Rewind (Erityian Tribes Novella, #2)

01 - Meeting

Nandito ako ngayon sa bago naming tirahan ni Nathan sa Teacher's Village at natutuwa ako dahil pinipilit niyang maging komportable ang atmosphere sa pagitan namin.

It's been four days after the war but everyone's still in the process of recovering. I also know that he's got my ability to read closed minds and having a closed mind but despite that, I can still read his superficial thoughts. However, after hearing his thoughts, I felt sad and hurt because he's starting to remember the war fifteen years ago when he was just a one-year old baby. Maybe subconsciously, he pushed them away to the depths of his mind but the second war triggered them to resurface.

I don't want him to remember those painful memories but those are the only memories he got with his father.

Nakaupo siya ngayon sa couch at nakatulala kaya naman lumapit ako at pumwesto sa likuran niya. I gently massaged his temples to calm his thoughts but his eyes flew open.

"Stay still," I ordered. "This will somehow soothe your mind."

Tumahimik naman siya at habang nakatingin ako sa kanya ay naaalala ko si Vince. Their serious expressions are the same. Nagulat naman ako nung biglang may tumulong luha sa mga mata niya at parang bumagsak ang puso ko nung nakita ko 'yun.

"I should be the one saying sorry," he said and when I read his mind, I can't believe that he's starting to remember that moment.

Mitsuo's whole body was covered with blood after killing Raizo. He stood quietly after that and his spear slipped out of his hand.

'Sorry...Nathan...Nathalie...'

Niyakap ko ang anak ko dahil alam kong sinisisi niya rin ang sarili niya sa nangyari. Bakit sa ganito pang paraan niya maaalala ang tatay niya?

"It's not your fault, Nathan," bulong ko sa kanya. "You're just a child that time."

"But because of me..." Lalo kong hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa kanya at magkahalong tuwa at lungkot ang naramdaman ko nung niyakap niya rin ako.

"He chose to protect you. He did everything to save our future so instead of being sorry, be thankful to your father. Will you do that for me, Nathan?"

He slowly nodded and we stayed like that for a few minutes. Gusto kong makasama siya kahit sa ganitong paraan para man lang mapunan ang mga panahong hindi niya ako kasama. I am really thankful to Hideo because he raised my son but growing up without a mother and Hideo's busy being the President, he must have been so lonely. Beneath his stone-cold expression and a leader-like aura, I know that he wants someone who can understand him and someone to depend on.

Nung maging kalmado na kaming pareho ay naghiwalay muna kami dahil marami pang kailangang gawin. Pinatawag ako ni Hideo kaya naman pumunta agad ako sa office niya. Nung nadaanan ko ang dormitories ay parang bumalik lahat ng alaala noong mga bata pa kami.

My tears fell as I remember our happy moments together and I feel miserable because all these memories keep coming back...but he never does. And he never will.

Muli kong naalala ang unang beses na nakita ko siya at ang mga nangyari pagkatapos nun.

***

"Sino kaya ang makakasama natin for this year?" tanong ni Akira.

"Isa lang daw ang madadagdag sa Atama Family," dagdag ni Michiko.

"At least, meron. This is the first time na may madadagdag sa batch natin," sabi naman ni Mayu.

"Quiet down," biglang sabi ni Hideo kaya napatingin kami sa kanya pero siya ay nakatingin lang doon sa nag-aannounce ng classes sa harapan.