His Missing Piece (MBS #3)

29.

Life's always been tough and rough. You can't expect to always have unicorns and rainbows. You should be prepared for storms.

I once became a very happy woman. Sa sobrang saya ko, nakalimutan ko na ang lungkot. Nakalimutan ko na dapat pala hindi ako masyadong magpakampante at magpakasaya dahil kapalit noong ang matinding lungkot.

Maliban sa kuya ko at magulang, walang taong nagpasaya sa akin nang sobra maliban kay Ralph. My friends surely brings my happiness but, with Ralph, it's different.

Iba ang kasiyahang dala ni Ralph. All of my worries will fade as soon as he wraps me in his arms. As soon as he smiles at me and showed me his dimples.

Those warmths that comforts me, I miss those and I wonder, when will I get to exoerience that again? Will I experience that again? Or I'm too late?

I deserve those words and treatments. I deserve those pain. Like what I said, endure it until I get used to it. Endure it until it pains no more. Endure it for him. That's how much I love him.

"Ma'am, may assignment pong pinagawa si Miss Grace sa amin," sabi ng isa kong estudyante.

Magda-dalawang linggo na mula nang makabalik kami sa San Pedro. Naging maayos ang programa at masaya ang lahat sa naging resulta no'n. Sa huling araw namin sa San Lorenzo, namigay kami ng school supplies na pwedeng magamit ng mga bata.

Trust me, I've been dying to breakdown on our last day there. Lalo nang makita ko si Karl na pinapanood lang ako mula sa malayo at malungkot ang mga mata. Gustong gusto kong kausapin 'yong bata pero, ayoko siyang paasahin.

Tama naman si Ralph. I shouldn't attach myself to Karl. Aalis din naman kasi ako at iiwan siya. Anong kaibahan ko sa nanay niya?

Now, all I need to do is rest my shattered heart. Heal myself and start anew. Let the flow goes by.

"Gano'n ba? Can you tell me the topic that you discussed last time?" Tanong ko sa mga estudyante ko at kinuha ang librong nakapatong sa mesa.

I focused on teaching. Hindi maikakailang na-miss ko ang mga estudyante ko dito. Doon kasi sa San Lorenzo, hindi kami nagpapa-recitation, turo lang pero, masaya pa rin dahil may mga sumasagot na bata.

Especially Karl. I noticed him trying to answer everytime he wants. Ang ikinadurog lang ng puso ko ay kapag sasagot siya, titingin siya sa akin kahit hindi naman ako ang nagpapasagot noon.

It's like he's trying to see my reaction and since, I don't wanna be heartless, I always gave him a smile. That brightens his face.

I wonder, paano nga kaya kung magkatotoo ang sinabi ni Nanay Lita? That we can adopt Karl and make our family. Masaya siguro kapag gano'n, no? Kaso wala, komplikado.

I focused on work until it reached lunchtime. Tumayo ako dala ang cellphone ko at akmang lalabas nang makatanggap ako ng mensahe. Akala ko ay galing kay Kuya Yael pero, hindi.

From: unknown number

Hi, it's been a while. Can I talk to you? This is Grecia, by the way.

My teeth clenched as I read the name. Grecia... The last person I want to see.

I took a deep breath and ignored her. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad patungong opisina nang tumunog na naman ang phone ko.

From: unknown number

I know you're mad but, I wanna explain everything. Sorry, it took me too long. Can you come and see me? I will explain everything, Miss Olivas.

Napatitig ako sa mensahe niya at mapait na natawa. "Explain? Bakit ngayon pa? Kung kailang wala na," sabi ko. Gustuhin ko mang patayin ang phone ko ay hindi rin p'wede dahil baka may importanteng mensahe na ipadala sa akin ang school o kaya kontakin ako ni Kuya Yael na wala sa bansa ngayon.