The Other Half

CHAPTER 29

ALLIE

"Ingat po kayo, Sir Allie." sabi ni Martin habang tinutulungan akong isuot ang jacket ko. "Text mo na lang po ako mamaya kapag magpapasundo ka na po."

I nodded. "OK sige, ganun na lang. Di ko rin sure kasi kung anong oras ako makakabalik."

I watched as the car pulled away. It's past 2 PM pa lang pero parang ang lamig lamig na ng hangin. Buti na lang talaga at sinunod ko ang bilin ni Mama Macel na magdala ng jacket.

I put on a cap and looked around. This, in 7 months, was the first time that I set foot on this place. Namiss ko ang Wawa. Kaya lang, para bang ibang iba na ang hitsura nito ngayon, compared sa naaalala ko the last time I've been there. Sa entrance pa lang, hindi na maganda ang feeling ko. Nawala na ang small stalls na nagbebenta ng snacks and drinks for the passengers. The wooden benches were in a state of disrepair, including the one where I sat on the day I first met Rodel. There were garbages around the place and the air smelled like rotten fish. Even the seawater (near the boats) was full of trash and water lilies. To complete the picture of uncomeliness, teenage boys strut while sniffing rugby in plastic bags.

A part of me was telling me to turn around. I didn't want to be there. I couldn't believe it was the same place that used to give me peace and solace before. It's all gone. I was about to walk away when I saw someone familiar.

Si Tito David. He's talking to a group of people who were about to hop on his boat. Lumapit ako sa kanya.

"Ikaw, saan ka Sir?" he asked upon seeing me.

"Tito David." I whispered.

He looked at me for a while.

"Allie." he whispered. "Hindi kita nakilala. Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"I'm going there. I want to see him."

At first, he looked hesitant. Like for a moment I thought he would tell me to stop what I was planning to do. He took a deep breath.

"Ganun ba? O sige, sumakay ka na." He held my hand at tinulungan niya akong sumakay sa bangka. "Tamang tama, nasa palengke ang mag-asawa ngayon. May oras kayo para makapagusap. Ay, ibig kong sabihin, may oras ka para kausapin si Rodel."

"I see." I said, still whispering, dahil lalong humina ang boses ni Tito David. Nalungkot ako sa idea na hindi nga pala nakakapagsalita si Rodel.

"Wag mong aalisin ang sombrero mo, Allie. At kung pwede, magsunglasses ka, kung meron."

Kinuha ko ang sunglasses ko from my bag. Gets ko na kung para saan pero nagexplain pa rin si Tito David.

"Mahirap na. Baka may makakilala sa'yo sa mga kapitbahay at maisumbong sa mag-asawa. Baka mapurnada pa ang pagkikita niyo. Kung wala nga lang akong byahe, sasamahan kita eh."

I put on the sunglasses, kahit palagay ko ay ang weird dahil hindi naman maaraw. In fact, anytime, parang uulan nang malakas.

Hindi ako mapalagay. Like, is this really happening? Magkikita na kami ni Rodel, after so long. Habang lumalapit ako sa island kung saan siya nakatira, lalo akong kinakabahan. What is waiting for me there? Ano kayang ginagawa ni Rodel pag dumating ako? Will he be happy to see me?

Kinapa ko ang sling bag ko na makapal dahil sa isa pang set ng cap and jacket na ipapasuot ko kay Rodel. Nang magdecide ako na puntahan siya, buo sa isip ko ang plano to bring him back with me. Magiging enough ba ang time para maconvince ko siya? By hook or by crook, kailangang maisama ko siya pabalik, even if it means na itatakas ko siya. Pupunta kami sa malayong malayo and we will never come back. Ipapagamot ko si Rodel. At kapag magaling na siya, mag-aaral kami nang sabay at sabay naming aabutin ang mga pangarap namin.