South

Chapter 2

I felt so alive when my grandfather finally gave me his permission to study in Cebu. Although, it's just a year but I should be thankful because I will be with my grandmother again.

Yesterday, I went to church and attended the sunday service. Today is the day before mom and lolo will fly to US. I just arrived home from my soon-to-be former school. I'm preparing everything for my transfer with the help of my mother. Hindi naman masyadong mahirap ang pagpo-process ng papers, may kaunting panghihinayang nga lang 'daw' ang ibang mga school committees na pakawalan ako. Lalo na ang coaches ko sa iba't ibang school activities.

I just promised them that someday soon, bibisita ulit ako sa school. It's not that i'm leaving the city permanently. Uuwi at uuwi pa rin ako dito. This is my family's hometown simula pa noong kabataan ng lolo ni lolo hanggang ngayon.

I went to my closet and change my clothes. I wore my gray oversized shirt partnered with my peach dolphin shorts. Pumunta ako sa kabilang bahagi ng room ko and I opened my mini food storage. Kumuha ako ng isang maliit na cylindrical container at ibinalik sa lalagyanan ang aking food storage bago umupo sa kama.

Susubo na sana ako nang mag-ring ang phone ko. I saw a very familiar name flashed on my phone screen. Bakit biglang napatawag 'to? I pressed the green button ang opened the front camera.

"Girl! Helloooo!"

"Yes, yes, yes. Hi!" Nakangiting bati ko sa screen.

"What you doin'? Is tita home?"

"Nah. I was from school, hinatid niya lang ako pauwi. And guess what?" Pangbibitin ko.

"Whaaat?"

"Lolo finally said yes!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang unti-unting umukit ang malaking ngiti sa labi dahil sa narinig.

"Oh. My. Gosh. Really?! Pinayagan kana?!"

"Yes, girl. Pero one year nga lang." I said, putting some nuts in my mouth.

"Sayang! I thought you'd be finishing your college there soon. Pero huy atleast 'di ba! Sa wakas magkikita na kayo at malapit na tayo!"

Kumunot ang noo ko, "huh? Nino? At hoy, nasa Manila ka."

Tumawa siya ng malakas.

"Nagmamaang-maangan pa! Anyway, anong 'yang kinakain mo? Panay nguya ka, girl. Naglalaway ako rito!"

"Almonds. Nasaan ka ba?" Ngayon ko lang napansin na wala siya sa condo niya and she was wearing a light make up.

"Work. May interview ako mamaya. Kakatapos lang nila akong ayusan. Panoorin mo ha!"

"Sure, bukas." Sabi ko at sumimangot siya. Natawa ako.

"Robin naman, e!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Para kang bata, Cyrene. S'yempre, oo!"

Lumiwanag ang mukha niya at inayos ang pagkakalagay ng phone.

"How are you? Hiatus ka pa rin ba?"

"I'm good. Yup, but babalik na ako soon. Nakakamiss mag-update. Ikaw, kamusta?"

"I'm still alive kahit halos maiyak na ako kagabi sa kalagitnaan ng pagsusulat ko," pag-amin niya.

"Why?"

"Writer's block." Ugh. Always, Cyrene.

"You should rest too. Take a break muna. Bakit ka ba kasi nagmamadali?"