Rewind (Erityian Tribes Novella, #2)

21 - Restart

"I'm from the Quirino clan," she said. "Ako na ang bahala."

Kinuha naman niya sa akin si Rainie at agad akong sumunod sa kanya. I didn't know that a Senshin doctor is working here and I felt relieved that she noticed me. As far as I know, Reina is part of the Quirino clan and they are known to be a family of Shinigami trackers and doctors.

May pinainom siya kay Rainie at sinabi niya sa akin na magiging ayos ang kalagayan niya maya-maya lang. Mukha namang hindi niya ako nakikilala kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. She might be a comrade but I don't want to be associated with any Erityians right now.

"What's your name?" tanong niya at napaisip naman ako.

I love my name but using that would just trigger my memories about everything, along with the pain. I want to start a new life with Rainie, a peaceful one, where she can grow like a normal child. I will be her mother from now on but I want Rielle to be part of her—a reminder of her real mother.

"Rina," I said. "I'm Rina Lazaro."

***

"Rainie! Ayos ka lang ba?"

Napatakbo ako sa labas dahil nadapa siya habang tumatakbo. Umiiyak na siya at papunta na sana ako sa kanya pero napatigil ako nang may makita akong naglalakad papunta sa direksyon niya. A familiar woman with eyeglasses kneeled in front of her and helped her stand up.

"Rainie, is that your name?" she asked and Rainie nodded.

Bigla naman siyang tumingin sa akin at naghalu-halo na ang emosyon ko. Seeing her in front of me brought back the memories I kept at the back of my mind.

"Mayu," I called and she ran to hug me.

"Oh my God, Naomi."

I missed her so much. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kami katagal magkayakap at halos titigan na kami ni Rainie. Pinapasok ko siya sa loob habang nakabantay ang mga mata namin sa bawat galaw ni Rainie.

"I can't believe she's already three," sabi niya.

She gave me new supplies, including liquid lenses, tracking device . . . and a picture of Nathan. I teared up when I saw that and I couldn't believe he had grown so much. Mayu also informed me about the current situation in Tantei High. She said the Shinigamis weren't making any move, a reason to be worried.

Pagkatapos no'n ay umalis siya kaagad dahil marami pa raw siyang aasikasuhin. Mayu visited us again the next year but after that, she stopped coming and I didn't know that that was our last time together.

Rainie and I lived a normal life. Nagluluto ako ng pagkain para sa isang restaurant at iyon ang naging source of income ko. Pumapasok naman sa paaralan si Rainie at habang tumatagal ay napapansin ko ang kaibahan niya—a reminder that she's an Erityian.

"Mama, tignan mo, ang unique ng pangalan ng isa kong classmate," sabi niya sa akin sabay turo sa isang babae. First day of classes niya sa high school at wala siyang kahit sinong kakilala pero nalaman niya ang pangalan ng kaklase niya dahil sa ID niya. That girl was about twenty meters away from us.

It might seem normal to her but it wasn't. After that, I told her not to mention to anyone that she can see more clearly than them because they might treat her differently. She agreed.

Noong mga panahon ding 'yon siya naging matanong tungkol sa Papa niya. When she first asked about him, I was flustered and dumbfounded that I told her he was already dead and I don't want to talk about him anymore.

'Gusto kong makilala si Papa pero wala naman siyang pictures at ayaw ko namang pilitin si Mama,' she once said in her inner voice.

Napansin kong lagi niyang kinikimkim sa sarili niya lahat ng gusto niyang sabihin at alam kong dahil 'yon sa akin. Every time she asks questions about our family, her above average sight, my eye disorder, and why she couldn't get along with her classmates, I would always dismiss them and say she should focus on her studies. Kaya tuwing may gusto siyang sabihin ay lagi siyang nagdadalawang-isip at sa huli ay sasarilinin niya na lang. I felt bad but I don't know how to deal with her thoughts.