Kabanata 33

All those days watching from the windows

All those years outside looking in

All that time never even knowing

Just how blind I've been

"Enough with your dramas. Papasok ka na nga sa crowded school, e. Lumabas ka na nga sa kulungan, right? Ano ka ba?"

I glanced at my cousin sitting beside me, but droplets from her wet hair as she combs it made me grimace and look away.

"I'm simply singing," giit ko, pero sobrang nahalata naman sa boses ko ang panginginig.

"Nine-nerbiyos ka ba dahil takot kang baka may kumuha na naman sa'yo, o dahil kinakabahan ka sa papasukan mo?"

I heaved a sigh. "Both," I expressed. Wala akong makapang sasabihin. I'm nervous to the superlative degree.

It's been six years since the last time I saw a lot of people. I badly want to see street lights again, crossing the highways, walking in footbridges, buying fried ice creams in mega malls, and even taking picture in front of a billboard. I miss them all. T