Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 24

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Simple life. Our success together.

I thought I would no longer ask for more. I was fascinated by his flaring love. Our passion was burning. We were both walking in the air.

Ngunit ang hirap pa lang maging kuntento sa napaka-simpleng bagay lang, lalo na kung unti-unti na kayong nawawalan. Isang araw gigising ka na lang na wala na pa lang laman ang refrigerator, na hindi pa pala kayo nakakapagbayad ng kuryente hanggang sa due-date kaya naputulan kayo. Kailangan ulit magpa-reconnect. Gastos na naman.

Ang hirap pa lang maging kuntento kung araw-araw binibisita na kayo ng may-ari ng bahay, pinipiga para sa rentang tatlong buwan nang hindi nababayaran. Mahirap pala, kung kahit school supplies hindi mo na kayang bilhin pa. Pati pang-tuition, pahirapan na. Uuwi kang halos wala nang uulamin sa bahay. Halos hindi makatulog kung sa susunod na araw, may pagkukunan pa ba kami ng pera para sa susunod na gastusin.

Rajah had been working his ass off in the farm, and he often went home very tired and almost sick... perhaps. His eyes looked heavy with black dots under it. His broad shoulders were down and the worry on his face was no longer beyond me.

Sure, he could already feel the ferocity of crisis we were going through but he remained silent about that. Alam kong ayaw nyang mag-alala ako dahil ang dami na rin ng ginagawa namin sa school, bombarded sa requirements at sa mga long quizzes, isama pa ang school activities na mandatory ang partisipasyon namin.

Akala nya hindi ko alam na pinag-iinitan sya ng farm manager sa sakahan. Na bumaba ang posisyon nya roon mula sa pagiging assistant dahil pinag-iinitan din sya ng anak ng may-ari. The first born son of the Martinez was obsessed with Maisy, and he couldn't accept the fact that the woman was smitten with my boyfriend. Kaya naman nahirapan na kami simula nang nakaraang buwan lalo nung nadisgrasya sila ni Judson noon.

"We will just meet Judson's father, Syntia. Sasamahan ko na at wala yatang pang-commute yun." maayos ang paalam sakin ni Rajah pero ilang minuto lang, nalaman naming naaksidente na pala sila.

Nawalan daw ng preno ang sasakyan, buti at hindi ganun kalala ang impact ng pagbangga ng sasakyan ni Rajah sa isang sementong barricade. Basag ang headlights ng pick-up at hindi maitsura ang hood ng sasakyan.

There had been a great injury in his shin, it needed surgery. Malaki ang binayarang bills sa ospital bago sya ma-discharged. I also lent money to Lumina because no one would help her, but me, a friend and a neighbor of her. Hindi ko rin naman kakayaning gumagaling si Rajah habang si Judson, hindi. Hindi na sila iba sakin ni Lumina. Nagalaw ko ang perang iniwan ni Daddy. I didn't think twice, it was for Rahma and our good friend.

I was so scared when I saw Rahma almost covered with his own blood. Nanghina ako sa ayos nya, natulala, at napaluhod sa sahig. Hindi maitsura ang mukha niya at parang kritikal ang lagay. Mr. Sagorio gave me a financial aid for Rajah's medication and surgery. It was embarrassing but I had no other choice. Hindi kakasya ang ipon namin at ang perang bigay ni Daddy. I needed help.

"I still can't believe how his truck malfunctioned. He always checks it during his days-off. Alam nya kung may problema ang sasakyan kaya't hindi ko alam kung paanong nagloko iyon sa gitna ng daan." Umiiling kong saad kay Lumina, luhaan pa rin sa labis na pag-aalala.

"Hindi ko rin alam, Syntia. Hindi natin matutukoy kung may gustong manakit kay Rahma, eh wala namang kaaway yan. Nagtrabaho na sya rito noon, matagal ko na syang nakilala. Paborito sya ng mga tao."

I definitely agreed with that. Kasi kahit sa sentro ng Sugriva, kilala sya ng halos lahat ng tao roon. I always received a good feedback in his personality, kaya sino ang magagalit sa kanya? Hindi rin naman sya ang tipong basagulero.