FLIP - 5
"Thank you, sister Fely!"
The moment she grab the kitchen tools she needed from sister Fely, Amara close the door with an average force. She wants to learn how to cook that's why she ask the nun to borrow some kitchen stuffs or anything she can use to cook.
Ean did his promise to call to her everyday since he left the orphanage. Amara can't deny the fact that she somehow felt envy of him and to those other orphans who adopt kids like her.
By watching tutorials on TV, she excitedly follow the step by steps on how to cook on her favorite dish called bicol express. She wants it to be spicy so she added some red chilli pepper to make it hot and spicy.
And when she's finally done, she felt like she's salivating so she immediately digs in to eat and taste what it's like.
"Medyo ayos na." komento nya nang matikman ang niluto.
She's willingly to learn all of the filipino dishes and some foreign dishes if possible. But to her situation of life right now, she can't be able to that unless, she could get out of here.
Hindi sya makakalabas sa bahay ampunan na ito kung walang mag aampon sa kanya. Pero halos ata ng mag asawa na balak mag ampon ng bata at kapag nakita sya ng mga ito, ay parang nandidiri kaagad sila.
Her all time prayer is to have a family that would adopt her and love her like she's their own flesh and blood. That's what she wants. She doesn't care even if they're poor or rich. What matters to her is their sincerity and love.
AFTER she ate her lunch, the telephone on her room suddenly ring. Sa isiping ang kaibigan iyon, sinagot kaagad niya.
"Ean! Kumusta ka dyan? Masaya ba dyan sa lungsod?"
"Yeah! Masaya nga dito. Pero mas masaya kung nandito ka rin." bakas sa boses nito ang saya. "Oh and, I guess what. I made some friends here in school! They're five so if I include myself, we're six overall. Last week lang kami nagkakilala lahat at lahat din sila at mababait. May saltik nga lang minsan." tumawa ito na ikinatawa rin nya. "Ikaw? Musta dyan? May umaaway ba sayo dyan?"
"Wala naman. Ay! oo nga pala. Guess what rin. Nakapag luto ako ng favorite kong bicol express! Masarap naman sya kaso kailangan ko pang iimprove." proud na balita niya rito.
"Hahaha! Sige. Patikim ako kapag nagkita tayo ha."
"Copy!" usal nya. "By the way, di ba sa Athlete University ka na nag aaral?"
She's curious on what AU looks like at personal. Sa TV nya lang lagi nakikita ang school na iyon at duon rin sya nanunuod ng mga laban ng gymnastics. Kaya pangarap rin nyang makapag aral duon kaso mukhang imposibleng iyon mangyari.
"Yep. Bakit mo natanong?"
"Maganda ba dyan sa personal? Mababait ba dyan ang mga tao? Masasarap ba ang pagkain dyan? Masaya ba dyan mag aral?" sunod-sunod nyang tanong.
Ean chuckled on the other line. "Yes of course maganda dito. Mababait rin ang mga tao kasi kami ang bully. Hahaha! All foods here are delicious unlike there. And it's fun here to study because of the atmosphere and people makes you inspired to do whatever you want. It's like you're free here."
Nakaramdam na naman tuloy sya ng pagkainggit. "Sana lahat na lang, Ean. Pwede bang itakas mo ako dito sa bahay ampunan? Nakakabored na kasi kapag wala ka. Tapos yung mga kinekwento mo nakakapag padagdag pa sa kagustuhan kong umalis dito."
She heard him sighed. "Don't worry, Ara. Kung yan ang gusto mo, hintayin mo ako. Itatakas rin kita dyan soon. Okay?"
Napamulagat sya. "Hoy biro lang yun ano ka ba. Sineryoso mo naman."
"I know. But I'm deadly serious here. I'm going to help you get out of that hell."
Amara knew that he's kidding or joking around to make her not feel alone. But a part from her hoping that Ean would grant what he says.
Nang makapag paalam ang kaibigan sa kabilang linya, kinuha niya ang answer sheet na ibinigay ni sister Nelia sa kanya kanina. Para ito sa darating nilang pagsusulit. Nasa ika-pitong baitang na sya ngayon patungo sa ika-walo kaya kailangan niyang galingan kahit pa self study sya at walang nagtuturo sa kanya.
