Love Me Tomorrow

CHAPTER 28

I chose not to think of the memories that's vividly flashing in my mind. I should keep that in the box of the memories I left years ago. I shouldn't think of those memories! Never again! Sapat na ang ilang taong iniyakan ko ang mga alaalang 'yon.

Nilapag ko si North sa kamang mahahalata mong bagong palit ang kobre kama. It's no longer black, like how I remembered he preferred. Fuck, Ynessa! What the hell is wrong with you?! Stop thinking of that damn man! He shouldn't live free in your mind!

I mentally shook my head.

Kinumutan ko si North bago hinalikan sa noo. Nakita ko ang banyo at doon dumiretso. I scanned the toilet amenities and it's new and complete. But a blue toothbrush caught my attention. It's not new, I know it's used. But that's not his toothbrush before. Someone's occupying the room? How will I know if I also lost contact with the maids? I just deposit money on their accounts for their monthly payment in return for maintaining the house. Or maybe the maid forgot to throw it away. Isinawalang bahala ko nalang muna ang mga napansin ko at nagbabad sa tub.

I found myself thinking of our current situation here in the Philippines. I silently pray for the fast recovery of Gabe's parents. The warm water in the tub somehow soothed my aching heart.
Ilang minuto akong nagbabad bago napagdesisyunan na maligo at tabihan ang anak ko. Maybe because of the tiredness from our travel, I peacefully sleep with my son.

I woke up without my son on my side. Agad akong nabahala lalo pa't hindi naman siya sanay dito sa bahay. Bumaba ako para hanapin siya at naabutan ko siyang nakaupo sa pinakamababang baitang ng hagdanan. The maids are glancing at him and I can see how his lips protruded.

"North." he glanced at me.

"Where are we, Mommy?" maybe he was too tired last night that he didn't remember that I brought him here.

"To our house, baby." I answered while walking down to him.

"What time are we going to visit Dada?" tanong niya nung tuluyan na akong makababa ng hagdan. Tumabi ako sakanya at binati siya ng 'good morning' at masuyong hinalikan sa noo.

"We'll just eat our breakfast and prepare and we'll go." tumango siya.

Kagaya ng napag-usapan ay pinuntahan nga namin si Gabe. We brought him foods dahil baka hindi pa siya kumakain. Naabutan namin siyang kausap ang kapatid niyang si Gaze na agad na yumakap sa anak ko nang makita ito.

"I missed you, Northieee!" nakapangiti ako nung humaba ang nguso ng anak ko.

"Good morning." bati ni Gabe sa akin at marahang hinalikan ang pisngi ko at inbot ang pagkaing binili namin para sakanya.

"Morning. How's their condition?" tanong ko at bahagyang sinulyapan ang pintuan ng kwartong kinalalagyan ng mga magulang niya.

"Still unconscious." he answered sadly.

"Kuya, I called Tita Trinidad and Tita Tanya. Luluwas daw ng Manila si Tita Trinidad within this day and sina Tita Tanya naman ay baka bukas na raw makakarating from Greece. They can't still contact Kuya Tage, e." just the mere mention of the names made me want to just block the airport just so his family won't be able to be here but I don't want to be selfish. They are Gabe's family. Kahit gaano pa ako kagalit sakanya ay hindi ko pwedeng ipagbawal ang pagdalaw nila sa mga magulang ni Gabian.

"Can't they visit without Tage?" Gabe said my unable to voice out question.

"Maybe they just want to inform Kuya Tage that they'll be going back here. Hindi na naman siguro sasama si Kuya Tage dahil nabalitaan kong nandun pala 'yung babaeng hinahanap niya." her eyes glimmered with I don't know reason.