Piece by Piece

Chapter 23

"The broken will always be able to love harder than most. Once you've been in the dark, you learn to appreciate everything that shines."
— Zachary K. Douglas

23

Yes. I'm back.

Pagkalapag na pagkalapag ko pa lang ang dami ko na agad narecieve na mga text messages from everyone... except from her. Nagsawa na nga siguro.

From: Rajo L.

"Heard you're back. Party later? Your choice! I have a deal with you."

Napangiti ako ng mabasa yun. I'm not in the mood to party. Parang masyado akong pagod. Which is weird. This was my life before, traveling and partying, pero ngayon parang di ko na kaya.

"Ano yan anak? May lakad ka kaagad? Magpahinga ka muna. Baka matamaan ka ng sakit niyan." Tanong ng nanay ko sa akin, nakita niya siguro akong nag-iisip. Parang na-guilty naman ako.

To: Rajo L.

"I'll pass. Still tired. I'll text u when or daan ka na lang sa house, let's talk abt ur deal."

Reply ko.

While stuck in traffic narinig ko na lang ang cellphone ko. May nagtext nanaman.

From: Rajo L.

"Okay old maid. 😒"

Rajo is my only friend here in Manila, well, I think I should expand my clique from now on. I usually don't do "friends" with people. Ewan ko ba. People just come and go in my life and befriending someone means staying present in their life, with my line of work before hindi ko naman kaya yun.

*ting*

May nagtext nanaman.

From: Hipolito

9pm, Hyve, Taguig. I know you're back by then. Karylle will be there by herself. Vhong won't be able to attend since I'm having contractions. Billy's out of the country. The kids are out as well. Hindi ko alam bakit tinext pa kita but I just figured she's still your responsibility. —Anne.

Hyve? Club yun diba? Anong ginagawa ng babaeng yun dun? Mag-isa pa siya?! Aba talaga nga namang!

Calling Hipolito...

Vice: Hello!

Napalakas yata boses ko. Napatingin sa akin si Dad. Sorry. Kasi naman eh!

Anne: Aray! Sumisigaw? Galit pa rin ako sayo wag mo kong ginaganyan! Bat ka ba tumatawag?

Naiinis pa rin ako sa kaniya, kahit pinsan pa siya ng asawa ko, gusto ko pa rin siyang kalbuhin.

Vice: Anong gagawin niya sa Hyve mamaya? Bat siya andun?

Anne: bat kasi di mo kausapin? Tawagan mo! Tanungin mo! Kairita ka. Napaka-arte.