Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

22

"Did you take a break?" 

Sevi was combing my hair with his hand while hugging my waist with his other hand. We were both laying down in our bed right after making love. Nakatalikod ako sa kanya at sinusubukang matulog, just wearing my underwear. 

"Oo, sabi mo magpahinga, 'di ba?" He kissed my shoulder. "May binitawan akong project pero okay lang. Kailangan ko huminga. Hindi naman major, e. May bago kaming pinagkakaabahalan ni Luna." 

"What will happen to your family?" I asked. 

"Pumayag si Mama na tawagan si Papa para humingi ng pera." He sighed heavily. "Kahit labag sa loob niya. Kailangan eh. Hindi ko kayang tustusan pati 'yong... isa pang kapatid. Sobra na 'yon. Ang hirap na."

"Your dad should be the one carrying these responsibilities that you have." I sighed too. "You're young. You're still young."

"Hindi na 'ko aalis kapag Sunday. Uuwi na rin ako bago mag-dinner, tapos hahanap ako ng ibang paraan kung paano ako makakabayad sa 'yo sa lahat ng binayaran mo. Okay ba 'yon?" He asked. 

"There's no need, Sevi. I'm so sorry I brought that up." I felt so guilty about it. Pakiramdam ko, tumatak talaga sa kaniya 'yon. "Maybe I need to lower my pride too and just... ask my parents for help, don't you think? They can provide in an instant." 

"Ikaw..." He kissed my cheek. "Kung hindi labag sa loob mo." 

Yeah, maybe I should do that. I will ask for money to pay the remaining balance of our unit and then extra money if we need it. He said I can help him, that it was okay for me to help him. We really needed to swallow our pride to survive. Alam ko rin na hindi madali sa kaniyang guluhin ang Papa niya. His dad already left them. He was already erased from Sevi's concept of family. 

"Binigyan ako ng pera ni Sam, alam mo ba?" He laughed at that.

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "Typical Sam." 

"Si Sam lang nakakaalam. Nakakahiya sa iba kong kaibigan. Baka magbigay din. Hindi naman 'to inuman para mag-ambagan sila." 

"Your mom fed them for years, right?" I remembered. "For sure, they would want to help." 

The next morning, we went to work early. I asked my mom to just bring the things I left at home so umakyat ako at kinuha sa office niya. She was drinking tea when I entered her office. Inalok pa niya 'ko pero tumanggi ako. 

"Mom..." I sighed and sat on the couch. "Can I... ask for help?" 

"Of course, dear.l" She placed the cup back to the plate and looked at me, waiting for me to say something. "What is it?" 

"Our unit has remaining balance pa, and my salary can't cover everything." I pursed my lips. "Can I... ask you for help?"