Always By Your Side

Kabanata 20

Why did he leave me? What are the things that I should have done to make him stay? Who made him change his mind and heart about staying with me? Where did it went wrong and I lack?

My mind is full of unanswered questions. Overthinking freaking sucks.

I don't even know how did I manage na makapunta sa Del Acosta ng walang galos o sugat.

Tulala lang ako habang nakaupo sa malambot at mahabang sofa.

"Hija, kumain ka muna." A middle aged woman handed me a bowl na may laman ng sopas.

"I don't have the appetite to eat."

Wala akong gana.

I want to sleep. Pero paano ako makakatulog kung maraming palaisipan at tanong ang bumabagabag sa isipan ko?

Hindi ko tinanggap ang pagkain. Pinagdikit ko ang mga binti ko at niyakap ang mga ito at pinatong ang noo ko dito.

"Addy.."

We only just met a few hours ago but I feel comfortable around her. That I shouldn't be cautious around her. Her age is around my Mommy's age too kaya siguro nakikita ko din si Mommy dito at hindi ako naiilang.

"Dalawang taon na mula noong binili mo itong malaking bahay na ito ngunit ngayon ka lang nagpunta rito. Nandito ka ba para magbakasyon? Kung ganoon ay mabuti at ililibot kita dito."
I know she's trying her best to comfort me and make me feel at home.

"Kung may problema ka man, hija, at wala kang mapagsasabihan ay nandito lang ako." Hinawakan niya ang buhok ko at marahang hinaplos.

I teared up at what she did and about what she said.

"What's your name again?" Basag ang boses na tanong ko at inangat ang tingin para pagmasdan ang babae.

She's gorgeous. Hindi halatang may anak na at nasa 50s dahil she looks like she's aging like a fine wine.

"Lucia Maniego."

I nodded. I see.

"It's late. Umuwi ka na, Tita Lucia." I don't want to burden her because I can handle myself and my shits.

Umiling ito at napatingin sa modern wall clock. Hindi ko rin naiwasang mapatingin. It's 12 am already. I heard before that she has a daughter. No one's with her daughter right now.

"Sasamahan kita rito at baka kung ano pa ang gagawin mo." Napailing ako sa paraan nang pagkakasabi niya.

"I'm not suicidal or what, Tita Lucia."

"Kahit na. Sasamahan kita rito. Ayos lang ba kung dito na matutulog si Leona?" Natigilan ako. Is that her daughter?

I don't mind but I wanted to have the house all by myself pero makulit si Tita Lucia at dito daw talaga matutulog.

Whatever. My house is big.

And Tita Lucia is very makulit. Nakasimangot ako habang inuubos ang sopas na niluto niya. She's smiling widely at me.

May kumatok sa pinto kaya tumayo siya para buksan. Maybe, that's her daughter na.

"Ma," A heard a cold and deep low voice sa may bandang pintuan kaya lumingon ako. Nakapasok na silang dalawa.

Isang matangkad na mahaba ang itim na buhok na babae ang nakatalikod mula sa pwesto ko kaya hindi ko pa nakikita ang mukha niya. I bet she's pretty too like her mother.

"Batiin mo muna si Addy. Iyong may-ari ng rest house." Her mom instructed.

"Where?" Tinuro ni Tita Lucia ang pwesto ko.