Hiraeth

Chapter 1: Leche Flan

The cold breeze of Seoul touched my soft, pale skin, tousled my hair, and rustled the leaves of the oaks. Aside from its rustic furniture and potted plants behind the paneled parapet walls, one of the things I loved the most about my apartment's balcony is how the cold night air fills my heart with so much chills—ceasing the scorching pain and longing in my burnt, clenching chest.

I forcefully twisted off the bottle cap of the green grape Soju. As the ring-mould seam kissed the rim of the wide tulip glass, the velvety wine glided down the bowl and spun around in a swirlpool. Drinking alcohol was actually the last thing I was supposed to do since I had a scheduled flight back to Manila, but I also did not want to miss the chance of loosening up for my last night in the city. I grimaced. Thinking of the all the woes ahead of me was kind of crumpling my head.

On the spur of the moment, my phone rang, breaking the silence. Without looking at the caller's name, I pressed the answer button, expecting who it was.

"Hey," his deep-toned voice barged into my ear. "Kamusta? You now prepped up?"

"Yup. Katatapos lang. Pick me up tomorrow, please?"

"'E?" I could almost see him frowning. "I have to report to the office tomorrow, 'e, tapos may appointment pa kay Mr. Donovan. Sobrang aga naman kasi ng arrival mo. Atat umuwi?"

I fought the urge of rolling my eyes. "Kung ayaw mo, 'wag na lang. I can handle myself."

"Oh!" He guffawed. "You're not on your red days, are you?" Mas pinili kong 'wag sumagot. It earned me another laugh from him. "Anyway, I've just checked my sched kay Maggie. Ang dami kong appointment tomorrow, 'e. Plus Chelzie's sending us death threats, siya raw dapat ang sasalubong sa 'yo sa NAIA. Have you talked to her yet?"

I thought about the idea. Gusto ko sanang may sumundo sa akin dahil wala ako sa mood mag-Taxi. But then, if it will just ruin their sched, 'wag na lang siguro. Lalo na kung si Chelzie. Napaka-nagger pa naman no'n. Hindi pwedeng walang kapalit lahat ng pabor sa kaniya. Give and take relationship—that's how she called it. Kahit minsan sobrang unfair niya.

"'Di ba may presentation siya bukas sa Burton?"

"Yup. Pero mauuna ng tatlong oras 'yung arrival mo. Wait, gaano ba karami 'yung dala mo?"

"One luggage and a travel bag. 'Di ko naman iuuwi lahat ng gamit ko diyan kung 'yun ang concern mo."

Unless they threw my things out when Dad heard about my 'plan'. I wouldn't be surprised. Kung nagawa niya kay Kuya noon—na favorite niya—what more sa 'kin? Mabuti na lang at sa telepono pa lang kami nakakapag-usap. It wasn't as if I'd change my mind kapag binugahan niya ako ng apoy mula Barcelona patungong Seoul.

"Of course. Sa dami ng pinangshoshopping mo diyan, baka kulang ang isang eroplano." He chortled.

Umangat ang isa kong kilay. "May I remind you that your oh-so-great fiancee harbored half of clothes?"

"Well—"

"Oh! Of course! Why would she tell you? 'E 'di hindi mo siya pinayagang makipagmeet sa mga client niyang young and wild and free? Sobrang sexy pa naman ni Chelzie sa mga dress ko. Imagine her wearing a bodycon dress, with high slit on the side of her right leg, plunge neckline—"

"Madison—"

"Oh come on!" Humalakhak ako. "I'm gonna end the call here. See you tomorrow, okay? And please, 'wag mo nang awayin si Chelzie. I don't have time to comfort her pag-uwi ko," natatawang sabi ko sabay patay ng tawag.

Huminga ako nang malalim at sumimsim sa kopita. I let my tongue savour the liquor's sweet flavor while my eyes were wandering around the city lights.