She's happy though. She's more comfortable to teach herself in a tight spot rather than to learn with some other kids who's nothing to do but to bully her or make fun of her.
KINAGABIHAN, isinarado kaagad niya ang mga bintana sa kwarto niya nang makitang lumalakas ang hangin at ulan. Napanuod kasi niya sa balita kahapon na may paparating na bagyo ngayong hating-gabi.
Amara hid herself inside her comforter and covered her ears because of the loud lightning and thunder. And because of the lightning, the electric power of the whole orphanage turns to black out.
Nawalan sila ng kuryente kaya nanginginig siya sa takot habang nakapikit at nakatakip sa tainga.
"Please, lord. Make it stop, please, natatakot na ako-- aah!" she yelled in shocked when the thunder became even more louder.
She heard some noises outside of her door. The others started to panick and sister Fely knocked into her door to ask her to go outside with them.
But she didn't let her pride go down. Instead of doing the nun's command, she pretend to be asleep and didn't make some noises coming from inside of her room. Minutes later, she couldn't hear sister Fely's knock. Means, she's already left.
"Yeah right. Bakit ba ugali ng mga tao ngayon ang umalis? Kahit pa may dahilan sila, hindi ba nila naiisip ang nararamdaman ng taong iniiwan nila?" mangiyak-ngiyak na wika niya sa sarili habang mahigpit na yakap-yakap ang unan at kumot.
HUMUPA ang bagyo at hindi na niya namalayang nakatulog na pala sya hanggang sa maalimpungatan na lang nang may kumatok sa pinto nya.
"Hija? Ayos ka pa ba jan?"
She force herself to get up and went in front of her door. "Ayos naman po ako, sister Fely." she said with a sleepy voice. "Hindi naman ho ako natamaan ng kidlat."
"Mabuti naman kung ganon. Nakalimutan mo na ba kung anong araw ngayon?" tanong nito na ikinakunot ng nuo niya.
She narrowed her eyes through the calendar that placed on the wall. September 23.
"September 23 po ngayon."
"Oo hija, alam ko. Ang tanong ko ay, alam mo ba kung anong meron ngayon?"
Amara think deeply about what's event today. But clearly, she didn't have an idea.
"Hindi ko po talaga alam." suko niyang sagot.
Huminga ng malalim si sister Fely. "Hija, today is your birthday."
Natigilan siya sa sinabi nito. Ang pagkakaalam niya ay wala siyang binabanggit na kung ano dito tungkol sa impormasyon sa kanya. Only to Ean because she trusts him.
With that thought, she immediately walk towards to her bed and lift the foam where she safely hid her birth certificate. To her surprise, there's nothing there. She's surely hid it under the foam and didn't put it anywhere but now, it's clearly gone.
May pumasok ba sa kwarto ko ng hindi ko nalalaman?
Or...
Did Ean told her about me?
"Hija--"
"Paano nyo po nalaman na kaarawan ko ngayon?" walang emosyong wika niya.
Looks like sister Fely is diverting her question by telling her that she left a cake in front of her door and wishes her a happy birthday before she leave.
The telephone rang and she answered it in an instant. But it wasn't a call but a voice mail coming from Ean.
'Hey, Ara. I know it's your birthday today so, happy, happy birthday, lil sis! I may not be there by your side but, I want you to feel that you're not alone. I know na hindi ka naman lalabas sa kwarto mo kahit ngayong kaarawan mo pero, I wish this will end soon. I wish that someday, you could freely conquer your fear towards to other people who dislikes you and making fun of you. Remember this, Ara. Hindi nila hawak ang buhay mo. Nasa saiyo yon kung papabayaan mo na lang bang mabulok ang sarili mo jan sa lungga mo at sasayangin ang kinabukasang nag hihintay sayo. You deserve better, Ara. You just need to face it. Anyways, I can't call you today because we're having finals this day and our coach says that we need to focus and no gadgets allowed so I did this voicemail right after I woke up early in the morning to greet you a Happiest Birthday. Bye, Ara! Wish me good luck.'
