Stuck At The 9th Step

CHAPTER 41 : COBY

#SAT9S

DEDICATED TO : AVIEGAIL LABUGUEN

CHAPTER 41 : COBY

I've admired quite a few girls based on the way they handle themselves. Crushes, girl idols and the likes. Yet, no one can point out a particular trait that could easily get my attention. I, myself, can't figure it out and I leave it that way. I don't think it's necessary because I know for a fact that those girls were not standing on the same line. They are different altogether and parallelism is dispensable.

As I grew up, I avoid to make comparison. I never focus on similarities considering that nobody would ever want to be compared and loved just because she's a living replica of someone I knew, in literal way or in any manner. Primarily, I focus on my own emotion. On what I feel every time I'm with someone. The impact of her presence, her words, and her actions. Impersonal questions are just secondary.

Hindi ako yung tipong 'pag gusto ko ay gusto ko.' I have an older sister who doesn't act like one. She's adorable but a spoiled daughter. Kahit masbata ako sa kanya ay spoiled rin siya sa akin. So, I learned to share. I gave her what she wants. Eventually, I acted the same trait on other people. My father would praise me about it and he would always quote a particular line along with his praises.

"Someday, you'll get more than what you gave, son. But for now, don't expect a reward for the good deeds you've done."

Pinalaki ako sa ganitong paraan. Ang mga kaibigan ko pa minsan ang nanunukso sa akin na masyado raw akong mapagbigay. At certain times, nakararamdam na ako nang pang-aabuso. Minsan ay natutukso akong gumanti pero hindi ko ginawa. Not because I'm afraid of them but my concern is the consequence after it. Baka pagsisihan ko rin sa huli. Kaya masminabuti kong huwag na lang umimik.

Hindi ako matapang para ipaglaban ang mga bagay na gusto ko. I get used to my own generosity and I think that's my disadvantage. My bravery has its limit. For that reason, it causes me delayed actions. Natatagalan ako sa pagtantya ng tama at mali. There's no challenge on observing things but I need time before I throw a decision. I don't make impulsive action since it's the cause of complicated situations. I don't want to reach that point.

But when I see someone getting abused and has no guts to fight for himself, reasonings be damned. I set aside my safety not because I wanna play hero but I wanna save someone from misery and take that person away from the abusive ones.

Nung maliit pa ako, minsan akong nahulog sa puno dahil gusto kong tumigil sa pag-iyak ang isang batang babae na kaedaran ko. Binubully siya. Madalas na pinapaiyak. Ang pasimuno ng pambubully sa kanya ay ang bestfriend ko. Tinapon nito sa puno ang bear ng batang babae at inasar-asar pa nito kasama ang iba pang bata. Habang ako ay nakatingin lang sa batang babae na iyak nang iyak sa harap namin at hinahanap ang bear niya. Nang mapuno ako ng awa ay saka lang ako kumilos. Umakyat ako ng puno.

I got her bear but I accidentally trip and fell. Sa ospital na ako nagising. Sa isang araw na pananatili ko sa ospital ay nagawa akong dalawin ng batang babae. Nagpasama siya sa Yaya niya at hawak niya pa rin ang bear niyang naging sanhi ng disgrasya ko. I don't blame her, though.

I stared at her for a long moment because she's not speaking. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na tila nahihiya. Kaya ako na lang ang unang nagsalita.

"Hi."

Then, she smiled. For the first time, I saw her smile.

"H-hello. I'm. . .I'm R-Rhea." She stuttered.

"Hi, Rhea. Why are you here in my room?"

Matagal na sandali ang pinalipas niya bago sumagot.

"Thank you."