Seoul is indeed a vibrant city. Mula sa kina-uupuan ko, tanaw na tanaw ang maliliwanag na ilaw mula sa mga establisyemento ng Myeong-Dong—isang commercial district sa Seoul kung saan matatagpuan ang mga world-class na fashion boutiques, malalaking department stores, street stalls, at mga retail outlets. I can also see the peak of the gothic-style bell tower of Myeong-Dong cathedral not far from where I was sitting. I could still remember the first time I went there, ang lakas maka-19th century vibe ng lugar. Doon ko rin nakilala ang mga kaibigan ko na half-blooded. Since then, Myeong-Dong had been the center of our night life. Kung 'di man ay sa mga upper-class bistros ng Itaewon.

I pursed out my lips upon realization that I haven't yet informed them. Knowing those bitches, I'd never hear the end of their rants. I don't want to risk it since my decision was already settled. Uuwi na talaga ako. Alam ko naman talaga na kailangan kong umuwi ngayong taon para sa graduation ng kapatid ko, hindi nga lang siguro sa gan'tong rason. Guess life was really full of surprises, huh?

Sumandal ako at kinagat ang daliri, pinapanood ang pag-uunahan ng mga butil ng pawis na tumutulo sa bote ng wine.

"Bailey," pagsagot ko sa pangalawang tawag.

"Your line's busy. Pinagalitan ka ni Dad?"

"Nope. Nangulit si Kuya. Can you pick me up tomorrow?"

"Are you telling me to go with that witch?"

I laughed. Hindi pa rin sila magkasundo ni Chelzie.

"Just tell her na ikaw na lang pupunta sa NAIA. Sa ngalan ng peace of mind ni Kuya at sa peace of mind ko na rin. I don't want his fiancee to nag about this little favor for my whole life. Isusumbat niya lang sa 'kin 'to when things go wrong."

The cold night air stroke my hair for the nth time- one of the things I'd probably miss when I go home. Kung pwede lang ay babaunin ko ang hangin ng Seoul at ipasalubong ko sa future sister-in-law ko. She's real desperate to go here if not only because of my brother who's incessantly saying no.

"As if you don't know her, Ate. Nung isang araw pa 'yon nagpaparinig. Kakalbuhin niya raw magsusundo sa 'yo 'pag hindi siya."

I wagged my head in disbelief. "OA talaga..."

"Anyway, sigurado ka na ba rito? You know... si Dad."

Narinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto mula sa kabilang linya. He was probably in his room.

I was fully aware that my Daddy abhorred the idea. Ayaw niya akong umuwi muna sa Pinas. He's, because, planning to send an investor from Germany. He scolded me nonstop when he found out that I wad planning to leave Seoul. He just couldn't understand. Say, he refused to. Ako raw ba ang doktor ni Levi kaya kailangang nando'n din ako? Lahat na ata ng masasakit na salita ay narinig ko na sa telepono. He couldn't just say no and make me obey. It was something that someone like Dad could never understand.

Kahit si Kuya naman. He's as freak as Dad when it comes to business but he can't just do anything about it. He knows me better and that includes the fact that no one can stop me from doing anything that involves Levi. He tried to stop me once but eventually gave up when he realized that he's not an exception to no one.

"I'm serious, Blaire. Dad will get mad. Alam mo namang ayaw na ayaw no'n na napapahiya sa mga investor niya, 'di ba? Please... stay for another month? We can take good care of your sick fiancé here and I promise to update you from time to time," Kuya onced pleaded. I could almost hear the frustration from his voice. Sorry him but I was more frustrated than he was.

"Thanks sa concern, Bail. But I can handle Dad. Saka na kami mag-uusap pag-uwi niya ng Pinas this March. I promise not to ruin your celebration," pagbalik ko kay Bailey.

"I hope Kuya already told you the possibilities with Dad. Kung umuwi man siyang galit sa 'yo, I offer you Chelzie's unit."

