Chasing Captivated Dreams (Part Time Series #1) | (On - going)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Dreams really do come true.

Sometimes, you wonder if your hands can ever reach the horizon. The truth answers yes, when the season of becoming finds you ready, and what once felt endless will finally come to an end in its own perfect time.

Mahigpit kong hawak ang susi habang nakatingin kay Sian, at ramdam ko na gustong pumatak ng aking mga luha.

Nandito kami ngayon sa apartment, pero iba ang pakiramdam.

Malinis ang lugar, pero hindi lang basta malinis. Parang may kulang na, may nawala. Mabigat ang hangin at nakakabingi ang katahimikan, the kind that makes you question your life choices and wonder if you are truly ready to move forward.

"Here." Dahan-dahan kong iniabot sa kanya ang susi. "You did well, Sian. I'm so proud of you. You've finally graduated from college."

Sian looked at me, puzzled, his eyes dropping to the key in my hand.

"Noona..." Mahina ang kanyang boses, halos paos. "P-paano ka naman?"

I smiled. "I know you've wanted to be independent for a long time, Sian. I know I trapped you in the responsibilities you had with Cyan, and I'm sorry. Sorry for making you carry my burdens, for pulling you into my sorrows instead of letting you enjoy your own life."

Something flickered in his eyes, as if my words had struck him at his core. His emotions seeped through every blink, fragile and unguarded.

"Sian, I want you to reach your dreams," I said softly. "I know you can. We believe in you."

Nang mabanggit ko ang mga salitang iyon, his mask finally shattered. Bumuhos ang luha niya at sinubukan niyang itago, pero hindi na niya nakayanan.

Bigla niya akong niyakap nang mahigpit, at narinig ko ang mahina niyang pag-hikbi. Hindi ko na napigilan pang ipalupot na rin ang aking kamay sa kanyang katawan, niyayakap siya habang sabay naming naramdaman ang bigat ng sitwasyon.

May parte sa akin na alam kong mahihirapan ako mag adjust.When we passed the exams, Sian told us he wanted to go his own way. He said he wanted to explore, to work, to earn his own living without relying on me or Liander. Nasa tamang edad naman na siya, at may tiwala naman ako sakanya.

He was right. Sometimes you need to build something for yourself, something that does not depend on anyone else.

Kaya nang nakakita si Liander ng malaking loft apartment, lumipat kami doon. Nanatili pa si Sian sa amin sandali, but deep down we always knew he was ready to start walking his own path.

"Eh paano si Cy, Noona?" tanong ni Sian sa akin matapos niya akong yakapin.

"Of course, that little kiddo will stay with us," sagot ko.

Bata pa naman si Cyan, at ngayong taon ay papasok na siya sa junior high school. He is beginning to grow up, going through the usual phases of a teenager. He's learning how to socialize, slowly stepping into that stage of life.

"You don't have anything to worry about, Sian. At kung gusto mo, pwede ka pa rin namang bumisita sa apartment... at kung sakali, tumira ulit sa amin."

Napangiti siya at bahagyang natawa. "Masyado na akong pabigat at palamunin, Noona."

"We don't see you like that," napairap ako, pero nakangiti pa rin. "You are always welcome in our home. Kapag pakiramdam mo mabigat ang lahat, lapit ka lang sa amin, ha?"

Tumango siya at kinuha ang susi na iniabot ko sa kanya.

It felt a little heavy watching Sian part ways with us, but I understood him. Ayokong habang buhay ay nakadepende siya sa amin. Mas gusto niyang makita ang mas malalaking bagay sa sarili niyang paraan. As his Noona, I can't help but feel proud of him.