Debts

NAIRA MARLEY

“ Godmother? ” she stops from opening my room door.

“ Why? What's the matter? Lalabas ka ba? Akala ko ba'y may lakad kayo ng mga kaibigan mo? ” naglakad siya pabalik at naupo sa kama ko.

“ Yeah, 24 Centimeter Bar. Crazy right? Lumpo na nga ako hinihila pa nila ako sa Bar. ”

“ Gusto lang nilang makalimot ka, gusto nilang mag-enjoy ka. ”

“ But I'm cripple. ” i said, my tears fall.

“ You have your two best friend to carry you there. Hanggang kailan mo ba ikukulong ang sarili mo dito? ”

“ I don't know. Ninang, someone caught my attention but I'm afraid to approach him. ” her eyes light up.

“ Why? Because of your past? Because men are not reliable? Or because you're crippled? ” she got it all right.

“ All of it. ”

“ Not all men are the same. Remember Seven? The young man who accidentally enter here? ” tumango ako, naaalala ko s'ya and i do remember him when Grim Reaper is standing in front of me 2 days ago. That night when Liza drag me into 24 Centimeter Bar, she booked him for me and it's feels so strange. He sounded like Seven but in a very masculine way.

“ What about Seven? ”

“ Well, that young man is kind. Working student para sa pamilya niya, hindi niya pinapabayaan kahit may choice naman siyang lumayo. ”

“ Ninang, he's young. Everyone change, just like Leo. ” i said.

“ No, ibang iba ang mata ni Seven. His dedication is far beyond everyone's expectation. At maraming lalaki ang katulad niya. You don't need to carry all mens burden and mistakes because of your ex husband. Don't treat them like they were your father, stepdad and ex husband. Sa dami ng tao sa mundo, marami ang may busilak na puso. How will you know if your mind keeps telling you that they are all the same? ”

“ Cause they were. Sa una lang sila magaling. ” pinitik niya ang aking noo.

“ Then just enjoy their company. You're beautiful, wealthy and walang sabit. Divorce and no child. You're only 34 anak, noong panahon ko panay hotel ako para magsaya. If they use you, use them too. H'wag mong sayangin ang buhay mo Naira para lang sa lalaking sinayang ka. Ipakita mo na kahit wala siya ay kaya mong maging masaya. ” she's right, hindi ako talunan.

Bakit ba hinayaan kong lamunin ako ng dilim? I survived worst, I'll survive this one too. After all, i still have my company, my good employees, my two idiot besties, my godmother and Tita Yvonne.

“ Matutulog na ako, may flight ako bukas. Graduation ng apo ko. ”

“ Yeah I know. Uhm... Ninang, call Liza tell them to come and get me. ” she glance at me then smile.

“ Change your mind already? ” my lips parted, them smirk.

“ I'll go get my baby boy Ninang. ”

Mabilis pa sa bagyo na dumating ang dalawa kong kaibigan. We arrived at 24 Centimeter Bar, Liza ask for Grim Reaper but he wasn't here at all.

“ Aw. Babe, hindi raw pumasok si Grim Reaper busy raw mag-alaga ng kapatid at nanay niya sa hospital. ” my hope faded, i smile at her kahit na para akong nasaktan.

After two drinks ay nagpaalam akong lalabas muna ako. They were busy enjoying the dance floor while i am here, sitting on my wheelchair. Lumabas ako para lumanghap ng sariwang hangin. Ilang minuto ang lumipas may plastic bottle na gumulong patulong sa akin.

I look around and found 4 men ganging to someone. I have no plans of approaching them but still I came.

“ Miss, naligaw ka ata o baka naman gusto mong madamay? ” tiningnan ko ang lalaking may makapal na balbas at mahabang buhok.

“ This is against the law. ” i said and he laugh sarcastically.

“ Law? Anong silbi ng batas, masisingil ba niyan ang utang sa amin ng tatay ng batang ito? ” i glance at the young man hugging his knees that can't even raise his head to look at me.

“ Hindi niya utang ang utang ng kanyang ama. ”

“ Hindi nagbabayad ang kanyang ama kaya't siya ang kailangan magbayad! Stay out of our business. ” i tried to calm myself.

