Page 7

                                    

                                          
Umuwi ako sa bahay ng parents ko right after I composed myself because I cried. I don't know why but I did cry. 
Maybe it's true–the saying, mind can forget but not your heart. 
I did not greet my parents. I went straight to my room and search for anything that could proof that Stacey and I happened. I looked at the drawer, my table, my closet. I can feel my parents watching me from the door of my room. 
"Under your bed." Narinig kong sabi ni mama. Tumingin muna ako sa kanya before looking under my bed. I saw a box so I immediately grabbed it and placed it on my bed. 
I sat next to it and opened it. Inside the box, I saw bunch of old photos of me and Stacey. I know it's her kasi kamukha niya yung babae sa picture. It's our pictures from childhood hanggang highschool. 
We have pictures sa school, sa playground, sa beach, sa bubong, sa kuwarto ko. We also have pictures with our parents. 
"Why no one told me?" My eyes started to well up. My voice lace with disappointment and confusion. My hands started to sweat and my heart is beating fast like it will burst out in any moment. 
"Ayaw ni Stacey ipaalam sayo. We don't know her reason pero nakiusap siya samin." Malumanay na sagot ni papa. 
"San siya nakatira ngayon?" Tanong ko. I want answers. I want to know bakit gusto niyang burahin yung sarili niya sa buhay ko. 
"Sa condo niyo nung college kayo. I'll text you yung address." Without second thought, tumakbo ako papunta sa kotse ko. I received text message from my mom kung saan yung address and anong unit number kaya mabilis akong nagdrive. 
Hindi ko alam kung gano katagal akong nagdrive papunta dito sa condo building. After kong magpark, pumasok ako sa building and I saw a surprise look from the front desk agent.
"Ms. Jhoanna. Nice seeing you po ulit. Sobrang tagal niyo na pong hindi pumupunta dito. Si ma'am Stacey lang po yung madalas kong nakikita." 
Hindi ko alam kung ano isasagot ko sa kanya. Nagbigay lang ako ng tipid na ngiti sabay lakad papuntang elevator. I pressed the floor number which is 8th floor. Ako lang mag-isa sa elevator and it gives me time to think.
What if nasa loob ng condo unit si Stacey, ano sasabihin ko sa kanya?
Pano ko siya iaaproach as someone na may bahagi sa past ko at hindi someone na pasyente ko?
I heard the elevator ding and naglakad na ako papunta sa room namin. I put in the passcode which my parents sent me kasama nung address and room number. 
I opened the door and a familiar feeling embrace me. Every step I take, parang may memories na nangyari. Everytime I advanced myself more sa loob, I started to feel mix emotions. 
"Stacey?" I called but no one answered. I roamed my eyes and no signs of anyone. I walked towards the bedroom and saw the bed neat. Maybe she didn't come home. 
I looked around and saw different portraits of us scattered everywhere. Our wedding photo is hanging on the wall. We have picture frame on the bedside table. There's also big portraits line up beside the cabinet. 
I saw a camcorder on the bedside table so I grabbed it and turn it on. Inside, still a bunch of pictures of us and some videos. I played the first video I saw.
"Jho, tingin ka dali!" 
"Ano na naman yan? Hilig mong magvideo."
I looked at the kitchen which is visible from here. Sa video, I'm baking something I supposed, while Stacey is taking a video of me.