Setting Into The Horizon (Painted Colors Series 1) ON HOLD

Chapter 12

Chapter 12
Setting Into The Horizon

I went to Horizon alone. Nasa second floor ako ng cafe at nakatanaw lang sa labas. I was drinking the drink I ordered when I caught sight of West. Papalabas na siya sa gate ng school but he was not alone. The girl followed him not long after.

Palinga-linga sa West sa daan at tila para bang may hinahanap. Nakita ko kung paano tumigil ang mga titig niya sa establisyemento kung nasaan ako naroroon, kaya dali-dali akong tumayo sa kinauupuan at nagtago sa malapit na dingding.

Buti na lang at kaunti lang ang tao dito sa pangalawang palapag, napatingin sa akin yung iba pero wala naman silang pake sa ginagawa ko.

I tried peeking again, and I saw their backs walking away from the school. Doon lang ako nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga. Hindi na rin ako nagtagal sa Horizon at agad ding umuwi.

The maid opened the front door for me, and I was surprised to see my mother. Kailan pa siya dumating?

"Mommy," tawag ko sa atensyon niya. Ibinaba ko muna ang bitbit na gitara at nagtungo sa aking ina para yumakap. I felt her warmth right after I enveloped my arms around her waist.

She smells like home, yet distant.

Ramdam ko ang paglapat ng mga kamay niya sa likod ko pero hindi rin 'yon nagtagal. I awkwardly put a distance between us. Pero kahit na ganon ay nagawa kong ngumiti sa harap ng nanay ko.

I just missed her so much.

"Kanina lang po ba kayo bumalik? Si daddy po?" tanong ko. Nakasuot pa rin ng business attire si mommy at balak niyang hubarin ang coat niya kaya tinulungan ko siya doon.

"Oo, kanina lang. Your dad stayed there in Dubai. He still has work to do there," I instructed one of our maids to make coffee for my mother but she stopped me. "Huwag na manang," mom said.

"The flight was long Koa, I'll go ahead and sleep." she added. "Hindi na muna kita masasabayan sa dinner."

Nagsimulang maglakad na si mommy at naiwan ako nang nakatayo doon sa pwesto namin kanina. My gaze followed my mother's back. Even though she's old, she remained poised and elegant. She took good care of her figure. Hindi halata na lampas na siya sa kalendaryo.

I snapped back when I heard the door of their room closed. I sighed and looked down to the floor. Ate Alma asked me if I wanted the dinner to be served and I shook my head to tell them that I will not eat.

Binalikan ko kung saan ko iniwan ang gitara ko kanina at binitbit itong muli papasok sa aking kwarto.

I felt very empty upon entering my room. I am best at hiding my feelings but not right now. I sloppily plumped on my bed, burying my face on the pillow, thinking it would stop my tears.

Napuno ang sulok ng aking kwarto ng mga hikbi dahil sa pinipigilan na kalungkutan, dismaya at sa sabik na makasama sana ang aking nanay.

I cursed in my head and breathed deeply. I was trying my best to calm myself down. Pero nang maalala ko na naman ang sakit ay kusa na lang tumulo ang mga luha ko.

I fell asleep after crying my eyes out. I wasn't able to change and do my tasks.

The next morning, I woke up feeling light. It has been so long since my last breakdown and I'd day last night was helpful. Although, my eyes were all puffy from too much crying. I woke up around six in the morning to do the tasks I wasn't able to do last night. After doing everything, I took a bath and changed into our school uniform.

Bumaba na rin ako pagkatapos makapag-ayos. I saw my mother casually drinking her coffee whilst reading the newspaper.

Sandaling napunta ang mga titig ni mommy sa akin pero inalis rin naman nito kaagad. Good thing I searched up on the internet for some ways on how to reduce the puffiness of my eyes. Baka pagkababa ko ay lunod na ako sa mga tanong ni mommy. Kesyo nagpuyat na naman ako.