Natawa na naman ako. "Ikaw talaga ang nag-ooffer niyan? At bakit naman kay Chelzie?"

He groaned. "I don't want her to pest around here more often kapag nakauwi ka na. Well, just in case lang naman na awayin ka ni Dad. It will benefit everyone including you. Tingin mo?"

As if on cue, confused noises from his background filled my ear. There's no need to ask. Sa biglang pagbigat pa lang ng paghinga ni Bailey, alam ko na. I chuckled.

"Speaking of the witch," tunog iritadong aniya.

I immediately flew to South Korea after I finished my BSBA course with Human Resource Development as the major. My family owned an upscale fashion line in which the GHQ is in the Philippines and being managed by Kuya. Ako naman ang naatasang magmanage ng modeling agency sa Seoul- recruitment, training, career planning and such. Noon pa man ay 'yon na talaga ang plano nila sa akin. Ang tumulong sa negosyo ng pamilya. That time, stable na ang relationship ko kay Levi- three years na rin kami noon. I thought it would be hard to please him and make him compromise in a long distance relationship pero mabuti na lang, naunawaan niya.

"Our love for each other is way stronger and had reached farther than the distance that may seperate us. And besides, I trust you," aniya matapos kong sabihin sa kaniya ang plano ko'ng pagluwas sa Korea para sa negosyo.

One week before my flight to Seoul, Levi proposed. We were planning to tie the knot once I came back. Gusto ko rin kasi sanang sa Pilipinas magpakasal. A church wedding indeed.

Of course, it was hard but everything went smooth for the both of us. Araw-araw kaming nag-uusap at nagkakamustahan. Sinisiguro namin na wala kaming namimiss na pangyayari sa buhay ng isa't isa. Kaya nga hindi ako naniniwalang nakakasira ng relasyon ang distansya, 'e. It won't if both of your hearts will remain in one place. Pero kung kasabay ng pag-alis ng isa ay ang pag-alis rin ng puso niya? Malabo talaga na panatilihing matatag ang LDR. Still, posible pa rin. Proven and tested. Levi and I can testify. We're the living proof.

Everything was almost perfect. Almost. Matibay ang relasyon namin. Suportado kami ng mga kaibigan at pamilya namin. Well, aside from his Lola. Yet, as long as she wasn't doing anything stupid, I considered her harmless. But when I thought everything was fine, a terrifying news bombarded me days ago. He's in a state of comatose. Bigla na lang daw siyang inatake habang nasa high-end club. They actually informed me too late. Magdadalawang Linggo na pala siyang coma nang sinabi nila sa 'kin.

He was four years old when he was diagnosed with heart cancer. Hereditary. Parehong sakit na kumuha sa buhay ni tito Gabby, tatay niya. And yes, I was completely aware of it. Paanong hindi? 'E literal na sabay na kaming lumaki.

The thought of him, lying on a hospital bed was heart shattering. If only I could replace him and take away all the pain he's dealing with, I was more than willing to sacrifice myself. I was so in love with him that I don't mind putting my life on the line if embracing demise means setting his heart free from death's tight grip.

It's 8 pm when Bailey hang up. Ginamit niyang excuse ang pagtawag ko para hindi makasama sa hapag sina Chelzie. Hindi na ako nagtagal. I still have to wake up early to catch my flight back to Philippines.

The flight duration from Seoul to Manila is 4 hours. As I stepped out of the plane, I was welcomed by the familiar warmth of the place where I grew up. I suddenly missed Filipino cuisine. Noon ay madalas kaming ipagluto ni manang Beth ng Adobo. Nang dumating ako sa Korea, bihira na lang ako kumain ng rice. Madalas ay Japchae at Kimchi.

Despite the heavy heart, I still couldn't stop the corners of my lips from lifting upwards. Yes, I enjoyed my two years in the cold nature of Seoul. Pero hindi ko ipagpapalit ang warmth na nararamdaman ko kapag nasa Pinas ako. Upon seeing familiar complexions, I couldn't hide my excitement anymore.

