Paper Memories

Chapter 37-III

Chapter 37-III

          "Sheena, can you explain what happened at school?" Mom pressed forehead with her hand as she ran after me towards to attic. Bigla ko na lang kasi ginustong umuwi agad-agad nung sinundo nila ako. And just before that I raised my voice to my classmate." Kakabalik mo pa lang. Nag-aaway pa rin ba kaya ng friends mo? You're not like that, you know better. You should say sorry to her tomorrow."

"Sila dapat ang mag-sorry sa akin! At ayoko pumasok bukas!"

"Those are your friends! You had a perfect relationshi-----"

"It was perfect until they showed who they are! Gusto lang nila ako kasi mabait ako sa kanila at palaging ko silang nireregaluhan!" I screamed at my mother while bawling my eyes out. She don't she if should closer or not. I just did as what Friedrich told me and it turns to this." When I stop doing that just for one time they didn't like it! Ayaw na nila sa akin, hindi na ako yung perfect!"

"Sheena, dear. They don't hate you. Baka nagtatampo lang sila pero kaibigan ka pa rin nila. Just what really happened? May nasabi ba silang masama? Hindi ka ba nila pinapansin?"

"They didn't beg back for my attention, bakit hindi ako mundo nila?!"

My Mom's eye widened is disbelief, her lips trembled. Ngayon narinig na niya ang side ko papayag na ba siya hindi ako pumasok? Habang iniisip ko yun lumapit si Mommy at hinawakan ko sa magkabilang balikat."Sheena, you're blessed and gifted with lots of things and talents. Ganyan ba ang tinuro namin? Hindi nila utang na loob yung mga ginawa mo na isusumbat sa huli. Do you hear me?"

"When are you going back to class, Shin?"

"Probably next week or never, Ralph."

"Bakit ayaw mo na naman pumasok? Hindi naman malala yung away niyo ng mga kaibigan mo diba?" Ralph commented as he stands by the attic's door. Ngayon lang siya nakabisita dito sa bagong bahay namin. At dito sa attic yung art studio ko. And while gazing at everything he carries a paper bag." Dumaan lang kami dito. Saglit lang ako. Pero palagi ka lang daw kulong dito sa attic sabi nila Tita, hindi ka nab-bored?"

"This isn't just an attic---its my art studio."

"Well, even if you like arts you should go out too."

I dropped the pencil that I'm holding, itinigil ko ang pagkiskis ko ng dulo ng lapis sa mga portraits na ginawa ko para kay Friedrich. Hindi sapat yun. Hindi mawala yung galit ko sa kanya. Binuksan yung malaking bintana para pumasok yung hangin." Isn't this fine? I can see everything from up here. Parang picture frame lang."

"Nasa loob ka pa rin ng kwarto!"

"Why do you care if I don't go out? Dati na akong outcast."

"You're not an outcast, people like you. Nag-o-overthink ka lang." Pumasok si Ralph sa attic at sinundan ako sa may alcove window. Sinilip niya yung mundong pinagmamasdan ko. Then, when some time passed. He handed me the paper bag he have with him." Here you go, I have gift for you too. Naisip ko lang na hindi maganda yung regalo ko sayo ng birthday mo."

"T-thank you...Pero ano 'to?"

"It's running shoes. Pink. That's favourite color, right?"

My eyes started to feel warm." Bakit mo ako nireregaluhan?"

Ralph's raise his brow. And hop towards the floor to get up." Well, malapit na mag-graduation at ikaw nandito lang lugmok sa kwarto mo. I thought you need a reason to go out. I'm bad at ballgames and anything that needs agility. But I like swimming running and just being outside. So wear that and hang out with me next time, okay? Bye. Una na kami."