Chapter 6

“Divina! Uy best. Wake uuup! We're getting late!" I heard Sofia’s voice waking me up. Napasarap ata ang aking tulog.

"Hmmm! What time is it?" Inaantok kong tanong. I don't know why I’m so drowsy, I went back to bed when Sofia accompanied me after I had my dream last night and fortunately, I never dreamed again.

Mabuti nga at hindi ako namamahay. You know, I’m the type of person who can't sleep when I’m not in my own bed. Siguro dala na rin ng pagod at sa mga hindi inasahan na pangyayari kahapon. When I open my eyes, I saw Leona, papasok ng bathroom. It’s embarrassing that I woke up late.

"06:30." She answered. I look at Sofia, she already took her shower at inaayos na niya ang gamit pang school. 

"Best, I think it's to early to wake up?" I mumbled and I closed my eyes to sleep again. It's to early to wake up, our first subject is 08:00 am in the morning. 

"Best wake up. Maliligo kapa tapos magaalmusal. Take note, wala kanang driver ngayon. Kaya ngayon magko-commute ka na. Alam mo naman ang trafic." yeah, she's right. Tama siya wala na akong driver. So, I was forced to sit on the bed and to take a little rest, to take deep breath. From now on, I need to get used to a new routine of my life. I just spent a few more minutes before I totally got up.

"Ang takaw mo talaga sa tulog. Maybe it's better if you will take your breakfast while you waiting for Leona. There's a hotdog and fried egg in the kitchen." Sofia chuckled, while I’ll just looking at her. I need to get used to this situation from now on. I was about to get my toothbrush but my belongings were missing. 

"Best, matapos kitang patulugin kagabi ay inayos ko na ang mga gamit mo. I know your tried kaya ako na ang nag-ayos ng hindi kana maistorbo sa tulog." She kindly mumbled. I'm so lucky to have her as my best friend. If it is not because of her, I don't now where to go now.

Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko kay Vince. Especially in the unexpected events of my life these past few days.

Ano pa ba? Ano pa ba ang mga mangyayari sa mga susunod na araw ng buhay ko? I can’t help but to think about it and be worried. No matter what happens I have to be strong.

"Best thank you." tinignan ko siya sa mga mata at binigyan ko siya ng ngiti ng pasasalamat and a drop of clear tears flow to my face then she just gave me a tight hugged. 

"Shhh! Stop crying. Sabi ng kuya mo sanayan lang ‘yan." Pagko-comfort ni Sofia. Kumusta na kaya si kuya? Alam na kaya niya na wala ako sa bahay? Does my older brother know what happened and the reasons why I left the house?

After what happened, I do not have the courage to say what happened dahil ayoko madagdagan pa ang mga iniisip at mga alalahanin niya. 

"Mabuti pa kumain kana. Ako na ang mag-aayos ng gamit mo pang school." I made my way to the kitchen and take my breakfast. When Leona was done, I took a shower and we prepared to go to school. Since, we attended the same school nagsabay-sabay na kaming pumasok. 

Time passed quickly, at lunch time Vince came to see me if I’m okay. Nang malapit ng matapos ang aming second to the last subject, I received a text from brother Jonas and he wanted us to meet and to have a talk.

When I read his text and I was suddenly nervous. Alam nakaya niya na wala na ako sa bahay at ang ginawa ng walang kwentang lalaking ‘yon? 

When the bell rang, kaniya-kaniyang pag-aayos ng nga gamit at ang iba ay nagmamadaling lumabas ng classroom. 

"Let's go, uwi na tayo." Nakangiting at excited na pagyaya ni Sofia, I look at her with a smile. 

"Best, hindi ako makaka sabay sa pag-uwi sa apartment. I need to see my brother, magkikita kami." Pagpapaalam ko sa kaniya. Tinignan ko ang phone ko kasi biglang itong nag vibrate, and speaking of kuya, I received one message from him. 

"Teka alam mo ba ang pauwi ng apartment?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Sofia. Ilang beses na akong napabalik sa apartment niya kaya kabisado ko na. 

"Yes, madali lang naman. Oh, paano nag text na si kuya. Ingat ka nalang sa pag-uwi." Naglakad na ako palabas ng classroom at nang nakalayo na ako I turn around and I wave my one hand to say bye. My older brother texted that we would meet at a Caffe Resto near our school.

After I while, I'm standing in front of the Caffe Resto. I'll take a deep breath before I go inside to see my brother. I know that he would be mad at me because of what I did. 

I walked in and immediately looked for my older brother. Nakita ko siya na nakaupo siya sa dulong bahagi ng resto. I walked slowly closer to him. When my brother noticed me and he gives me a smile, and because of his smile I walk fast toward him and his smile change my thought. I know he doesn't mad at me. 

"How are you?" Bungad na tanong ni kuya sa akin, I seated on thwe chair across to him. 

"I'm fine, Kuya." I answered and he hold my hands.

"Why did you do that, Divina?" He asked curiously like he want to know all what happened. I know what he's referring to, why I didn't even say anything. 

I just bowed my head and I didn’t answer him and I remained silent. He tightened his grip on my hands, as if he didn't want to let go. I feel that my brother is too worried about me. Every time na naaalala ko ang mga nangyari sa bahay, mas tumitindi ang aking kagustuhan na hindi muna umuwi ng bahay. 

"Divina please tell me what happened." Disididong tanong ni kuya. So, I lift my head and looked at him in tears.

"Kuya, please, I don't want to talk about it." I begged as my lips trembled a little every time, I open my mouth and I did not realize that my tears were constantly dripping and my older brother immediately wiped them away. So, he still not knows what happened and the reason why I left the house. 

"Okay stop crying. Where are you staying now?" He asked. 

"Kuya, I'm staying with Sofia, in her apartment with Leona her roommate." and now, based on my brother's face, he looks surprised from what I have said and it seems like he doesn't want to believe it because his jaw is dropping. 

"Sofia, your classmate?" Like he really doesn't want to believe in me. To answer his question, I just nodded at him. 

"Are you sure, that you will going to stay there?" See, ang kulit ni kuya at inilapit pa nito ng kauti ang kaniyang mukha na dahilan ng aking pagngiti. 

"Oo nga ang kulit naman e." May crush kasi dati si kuya kay Sofia. Pero dati y'on, noon ‘yon, basta matagal na ‘yon. Three years ang agwat namin ni kuya but age doesn't matter naman, hindi ba? 

"Can you really stay there?" Naalala ko mas nauna kong tinanong kay kuya ang tanong niya ngayon sakin. 

"I know hindi ka sanay sa ganiyan na set-up." Nag-aalalang sabi ni kuya sa akin. 

"Kuya masasanay rin ako. Remember what you told me? Sanayan lang 'yan." We need to learn how to adjust in a new environment, we need to get used to life changes. 

"Divina, your situation is different on my situation." Saad niya at isinandal ang kaniyang likuran sa sandalan ng kaniyang upuan. He was right, his situation is different from my situation.

"Pero kuya nakakasanayan naman ang lahat ‘di ba?" Tugun na tanong ko, it's not that easy, but I can get used to it.