"Blaireeeeey!"

A girl in a floral off-shoulder blouse which she tucked inside a ripped dark blue jeans, ran towards me and closed the space between us with a tight hug.

"Kainis talaga 'yung mga kapatid mo! Sabi ko dapat surprise 'to e! Bakit nila sinabing susunduin kita? Pambihira!"

"I actually told them I don't want you to fetch me."

Salubong ang mga kilay niya nang kumalas sa yakap. "Ah gano'n? Ayaw mong sunduin kita? Pagkatapos kong ilaan ang oras ko rito kahit na dapat naghahanda ako para sa presentation!"

"See? Naghahanap ka lang ng bagong isusumbat!"

Natawa siya. "Sinasabi ko lang! You know it's not like that. I just really really missed you at 'yung epal na Kuya mo, ayaw niya kong payagang pumunta sa 'yo! He's afraid I might disturb you at work. Napaka-OA..."

I rolled my eyes. "Ayaw lang no'n na malayo ka. Dad won't allow him to leave. Para namang papayagan ka no'ng umalis mag-isa."

Not after he heard her undying penchant for Koreans. Baka kapag niyaya 'tong magpakasal ng Koreanong may eyeliner, itapon niya na lang sa mukha ni Kuya ang engagement ring nila.

"Right. Hindi ko rin naman makikila mga Korean boyfriends mo 'pag busy ka."

"And you really think Kuya will let you see them? Matapos niyang lasunin ang utak ni Levi?"

She's been asking about my Korean boyfriends since the day I introduced them to her. Nagkataon kasi na nasa isang party ako sa condo ng kaibigan ko'ng Koreana nang tumawag siya upang mangamusta. She's in awe when she saw them, of course. Marami daw hot papas. Nang malaman ni Kuya 'yon ay kay Levi siya dumeretso. He just told him to stop me from going out with my male friends. OA, 'di ba?

"Wala naman siyang magagawa! Hindi ko nga siya pinagbabawalang makipagkita kay Maggie na kulang na lang maghubad sa harap niya!"

I frowned. "Selosa ka lang talaga. Kung hindi si Ate Faye, si Maggie. Hindi na nawala 'yang issues mo sa mga babae ni Kuya, ano?"

"Exactly! Sa mga babae ng Kuya mo!"

"'E 'di maghanap ka rin ng lalaki mo. Para fair. 'Wag mo lang akong idadamay 'pag nag-away kayo, ha?"

She chuckled. She stole my travel bag and plastered that annoying smirk.

"Kaya nga ipakilala mo na ko 'kay Mr. ash coloured hair. Malay mo, magbago isip ko. Wala pa namang date ang kasal namin ni Zuriel-" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata, humalakhak siya. "Why? Ikaw pa rin naman ang maid of honor!"

Hindi ko mapigilang batukan siya. "Sira ka talaga!"

Yumugyog ang balikat niya sa sobrang galak. "I'm just kidding. Kahit ubod ng sungit ang Kuya mo, surebells na 'ko do'n no! 'Wag lang talaga siyang magkamali na umibabaw kay Maggie, 'naku..."

"Hindi niya tipo 'yon..."

"Ako tipo niya?" She waggled her brows.

Ngumiwi ako sa kaniya at inagaw ang bag ko. Humagalpak ulit siya sa tawa, hinigpitan ang hawak sa bag ko na akala mo may ginto akong tinatago ro'n.

"Joke lang! I just really missed talking to you kahit minsan, wala kang kwentang kausap."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at lumapit na sa puting Chevrolet. Isang matandang lalaki na naka-polong puti ang tumulong sa 'min mag-akyat ng mga bagahe. He's probably the new driver. Matapos kasi ng mga anomalyang nangyari noon sa bahay involving the treacherous housemaids, nagbawas si Mommy ng mga pinapasahod. Nag-hire naman siya ulit ng panibago upon realization na hindi talaga sapat ang mga naiwang maids.

