How to Break a Heart (To be published by LIB)

Fifteen

Allie

It was a fine morning and I feel a little lively. I thought of running since it’s been a long time since I went out for a run. Wala naman akong pasok ngayong araw at maganda rin kasi ang panahon. Hindi masyadong mataas ang araw kahit seven na, kaya matapos ko gawin ang morning routine ko ay isinuot ko na ang running attire ko. Sports bra, a fitted leggings that goes upto my knees and a pair of sneakers. Tsaka na lang ako maliligo kapag natapos na akong tumakbo.

Bumaba ako ng kwarto at naabutan ko si Mommy at Robbie na nasa kusina. I smiled and greeted them good morning habang kumukuha ng baso at gatas. It’s what I usually drink kapag tatakbo ako. I don’t eat before I run and milk is better than an empty stomach, kaya yun na ang nakasanayan ko.

“Allie, why aren’t you dressed?” sumimangot sa akin si Mommy at napahinto ako sa pagsalin ng gatas sa baso. My forehead creased at my mother’s question and looked down at my body. Hindi ko naman nakalimutan magbihis.

“What do you mean?”

“We’re going to the doctor remember? May appointment tayo today sa doctor. Monthly check up niyo today ni Robbie.” tumingin ako kay Robbie na isa pang nakasimbakol ang mukha. I know how much he hates going to the doctor.

Tulad ko ay allergic din siya sa mga hospital o clinic–o kung ano man na may kinalaman sa mga doctor o nurse. I have nothing against them, I don’t hate them, but I don’t exactly like them either. I’m not scared of injections–no, definitely not. Ewan ko ba, normal lang naman siguro ang mga taong may ayaw sa hospital diba?

“Pass. Gusto ko tumakbo today, Mommy.” sabi ko sa kanya at matapos ay ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko. I drank the milk

“Allie.” she called for my attention. I finished the remains of my glass bago ipagpatuloy ni Mommy ang sinasabi niya. “You already missed one appointment last month.”

I laughed. “It’s no big deal Mommy. Iche-check lang naman nun ang mata ko, lalamunan, x-ray and even get some blood tests. Nakakasawa yung paulit-ulit na results, pare-pareho lang naman, kaya si Robbie na lang ang isama mo. I want to run, okay?

My mother sighed at pagod na tiningnan ako. I stared at her for a while and didn’t notice the lines on her eyes. Despite the wrinkles, maganda pa rin sa paningin ko si Mommy. And I think everyone would agree with me.

She nodded and smiled. “Okay, don’t be out too long. Two hours lang, Allie. Okay?” I grinned.

“Yes po. Love you.” lumapit ako kay Mommy para halikan siya sa pisngi and then went out after messing Robbie’s hair. He grunted when I did it at natawa lang ako sa knee-jerk reaction niya. What’s with boys and their hair?