Loving the Dark Sky

CHAPTER 2

It's been hours since I cried and slept. Tinanghali na rin ako ng gising. Memories of the past are starting to come back again kaya nag-workout ako at nagbasa ng mga libro para libangin ang sarili ko. Nang matapos ay nilibot ko ang buong bahay dahil sa sobrang inip.

Ngayon ay hindi na masyadong mugto ang mga mata ko kumpara nang bumangon ako mula sa pagtulog. Bigla kong naramdaman ang pag-vibrate ng phone ko mula sa bulsa. Nang buksan ko iyon ay bumungad sa'kin ang pangalan ng tumatawag.

Tita is calling.

Mukhang alam ko na kung ano ang dahilan ng pagtawag niya sa'kin. I gained up all my strength to answer her call. "Hi, Tita!" bungad ko sa kanya nang sagutin ko ang tawag. I tried to sound happy para hindi niya ako mahalata.

"Did it went well?" tanong niya.

Pumikit ako ng mariin. "Yes, Tita. Everything went well. You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine." Good thing she can't see me.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. I already miss you, Andria."

I smiled sadly. Nakakapagod nang umiyak. Parang ayoko na. I hate crying over and over again. "I also feel the same thing, Tita. Don't worry. I'll visit you soon."

"You can think about that for some other time but you have to do your plans first. Go ahead and have fun with your friends."

Friends.

I have friends but I don't think we're close enough. They're all busy. At napakalayo rin nila sa'kin. Impossible.

"Go and travel from places to places. Do whatever you want. Let people think about things they want to think about you because they don't really know you. Even if you explain, they will never understand it. Be free, hija. Spread your wings and fly. No one will stop you," pangaral pa niya.

"Yes, Tita. I will do that. Thanks for understanding me." I don't want to lie but I don't want her to worry too. I don't want her to worry about me kaya iyon nalang ang sinabi ko. She's very busy at ayoko na siyang abalahin. I really miss her, though.

"I don't want to disturb you, Tita. I know that you're very busy."

"You will never be a bother to me, Andria. Always remember that."

Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago siya sinagot. I want to calm myself down. I don't want to cry. "Thanks, Tita."

"Where is he?"

Saglit akong natigilan. Alam na alam ko na kung sino ang tinutukoy niyang he. I pouted while my eyebrows are kinda furrowed. Hay nako. Nasaan na kaya ang lalaking 'yon? Hindi man lang tumawag o nag-text. Nagtatampo na ako sa kanya. Iniwanan niya agad ako dito nang maihatid niya ako pero alam ko naman na hindi lang sa'kin umiikot ang mundo niya. He is very busy. And I can't blame him for that. Trabaho niya 'yon. Buhay niya iyon. Hindi ko hawak ang buhay ng lalaking 'yon kahit na madalas ko siyang nakasama sa ibang bansa.

"He's not here, Tita. He left immediately when he delivered me here."

"It seems like I already know what he's doing."

"Where is he, Tita? Is he doing something else except for work?"

"Don't worry about him, hija. I will take care of him. He will also come back to you when he has done what he needs to do," Tita assured me that.

I sighed. Maybe he's doing something personal that's why it's a secret. "Okay, Tita. As you wish."

Parang may narinig akong boses ng ibang tao sa kabilang linya. Hindi iyon masyadong malakas kaya hindi ko narinig kung ano ang sinabi. Nagtagal pa ng ilang segundo bago sumagot sa'kin si Tita. "My free time is over, Andria. I will attend something. I'll just call you again next time."