"You still have your presentation, right? Kailan 'yon?" I asked as I hopped inside the Chevro. Nalaman niya kasi na balak kong dumeretso sa ospital kaysa umuwi sa bahay. 'Di na siya tumigil sa pagprotesta.

"Ngayon na. Uuwi muna ako sa unit for last minute check. Bakit?"

"Good. Do your thing and let me do mine." I heard her groan. "Manong... Drop her off sa Carlisle tapos deretso tayo sa St. Joseph."

"Blaire!"

"By the way, I'll give you a list. Pakidaanan na lang din mamaya sa supermarket," I added nang maalala na nakalimutan kong bumili ng prutas.

"Goodness gracious! Kayong magkakapatid! Tatanda ako ng sampung taon sa inyo!"

Naunahan ng paghikab ang dapat na pag-irap ko. I closed my eyes and began to sleep. Bahala si Chelzie magmaktol. Wala na rin naman siyang magagawa.

But upon opening my eyes, na-realize ko na naisahan ako ng gaga.

Hindi makatingin sa 'kin 'yung driver habang binababa 'yung mga gamit ko. Instead na sa ospital, inuwi nila ako sa bahay! At kaninong pakana? You try to guess.

"Hindi ko alam na si Chelzie na pala ang sinusunod ng mga tao rito, Mom," sumbong ko matapos ng yakapan session namin.

She laughed. "Zuriel kind of spoiled her."

"Kind of?"

Umasim ang mukha ko. I don't know what was their definition of kind of and which will pass.

I spent the whole afternoon catching up with Mom sa dining area na sobrang laki ng pinagbago. Truth be told, a lot of things happened while I was away. Nalaman ko rin na running for valedictorian pala ang kapatid ko na college na next school year. It wasn't surprising at all since he's always been a gorgeous nerd to my eyes.

Halos manibago rin ako sa sariling bahay dahil sa dami ng mga bagong mukha. A lot of renovation took place and I never had a single clue. Good thing that I have reminded Mom before not to change any in my room. When I checked it, ganoon pa rin naman. Wala nga talaga silang ginalaw kahit maliit na detail.

Dalawang taon.

Dalawang taon akong nawala at sigurado akong marami ang nagbago. I don't know how could I cope up or if I at least could. Pero wala naman akong choice. I had to get myself used to the changes especially, everything had almost changed aside from Manila's displeasing traffic.

It was six in the morning when I woke up. Masyado pang maaga pero nasanay na rin kasi ako sa Seoul. Isa pa, sinadya ko na rin para maabutan ko si Tita Martha sa ospital. At dahil nga maaga ako, tulog pa ang dalawa kong masungit na kapatid. As much as I wanted to see them, I didn't want to disturb them from their fairytales. Si Mommy naman, nag-iwan lang ng note at nakaalis na pala kaninang 5 am.

"Manong, I have to go. Whose car is availabe?"

Gulat niya akong nilingon. Naabutan ko siyang pinapaliguan ang mga halaman 'pag labas ko.

"Naku, Ma'am! Dala po ni Miss Leira yung Chevrolet ngayon 'e. Naka schedule naman po for carwash 'yung gamit ni sir Bailey. Kay Sir Zuriel lang po ang available."

"Gano'n ba? Sige, I'll use his car na lang. Ang susi?"

"Na kay Natoy po. Magtatagal po ba kayo? Ginagamit niya po kasi 'yan pamasok ng opisina."

I creased my forehead. "Mga anong oras kaya sa tingin mo?"

"Mga 8 po siya, Ma'am, madalas umaalis. Minsan po mas maaga pa. Depende, Ma'am."

I sighed, no choice. "Okay, just call for Taxi or grab any instead. Sabihin mo sa St. Joseph's."

