Chapter 50
"Are you sure about this, Elais?" Seryosong tanong ni Mama.
I informed them about my plan. Pinag-isipan ko 'yong mabuti. At kahit na gustong gusto ko, may parte pa rin sa akin na nag-aalangan. Moving to the Philippines is a serious decision because Canada is where my family is.
"Kaya nga po gusto kong hingin ang opinyon niyo, Ma. I'm sure... but I'm also thinking of you. Maiiwan kayo ni Papa rito and I can't help but hesitate."
I smiled at my parents a little. My father looked at me seriously but after a while, he smiled back at me. Mama on the other hand kept her lips pursed, trying to ponder on what I have told them.
"Napag-usapan niyo na ba ni Olzen ang tungkol sa bagay na 'to?" Papa asked.
I bit my lip and shook my head a little. Hindi ko pa sinasabi ang plano ko kay Olzen. He never really asked me but there were times when he asked me about my plans. Whether to continue working in Canada or not... things like those. Hindi ko siya sinasagot ng diretso dahil gusto kong sigurado na ako kapag sinagot ko 'yon.
"I want to ask your opinions first... ayoko rin po kayong iwan dito."
Mama sighed deeply and glanced at my father before looking back at me.
"Elais, you are old enough to decide. If I'm being honest, I want you here with us pero... ayokong ipagkait sa 'yo ang buhay na gusto mo. That is your life and it's your decision. Ang tanging magagawa lang namin ay suportahan ka."
My heart clenched when my mother held my hand and assured me with her eyes that it's fine. My father nodded and rubbed my mother's back.
"Salamat dahil tinanong mo pa rin ang opinyon namin, anak. If you want to be independent, then live it. Kagaya ng sinabi ng Mama mo, you're old enough. We can't deprive you of what you want, that's not what decent parents do." Umiling si Papa.
"Paano po kayo?" Nanginig ang boses ko.
"We'll be fine, Elais. It's not like we can't visit you there or you can't visit us here. It's time to think about yourself, or your future or even your own family." Tipid na ngumiti si Mama.
Maraming payo sa akin ang mga magulang ko pagkatapos maging buo ang aking desisyon. I am between being happy and sad. I'm going to miss them but I will surely come back and visit. I feel like this is just the start of my life, finally living on my own and making big decisions on my own. It felt freeing and satisfying.
Tinanggal ko ang coat ko nang makasakay na ako ng taxi. My body temperature is really messed up. Well from the freezing Canada to the hot Philippines, what do you expect? I told the driver the address of Olzen's condominium.
Hinintay ko lang na magtagal ng ilang araw si Chester sa rehab para makita ang progreso niya. It was good and effective. His strength is back to 85% so I planned my leave. Naiwan si Meana, nasa Toronto siya nang bumiyahe ako pero aniya'y pupunta ulit siya ng Ontario. Probably to visit Chester.
I can sip my tea while watching those two. I don't want to be nosy but I just realized that my judgments weren't wrong. I really hope not.
Olzen doesn't know that I'm going home. Hindi ko sinabi sa kaniya. Sa susunod na linggo ay kaarawan ni Lolo Ben. Sinabi niya iyon sa akin at pinapatanong daw ni Lolo kung makaka-uwi ako para ro'n. I lied to him, saying I'm not sure. I feel bad because I just really want to surprise him.
My parents will follow after some days. Kailangan pa kasi nilang hintayin ang approved leave nila mula sa trabaho. They assured me that they will attend Lolo Ben's birthday. Things are going smooth that my drained strength is slowly coming back.
