heaven has gained an angel

20. Somewhere

Chapter 20: Somewhere

Prism

"Here," I approached Ayara kindly. I lend her a white envelope which has a small amount of money inside. She's important to me. I didn't have a second thought of extending my helping hand.

When I went home yesteday, I prepared my money immediately. I know how much she needs this at this moment even though she may not say it. Yesterday, I saw how helpless she was and I felt pity. I couldn't help but to think of the best way to help her. If I'm being honest, mahalaga sa akin 'yong pera ngunit mas mahalaga ito para sa kaniya.

Nagkita kami sa isang waiting shed na malapit sa school para sabay kaming pumasok.

Her eyes landed on my hand for a seconds before returning it to me. It's all evident through her eyes how much she cried yesterday. It looks tired. Mukhang wala pa siyang sapat na tulog. Sana magawa niyang mag-focus mamaya sa exam na hindi naming na-take at hindi niya nakalimutan ang mga ni-review namin. "Bakit?"

"Take this," I said, smiling.

"What's for?"

"Para ibayad mo sa apartment mo?" nagtataka kong tugon. Meron pa bang ibang rason para bigyan ko siya ng pera?

Umiling siya. "Thanks but I don't need that, really. I'm good. Keep it," she declined my offer which surprised me a little. Ikinakunot 'yon ng noo ko. Wala akong balak ibaba ang kamay ko hangga't hindi niya iyon tinatanggap.

Nawala ang ngiti ko. "But you needed my help, right?" It should not be difficult for her to accept what I offered. I did not think helping her could be this tricky, where in fact I witnessed yesterday, she was begging the old woman to extend the payment of a bill for her apartment. She has nothing. She is struggling financially.

This is urgent, yet she declined.

Tumango siya. "Yes but you already helped me in other ways, you make my lives a lot less hard for which I thankful. This time, I can handle it." Binigyan niya ako ng isang ngiti para i-justify ang sinabi niya but her eyes says otherwise. She can't lie. "Besides, you've done enough kaya please, 'wag mo nang ibigay sa akin 'yan," pagtanggi niya. "Tara na, punta na tayong school." Tinalikuran niya ako at nagsimulang maglakad.

I took a deep breath. Ibinaba ko 'yong hawak ko at hindi inaalis ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. Nang maramdaman niyang hindi ako nagalaw sa puwesto ko, nilingon niya ako.

"Tara na," sabi niya. "Okay lang talaga ako." Nag-thumbs up pa siya.

I intently stares at her. "Wala kang pera, 'di ba?" paninigurado ko.

"Oo pero kaya kong gumawa ng paraan."

"At mamayang hapon gusto na no'ng matanda na bayaran mo siya," sabi ko sa pamamagitan ng kalmadong boses. Nalilito ako sa pag-arte niya.

"Kaya nga, e di may oras pa ako para maghanap."

"Saan ka hahanap ng pera in that short span?" pag-corner ko sa kaniya.

Kumalas siya ng tingin. Hindi siya nakasagot. Ang hindi niya pagsasalita ay ang pagtanggap ko ng sagot. She probably asked for help to his boyfriend that's why she does not need my help this time.

I sighed. "Kapag hindi mo 'to kinuha, I'll be mad," I challenged and tried to be serious, umaasang mapapasuko ko siya sa pagmamatigas niya. It requires me a clever manipulation in order to help her.

I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges she faced. Sa totoo lang, hindi naman kalakihan ang laman ng sobre, sapat na iyon para sa hinihingi ng may ari ng apartment. Ibinawas ko 'yon mula sa ipon ko at kaya ko 'yon bawiin sa mga trabaho ko. Ang mahalaga, makapagbayad lang siya as soon as possible.