"Sige po! Tawagin ko lang po si Natoy-"

"Tay!"

Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinagmulan ng boses. Standing there was a man in a simple gray shirt and brown khakis. Napaatras ako nang humakbang ang gulat na si Manong.

"Ram, anak!" Binitiwan ni Manong ang hawak na hose upang salubungin ang anak na hindi niya kamukha. "Bakit naman hindi ka nagsabi na pupunta ka? Galing ka kay Annie?"

Hindi ako nakakurap. I never knew that something messy can look so perfect until I saw his medium-length hair with tousled curls. His angular and symmetrical jawline plus a defined chin made him look virile and manly, not to mention that he's also got that Grecian hooked nose and bronze skin tone. His thick and arched brows, long lashes, and pair of narrow almond smiling eyes that are hazelnut in color completed the whole masterpiece. I saw him laughed and a sexy long dimples peeked from his cheeks. I told myself repeatedly to not lay an eye to his lips that even without looking, I know it's...

Basta!

I wagged my head. Kaunti na lang ay iisipin kong si Adonis ng 21st Century itong kaharap ko. Malayo ang itsura niya kay Manong Driver pero malay ko ba, baka g'wapo rin siya noong kapanahunan niya.

"Ma'am Blaire!" panggugulat ni Manong. "Halika po, ipapakilala ko po kayo sa anak ko!"

I was a big fat liar if I'd say that I hesitated even a bit to draw near. Because without thinking twice, I went closer and directed my stare to the man standing at the gate's threshold. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa paperbag na may disenyong superman. I gulped when my eyes traced those veins. Normal lang naman ito. Naninibago lang ako dahil walang ganito ang mga kaibigan kong Koreano.

"Anak! Si ma'am Blaire. Naalala mo yung nasa picture do'n sa loob? Yung tinatanong mo sa 'kin kung sino? Siya 'yun..."

I looked up and found him scratching his nape. Kahit tanned ang balat niya ay kitang-kita pa rin ang pamumula ng pisngi niya. Which was so weird. With his hulky body and toned muscles, papasa na siyang black belter. Very masculine. Hindi bagay ang pamulahan.

"Ma'am, ito naman si Jehoram. Alam ko pong hindi halata pero anak ko 'yan. Ang gwapo, di ba?"

"Tay!"

Manong guffawed. "Naku, pa-humble pa ito. Um-oo ka na lang! Baka isipin ni ma'am, 'di tayo magkamuka."

He was grinning like a Cheshire cat at me. My face suddenly flushed. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Gwapo naman talaga ang anak niya. May boyfriend akong tao pero malinaw pa rin naman ang mga mata ko. Busog na busog na nga ang mga ito sa gwapo mula UP hanggang Seoul. Sa mga barkada pa lang ni Levi at-o sige na-sa mga kapatid ko. Pero siyempre, I won't give them the satisfaction. Kay Levi ko lang aaminin 'yon.

"Anyway, I have to go now. Just..." Napakamot ako sa kilay ko. I was afraid I'd say the wrong words and he'd snicker inside at me. "Feel free to come in? Mga kapatid ko lang nand'yan."

He laughed in a damn sexy voice. "Hindi na po. Napadaan lang naman ako para iabot 'tong mga 'to. Naparami kasi ng gawa si Nanay kaya ito... dinala ko na lang dito kay Tatay," sabi niya sabay abot ng paperbag kay Manong.

Sinilip naman niya 'yon at agad lumawak ang ngiti niya. "Leche flan! Si Sienna talaga! Ma'am oh, gusto niyo? Masarap po 'to! May kasamang pagmamahal." He laughed. I immediately shook my head. "Sige na po, dalhin niyo 'yung iba sa ospital. Baka magka-Diabetes ako kapag sinolo ko 'to."

I smiled. "It's okay, just put it inside. We're not really... fond of sweets."

