Bukas Sana (No Me Ames Book 2)

Salzburg, Austria

Almost three years ago in Salzburg, Austria

"How do you handle a problem like Ah-ree-yaahhh...."
Minsan, hindi ko alam kung paanong ang isang taong sandali ko pa lang na kakilala ay kaya na akong basahin. Or maybe I am just that transparent. Maybe I have really just stopped wearing my armour since I started living here three months ago. My masks are off, and the only thing left sometimes to protect me is my pride.
And a Burberry jacket because at early springtime in Salzburg, the chilly weather still bites.

Huminto ako para kunin ang thermos bottle ko sa bag. Mabagal pa din naman ang lakad namin from the city center papunta sa Mirabell Gardens. Hindi naman ako talaga nauuhaw but a long, luxurious sip slowly calmed me down.
Xia was right. How does anyone handle a problem like me?

I'm supposed to be okay. Nagawa ko nang lumayo. Malaya na nga ako, di ba? Lahat ng ginawa ko mula nang umalis ako sa Pinas, sariling desisyon ko na as in 100 percent. I am fulfilling dreams, been doing everything on my own, been loving my life more since being here.
Well, I'm not exactly alone....
I gasp as I feel that movement inside my tummy. Was that a kick? A tap? I rested my hand on the now obvious bump. Hi, baby.

"He's kicking, isn't he?"
Bago pa ako nakasagot ay nailapat na rin ni Xia ang palad niya sa ibabaw ng tiyan ko. My beautiful new friend usually had slits for eyes but now they're like sparkling marbles.
"Yaaahh! You got a little action star right here, Aria!"

'Yung totoo, medyo masakit. Bakit ba sipa ng sipa ang batang ito? Kung kelan nasa lakwatsa kami...

I gently tapped my bump, as I slowly resumed walking.

Eto na nga po, mahal na prinsipe. Lalakad tayo ulit... One, two, lapit na tayo sa garden! Gusto mo ba ang song nila mommy at Xia pag nasa garden uli tayo? Doe a deer, a female deer...

Ugh, ano ba? Bakit ganito?
I would've stomped my feet in frustration if I wasn't heavy with a hyper child. I feel tears sting my eyes. I don't know why.

"You miss the daddy. The real one, not the ugly butthole."

Bwisit. Nasamid at medyo naubo ako. Gaga talaga 'tong chekwang 'to.

"I'm right, yeah?"

Siniko niya ako ng very slight. Tumataas baba ang mga kilay niya, nakakaloko ang tingin at ang smile. Pero mukha pa ring diyosang empress mula sa kung anong dynasty.
Mukhang empress pero nagtinda daw muna siya ng crab rolls sa Divisoria bago nakarating dito sa Austria.

"I'm telling you, Aria. Just say it, I'll Google the shit out of all his contact info and I'll tell him about you. He needs to be here. You need him to be with you, Aria." Xia smiled wickedly. "And did you hear what the doctor said last time? You can still have sex --"

"Xia Xiao Lei!" hinila ko sa braso ang lukaret. Sa lahat ng puedeng ipaalala, yun talaga?
"You know you want it! Di ba, di ba?" she teased as she takes out a compact mirror and a powder brush.

Every afternoon, Xia and her partner Fred dresses up as Maria and Captain Von Trapp from "The Sound of Music" to do the guided walking tour inspired by the classic film. The Baroque city of Salzburg was where the entire film was shot several decades ago.
Fred and Xia owns the cafe bookshop right across from this pretty cottage that's been my home for the past three months. Aside from my landlady Adelaide, sila ang mga una kong nakilala dito at naging kaibigan. Si Xia ang palagi kong kasama tuwing nagpapa-check up ako. Kasama ko siya nung unang beses akong magpa-ultrasound. Kasabay ko pang naiyak nang magpakita ang malikot kong anak sa screen.

Xia, Fred and Adele knows my story. I had to tell them so they wouldn't worry that much. I have decided to do this alone and I intend to see this through until it's time to go back.