Beyond the Boundary | ✓

Chapter 11

11 |  World War V

A SOFT KNOCK on the door woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes and the boring color of my room's ceiling greeted me. Naulit ang katok sa pinto kaya napabaling na ako ro'n.

“Anzie?” I heard Maria's soft voice. “Breakfast is ready. Bumaba ka na lang kung gusto mong kumain.”

I sighed softly before pushing myself up to sit on the bed. “Okay. Salamat, Maria.”

Hindi siya sumagot. Narinig ko ang marahang tunog ng paghakbang niya paalis kaya ibinagsak ko ulit ang katawan ko sa kama kasabay ng isang malalim na buntonghininga.

How long has it been since Mom and I never talked? I lost count... Or was I too preoccupied to even bother counting.

Natapos na ang semestral break namin at balik na kami sa klase bukas. It's only been days, but I felt like it's been a year.

Simula noong ginawa 'yon ni Mama, hindi niya na ako kinakausap. Sa tuwing nakakasalubong ko siya, umiiwas siya. I wanted to talk to her and have her explain why she did it. Nasa iisang bahay lang kami pero pakiramdam ko si Maria na lang ang kasama ko.

I never heard from Caesonia, too. Dati halos buong araw may message or call siya sa akin pero ngayon, ni isang "hi" or "kumusta ka" ay wala. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko siya kakausapin bukas sa klase. This was the first time that we had a serious fight, and I didn't know how to approach her so I could apologize or something.

Pagkatapos kong maligo at magbihis ay dumiretso na ako sa dining area. I saw Maria mixing some juice while her back was facing me.

“Maria...” I called while walking towards her but my steps were halted when I noticed Mom who was sitting at the end of the table, silently eating her breakfast.

“Oh, Anzie.” Humarap sa akin si Mari sabay ngiti. She placed the pitcher at the center of the table. “Kain ka na.”

I gave her a small smile before I pulled the chair next to Mom and sat down. I bit my lower lip.

I wanted to talk to Mom. Hindi naman ako ganoon kagalit sa kaniya. I know she had a reason to burn my book and I wanted to know. I just need an explanation, that's all.

I gulped down the lump in my throat and softly blew out a breathe. “Ma—”

She suddenly stood up, dahilan para matigilan ako sa pagsasalita. “Tapos na ako. Pakiligpit na lang, Maria. Pupunta na ako sa trabaho.”

Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin kay Mama nang naglakad na siya paalis nang hindi man lang ako tinatapunan ng tingin.

I felt like a large needle pierced my heart. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from sobbing.

“Anzie,” pagkuha ni Maria sa atensyon ko. Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. She gave me a smile. “Hayaan na muna natin ang mama mo.”

I sighed. “She's been ignoring me for days. Hindi naman ako magagalit kung bibigyan niya lang ako ng paliwanag, eh.”

“She has her reason... probably,” aniya habang nilalagyan ng juice ang baso ko. “Just give her time. Siya mismo ang lalapit sa 'yo para magpaliwanag.”

When she smiled at me again, napabuga na lang ako ng hangin. Sana lang talaga pansinin na ulit ako ni Mama. I couldn't bare living with my mom, who suddenly treated me like a ghost, in the same house.

--

KINABUKASAN, maaga akong pumasok. Nakaabang ako sa pintuan ng classroom namin, hinihintay si Caesonia na dumating. I badly wanted to make up with her. Kaunti na nga lang mga kaibigan ko 'tapos galit pa sa akin ang isa.