His expression changed. "Gano'n po? Sayang naman..."

Jehoram laughed softly. My eyes lingered on his dimples. "Hindi 'yan sayang, Tay. Paborito kaya 'yan ni Garette!"

Garette?

I shrugged. I had no time to make acquaintances. Si Levi ang dapat kong asikasuhin. I don't even know why I was suddenly stuck there.

"Sige na po, mauna na ko. Accompany your son, Manong. Magpapatulong na lang ako sa guard house."

"Ay siya nga pala! Itong si Jehoram, alam niya po 'yung daan papuntang St. Joseph. Di ba, 'nak? Samahan mo nga 'tong si Ma'am. Wala kasing maghahatid."

"Manong, I'm okay—"

"Okay lang din, Ma'am," Jehoram cut me off. "Madadaanan ko rin naman 'yon pauwi." 

I sighed. One thing I've learned from being friends with a nagger, time is more important than winning the argument. Ang mga taong tulad niya ay dapat hinahayaan na lang sa gusto. 'Di rin naman titigil hangga't hindi nasusunod. So might as well save time and energy para naman may sense ang pagkatalo mo.

"Fine. Suit yourself."

Nilampasan ko siya at hindi na hinintay. Narinig ko ang pagpapaalam niya sa Tatay niya bago siya bumuntot sa 'kin.

"Ma'am!"

In a second, his hulky body was towering over me. Medyo na-intimidate ako kaya lumayo ako nang kaunti. Si Kuya lang ang kilala kong nakakatangkad sa akin. Hindi ako sanay na may tinitingala ako. Sila ang nag-aangat ng tingin sa 'kin.

Pero hindi ang isang 'to.

"Bakit po kayo magtataxi? Nandiyan naman po si Tatay. Family driver niyo siya, 'di ba?"

"Yeah," I only said, cutting the conversation.

"Pasensya na po kayo kanina ah? Ang kulit ni Tatay. Tsaka yung about dun sa picture..." Napalingon ako. Ayan na naman 'yung weird na pangangamatis ng mukha niya. "Kaya lang naman ako nagtanong kasi..." It seemed like a natural gesture when his hand flew to his nape.

"It's okay. You don't have to explain."

His eyes widened. "Hindi po kita crush ah!"

Natawa ako. I pursed my lips and nodded my head. "I see."

Mas binilisan ko ang paglalakad dahil hindi ako komportableng katabi siya. His height is too much. He's too much. Gusto ko na lang matapos ang mahabang lakaran na 'to at marating ang exit ng village. Umaasa rin kasi ako na maabutan si Tita Martha sa ospital. I have a lot of things to ask and say. Dapat pa akong magpasalamat dahil siya ang tumulong para payagan akong umuwi.

Things we'd all do for Levi. Kaya hindi talaga pwedeng hindi siya gigising. I disobeyed my Dad para lang makasama siya rito at hintaying gumising. He has to be fair.

"Medyo malayo pa po ang lalakarin natin. Let me keep you entertained," si Jehoram na kapantay ko na naman.

"Why?"

"Mukha kasing malalim iniisip niyo 'e. Sabi ni Nanay, hindi magandang nagpapakalunod sa problema. Kaya kapag may mga taong malalim ang iniisip, dinadaldal ko bago sila malunod."

I shook my head in disbelief. He might not look exactly like his father, he still got his yellow aura. He looked so optimistic. Parang napakagaan ng buhay para sa kaniya. Hindi siya mukhang stressed at parang hindi ginigipit ng buhay. He's got plenty of time, huh?

"Wala ka bang trabaho?"

He averted his eyes to me, looking amused. "Interesado ka po?"

Ngumiwi ako. "Nevermind."

He chuckled. "Marami po akong trabaho. Trabaho ko na alagaan kapatid ko. Trabaho ka na tulungan Nanay ko. Trabaho ko'ng siguraduhin na kumakain Tatay ko-"

"Are you saying na hindi siya pinapakain nang maayos sa 'min?"

