What Separates Us

13

(Luna's POV)

My name's Luna. I grew up kasama ang parents ko, masaya kami, the ideal family na meron, luckily, kami 'yun. But then, sabi nga nila, not all good things last.

We got into a car accident at namatay ang parents ko and my younger brother, naiwan ako, mag-isa. I was 9 back then.

Everything my dad built, nawala, his business, gone.

San pa ba ako pupulutin kundi sa kalsada, until this guy's car stopped in front of me.

Flashback

"Luna." this stranger called me after he rolled down his car window. He seemed familiar pero d ko maalala san ko siya nakita.

"get in." he said and though in doubt, ginawa ko pa din.

He seemed to have this soft look on his face. One that matches my dads.

Habang nasa byahe, nanginginig akong nakatingin sa labas, parang bumabalik sa'kin ang nangyari nung gabi na na-aksidente kami ng pamilya ko.

And then I felt his hand hold mine kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.

"it will be okay, Luna." he said.

Buong byahe papunta sa kung saan ay hawak niya lang ang kamay ko. It gave me comfort just like how my mom does.

Over dinner, in which nagpahanda siya ng maraming pagkain na paborito ko, he started talking.

"I'm Rex Salvador. Kaibigan ako at business partner ng dad mo." he spoke.

"your dad and I are close friends, napag-usapan namin ang plano niya para sa future niyo ng kapatid mo. we even talked na pag-aaralin nila kayo sa parehong school kung san papasok ang bunso kong anak." he added.

Nakinig lang ako sa mga kwento niya.

"sa lahat ng business partners ko, your dad is the one I'm closest to. hindi lang business ang pinag-uusapan namin, even personal things, family, problema, lahat. he became my best friend. and so, when he died, I tried to save his business pero hindi na kinaya." he said informing me.

"and when I found out na ang isa sa anak niya was able to survive. I immediately tried to find ways to contact you." nakikinig pa din ako sa kanya.

"you may start eating na Luna." he said and I did, halos isang linggo na akong hindi kumakain ng maayos, puro tira-tira lang at galing sa basura ang kinain ko kaya the moment he said that, deretso kain na ako.

I heard him chuckle at sinabihan niya ako na magdahan-dahan dahil baka daw mabilaukan ako.

"like what I said, he's my best friend at gusto kong tulungan ka Luna dahil dun." sabi niya kaya napatigil ulit ako sa pagkain.

"you will live here, mag-aaral ka, afterwards, pwede mong kunin ang kursong gusto mo at susuportahan kita." he said that made me cry. Huminto ako sa pagkain at tumingin sa kanya.

Buong akala ko'y wala na lahat sa'kin. But then this stranger came and saved me.

"okay ba 'yun Luna?" he asked as I nodded.

"y-yes p-po sir." I answered back.

"you can call me tito Rex."

End of flashback

True to his words, he supported me financially and even showed me the love of a father.

Nung nag high school ako, he told me na gusto niyang sa ibang bansa ako mag-aral dahil 'yun din sana ang pangarap ng dad ko for me, and so, I agreed.