Back at Step One (COMPLETED)

72. Moving On

Sorry namali ako ng naupload na chapter. Haaay. Ang tanda ko na talaga. (ó﹏ò｡)

Eto na po. Sorry sa lahat ng nagalit sa akin sa last chapter, but I say, hindi po ako nagtatapos ng di najujustify ang title. 

I'll show you how people move on and how it gets fucked again. 

——

*NINAY*

How do you forget someone who's been a part of you for what seemed like your whole life?

If you're gonna ask me, I won't have an answer with that.

But Ate Thea's a different question.

 

"How do you like your eggs, Ate?"

Nakatingin lang siya sa akin, isang malapad na ngiti ang nakatingin habang hawak niya yung libro niya, closing it with a snap. And I instantly glare. Mukhang alam ko na kung ano yung nasa isip nito.

"If you say unfertilized one more friggin time, I swear, hahayaan kitang magluto ng sarili mong pagkain, Ate Thea."

She leans her head. "You'd really let your Ate Andy die of food poisoning?"

"Yes, because she's annoying and she deserves to. Pwede ba Ate."

"Again, I'll remind you. I'm called Andy. Not Thea. Okay?"  

It's been five months since nawala si Kuya Jake sa buhay naming lahat. Hindi lang isa ang nawala sa amin, dahil yung kaakibat ng pagkawala ni Kuya was his family, the Napoleons who had distanced themselves sa pamilya namin.

And then there was Ate Thea.

Eto na siya ngayon, still having the same smile, still the same face, though her hair was now shorter, as opposed to the long wavy hair niya na umaabot sa gitna ng likod niya noon. Now, it just reached until her shoulder, bagay naman sa kanya, but I couldn't help but miss the old one na lagi niyang finefrench braid. Now, her signature style was gone too.

During those five months, I must say, andaming nagbago, and whole family had already grasped the idea of letting go, moving on and forgetting.

"You're too mean. Wag mo namang hayaang magutom si Ate Andy!" sabi nito sa akin, pouting.

I sighed. "That's why I was asking what you wanted." Sabi ko sa kanya. "You can't go out without having breakfast."

"Oo nga!" she says happily. "I want it poached Ninay, thank you! Yun nalang at saka pancit canton. Gusto ko nun."

 

And she puts down her book, standing up and stretching her arms and legs, saka ko naman narinig yung familiar na tunog ng phone niya.

"Hey Marcus!" sabi nito sa phone. "Yeah. Uh huh, Not yet. Friday na ba? Akala ko Thursday palang!"

"Friday na po Ate."mahinang sabi ko.

"Oh! Edi mali yung mga tinatime ko buong week!"

Tinawanan niya ang sarili niya saka sumenyas na aakyat na para mag bihis. I nod, and then go to the kitchen myself to prepare breakfast.

For the past month, dito ako nakatira sa bahay nila Tita Val sa Manila. And I've come to realize kung gaano kasimple ang buhay ni Ate Thea dito noon. Madalas kasing wala sila Tita Valerie at Tito Paul, Si Sophie naman naiiwan sa Ilocos noon, so I could imagine Ate Thea taking care of herself.

They don't have maids, or cooks, or drivers. She cooks for herself noon, and she cleans her own clothes. It's simple and yet invigorating, kasi nga natutunan mong mabuhay ng mag isa. Na kaya mong alagaan ang sarili mo mag isa.