CHAPTER 3 NEW LIFE (Part 1)

"Mag-ingat ka doon. Ma mi-miss kita. Kapag hindi ako papahirapan ni Van, bibisitahin kita." I smiled broadly when Andrew stated those words Kasalukuyan kaming nasa labas ng bahay ngayon. If the feeling I had yesterday was intense, it has been even more today since Nana and I are departing.

"I don't want to go," pabulong na saad ko sa kaniya. He nodded to me while smiling tearfully.

"Alam ko. Just have faith in Brielle; everything is going to be okay and back to normal." sa huling pagkakataon ay niyakap ko ulit siya. I can't stop the unhappiness I'm dealing with right now. I had no idea that bidding farewell, even to loved ones, could be so difficult.

Kumalas kami sa pagkakayakap sa isa't isa at napaiwas na lamang ng tingin habang natatawa pa dahil sa puro iyakan na lamang ang ginawa namin. I looked at Dad, who was also giving me a serious look. Although he remained silent, I could feel the sadness in his eyes.

"D-dad..." sambit ko habang garalgal ang boses. He leaned up and gave me a tight hug. Napapikit ako at dinama sa mga huling sandali ang presensiya niya. This will likely be my first vacation in ten months and the longest stretch that I will do without seeing my father.

"Have a safe flight, Brielle. Daddy will gonna miss you." ang mga salitang iyon ang siyang nagpagaan ng kalooban ko. It appeared as though the intense strain in my emotions had just vanished. YA tozhe budu skuchatʹ po tebe, papa. (I will miss you as well, Dad.)

Nana eventually called me. The van is already loaded with my belongings. "You should go now. Baka ma late pa kayo sa flight niyo."

Napatango naman ako at dahan dahang lumakad papalayo sa kanila. I walked slowly and deliberately, feeling as though my longing was escalating with each step. I took another look at Dad and Andrew.

I gave them a last-second smile as if to assure them that everything would be actually okay. I even waved to Lorena, who was crying so much that she was unable to paint her face. Napatawa na lamang ako ng bahagya. Siya rin ang tumulong sa akin na mag impake ng mga dadalhin ko kagabi. Sa tuwing tinutupi at ina arrange nga niya ang mga damit ko ay iiyak ito.

Nang tuluyan nang nakasakay sa van ay kumaway muna ako sa kanila bago tuluyang sinirado ang pinto. Napapikit naman ako at pinigilang maluha muli. Medyo sumasakit na rin ang mata ko sa kakaiyak simula pa kagabi. I didn't even look out the window because doing so would have only made me feel worse about staying.

"Ayos ka lang ba, 'nak?" tanong ni Nana. I smiled broadly at her right away and cautiously nodded. "Huwag kang mag-alala anak dahil sinisiguro kong magiging maayos at masaya ang pananatili mo roon," dagdag pa niya.

I don't think I can feel optimistic right now. For now, all I can feel is despair. The van's engine fired up in a short while. Napakagat ako sa labi nang naramdamang dahan dahan na itong umaalis. I could no longer take it. Once more sobbing next to Nana, I gave her a hug. She never stops reassuring me.