Chasing Him (Mendarez Series #1)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Concern

I was Grade 9 when Ate Astrid said na they're going to stay at Los Angeles for a while

I'm going to miss her of course,

But i was mad at myself because a part of me was...well, maybe...happy. I mean, i think it's for the better for my Mom's peace of mind na rin para hindi nya na ako problemahin dito araw-araw

"Ma, tulungan na kita dyan" sabi ko nang makita ko syang nagtutupi ng damit habang nilalagay ito sa luggage nya

"Wag na, mang-iistorbo ka pa bumalik ka na do'n sa kwarto mo" sabi nya sabay tampal ng kamay ko nang sinubukan kung tupiin ang damit nya "Ni hindi mo nga alam kung pano mag tupi" dagdag nya

"Marunong ako, Ma. Nagpaturo ako kay Nanay Lara" sabi ko sakanya sabay pilit na  ngiti

"Alam mo, Astraea. Nong bata ka pa lang talaga alam ko na sa sarili ko na hindi...wala talaga akong ka amor-amor sayo" sabi nya kaya natahimik ako

I just want us to be in good terms man lang before they leave

"Sa totoo lang ubos na talaga ang pagmamahal ko sayo Astraea pati ang pasensya ko" She added, still folding her clothes without even looking at me

Tumawa ako ng peke para hindi mahalata ni Mama na naiiyak ako, bumabalik na lamang ako sa kwarto ko para magsulat nalang ng card para sakanya sana basahin nya to pagdating nya sa LA

Habang nagsusulat ng card ay umiiyak ako na hindi ko na namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako

Gumising ako ng mga 7:00am at nagmadaling bumaba sa sala para ibigay kay Mama ang card na sinulat ko pero sobrang tahimik na ng bahay at wala ng bakas nila Mama, Papa, at Ate Astrid

"Nanay Lara, saan po sila mama at papa tsaka Ate Astrid?" Tanong ko

"Kaninang umaga pa sila umalis, Hindi ka na ginising ng mama mo dahil baka maistorbo yung tulog mo" sagot ni Nanay Lara kaya kumirot ang puso ko

Ate Astrid left me a card, she put it on my side table,

Dear, Astraea
I'm sorry, Mom won't let me wake you up she'll only get mad at me. I hope you forgive me for leaving without saying anything, i really want to. But you know, Mom.

I hope you'll be a good girl! Mom said na we'll be back as soon as possible naman daw so don't worry, okay? I love you! Always remember that!

Akala ko ilang araw o weeks lang mawawala sila Mama kase wala talaga silang sinabi sa'kin bukod sa pupunta sila ng LA kaya palagi akong nakatambay sa pintuan namin at hinihintay silang bumalik

I waited for their call or message sa tablet but there was none

"Hi, Astraea! Merry Christmas!" Ate Astrid facetime me one time

"Merry Christmas, too! I'm glad you called"

"Yeah, I'm sorry if i don't call often, si Mama ang nag ke-keep ng phone ko at pinagbabawalan nya ako minsan" she said,

She's already in 1st year college but Mom is still keeping her phone,

"Be safe, there!"

"You too! I wish i could hug you right now, I'll send you nalang a Christmas gift!" she said

"It's okay, at least nag-uusap na tayo ngayon" i said and smiled sweetly