Yeah, i shouldn't come and get involve with their mess.

I move my wheelchair. I turn back ready to leave them when the young man spoke.

“ M-Miss Naira? ” doon ay natigilan ako at agad na humarap.

There, i saw him cover with blood and bruise. He look so awful yet still stubborn.

“ S-Seven?” my voice broke and somehow i don't understand why my tears fall.

“ Leave, leave me it's my problem. ” kinuwelyuhan siya ng kalbo sabay suntok sa kanyang tyan.

“ Stop...! ” sigaw ko kaya't tumigil sila.

“ How much he owe you? ” tanong ko at nilabas naman ng leader nila ang isang IOU.

“ Twenty five thousand? ” they nodded.

I grab my bag and pulled out my wallet.

“ Thirty thousand, layuan n'yo na s'ya. Next time na maniningil kayo sa tatay na n'ya. ” binilang muli nila ang pera ng masiguradong kompleto ay mabilis na silang umalis.

“ M-my debts is yours to collect now Ma'am Naira.” He said that almost whisper.

Seven crawl himself to reach me. I moved closer pinilit niyang tumayo, inabot ko ang kanyang kamay dahil kapansin-pansin ang panghihina niya ng husto. Hanggang sa bumagsak siya sa aking hita.

“ Are you crazy? Wake up you idi*t! Someone might think I murdered you... Seven? Hey Seven Reed, don't scare me you idi*t...” kinabahan ako ng husto ng mabagal ang kanyang paghinga. He's cover with blood and bruise.

That man, they'll pay for what he did. Hindi naman siya ang umutang bakit siya ang binugbog? They'll answer for what they did to Seven.

I didn't notice that my tears starts to fall.

Relax Naira, this is just pity. Nakaka-awa lang siya, no other feelings.

“ Naira? Babe where are you? ” i heard them.

“ Tawagan mo na nga Francine baka kung saan nagsusuot 'yon. Mamaya biglang mag-suicide ang gaga na 'yon. ” they are crazy, really crazy.

“ I'm here back fountain girls. Come and help me. ” narinig ko na ang mga hakbang nila at ilang segundo lang ay nasa harap ko na sila, gulat ang bumakas sa kanilang mukha.

“ I-Is he dead? ” i wipe my tears away.

“ Sino 'yan Naira? Bakit nasa hita mo 'yan at walang malay? ”

“ Pero, ang taray Francine kahit bugbog sarado ang gwapo pa rin. ” i said help me pero nagchismiss pa sila.

“ Seven, Seven Reed is his name 4 days ago naligaw siya sa mansion ko dahil hinahabol siya ng mga debt collector. I just help him, can you two stop gossiping and help me with him? Gusto n'yo pa atang mamatay ito sa kandungan ko. ” Napatawa sila at mabilis inalalayan ang binata.

“ So cute, i can keep him as my lover boy. ” nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabing iyon ni Francine.

“ Just drive. Wala ka na ngang panahon mag salon lalandi ka pa. And besides this young man is only 18 mahiya ka naman sa edad mo Francine. ” she's also 34 same with Liza and me.

“ Then i keep him. ” Liza stated, i pinch her thighs.

“ Are you crazy? You're engaged. ” i said.

They don't have the right to keep this kiddo. He's so annoying.

“ Then you keep her Naira. ” nasamid ako at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

“ Can you two shut up? He need to treatment first. Although, he's really cute. ” naipreno ni Francine ang kotse sa sinabi ko.

“ That's freaking new! At last tumitingin ka na sa iba, hindi na puro ex husband mo ang nakikita mo. ” napa-iling ako pero hindi ko mapigilan ang pag-ngiti.

It's just a simple praise to someone and they were happy. Kailan ba ako huling pumuri ng tao? Kailan ba ng huling magka-interest ako sa tao?

“ I just noticed that. ” i said awkwardly.

“ Keep noticing, that's great. Maybe someday you'll notice someone that will made you care again. ” someone that i might care— i think i found him.

Seven Reed, i just paid off your debts. The debt is mine now and you'll pay me with your obedience.