"Ha? Hindi po! Hindi naman sa gano'n, Ma'am. Pero si Tatay kasi. Puro trabaho. Hindi nagpapahinga. Akala mo naman bumabata ang edad niya. 'Di ko naman masisi kasi wala 'e. Malaki pangangailangan. Kailangan talagang kumayod."

"So nagtatrabaho ka nga?"

He nodded. "Opo. Marami akong sideline diyan sa palengke. Depende kung saan ako kailangan. Ikaw, ma'am? May alam ka ba na pwede kong pasukan?"

Tumango naman ako. "We have a lot of hirings sa-"

"Ay naku, ma'am! Kung sa kumpanya niyo 'yan, wag na. High school lang natapos nito 'e. Malamang hindi qualified. Kung doon nga sa bakery ni Manang Cynthia, kailangan may diploma."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I couldn't help but feel sad while hearing stories like this. Noong bata ako, akala ko ay sa movies lang may mga ganitong kwento. Sa totoong buhay rin pala. And then I remembered, Levi's late grandfather was a senator. Hanggang ngayon, nag-o-offer pa rin sila ng scholarship. That's what I knew. 'Di bale. Kapag nagising si Levi, pipilitin ko siya na tulungan si Jehoram. Malakas naman ako ro'n 'e.

As soon as we got to the village's passage way, Jehoram immediately called for Taxi and told its driver the hospital's name. Tutal ay same way lang naman, pinasabay ko na rin siya. He insisted to pay but I told him we'll share.

"Sino po bang bibisitahin niyo sa ospital?" tanong ni Jehoram sa kaliwa ko.

"Bibisitahin ko?" He nodded. "My-"

"Ma'am, kakanan po tayo ah? Traffic po pag-ahon dito 'e," the driver said and steered the wheel to the right.

Bigla namang tumunog ang stereo ng sasakyan and it's a natural tendency for me to get lost between the lyrics. Sumandal ako at tinanaw ang mga nadadaanang gusali sa labas ng bintana. I hoped Levi will wake up sooner. Sana bago dumating si Daddy. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ang eksaktong uwi niya sa March pero sana naman 'wag muna. I didn't need another headache while I wasn't yet done dealing with the other one. It's either I'd stress myself out kay Levi or I'd stress myself out sa mga banat ni Daddy. Hindi ko kayang i-handle both.

"Ma'am-"

"Don't," I cut him off.

He shrugged and rested his back. "Ang sabi rin Nanay, may mga tao rin na ayaw magpasagip kahit umaapaw na ang problema. Sana marunong kang lumangoy, Ma'am. Sayang ang buhay," aniya at pinikit ang mga mata.

Silence reigned over us. I took that as an opportunity to ponder on things swirling inside my head. I don't know what's waiting for me in the hospital. Chelzie sent me his photos three days ago—it's already rupturing my heart. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko bang makita siya nang harap-harapan.

Nakarating kami sa ospital at nagulat ako nang lumabas din si Jehoram. I thought he'll be heading home? I just shrugged.

Hindi ko na hinintay makaalis ang taxi at umakyat na papasok ng ospital. Jehoram is a grown up man. He could handle himself. Pwede namang ipaderetso niya na ang taxi pauwi sa kanila pero bumaba rin siya. Bahala na siya.

"Ma'am..."

Before I could reach the entrance, I stiffened as I felt a warm and calloused hand enveloped my wrist.

"Kung sino man pong dadalawin niyo, ipagdarasal ko po ang mabilis niyang paggaling."

A warm hand suddenly touched my heart. It was so warm that it managed to melt down the blues in it. I turned my head and looked at him gently. A genuine smile escaped from my lips before I uttered the word "Salamat," and a line of amusement flashed through his hazelnut eyes.

***

Hebrews 13:2|

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.