Lorch Crown

Chapter 21

NAKATINGIN LANG sa labas ng bintana si Saskia habang bumibiyahe siya kasama ang apat niyang kaibigan pauwi sa magulang niya para kausapin ang mga ito.

When she arrived in their condo crying and looking so broken, they bombarded her with questions. And after learning everything, they didn't leave her side and offered to accompany her to her parents.

Now they're on their way. All her friends are on an emergency day off from their work so they'll be with her. Buti na lang Friday kahit papaano okay lang samahan siya ng mga kaibigan niya dahil walang pasok bukas.

"Saskia, paano ang trabaho mo?" April asked.

"Kailangan kong maghanap ng ibang trabaho. Siguro babalik ako ng New York. Can't stomach working in the same place with Lorch."

Bumuntong-hininga si Nicole na siyang nagmamaneho. "It'll take time for you to find a job and we'll miss you."

Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "I will miss you too, beys."

"Ika'y magpahinga na muna at huwag mong abalahin ang iyong sarili sa pag-iisip sa utang na dapat ay bayaran mo. Kami'y maghihintay at hindi maniningil, Sakia," ani Encar na nasa backseat.

Saskia hummed and then veered to look at her friends. "Thank you for everything, beys."

"Don't mention it." Sabay-sabay na saad ng mga ito ng may ngiti sa labi. And Saskia couldn't ask for a best friend than what she has now.

Nakatulog siya sa biyahe at isang beses silang huminto para magpa-gas at kumain. Salitan din ang apat sa pagmamaneho ng sasakyan. Nang makarating sila ng Naga ay gabi na. Doon na nakatira ang magulang niya at nagtatrabaho pansamantala pero mukhang magiging regular na silang maninirahan doon dahil wala ng pag-asa na makalipat pa sila ng Crown Island.

Her friends drop her off at her parent's apartment before they headed to look for a hotel to stay in for the night and the next.

Taking a deep breath, Saskia walk to the front door and knocked. Ilang sandali lang ay narinig niya ang boses ng mommy niya.

"Sino sila?"

"Saskia, mom."

Mabilis na binuksan ng mommy niya ang pintuan at agad siyang niyakap nito.

"Oh, sweety... we miss you," anito saka sinapo ang mukha niya para titigan.

Her mom slowly drop her smile when she stared at her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Malungkot siyang ngumiti.

"You broke up with him?" Tanong nito.

Saskia nodded, not telling the truth as she looked at her mom. Alam kaya nito ang tungkol kay Lorch? Hindi niya maiwasang itanong.

"Oh... sweety..." mom drawled, embracing her again and gently pulling her inside before closing the door.

Kinuha nito ang dala niyang bag saka nilagay iyon sa sofa.

"Wait here, I'll call your dad," anito saka hinaplos ng pisngi niya. "I'm sure he'll make you feel better."

I doubt it... Saskia inwardly replied as she nodded her head.

Iniwan siya ng mommy niya at pumunta ito ng kusina habang tinatawag si dad at pinapaalam na naroon siya.

Ilang sandali lang ay narinig niya ang nagmamadaling yapak pababa ng hagdan.

"You looked more broken than you previously been," dad commented when he descended and saw her.

Walang buhay siyang ngumiti saka yumuko. Naupo naman ito sa tabi niya at inakbayan siya.

"Tell me about it, sweety."