Last Summer

37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

My eyes are puffy from crying. Pinagtitinginan na ako ng mga tao dito. I wiped my tears before standing up. Umalis na ako at dumiretso sa opisina. I wore my sunglasses para walang makakaalam na umiiyak ako.

"Ma'am, okay lang po ba kayo?" Mukhang nag-aalalang tanong ni Michelle, my secretary.

"Yes, why?" Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Kasi po, madilim na po kasi, naka-sunglass pa rin kayo." Napakamot siya sa ulo niya.

"Oh, uh, my eyes are irritated."I lied.

Dumiretso na ako sa opisina ko para kunin ang ibang gamit ko. I'm not going to overtime today. I want to go somewhere. I'm going to Laguna. Doon muna ako for the mean time.

Madaling araw na nang makarating ako sa bahay ni Abuela. I parked the car and went inside the house. Hindi alam ng mga kapatid ko na uuwi ako kaya dumiretso nalang ako sa kwarto ko. As I closed the door, I sat down on the floor and cried.

Bakit ba ang hilig ng mga taong iwan ako? Are they annoyed by my presence?

Binuksan ko ulit ang librong binigay ni Sage. Dumadausdos na ang mga luha ko at hindi na malinaw ang paningin ko dahil sa luha. I covered my mouth to prevent me from making a noise.

Tumayo na ako at pumasok sa banyo. Naligo ako at natulog na rin pagkatapos.

I woke up around 4 in the morning because I felt someone's arms wrapped around me. I looked at the girl who is sleeping soundly.

It was Savannah.

I wonder how she discovered that I came home. And what has gotten in her mind that she decided to sleep beside me?

I shrugged all of those questions and continued to sleep.

The next morning, I still woke up early because I had to attend virtual meetings. I stood up and looked at Savvy who is still sleeping. I slowly walked towards the bathroom, so I won't wake her up. Pagkatapos kong maligo at magbihis, bumaba na ako para kumain.

I was eating my breakfast when my phone notified. I drank from my glass of water before picking up my phone from the table.

From: Unknown Number

Hi, Gab. This is Krystal. I got your number from Sage. Do you have time? Can I talk to you?

Parang kinurot ang puso ko nang mabasa ang pangalan ni Sage. I bit my lower lip before typing a reply.

To: Krystal

Yes, we can. Text me when and where.

It was a formal message since we're not close. I massaged my head before opening my laptop to attend the meeting. It was all I did the whole morning.

I had some spare time before the next meeting, so, I decided to cook lunch for my sisters. Hindi na kami masyadong nakakapag-bonding dahil busy ako at may kanya-kanya silang buhay. It's the least I could do for them.

I cooked Sinigang, since it was the food that comforts us three. I wish my mom stayed here. I wish dad was still here. I suddenly had the urge to cry ,but, gladly, I prevented it.

Eksaktong naluto na ang pagkain, bumaba na si Savvy at Bella. Kinukusot ni Bella ang mga mata niya habang humihikab naman si Savvy. Their eyes widened when they saw me.