Kabanata 34
Sweet Pacific Breezes
I don't know how I was able to wake up without crying. Simula nang lumabas ako sa ospital at nanatili kay Cristy, the first thing I do in the morning is to cry and mourn once again. I also end my day with tears plastered on my face. Nang makauwi ako sa bahay ni Isidore, akala ko handa na akong harapin ang lahat. It turns out, I wasn't even ready to face the world again.
Nilingon ko ang bahagi ng kama na mukhang hindi man lang nagalaw. It has been a week since I went home and I have never spoken to him since. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin sa kaniya lalo pa't sa tuwing nakikita ko siya, bumabalik lamang ang sakit. But despite not talking to him, he was still doing things to make sure that I'm still living. Kapag nagigising ako ay wala na rin siya sa bahay at naaabutan ko na lang ang mga pagkaing inihanda niya sa mesa. The house was also spotless that I didn't need to clean, except for washing the dishes and laundry.
Kahit pa alam kong umuuwi naman siya, pakiramdam ko ay naninirahan akong mag-isa rito. He was giving me my own space and he was giving me what I want even when I didn't ask him to.
Pagkatapos kong kumain ay lalabas ako ng bahay at maglalakad-lakad. I don't feel safe inside our home but I tried to think about different things. Kailangang ibalik ko ang pagiging kampante ko sa buhay. I don't want to think about danger anymore. Ang sabi nila wala ng manggugulo sa akin, sa amin. They said that they caught everyone involved. Gusto kong kumbinsihin ang sarili na mamumuhay na ako nang payapa dahil wala nang magpapahamak sa akin.
Nilingon ko ang direksyon ng dagat. Simula ng umuwi ako rito, hindi ako pumunta roon sa pampang, lalo na sa bahaging kung saan ako nawalan ng malay. I couldn't step on the rough sand and I couldn't face my fear. Para sa akin, hindi ko pa rin kayang kalimutan ang nangyari rito. No matter how hard Isidore tries to change the place, the things in it, I will always be reminded of that dark night. Kaya rin siguro hindi ako mapanatag na nandito ako ay dahil na rin sa kadahilanang magiging mahirap sa akin ang maka-move on sa nangyari.
I feel empty while staying here. Kalungkutan lang at pangungulila ang nararamdaman ko.
Nang mapagod ako sa paglalakad ay bumalik lang din ako sa loob ng bahay. Isidore keep the lights on even during the day. Pinapatay ko nga lang dahil nasasayangan ako sa kuryente. To prevent myself from anxiety, I just stay outside, specifically on a well lighted place just to rest. Hindi ko alam kung saan ibabaling ang atensyon kaya sinubukan kong buksan ang aking laptop at magbasa ng mga emails.
My online colleagues were informed about what happened to me. Nakita ko sa isang sent items ang email kung saan nagpapahayag iyon ng nangyari sa akin. I saw Isidore's name on the letter so he must have sent it. Nakita ko rin ang reply ng aking boss and he suggested that I should take a rest first.
I tried to pick up where I left off. Nagtanong ako sa aking isang kasama kung ano ba ang maitutulong ko. They were already working on another scholarly article and I have asked permission if I could help and take part on the project. Hindi ko alam kung makakaya ko ba but it's better than not trying at all. Ayaw kong maging stagnant. I don't want people to pity me, either.
I was in the middle of working when I heard an engine turned off. Sumilip ako sa siwang ng kurtina na nakapaligid sa visitor's lounge. I saw Isidore's familiar car and he just got out from it. Tiningnan ko siya na parang nagmamadali sa pagpasok sa aming bahay. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa mapadpad siya sa kusina. He started preparing some ingredients right away.
Lumabas ako ng Visitor's lounge para matingnan siya. He was busy preparing that he did not notice me. Nang lumingon siya ay parang nakakita pa ng multo nang makita akong nakatayo na sa harap ng kitchen.
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Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)
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