Calmness of Sorrows

Chapter 1

"Vizz!"

Awtomatiko akong napalingon sa aking likuran. Doon ko nakita ang tumatakbong pigura ni Ixchel papunta sa aking direksyon.

"Ixchel..." wala sa sarili kong tawag sakanya nang huminto ito sa tapat ko.

She smiled softly and waved at me.

"Are you free right now?" hingal nyang tanong.

Napatitig ako sakanya at dahan-dahang umiling.

I realized I was absent-minded. Kanina pa ako naglalakad at kung hindi nya ako tinawag ay hindi ako mababalik sa kasalukuyan.

"I... I want to go home," I said.

Natigilan sya at napakurap. Sinuri nya ang kabuuan ko hanggang sa nagtagal ang mga mata nya sa mukha ko.

Noong isang gabi ay magkakasama kami. Nagkayayaang uminom sa tagong bahay ni Zithea. It was a peaceful night, but of course, it was just a temporary escape from the reality we are living in.

"Ganoon ba... Do you want me to accompany you?" malamyos nyang sinabi.

Tipid akong ngumiti.

"Wala ka bang date, Ixch?" I asked instead.

Nagisip ito saglit bago napalitan ang kalmadong mukha ng simangot.

"I will always make time for all of you. A date can wait... a man can wait... my girls are my top priority," Ixchel said earnestly with a smile.

My heart sank with her choice of words. Ixchel really has the kindest soul. Her love is always felt, and she's very vocal with her genuine affection for us. I hope... I can also be more open like her.

A smile escaped my lips.

"I love you!" I said playfully, but I meant it.

She chuckled angelically.

"I love you, Vizz," she replied quickly.

May dumaang ilang estudyante kaya bahagya kaming tumabi sa isang gilid.

"Bakit mo pala naitanong kung free ako?" tanong ko sakanya.

Nagliwanag ang mukha nya bago umangkla sa aking braso.

"Yayain sana kitang lumabas! Girls date!" she giggled.

Natawa ako at ngumisi.

"Sa condo na lang tayo ni Zanee mag-date! Let's watch movies! Magpapaalam ako sakanya..." mungkahi ko.

Ixchel clapped and chuckled.

Unfair. I never see her discouraged or sad. She's always there for us when it comes to our problems. Lagi syang nakasuporta at gumagawa ng paraan para pagaanin ang loob namin. Kailanman ay hindi ko sya nakitang mahina at nasasaktan. And sometimes I wonder who she's running to when life gets hard on her side. Just who will be there for her... if we don't have any idea of what's happening inside her mind?

Her smile looks so deceiving. It scares me because I know she's also going through a hard time, but she won't tell us. She'd rather keep everything to herself. A real definition of the word altruistic... that's Ixchel.

"Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi?!" Zaneerah exclaimed on the other line.

Ang tinis ng boses nya at masakit iyon sa tainga kaya napairap ako. Bakit ba palaging nakasigaw ang babaeng 'to?

"Well para wala ka nang choice kung hindi um-agree?" bara ko sakanya.

Matunog syang umismid. I can already imagine her flushed face right now out of annoyance. Nakakatuwa talaga syang asarin.