Pain of the Past (Lacson Series #2)

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

Hindi nawala si Kuya Nathanielle sa tabi ko buong hapon. Noong gabi naman ay nagkwentuhan lang kami sa kwarto niya at sabay na natulog. Maaga rin kaming nagising na dalawa dahil kailangan na niyang umalis.

I was sad but wala naman na akong magagawa. He's needed in Silay. I just wish I had plenty of time with him soon.

"Give me a hug, Maria," sabi ni Kuya Nathanielle at binuksan ang kamay niya para makapasok ako at makayakap.

I made some sad faces before walking closer to him. I snuggled on his chest and tightened my grip on him.

"I will miss you, Marcos," sa mababang boses na sambit ko.

Marcos chuckled and I felt how his chest vibrated because my face was taking its time to Kuya Nathanielle's chest.

"Me, too, Maria. Me, too." He held me tighter before he let go.

Mayroong ngiti na nakasilay sa labi ni Kuya Nathanielle. Tunay at hindi peke na ngiti.

Ginulo naman niya ulit ang buhok ko. Imbes na malungkot ay binigyan ko si Kuya Nathanielle ng ngiti.

"Before I go, I want to give you this," he said and withdrew his hand to my head. He fished something inside of his pocket.

"Here."

"Ano po 'to?" I asked. Kuya Nathanielle handed me a small piece of ripped paper.

"Open it."

Sinunod ko ang sinabi ni Kuya Nathanielle. Kumunot ang noo ko. At first, I didn't get what is written on the paper.

"What's this? I don't get it," sabi ko nang maka-ilang beses nang basahin ang nakasulat.

Tumawa si Kuya Nathanielle. Inangat ko ang mukha upang matingnan ito sa mata.

"It's her address. Do your best on the interview at WVSU, so you can have your time again with your best friend," he answered. Hindi na niya ako pinahirapan pa.

Kahit gano'n na ang sinabi ni Marcos, mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. It takes me time before I get what he said. Before my brain digests it well.

Nanlaki ang mata ko na tumingin kay Marcos at binalik sa papel. Tumili ako at lumukso-lukso.

"Marcos is this true?!" Kinuha ko ang kamay ni Kuya habang lumulukso pa rin. "Kuya, thank you so much!" I said, happily. Couldn't contain my own excitement because of the news Kuya Nathanielle just broke in front of me.

"Yes, Maria."

I stopped from jumping and in a knotted eyebrows, I looked at Kuya Nathanielle. "And oh, what do you mean getting ready for the interview at WVSU?"

"After I leave the house, head first to your room. There's a big surprise waiting for you there," he said, which made my eyes grow even bigger.

"Kuya! Kuya! Can I just go to my room right now?" excited na sabi ko.

Tumawa si Kuya Nathanielle na merong kasabay na pag-iling. "Just go now. Reach for your dreams, Maria."

"Thank you so much, Kuya!" I tiptoed to give him a kiss. After that I gave Kuya a smile and turned my back from him and ran for my life to my room.

Meron akong nakitang isang sobre na kulay puti sa kama. Agad ko 'yun kinuha. It was already opened but I didn't give extra care to who opened it.

Mas gusto kong malaman kung ano ang resulta ng exam na kinuha ko last December. Sabay pa kami noon ni Astro na kumuha ng exam. Sabay na pumunta sa Iloilo. Magka-ibang buiding pero binigyan niya ako ng lakas. He was my inspiration back then. I don't know my I made him my inspiration, pero siya lang naman ang nagpu-push sa akin sa mga gusto ko noon. Na parang sinabi niya na...