Laments of Broken Strings (Arte del Amor #1)

Chapter 11

Nanginginig ako at nakahanda ang emergency dial ko sa cellphone habang papasok ako sa apartment ko. I remember locking it this morning but when I got home, the gate is not locked and the front door is slightly opened.

I was never careless when it comes to this. Hindi naman ako pabaya!

Binigla ko ang pagbukas sa pintuan at imbes na ako ang maunang magulat sa nakita, "Oh my!" napatalon si Mama na nanonood ng telebisyon sa living room.

"Oh, welcome home anak!" bati ni papa na sumisilip mula sa kitchen. I stood by my doorway, frozen.

My mom stood up and went near me to look and examine me closely. Hinawakan niya ang dalawang braso ko at pinagmasdan mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Hindi ka naman ba nangangayayat, Nyx? Kumakain ka ng maayos?" tanong niya.

Hindi ko parin lubos maisip na nandito sila pagkatapos ng ilang buwan na hindi ko sila nakikita. They didn't even age a bit, though I noticed how thin my mother got when she embraced me.

I can't help but take some of the blame for it. Panigurado'y dahil iyan sa pag-aalala sa akin.

"Of course, Ma..."

I tossed my bag on the couch before heading to the kitchen. Pagkapasok ko palang sa bahay kanina ay sobrang bango na kaya inasahan ko nang nagluluto si Daddy dito.

"What are you doing here po?" I couldn't help but ask after I kissed my dad on his right cheek.

Sumimangot si Mama. "Is it so bad that we miss our unica ija?" tanong niya na may halong pagtatampo.

Umiling ako at palihim na napangiti. "How about me, 'nak? Walang kiss?" sabi ni mama mula sa likod ko at nakalahad ang dalawang braso para yakapin ako.

Hinagkan ko siya. "Thanks for coming, Ma."

It's been hard for me to be away from them this long and I yearn for them.

Mornings were never the same without my mother's loud banter and the scent of my dad's morning coffee. Whenever I feel sick, I always find Mama's warmth and touch that would instantly make me feel better.

If I were to choose, I would love to be with them all the time but I had to stay away. It's not easy to leave, but staying was a lot harder for me.

It's dinner and it's the first time my small dining table experienced being this full of food. My dad is a chef who spoils both me and my mom with delicious food. "...in thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

Nagkukuwento sila tungkol sa trabaho at buhay sa Maynika. Alam kong nag-iingat sila sa mga sinasabi. They're scared that if I hear about them, I'd go back to zero.

I know that, and it is a possibility... but we'll never know if we never try. Hindi ako makapaniwala na gusto kong subukan.

"How about Trev-" bago pa man ako makapagtanong ay iniba na ni mama ang usapan. "Ikaw naman, 'nak! May mga kaibigan ka na ba?" putol niya sa akin.

Napaisip ako sa tanong niya, "Well... I'm not sure." sagot ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Dad na para bang nagtataka.

"Eh? Hon, 'di ba may nag-add sayo sa Facebook noon tapos nagpakilala na kaibigan niya?" tanong ni Dad kay Mama.

What is he talking about?

Sa sinabing iyon ni Dad ay nagliwanag ang mukha ni Mama. "Oh right! Ryna ata 'yong pangalan nun... or something like that."

Woah, woah.

"First of all, kailan pa kayo natutong gumamit ng Facebook?" tanong ko, dahilan para humagalpak sa tawa si Dad. "Nacurious kami e, 'yung mga kaibigan ko kasi friends daw sila doon tapos ako hindi."