Dearest Hazel

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Dedicated to her. Nakalimutan ko na, 2 months ago pa pala. T_T Sorry po~

You're All I Ever Need

Naging successful naman ang Christmas party ng club sa orphanage. Everything went well, except for the fact that Mark wasn't around that day, so as Hazel. I don't really care about Mark's absence, it was Hazel's that worried me most. She did it once again, hindi sya nagtetext, nagpaparamdam sa myspace or sa friendster, kahit sa yahoo wala din. I am really getting insane last week, I can't stop thinking about her, I keep on contacting her, but there's no sound of her... for two weeks.

I spent my Christmas at the mansion. I have to admit, Christmases will be much better with a complete family, but weren't. Jiro's been sulking, he did not spend the occassion with us. He's nowhere to be found, until now. Dad's being cool with it, according to him, Jiro is old enough to handle himself, which I agree with. The stay in the mansion made me forget my frustrations about Hazel. And yeah, I stayed in the mansion till new year has ended.

Have you been wondering why I've been speaking in English? My tongue and mind had a very thorough work out with the language since I stayed in the mansion. Dad can't speak Tagalog straightly, mom can, but she speaks in english for the sake of my dad who doesn't understand the mother tongue. Unless it is just me and mom talking, we will speak comfortably in Tagalog. So yeah, I know I'll get rid of this as possibly as I can. And I am hoping a consideration from you, guys. Hindi ako conyo.

January 4, 2009, the last day of my stay here in the mansion, bukas na kasi magsisimula ulit ang klase. Nagiimpake na ako nang pumasok si mommy sa kwarto ko.

She asks, "Nag-iimpake ka na?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya at ngumiti.

Tumabi sya sakin sa gilid ng kama at pinatong ang kamay nya sa balikat ko, "salamat, anak."

"It's nothing, mom. Coming home isn't a big thing to me. Bibisita ako as soon as hindi hectic ang schedule."

"Ayaw mo pa rin ba dito magstay ulit?"

I smiled faintly, "mom, be fair. Alam kong mapupunta sakin lahat ng atensyon nyo kapag bumalik ako dito. I don't want Jiro to feel like he's unwanted... here." I am sincere about that.

"It's not that our attentions are going to focus on you. It's just that," she sighs, "mas magandang tingnan kung kumpleto ulit tayo."

Bumuntong hininga ako at ngumiti, "I'll think about that, mom."

She smiles, "good, then. Your dad wants to talk to you. He's in his study."

Tumango ako, "susunod ako."

She walks out of the door and closes it. It's exactly 5:30 PM. I have to leave before the sun sets. Tumayo ako at pumunta sa study room ni daddy. Binuksan ko ang brown na pinto at nakita ang aking ama na nakatayo, nakaharap sa libo libong libro na nakapatas nang maayos sa shelves. Ang haligi ng study room nya ay napapalibutan ng libo libong libro. Hindi ko alam kung ilan sa mga librong ito ang nabasa na ni daddy. May table sa gitna at itim na leather swivel chair. Sa gilid ng table ay nakapatong ang lamp shade, laptop at picture frames.

"Dad,"

Pumihit sya at ngumiti sa akin, "you're here,"

Tumango ako.

"Are you leaving?" Tanong nya.

"Yes, dad."

He sighs, "I just want you to know that you are not a stranger here. You can come visit anytime you like. If you change your mind, you can always come back home, son."