Mary Grace

Twenty-Four

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT/ STRONGLY SUGGESTIVE THEME.

Twenty-Four

"Mary Grace!" my mother protested.

"I'm sorry..." humina ang boses ko at mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa phone ko. "I promise I'll be back."

"Honey, I don't wanna lose you again." My heart broke a little hearing her crooked voice on the other line. "Please at least tell me where you are going."

"I can't." Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko. "I promise you, mom. I'm going to be home. But not right now." Bago pa man siya makasagot ay ibinaba ko na ang cellphone ko. After a few seconds, my mother called me again. I muted her call and proceed to dial Harry's number.

I tapped my foot against the linoleum floor of the Angeles International Airport. Dalawang ring ang nakapalipas bago pa masagot ni Harry ang tawag.

"Hey, so glad you called! I was actually wondering if you want to have a dinner with me tonight?" came his cheerful voice.

Tears welled up in my eyes upon hearing his voice. "Harry.." I said with a broken voice.

"Mary Grace?" nawala ang sigla sa boses niya. "Are you alright?"

I cleared my throat, hoping to rid of the lump that is forming. Heaving a deep breath, forced myself to speak. "I'm fine." I said.

"Where are you right now?" tanong niya.

"I can't tell you where I am." A female voice echoed inside the area, calling all the passengers boarded to Davao. Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko. I swung the black travel bag on my shoulder. "But you won't see me in a few days. Or maybe a week."

"What? Why?" I could hear the confusion lingering on his voice.

"There's something I need to do."

"And?"

"I'm sorry. That's all I can say right now."

"Mary Grace!"

"I'll be back, I promise. I just need to do this alone."

"Baby, where are you going?"

"I'm sorry, Harry. It's about Ate Annie..." bago pa man siya makasagot ay pinatay ko na din ang tawag. I turned off my phone and joined the line towards the waiting airplane.

---

I couldn't control the erratic beating of my heart the moment I stepped into Davao City. The rain had subsided, leaving the streets damp and slippery. I hailed a taxi and instructed the driver to bring me to the van terminal. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras.

Pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko sa pagsilip sa notebook ni Ate Annie habang bumabyahe kami. I only feed myself with a carton of Chuckie and a burger. Gusto kong matulog sa biyahe dahil pagod na pagod ako pero hindi ko magawa.

The passenger next to me keeps on glancing from time to time, probably sensing my discomfort. I tried to ease myself but after three hours of travel, nang makita ko ang terminal ng Caraga ay hindi na ako mapakali.

The passengers all vacated the van when we arrived. Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa bag ko. Huminga ako nang malalim.

"Ma'am? Diri ra baya mi taman." (Ma'am? Hanggang dito lang po kami.) the driver said. Napaigtad ako at dali-daling lumabas ng van. Nagsilapitan kaagad ang mga driver ng tricycle sa akin, asking where they should drop me off.

"Manong, sa lake house po sa San Ignacio." I said silently.

"Yung lake house ng 'kano?" tumaas ang kilay ng driver sa akin. "Naku Ma'am, sira-sira na po ang daan doon baka mahirapan—"