Life With You

7 - In Your Arms

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Jade

"Jade! Anak. Good to see you again!" I heard Mama called out from behind me when I got out from my car. Bumalik muna ako ng bahay saglit to get my things and to visit my Mama too.

"Miss you Ma." sabi ko after I kissed her. "What are you doing outside?" tanong ko dahil padilim na.

"Ah just taking a walk." sagot niya. Matagal na rin kaming hindi nakakapag walking ni Mama sa Mall.

"Sorry, Ma. Just got really busy this past weeks." hinging paumanhin ko.

"It's ok sweetheart. Ganyan talaga lalo pag bagong kasal." himig biro niyang sabi at natawa ako.
"Will you stay for dinner?"

"Ah, No Ma. Sally's waiting for me at her condo. May kukunin lang po akong gamit ko. We're attending a birthday party." sagot ko

"It's alright, Sweetheart. I understand." sagot niya at sabay na kaming pumasok sa loob. "Your Dada's here." bulong niya sa akin and I just nod. Since my wedding hindi ko pa kinakausap si Dada, I just want him to feel the burden of what he did though I know napilitan lang siya. "Hindi mo man lang ba siya kakausapin?"

"I still don't feel like talking to him, Ma." simple ko lang na sagot.

"I understand. He just misses his princess." dugtong niya.

"It's alright Mama, we'll get there somehow." sabi ko patungkol sa pag uusap namin at wala ng nagawa si Mama. As we entered the house we saw Dada coming down. Out of respect I walked towards him and kissed him but that's it. I turned the other side to walk up to my room.

"Jade." mahina niyang tawag. I stopped waiting for another word. "Hanggang kailan mo ako titikisin?" tanong ni Dada pero hindi ako sumagot I just stood there. "I will talk to Tito Pablo, I cannot bear to loose you just because of what we did." pagtatapos niya saka siya naglakad palayo. Bakit nakadama ako ng kaba?

"How about your debt to Lolo Pablo?" habol kung tanong kay Dada na nagpalingon sa kanya.

"I will try to convince him in any way I can just to change his mind." sagot niya at tuluyan ng naglakad. Nagkatinginan kami ni Mama, matagal akong hindi nakagalaw sa kinakatayuan ko. Dapat matutuwa ako pero bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko.

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We're in the party pero wala doon ang isip ko. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ako nagaalala sa maaring gawin ni Dada. Dapat magsaya ako, dapat matuwa ako pero bakit ganito?parang ayaw kong matapos ang anumang ugnayan ko kay Althea.

"Best! Ok ka lang? What's wrong?" pukaw ni Sally sa akin.

"Best I'll just go to the rooftop, I don't feel like partying." paalam ko kay Sally.

"Why? Wala kang kasama don and it's already late baka kung anong mangyari sa'yo don." bilin niya

"I'll be fine, Best. It's just one floor up. Besides tambayan naman natin doon. I won't be long." sabi ko na pero kita ang pagtanggi sa kanyang mukha

"I'll just get us drinks. Wait for me.I'll go with you." habol niya pero nauna na ako. I just want to clear my head from all the noise and sounds that I hear at this moment.

As I reach the rooftop I felt a sudden freedom, the smell of fresh air and the serenity around me. I was slowly walking along when I felt someone is behind me.

"Ang bilis mo naman Best." sabi ko, akma na akong lilingon ng may tumakip sa bibig ko at binuhat ako. Pinilit kong makawala pero malakas siya. Hindi ko nakilala at hindi ako makaharap because he's lifting me up. I tried to shout pero malakas siya. Malakas ang amoy ng alak sa taong ito. Pinipilit kong makawala at gumapang ang takot sa buong pagkatao ko.