(La Mémoire #1) NOSTALGIA

XXIII

XXIII
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Inignora ko ang huling mga sinabi ni Stav. Iniwan ko siya sa lilim ng mga Acacia at hindi naman na siya nagtangkang habulin ako. Nagmartsa ako pabalik sa Fine Arts building dahil doon ako nagsabing magpapasundo kay Lyon.

Pagdating roon ay may nag-aabang ng driver para sa akin.

"Hi, Lia. Hindi kita masusundo, sorry. I sent my driver to fetch you." Lyon's text stated.

Hindi ko na makuhang madismaya sa mensahe ni Lyon dahil labis pa rin ang sama ng loob ko kay Stav. Nang umandar ang kotse ay dinungaw ko ang lilim ng punong kahoy kung saan ko ito iniwan ngunit wala na siya roon.

Nagbuntong hininga ako't umidlip hanggang makarating sa studio.

The coffee shop below the residential building was busy during this hour. Pumasok muna ako roon at pumila sa counter ngunit nagitla ako nang lapitan nang manager nila.

Tita Sylva was a bubbly mid-aged lady who was previously introduced to me by JM.

"Zhalia, ano ka ba? 'Wag ka ng pumila riyan." Binulungan ako nito.

Pinaupo niya ako sa isa sa mga lamesa at dinalhan ng iced vanilla latte. I gaped at the gesture.

"Paano niyo po nalaman na ito ang gusto ko?"

Ngumiti lang ng malawak si Tita Sylva na parang kinikilig. Tinapik pa nito ang braso ko.

"Bilin iyan ni sir Stav!" She smiled endlessly.

Napailing ako at inabot ang bayad. Ngunit tinanggihan niya iyon dahil nagbayad na umano si Stav.

"Masyadong malaki nga ang binigay niya. Pang one year supply yata na kape. Kaya 'wag ka ng mag-alala, pumunta ka lang rito at sabihin ang pangalan mo riyan sa counter."

I didn't know how to react. Instead of feeling flattered, I felt so indebted to Stav. But I decided to let this one pass.

Pag-akyat ko sa unit, iniisip ko na kung ano'ng oordering pagkain. I suddenly realized how tiring it is to worry for yourself and live independently.

It's also tiring to budget my few amount of cash. I realized how lucky are those people who never had to worry about having food in the table or about surviving another day. I was indeed very lucky to be born with such privilege.

I turned the lights on and baby G hopped towards me. She bumped her head and tail as she circled on my leg.

"Hi baby, have you eaten?"

Nag-alala ako nang maalalang hindi ko nasabihan sila JM na iwanan siya ng cat food. But to my relief, I found her bowl full. Umawang pa ang labi ko nang mapansin ang ilang pagbabago sa silid.

There was a cat tower for baby G. And the ugly looking cabinet the other week was gone. It was replaced by a white built-in closet. Some of my shoes and bags were already placed there. Nilapitan ko iyon at napansin ang nakapaskil sa isang pinto.

It was a business card of a professional closet organization service. Below it, there was a post-it where a particular name was written and it says I should call her.

Tinungo ko ang pantry at napansin ang coffee maker roon at iba't ibang uri ng coffee beans. Napansin ko rin ang maliit na house plant sa counter. I touched its young leaves. I wonder what this is?

The few changes in the room made me smile somehow. Nakakapanibago. Pakiramdam ko hindi na iyon ganoon kabakante at kalungkot tignan.

Sigurado akong si Stav ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito. Siya lang naman ang nakakaalam ng mga gusto kong idagdag rito.