School days are back again. Done with the holidays. Summer is getting near. This is probably the first time I get excited for summer. Noong huli akong naexcite, that was when I was 7. When dad came home from somewhere, gave me gifts and brought me to a resort.
That was my age when I noticed that something is off with my family. Matapos ang summer get away na iyon, madalas ng hindi umuwi si dad. I saw him with a girl almost the same of my age during my fieldtrip. He didnt attend my piano event but I found him parking his car outside the venue that time.
He missed my birthdays and my graduation. He started walking away from us. The next thing I knew, he's trying to make me understand the situation. Iyon lang ulit ang mga araw na madalas ko siyang makausap at makasama. When he was talking to me about my custody.
Lately, bumabalik ang nga alaala na unti-unti ko ng binabaon para maiwasan ko ang magtanim ng sama ng loob sa mga magulang ko. They are still my parents after all. Wala ako sa mundong ito kundi dahil sa kanila. I owe them my life.
I bun my hair and sighed infront of the mirror. I feel awful. The last time I felt this is when my parents got separated. Damn dreams! They keep reminding me of my past. I am aware and awaken with the fact that I got half-siblings.
"Hanggang anong oras ang class mo?" Radicus asked. Naglalakad kami sa corridor at dama ko ang pagtitig ng mga tao sa amin. Radicus squeezed my hand gently.
"Mrs. Alcantara...eyes on me." He said. My lips parted. What did he just call me?
"Huh?"
Huminto kami sa paglalakad. He held my chin up and planted kiss on my forehead.
"Can you wait for me later? Magtatagal ako ng ilang oras dito sa school because of our thesis."
"Yes. I'll wait. Pupuntahan nalang kita mamaya. Saan ba kayo?"
"I'll text you where. It will still depend on my team's choice."
I nodded.
"What?" Natatawang tanong ko. We are like staring at each other. Para bang naghihintay na may gagawin ang bawat isa.
"I like to kiss you." He said. I smiled at him and pointed my cheek. He playfully smiled. He leaned closer bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. He won't dare kiss me in public lalo na dito sa school!
He turned his head and kiss my cheek. I sighed in relief. He chuckled. I pouted. He tapped my head with his hand. Tease.
"I love you. " he said.
"I love you too. Magtext ka nalang mamaya. I'll look for Prim now." He nodded his head.
I was texting Prim when someone caught my attention on the school entrance. Si Brittany? What is she doing here?
Nakasuot pa ito ng school uniform nila at may tatlo pang kasama. Sumasayaw ang kulot na buhok nito na maya't maya niyang inaayos. She was preoccupied talking to her friends kaya hindi nito napansin ang paglapit ko.
"Brittany." I called her. She raised her brow on me. Sanay naman na ako sa pakikitungo nito sa akin. If there is one thing I learned from being left behind by my parents, iyon ay ang matutong makisama sa mga bago nilang pamilya just for me belong as well.
I genuinely smiled at her.
"Oo nga pala dito ka rin pala nag-aaral." She said.
"What brought you here? May problema ba?" I asked
"Where's your boyfriend?"
"Huh? May klase bakit mo hinahanap?" I asked. Christmas eve when I noticed Brittany's admiration to Rad but I never gave malice on it. Nasisiguro kong marami naman talagang humahanga sa kanya and I cannot stop them all. I trust him.
