#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 14

He didn't ask why I'm crying... he just stayed on the line. It actually made me feel better knowing that there's someone who's with me while I'm crying. But it also made me think... until when?

From: Kirk

Are you still sleeping?

To: Kirk

Good morning

I closed my eyes when I hit send. Ilang minuto na ang lumipas pero hindi siya nagreply kaya naman kumunot ang noo ko. I was typing when he sudenly replied, binura ko kaagad ang tinype ko.

From: Kirk

HALA SI CRUSH 😳

I laughed upon seeing his reply. I must be going crazy... I'm all smiles. I sighed calmly and my gaze landed on my mom's guitar that was on the side of bed. Kinuha ko 'yun at ipinatong sa taas ng kama ko. Kinuha ko naman ulit ang cellphone ko para magtype ng reply.

To: Kirk

corny 🌽

I opened the case of my mom's guitar at kinuha ang gitara. I started strumming it and realized it needs some tuning. I think I can do it so I tried. I spent my morning doing that until I felt the hunger so I put it back on its case. I slowly opened my door— checking if nandito pa sa bahay si Tita Ina. Lumabas ako nang hindi ko siya nakita, maski si Daddy. Nagtataka pa ako hanggang makarating akong kusina.

I saw Juliana when I reached the kitchen— I think she's also preparing her lunch. I instantly realized that Tita Ina and Dad were not home, because usually Tita Ina will prepare their lunch. Kakatapos lang niyang magluto ng nuggets— there's no maid in here... so yeah.

"Uh... are you also hungry? I cooked some nuggets, do you want to taste it?" she asked. I ignored it and pretended that I didn't hear her. "I also cooked some eggs... uh, there's also rice." she continue.

I stared at her after getting some cup noodles. "I'm okay with this."

"But you need to eat a proper meal." she told me while I'm putting hot water.

"Since when did you care?" I asked that made her shut up.

Bumalik ako sa kwarto ko at doon kumain. Since it's raining hard, I can't go out so I spent my whole day fixing the tune of my mom's guitar. I also noticed the name written on the bottom side of the guitar, it was my mother's name.

Erahlie Treione

Mas lalong lumakas ang ulan nang gabi na. Lumabas lang ulit ako nang nauhaw ako, nakita ko si Juliana sa living room— she looks scared or maybe it just me. Nang makakuha na ako ng tubig ay bumalik na ako sa kwarto. Nasa loob na ako ng kwarto pero dinig ko pa rin ang malakas na kulog.

I laid myself on my bed and covered myself with the comforter as I was feeling cold. I looked at my door and raised a brow when I heard a knock. I climbed off my bed to open my door, bumungad sa 'kin si Juliana na tila nanginginig.