Like The Stars From Above

CHAPTER 17

I don’t think it’s an impulsive move
To go back where all our memories lives and move
Well maybe I was left with no choice
And then to lessen my mind’s noise

“MA, BABALIK na po ako diyan.”

Bakas na bakas ang gulat sa kanyang mukha. “Huh? T-Teka, anong nangyari? Akala ko ba ayaw mo? I mean, oo miss ka na namin ng Papa mo rito, but I just wanna know what pushed you to do so? Alam ko kasi ay ayaw mo...”

“Well, um, people change?” pilit kong ngiti habang inaalala ang dahilan ko kung bakit.

“Hmm… something’s off with our daughter, Robert.”

“Why? What happened? She’s sick?” Dad’s face came running from the screen. “’Nak? You, okay?” I tried to hide my smile as flashbacks came after me. Dati naalala ko pa ang grabe niyang galt nang malaman na nabuntis ako contrary to my age. We’re financially at least stable, but of course, as a normal reaction from a parent, magagalit sila na college pa lang jontis na.

Pero nang makita ni Papa ang kambal? Parang nakalimot siya na nagmukha akong disappointment sa kanya.

“It doesn’t concern her health, Robert. Quit being hysterical,” buntong hininga ni mama. “What I mean is her sudden “change of mind”—she air quotes—and rethinking of her decision to stay in Japan.”

“Wait... she's going home? Really?! What changed her mind?”

“That's what I'm trying to figure out, Rob. What changed her mind?” she said, emphasizing the word "changed."

“Si Mama talaga, lahat na lang binibigyan ng meaning. Masama na ba?” But she kept on giving me "that" look so bigla ako napaiwas ng tingin. Sa pag-iwas ko ay nakita ko ang kambal na lumabas ng kwarto. “Oh, look. The twins, Mom! Lila, Caleb, lolo't lola niyo. Come here!”

They immediately obliged. “Hi, Lolo. Hi, Lola!” bati ni Lila.

“Grannyla!” Caleb greeted to her Lola— using the nicknames he used to call them. “Grampylo!”

Cuties.

And just like that, Mom forgot about my suspicious decision. “Aww, ang mga apo ko. Kamusta ang mga cute kong apo?”

“Grannyla, alam niyo po ba na ang dami ko pong stars? Here!” saad ni Caleb ang stars sa kanyang palad na tatlo.

“Hah! Konti niyan, e! La, look, I have more than three stars to him!” saad naman ni Lia at pinakita ang five stars.

Nagkukulitan na sila roon, at ako ay napahingang maluwag dahil nairaos ko ito sa kanila.

Pagkababa ng tawag ay natulala ako. Ang isip ko ay puno ng mga nangyari kanina. Hindi ko maintindihan ang dapat maramdaman. Takot dapat ang nauna, pero mas nanguna ang pangungulila. Para akong teenager lang na noon na nahulog nang una siyang makita sa Terminal. Kahit pa may nagbago sa kanya— ang nararamdaman ko ay ganoon pa rin. Mas lumala ngayon.

Napapikit ako nang mariin habang inaalala ang nangyari kanina lang.

I QUICKLY CROUCHED DOWN behind a nearby pile of clothes and then trying to keep my breathing under control as my heart races in my chest. I can feel my palms getting clammy and my whole body trembling with fear. I peek through the clothes, my eyes darting around frantically, hoping he hasn't seen me.

What was he doing here? I thought he's somewhere... wherever his Fiancé is...

Napapikit ako nang mariin nang may ma-realize. Oh, please don't tell me eto ang sinasabi ng Mama ko na nilipatan ng lalaking iyon.