Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 20

"Sigurado ka bang magiging maayos kang mag-isa dito, Ely?" Manang's eyes were concerned when she glanced at me.

I flashed her an encouraging smile before securing a seat alongside her. Backpacks and luggage cluttered the floor, all of which were zipped and contained things.

"I will be fine po. Deserve niyo din naman ng vacation." She would take a vacation to her home province. It made me happy just thinking about her spending her days with her family.

Bumuntong hininga siya. "Pero isang buwan din 'yon, Ely. Mag-isa ka lang lalo na't balik na naman sa dati ang mommy mo."

Hearing that made my heart quiver. Simula nang nangyari ang gabing 'yon, bumalik si mommy sa dati niyang gawi na minsan na lang umuuwi at galit pa kung nandito sa bahay. After all, the sentimentality and nolstagia were only fleeting. This is how we'll always be.

"Siguro po ay magpapabisita na lang ako kay Kuya Cy." Of course, it's a lie. The last thing I wanted to do was cause a disturbance. I'd rather suffer than generate trouble for others.

"Hindi talaga ako mapakali." Malalim siyang huminga at umiwas nang tingin.

She seemed worried about me, and it was enough to make my heart soar. "Isang buwan lang 'yon, manang. Kulang pa nga kung iisipin ang halos buong buhay mong paninilbihan sa pamilya namin I am already a grownup. I'm capable of handling myself. You must enjoy your vacation and give me an update when you return."

She sighed. "Oo na. Huwag kang magpapagutom ha? May mga ihinahanda na akong madaling lutuin sa ref."

She reminded me of numerous things. For example, instead of eating instant foods, I should cook. Matiyaga lang din akong nakikinig kasi masarap sa pakiramdam na may nag-aalala sa 'yo. I accompanied her to the main gate when she finished to support her in loading her belongings into the trunk of the taxi she would take to the bus station.

Gusto ko nga sana siyang ihatid hanggang sa bus station pero ayaw niya. Dapat daw ay mag-aral na lang ako. Manang was never a mere servant, as I have come to see now that I am older. She treated me as though I was part of her family.

"Ang mga sinabi ko ha?" Tinuro niya pa ako na parang nagbabanta nang makaupo na siya sa likod ng taxi.

I nodded obediently. "Ingat ka po. Text ka po agad kapag nakadating ka na sa Isabela."

She only gave a small smile before closing the taxi window. I stood there watching the taxi drive away until it was no longer visible.

Hindi pa man ako nakakauwi pero pakiramdam ko mas magiging depressing ang bahay na ako lang mag-isa. Pumasok ako ulit sa subdivision pero binati ko muna ang bagong guard na naka-assign. The old guard, according to what I knew, had died. It made me really sad since, when I was in high school, I used to greet him every morning whenever I went to school. I'm sure he didn't want to die because he has a family.

It made me feel embarrassed as well. Even though I was given a long life, all I could think about was how to end it. Pero alam ko naman sa sarili ko na hindi ang buhay ko ang gusto kong tapusin kundi ang mga sakit at lungkot na palagi na lang bumabalik.

Nadaanan ko ang bahay nila Trip dati. Nandito pa kaya sila? O baka katulad ng karamihan dito ay lumipat na. The majority of the residents are well-off and have relocated to larger homes.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa may nakita akong maliit na chapel. I've lived in this neighborhood my entire life and can only recall attending mass a handful of times. Hindi ko alam kung sa anong dahilan pero nakita ko na lang ang sarili kong pumapasok sa loob ng chapel.

I took a seat on one of the benches and gazed at the cross in front of me. I didn't say anything and simply stared at it because I was at a loss for words. Masyadong mabigat ang nararamdaman ko na parang gusto kong ilabas lahat.