Unbind the Strings

Three

I let go of his hug then I face him.

"Congrats? For what?" I smiled nervously. 

"You won!! Ilang votes nga lang lamang mo e, but I'm so happy you won. May mauutusan na ako sa council." He proudly said.

I was slightly amused by his overconfidence. I just thanked him and walked away.

While I was walking down the hallway, Gab approached me and hugged me tightly. I felt her love and support. 

"I'm the proudest! Alam mo you deserve a prize! Unli samgyup tayo!!" Patay tayo dyan. Basta samgyup, hindi 'yan inuurungan!

I agreed and said we should eat after class. I listened to the teacher and took down some notes so I can study at home. Gab texted me to meet her at the parking lot so we can proceed with our date. I told her I'll be done within a few minutes.

I left the classroom and waited for Gab. We entered her car and she drove it to the place where we'll eat. We made it to the restaurant and we decided na walang titigil hanggat hindi pa sulit ang binayad.

"You know what? I've never experienced this kind of thing before. Alam mo 'yun? I feel so comfortable with you even though we just met. Mabait ka naman e, suplada ka lang." She said while flipping the meat.

"I'm not like this before. I used to smile and talk a lot pero may mga bagay talagang nagbabago. Siguro part na rin 'yun ng buhay natin." I'm sounding dramatic already.

Growing up, I really had a hard time expressing what I feel. I used to cry about small things and pity myself about it but as time passes by, narealize ko sayang lang luha ko sa mga walang kwentang bagay. I endured and became stronger with my Mom's help. She is my hero. We conquered all our problems together. My dad left us when I was still young. I have no idea where is he now.

Now, I became a bit cold hearted. Hindi ko pinapansin 'yung mga problemang dumadaan. I just ignore them. Sayang lang oras ko.

"You should open up sometimes, Cali. Mahirap pag kinimkim mo 'yan. Baka sumabog ka nalang." Gab said looking worried.

"Yes I will. Sasabihin ko naman kapag hindi ko kaya." I gave her a reassured smile.

"Do you...miss your dad?" She asked out of the blue.

"Hmm. Minsan. Minsan kasi naiinggit ako kapag nakikita ko 'yung ibang bata na kasama mga tatay nila. 'Yung may nagpalaki sakanilang ama. Hindi ko kasi alam how's it's like to be raised by a father." I miss my dad so much. Hindi ko lang talaga alam nasaan na siya ngayon. He left without notice, walang marka, umalis lang talaga.

"Do you want to see him?"

"Kahit naman gustuhin ko, wala naman akong magagawa, Gab." She nodded slowly and held my hand.

"Hindi lahat ng umaalis bumabalik." I said trying to hold back my tears. Nakita ko kasi kung paano ako tinaguyod ni Mommy. All her sacrifices made me who I am today.

"Malay mo he's looking for you as well?" She smiled a bit.

"Hindi na dapat hinahanap ang matagal ng wala." I told her that I'm full and we should go because it's getting dark.

We finished eating and grabbed an ice cream on the way home. Pareho kami ng direksyon pauwi at hinatid na niya ako saamin. I thanked her for getting me home safely and told her to take care.