Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 8: Find a Way

Natahimik lang ako at malungkot na binaling ang tingin ko sa mga gusaling nadadaanan namin. I thought of Dylan. He was so good to me. We had great times together. How would I stay away from him?

Halos mga kapit-bahay lang namin ang mga bisita ko dahil wala naman kaming kalapit na kamag-anak sa lugar. They all congratulated me and gave me some gifts.

I decided to eat outside the house because we had chairs there for the visitors. While I was eating, I turned my head to the location of our gate because I heard it creak open. My eyes widened when I saw Dylan there. I quickly dropped my food on my chair and ran to him and then dragged him out of the gate, until we were finally a little bit far away from our house.

"Why?" kunot-noong tanong nito.

"You're not allowed to be with me from this day," I told him.

"What? Are you kidding me?"

"I am not! Hindi ako pwedeng makita ng parents ko na kasama kita kung ayaw mong hindi mo na ako makita kahit kailan!" My voice raised.

He looked at me with disbelief and annoyance at the same time. Umiling-iling siya bago nagsalita, "I thought the issue about this was already done, because your Auntie apologised to me."

"It was Auntie! Not my parents, Dylan. Mom and Dad hate your family! Dahil ang company ninyo ang dahilan kung bakit araw-araw kailangan kong mamiss ang parents ko at k-kailangan kong tiisin na wala sila sa tabi ko!" My voice broke and anytime I would broke into tears.

He fell silent and remained staring at me like he didn't know what to say and react.

"Stay away from me . . ." Tears began to stream down my face. "Please," I plead.

He just combed his hair in annoyance before he turned his back on me and fastly walked away, going home.

***

My parents should stay here in Philippines just only for a week, but it was extended when Auntie Rona passed away unexpectedly. The house was filled with cries and sorrow until the day of her funeral. Pero sa loob din ng ilang araw na iyon ay hindi ko nakasama si Storm. Nakikita ko lamang siya minsan pero hanggang tinginan lang kami. Minsan, hindi pa niya ako pinapansin. I bet he was mad at me.

"Siguro, kukuha nalang muna kami ng katulong na makakasama mo rito sa bahay para magbantay sa 'yo. Hindi kasi pwede ang Auntie Jessie mo dahil may pamilya na nahihintay sa kanya ngayong wala na si Ate Rona," ani Mommy sa akin habang sabay-sabay kaming naghahapunan kasama sina Daddy at Auntie Jessie.

"My, what if magdorm nalang ako? I'm already a college student at malayo ang university dito kaya hindi ako pwedeng umuwi araw-araw dito dahil whole day ang pasok doon," I suggested. Ayaw ko na rin kasing may makasama pang iba na mag-aalaga sa akin. I wanted to be independent.

I'd just passed the entrance examination of that university and I was sure that Dylan also had passed the examination. We had already agreed with each other that we would enter that university together, even before the graduation day, so I was sure that we would see each other there.

"Oo nga naman, Lizah. Bakit hindi mo nalang ihanap ng dorm itong si Demi. She might struggle kung uuwi siya rito araw-araw," pagsang-ayon ni Auntie Jessie sa akin.

"Dorm aren't safe. Baka kung ano pang mangyari sa kanya roon," sabi naman ni Daddy.

"Kuya John, there are dorms that have securities. She will be safe there. Besides, good girl naman itong si Demi kaya hindi naman ito gigimik kung saan-saan." Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Auntie Jessie. "I will also volunteer na icheck siya roon kapag may free time ako. Basta makapaggraduate itong pamangkin ko at matupad niya ang mga pangarap niya." Auntie smiled at me.