Just Like the Clouds (APS#3)

xxii (Narration)

Lumina

"Lumina, gising ka na, jusko anong oras na ba?" I heard nanny's voice.

"Good morning, nanny!" I slowly got up from bed and smiled at her.

"May training pa kayo ngayon nakalimutan mo ba, nak?" She asked.

Oh. I just remembered. Madam Ly and Sir Yap said we get to meet new people from NIC.

I don't want to meet new people.

I don't want to be with people.

"Oh, bakit ka nakasimangot?" Nanny asked.

"Nanny, I feel anxious. Baka ang dami pa nila don," I can't help but feel nervous.

"Alam mo, Umi. I think it's time to gain friends na. Hindi naman pwedeng ako lang palagi ang kasama mo. Kailangan mo ring magmingle sa iba especially yung nga nasa age group mo. Ang tanda ko nga eh," She laughed.

"Oh no. Nanny, you're enough naman. Tsaka, I don't care if malayo age gap natin," I smiled at her.

"Oo, pero iba talaga kapag may kaibigan kang nasa henerasyon mo. Tignan mo ako. 'Di ko nga alam yang social media media na 'yan," She shook her head.

"I'll try...po. I'll try to be more... friendly. Kung kaya ko," I said which made Nanny smile. I just made my bed and went straight to the bathroom.

To be honest, I wanted to have friends.

But everyone just found me boring...

After drying my hair, I walked into my closet and wore a blue v-neck shirt partnered with black leggings and a pair of rubber shoes. This is usually my outfit when I go to trainings. I wore minimal make up and got my small backpack.

I went outside my room and saw Nanny preparing breakfast. I sat down and took a quick glance on my phone.

There was this number last week and it randomly texted me.

May pinagdaanan kaya siya?

"Ito na, Umi. May blueberries na rin itong pancake mo. Masarap na 'yan," Nanny served my breakfast.

"Thank you, po. Sana all po," I said.

"Ha?" She was confused.

"Oh, someone told me it means hope all or something. So sana all po masarap magluto," I explained.

"Yung lasinggero ba yan?" She asked.

"Nanny naman. We don't know that person pa nga eh. 'Wag ka munang magjudge."

"Hindi ba nagtext ulit?" She asked again.

"No? Why would the number text me again? The message was sent randomly," I got confused.

"Yun. Ayaw mo ba 'yon maging friend?"

"I doubt the person would want to be friends with me," I shrugged.

"Grabe naman, Umi. Dinadown mo talaga ang sarili mo. 'Wag naman ganiyan," She tapped my shoulder nang biglang lumabas si Daddy galing sa Kwarto.

"Breakfast po, sir," She served daddy his meal.

"Good morning po, daddy," Hinhin kong sabi. He acted like he didn't hear me.

Actually, all my life he acted like I was never there...

Yes, he spent for my education. He spent for the roof I was living in. But I never experienced being loved by him.

He was mad at me because of a certain reason...