Dance of Whirlwind

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Embrace

I quickly got out of bed and rushed to get ready. I grabbed my school uniform, the clean fabric providing a small sense of comfort. As I looked in the mirror, I pondered the possibilities that awaited me.

It's the first day of class.

Nakatayo ako sa harap ng salamin, sinusubukang ayusin ang mga naiisip ko. Parang iba na ang nakikita kong repleksyon, o baka sinusubukan ko lang kumbinsihin ang sarili ko. Parang may kailangan akong baguhin, pero hindi ko masabi kung ano.

Tahimik sa paligid, pero sa loob ko, parang may ingay na hindi mapakali. Tinititigan ko ang suot ko, iniisip kung ito ba ang tamang itsura para sa araw na 'to. Walang dapat na mali. Walang dapat makahalata.

Huminga ako nang malalim, sinusubukang pakalmahin ang sarili. My mind raced with all the questions my team might ask. Bakit ka nawala? Anong nangyari sa'yo? Pero wala akong balak magbigay ng totoong sagot. Hindi ngayon.

Huminga ako ng malalim, tinuwid ang damit ko. Kinakabahan ako, halo ng kaba at takot kung paano ako aakto sa harapan nila. Kaya ko ba? Kaya ko bang magpanggap?

I glanced at my phone one last time—no new messages. That was good. Less pressure.

"Here we go," I muttered to myself as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.

Habang nag-aalmusal kami sa dining table, abala si Tita Peon sa paghahanda ng pagkain habang si Ate Phine naman ay nagbabalot ng mga gamit sa kanyang bag.

"Vien, sumabay ka na kay Philip papuntang school," sabi ni Tita Peon, nang makaupo siya sa tabi ko.

Napatingin ako sa kanila, naguguluhan. "Huwag na po, Tita. Kaya ko naman mag-isa," sagot ko, nag-aalala sa ideya ng pagsabay kay Philip.

"Anong 'huwag na'? Pareho naman kayong papunta sa school. It's better if you go together than be alone," Ate Phine chimed in, her tone suggesting that she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Oo nga! At least may kasama ka," dagdag ni Tita Peon, nakangiti.

I couldn't help but wonder, Why are they so insistent? But before I could protest further, Philip appeared outside the house, grinning and looking eager to join us.

Nabanggit naman sa'kin ni Ate Phine nung una kaming magkita na bago lang sila rito. Dahil lumipat sila ng bahay ay kinailangan din ni Philip ng school.

"Hey, Vien! Are you ready?" he called out, his voice full of enthusiasm.

Ayokong magpaka-awkward sa harap ni Philip, lalo na't hindi ko pa siya gaanong kilala.

"Actually, I could use your help with the school layout," Philip said, his tone suddenly serious. "I'm not really familiar with the place, and I heard it can be a bit confusing."

His words caught me off guard. He was asking for my help, which made me feel a little more at ease. Maybe we could figure this out together.

"Alright then," I finally said, even though I still felt shy.

Paglabas namin, nakangiti si Tita Peon at Ate Phine habang kumakaway sa amin. 

"Ingat kayo, ha!" sabi ni Tita Peon, habang sumakay na ako sa kotse ni Philip. Hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang kaba habang nakaupo ako sa tabi niya.

"Why do you have a car?" I asked, glancing at the vehicle.It felt strange to see someone my age driving, especially since I wasn't used to this kind of situation.

Philip chuckled as he started the engine. "I just turned eighteen, so I'm allowed to drive now," he replied a hint of pride in his voice. "Plus, I have my driver's license, so I can actually use it!"