My Sol

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

He cried

Hindi ako makatulog sa kakaisip pagkatapos kong makausap ang mag-apo kaya naman nang magising ako, ang sakit ng ulo ko. As I went down the stairs of the mansion, I already felt the indifferent of the atmosphere. I saw Lola wearing her robe while  silently sipping coffee.

Today is sunday. Most of the time ay sa bahay lang kami at kung hindi nag sisimba ay dinadaos lang namin ito para mag-aral ni Theo. I sat in the other side, facing Lola hilda.

"Good afternoon po," bati ko.

I can sense that she's not in the mood today. Bigla ko tuloy naalala yung sinabi niya kagabi.

"I bet you didn't sleep well. I'm sorry about that, hija." She calmy said.

Mukang bakas ata sa mata ko na late na akong natulog. Isa pa, late nadin ako nagising.

"A-hh okay lang po. I was just really worried about him,"

"Hmmm..." Hinawakan niya yung ulo niya. "About Rai..."

"B-bakit po lola?"

Bumuntong-hininga siya. I can sense that she's having some distress. Hindi ko naman mapigilan na kabahan.

"He's missing now,"

My jaw dropped in surprise. My body seems suddenly lose it's screw that made me feel like I'm going to collapse after I heard her. Mam Hilda hold my hand while shaking her head.

"Theo used to do this acts yearly so I expected this to happen. I actually don't blame him pero ayoko namang buong buhay niya na 'tong gagawin."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Sorry Lola... pero bakit nandito lang po kayo?" I asked in confusion.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit naiinis ako dahil nakikita ko siyang nandito samantalang nawawala na ang apo niya. Nakatitig ako habang nag-aantay sa sagot niya.

"Just like I said hija, gawain niya 'to mula pa dati," She heavily sighed. "Kada taon nagpapadala ako ng tao para hanapin siya tuwing ganito. Ganoon din ngayon."

Napalunok ako. "Hindi ko po alam kung anong problema ni Theo pero hindi ko kayang nandito lang ako habang nawawala siya. Aalis po ako."

Ngumiti siya saakin. "I appreciate you, Sol. I also did it before but he just push me away and asked me to let him alone. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi ka niya tatanggihan. He needs you." She stared somewhere, lost.

I never waste any moment. Tumayo na ako para makapag-bihis. Is this all about what he told me last night? Kung alam ko lang na ganito ang mangyayari, edi sana ay binantayan ko na siya. I even could stay all night beside him just to be assured that he's not going anywhere.

I ride with UV but I don't exactly know where I should find him. Makati is a big place. Hindi ko alam at walang akong ideya kung saan siya pwedeng puntahan. At the end, I just found myself going to one of his closest friend.

I was standing hesitantly while waiting the door to open. I went here last summer with Theo so this place was the first thing that comes in my mind. Tumunog na ang pinto at humarap na saakin ang pinunta ko dito.

"Hey! Akala ko patay lang ang dinadalaw pero in fairness may dalaw ako today," he crazily talk to himself. "Yes? How can I help you?" Sinabi niya sa tono ng mga naririnig kong sales lady.

"Hinahanap ko si Theo... Uhh are you with him?"

He held his chest and gave me the look that as if he was hurt. "Ako ang nandito pero iba ang hinahanap!" I scratched my forehead, lowkey getting annoyed. "Lol, babe. By the way, come in first."