Napatitig na lamang siya sa telepono nang mawala ang boses na nanggagaling duon.
He does have a point on his long message for her. But the question is, can she be able to do it?
AMARA
I placed the five paper bags on my bed with a contented smile on my face when we got here in our apartment. It's exhausted but it's definitely worth it.
Finally, I got some proper clothes to wear for me to look like a decent person thanks to that guy who bought all of this. Magmumukhang tao na rin ako sa wakas. Hindi puro lagi pampulubi ang mga suot ko. Tanging uniporme at jersey lang namin ang aking maayos na damit at wala nang iba.
My friend Ean bought me back then some expensive clothes but sad to say, the other orphans made fun of it and they took all of my clothes without noticing it. But starting today, I will not let anyone who tries to steel what it's mine.
"Eww. I sounded like I'm possessive over to something." nasabi ko sa naisip ko.
KINABUKASAN, maagap akong nagising sa kadahilanang maagap rin akong nakatulog kagabi. Gawa na rin siguro ng pagod kaya ganun.
Pasimple akong tumingin sa kwarto nung lalaki na nakasarado. Paniguradong wala na ito rito dahil mas maagap itong nagigising kaysa sa akin. Sophomore kasi sya e. Freshman lang ako kaya mas maagap sila.
"Alam ko kung anong year sya pero hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam ang pangalan nya?" iling-iling kong sabi.
Bumaba ako patungo sa kusina para mag umagahan nang may makita akong maliit na papel at may nakasulat duon kaya ko iyon binasa.
'I left a note here to say that this afternoon, there are two trucks that will arrived here for the furnitures that I bought yesterday. Kapag nauna ka sa akin na makauwi, then let them in to deposit the furnitures. It's heavy so don't ever try to lift them by yourself just because you couldn't trust them. Do you want to burden your legs? I'm pretty sure it's no. So do try to understand, okay? That's all.'
Napairap ako sa iniwan niyang sulat sa mesa saka ito nilumukos at itinapon sa basurahan. Sure din ako na hindi ako makakauwi ng maagap mamaya dahil may part time pa ako. Sayang lang yung pagod sa pagsusulat niya at mas lalong sayang yung ink nung ballpen na ginamit niya.
Afterwards, I went straight to school before the guards closes the gates. If someone gets late, they will be in a detention and they will receive a punishment from the Dean.
"CLASS dismiss."
Nagsitayuan lahat kami nang makaalis ang last prof namin ngayong umaga. Nagugutom na rin ako dahil nawala sa isip ko ang kumain ng umagahan kanina.
"Ate, isang ngang... ah, anong tawag dyan? Anong klaseng baboy yan?" I pointed at the meat that's already cut into slices.
"Beefsteak." I tilted my head to the side when she glared at me. "At saka huwag mo nga akong matawag-tawag na ate!"
Anong problema nya?
"Ah, eh, anong gusto mong itawag ko sayo kung ganon? Kuya? Ale? Tita? Nini? Manang? O kaya naman ay, lola?"
"Tumigil ka nga! Nakakarindi ka, punyeta! Lumayas ka na nga dito!"
Napaatras ako sa pagsigaw nya.
"Ano ba yan, ang arte naman." bulong ko.
Grabe naman ang pagka high-blood nitong babaeng ito. Palibhasa walang jowa kaya mainitin ang ulo. Hays, dapat maghanap na sya ng jowa at kailangan madiligan na yan kundi, baka sa mental ang bagsak nyan kapag lumala ang pagka loka-loka.
I have no choice but to line myself with the other students on the third food stall inside this Cafeteria.
Wala nang maupuan kaya sa lumabas na lang ako kumain nang makuha ko ang pagkain ko. Sa may basketball court ako pumunta tutal wala naman sigurong maglalaro don ngayong tapat ng tanghali.
The air is fresh here though. No students and prof around. The atmosphere is so quiet that can make everyone clear their minds. But mine was totally ruined when the two girls went to my direction.
Alam ko naman na makikisabay sila sa aking kumain kaso lang ay hindi pa ako masyadong komportable sa ngayon. Mabait naman siguro sila kaya susubukan ko next time. Umalis ako nang medyo may pagka rude.
