You're my Answered Prayer [EDITING]

EPILOGUE (PART 1 of 3)

"Welcome, hijo!"

Tita Gemma welcomed me with a hug. Obviously, she's happy to see me. I just smiled and nodded before gathering my things. She greeted my friends and she's so energetic unlike before. I sighed and waited for them to finish their "kamustahan".

"Ang unit niyo ay nasa fifth floor. Pinaayos ko na 'yon, pwedeng ipalagay muna natin ang mga gamit niya sa 'taas tapos we'll eat dinner." Excited niyang sabi. "And, AJ.. we'll visit your girlfriend—"

"She's not my girlfriend, Tita. Nasa pilipinas siya at wala rito sa New York." Matigas na sabi ko. I know I sounded rude but the feeling of being away from Eliss wounded me.. so much.

Days had passed, my friends started familiarizing the City by travelling. I stayed inside my room, alone and lonely. My phone was turned off and all my social media accounts were temporarily deactivated. I spent my whole days staring at her pictures, our pictures and reminiscing our memories together.

Kabisado ko ang bawat pagpapalit ng facial expression niya, kung paano siya mairita at kung hindi siya kumportable. Ilang araw pa lang kaming nag kakalayo, torture na. Gusto ko na agad umuwi sa pilipinas.

Her letter gave me hope that maybe studying here in New York would make me better pero ngayon.. Hindi ko na yata kayang pangatawanan. I don't want to disappoint her but I don't want to torture myself either.

"Pre, sama ka naman sa 'min. Mas masaya kapag kasama ka e." VP approached me before giving me a dozen of canned beers.

"Oo nga! Nakakapagod maging alalay ni Fell sa pag shopping! Dapat ramdam mo rin paghihirap namin!"

I ignored their complains and just drank on my beer. I didn't handle the "break-up" well, which technically not official, siya lang kasi ang nagdecide. Hindi naman ako pumayag, at hindi talaga ako papayag.

"Hijo, please. Alam na ni Karen na nandito ka. Gusto kong bisitahin mo siya, magstay ka lang sa tabi ng anak ko."

Tita kept urging me to visit her daughter. She always tells me that her daughter needs me, Karen needs me. Hindi ako makakatulong sa kaniya. Sarili niya ang makakatulong sa kaniya. Nalaman ko rin na tinawagan ni Tita Gemma si Eliss para pilitin na pumunta ako rito. I was really mad to the point that I didn't attend my first classes because I decided to go home.

"I will go home now, Mom." I said while packing my things.

"[Anak naman, 'wag naman masyadong mabilis magdesisyon. Start na ng classes mo diyan diba?]"

"But Mom—"

"[Anak, hindi matutuwa si Tori niyan. Pagbigyan mo naman ang New York at pagbigyan mo na rin si Gemma na bisitahin mo ang anak niya.]"

Sa haba ng sinabi ni Mommy ang part lang na hindi matutuwa si Eliss ang naintindihan ko. Tiningnan ko ang naka-display na necklace na binigay niya sa 'kin kasama ang note. I searched the meaning of the baybayin that was carved on the small pendant.

"Mahal kita."

That was it says. Kaya malakas ang loob kong umuwi dahil alam kong mahal niya pa rin ako, na-pressure lang din siya. She's confused.

"[Teka, kausapin ka raw ni Kuya Gus mo. Anak oh..]"I suddenly stopped packing when I heard his voice. [Bro, 'wag ka muna umuwi. Tama si Mommy, pagbigyan mo muna ang New York. Hindi mo pa nga ako nabibilhan ng sapatos diyan.]"

"Kuya—"

"[Akong bahala kay Tori. Babantayan ko 'yon! 'Wag kang mag-alala iuupdate kita palagi!]"