Meet Me In Mabini (City Series #2)

Chapter 29

#MMIM29

Huminga ako nang malalim habang tinitignan si Vale. He filled up a glass with water and walked back towards me.

"Baka ma-dehydrate ka."

I gave him a small smile and drank from the glass. Nakapamulsa na siya ngayon habang nakatayo. Ako naman, naka-upo sa sofa dito sa condo ko. After my breakdown, he led me towards my door which was still open.

"Are you going to be okay?" tanong niya.

Tumango ako at uminom ulit galing sa baso. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," he said with no hesitation. "Isara mo yung pintuan mo. Palagi mong iniiwan na naka-bukas."

Tumango ako at tumingin sa labas. Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko.

"Pray about it, Nat," he said while walking away.

He made his way to the door, at sinundan ko siya ng tingin.

Oo nga.

Hindi man lang 'yon yung una kong naisip.

"Vale," tawag ko sa kanya.

Lumingon naman siya. I gave him a small smile. It was as if I saw the same care in his eyes from years ago.

"Thank you."

I'm glad that Vale was a reminder of Who I needed to run to. Hindi kay Vale, pero kay Lord. Vale made me remember how founded I once was in the Lord, and He should've been the first thought on my mind. Not my job. Not my reputation.

After praying, I went straight to the bathroom to wash my tear-stained face. Sakto, habang nagpupunas ako ng mukha ay may nakuha akong text galing kay Tita Sol. Parang iniwan ako ng kaluluwa ko sa takot, at ayoko pang buksan.

I took a deep breath and opened the message. Sana naman hindi ito tungkol sa trabaho ko.

From: Tita Sol

Hi, Nat. Kamusta ka? You can take the day off tomorrow, rest yourself up. It's a crazy world we work in. I don't know the whole story but I know you're a good kid, anak. You have your Radiente family to back you up. Talk to me about this issue when you're ready. Love you!

Bumuhos nanaman ang luha ko nang mabasa ko 'yon.

At least someone still believes in me.

I texted back and quickly went to sleep right after. Ayoko nang isipin ang mga nangyayari. Ayoko na rin magbasa ng sinasabi ng mga tao. Nagising akong mugto ang mga mata at may ilang mga tawag at text galing kay Seven.

I decided not to read them. Naghilamos ako at naligo para makapag-trabaho galing dito. I was surprised to see no new emails regarding work. Panay tungkol sa issue, at may ilang mga taong gustong mag-interview, which already made me sick to my stomach.

I've never wanted to have attention. I've never wanted to get in their world. I was fine being in the background, staying behind the cameras and controlling what I can control.

I sat down at the high chair in front of the counter by the kitchen. Binuksan ko rin ang ibang mga messages galing sa mga kaibigan ko. Mukhang dumating na rin hanggang Baguio dahil maski sina Margaux ay nagchachat at nangangamusta.

Nagulat na lang ako nung biglang tumawag si Alice. Sinagot ko naman 'yon at sinara muna yung laptop ko.

"Hello!" bati niya. "I knew it. I knew Alicia's friend is insane!"

"Hello." I laughed.

"How are you coping?! Gosh, she's such a—ugh!" Alice ranted. "I mean, don't get me wrong, trash rin si Seven, which I obviously called! But I have chika!"