako ni Yaya para makapagpahinga na talaga. She gave me a tight hug before totally leaving me. I sighed when I was all left alone in this cold, dim room. Everything here reminds me of the good old days. My bed's comfort and warmth are still the same, everything is still the same. Ngumiti ako nang maalala ang mga ala-ala ko dito kasama si Dad. He would always wake me up with a smile on his face. Unfortunately, I'll no longer see his smiling face again.