Actually kilala ko na yung isa. Sya yung nagpakilala na Hanelle Villena. Nakilala ko sya sa Dadbod na pinapa part time-man nya. Nagpunta kasi ako duon nung isang araw.
JUST like I've said, Hanelle and I became friends in a glimpse. But not that close enough. We're still in the stage called 'getting to know each other' see? Ang daming kaek-ekan na para namang nagliligawan. Anyway, it's just a test for a friend.
"Importante yan noh? Sige umalis ka na. Iwan nyo na ako." pagtataboy ko kay Hanelle nang may tumawag sa kanya. Umalis na lang ako dahil paniguradong tinatawag na sya ng ibang mga kaibigan nya.
I ask her permission give me a spare time to show her my skills on gymnast. Ipapakita ko rin dapat sa kanya kung ayos lang yung pinraktis kong sayaw para sa nararating na Athlete University Day. The Dance Troupe Team will have an intermission number so we better yet prepared because that day is on Friday and today is Wednesday already.
I decided to go to the University stage where the taekwondo players are practicing their skills in fighting. They're so cool while I'm watching them. Panay pa ang sigaw kada sipa o pag atake sa kalaban. I walk towards to the backstage to practice my own steps that Brick told me to memorize.
"One, two, step. One, two, jump and..." I perfectly landing in a squat position after I jumped high.
Tatayo na sana ako ng tuwid nang may sumipa sa puwitan ko! Hayop sino yon?!
Nanginginig ako sa galit nang humarap ako sa kung sino ang gumawa non sa akin. Kapag ako hindi nakapag perform sa Friday, isusumpa ko talaga na mawalan na ng pwet yung sumipa sa akin!
Pero... "Aray! Bakit mo ginawa yon?! Gago ka! Inggit ka ba sa pwet ko, ha?!"
Halos mabaliw ako sa lalaking to sa harapan ko. Ang lalaking kasama ko sa apartment! Ang lalaking binilhan ako ng magarang damit!
At first, I really thought that he is an innocent gentleman! But I was so, so wrong! I already witnessed what he actually did to me! He's no gentle! Argh!
He look stunned at what he did but that doesn't stop my anger in him.
"Oh, shit! I didn't mean to!"
"So ano yon, joke? Alam mo naman atang masama ang manipa ng pwet lalo na't babae tapos sasabihin mong hindi mo sinasadya?!" singhal ko sa kanya habang hinihimas ang pwet ko. Mukha kasing magkakapasa sa sakit e. Ang lakas pang sumipa nito.
"Look, I swear. I really didn't mean to. I thought you're someone that I hate because your back looks like the same to her." paliwanag nito. "But, what are you doing here? Taekwondo players are practicing in this location so you're not allowed in here."
"Aray ko..." mahinang usal ko habang pinipilit na makatayo. "Wag mong ibahin ang usapan! Hmp! Dyan ka na nga!" sigaw ko sa kanya at tinuhod sya.
"Damn, woman! Shit! That hurts!" galit na sigaw nya habang hawak ang parteng nasa gitna ng mga hita niya.
"You deserve it, asshole! Tiisin mo! Kasalanan mo naman di ba?" nakangisi kong pang-aasar sa kanya. Yun din ang sinabi nya sa akin dati so now I think we're even.
I walk away from him and heard some bad words that he cussed to me so I faced him. Fifteen meters away from him.
"Wala akong pakialam kung mabasag itlog mo o mabaog ka! Punyemas ka!"
Kita ko sa gilid ng mata ko ang pagbubulungan ng ibang mga estudyante nang dahil sa isinigaw ko sa kanya. Pero wala akong pakialam sa kanila!
Bwiset talaga yung lalaking yon! Ang sakit kaya ng pwet ko! Nakakagigil sya! Yari talaga yon pag uwi ng apartment mamaya! Wala akong pakialam kung masira pa ang mga bagong bili nyang kagamitan ang mahalaga, magkarambolan kami. At hindi ako papayag na magpatalo.
Mukhang magkaka world war 3 mamaya!
~amph1trite~