"Eto ang manual key ng apartment. Kapag nawala mo, kailangan mong palitan ang buong lock ng main door. But since electronic lock, I suggest na wag mo na lang masyado dalhin yung actual key," paliwanag ng landlord sa apartment na tutuluyan ni Alli pansamantala.
The apartment is somewhat modern at malapit sa papasukan niyang trabaho. She arrived in the city just this morning. Matapos niyang makumpirmang natanggap siya sa inapplyang trabaho. She was hired as a Marketing Assistant Manager sa isang Advertising firm. It was not as glamorous as her life is but she is excited to do it. For the first time, she gets to decide on her own.
She was also excited habang hinahatid siya ng landlord niya papuntang unit ng apartment na titirahan niya. She had been away from home before nung nag-aaral pa siya but this is the first time na she will get to experience living alone. During college, she gets to live in a dorm with 3 roommates.
One week ago, she decided to leave home. To live her own life. She may only have a year to do this. But the excitement in her didn't stop her from believing that she would enjoy it even if it would only last for a year. For the first time in her life, Ally felt she was free.
Alli have lived a life of a princess. Lumaki siyang sanay sa glamorosong buhay. Her family are well-off kahit pa sa maliit na probinsiya lang sila nakatira. But then she was raised humbly. Sanay siyang makihalubilo sa tao anuman ang antas ng buhay. And living away from home, somehow gives her a different kind of adventure. She get to learn independence. Ngunit mas higit, pansamantala siyang malalayo sa mga taong nagdidikta sa kaniya kung pano tatakbo ang buhay niya.
Nasa second floor ang tutuluyan ni Alli. Room 2J ang nakatala sa pinto. The caretaker punched in the door code.
"Bahala ka na magpalit ng code," anito. Ginuide siya nito papasok sa loob.
It was a 1-bedroom unit. Halos kumpleto na rin iyon sa gamit na kasama sa renta but somehow basic.
"Ang maintenance ng gamit by request. Charge sayo ang pagpapaayos. But if irrepairable na, subject to change na ng leasee. Unless normal wear and tear," paliwanag ng caretaker.
Tumatango lang si Alli. Nagustuhan niya ang kabuuan ng unit. It was cozy and private. She felt good vibes on it. She can't wait to move in. Sinilip niya ang silid. Hindi iyon kasing laki at kasing garbo ng silid niya but she felt at home on it. Alam niyang magiging maayos ang tulog niya.
"Very nice," nakangiting komento niya. "May kailangan pa po ba akong pirmahan or something?"
"Wala naman na. Kung ok ka na, iiwan na kita. Tawagan mo na lang ako kung may mga kailangan ka pa."
Naghuling habilin na lang ang caretaker saka umalis na ito. Alli was left admiring her new private crib. Tinawagan niya ang movers na kinontrata niya para ihatid ang mga gamit niya. It was more of a personal stuff pero kinailangan niyang magpatulong. Sinabihan siya nito na darating ang delivery niya in an hour. She had enough time. Isang maliit na duffle bag lang ang bitbit niya. Kahit papano meron siyang kaunting gamit. She could freshen up a little habang naghihintay sa delivery.
She took a quick shower and waited for the movers to come. She sat in the living room and opened the TV when her phone rang. It was a video call from her dad. Mabilis niyang pinidot ang answer button.
"Hi, Pa!" masayang bati ni Alli.
"Hi, baby," She may be 24 but her dad treats her like a little girl. He still calls her baby girl. "How did it go?"
"It's ok. I'm fine, Pa. Hinhintay ko lang yung movers with my stuff so I can settle."
"Can you show me your place?"
Tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo sa sofa and gave her dad a slight tour around her new crib.
"It's nice actually. Secured naman. But what I like about it is it's close to everything I need." Hindi niya sinabi sa amang magtatrabaho siya roon. What she told them is that she just needed to try living her own bago pa siya magpakasal kay Nicolas. She wanted to enjoy her single life. And if the time comes, she'd be so much ready to face married life.
Tumango-tango ang ama niya sa tinuran niya. But she could still feel that somehow her dad was still worried for her. Her mom died when she was just 9 years old. Ever since then, it was just her and her dad. But even though lumaki siyang walang ina, she never felt she is lacking. Her dad made her feel complete and provided everything for her. Ito na rin ang tumayong ina para sakanya. She didn't ask for anything else dahil para sa kaniya, just her dad everything is okay.
She might be contented with just her and her dad alone, but hindi sila pareho ng nararamdaman ng ama. At times, alam niyang nagungulila si Arman sa pangangalaga ng isang asawa. She can take care of her dad, pero siguro iba pa rin talaga ang asawa. Thus, her dad married again when she was sixteen.
Nakilala nito si Isabelle Miravelez. She was a woman of prestige. Hindi malayong magustuhan ito ng Papa niya for Isabelle showed interest as well with her dad. She might think that Isabelle woo her dad but since her dad fell in love as well, hindi na niya yun pinigil. Isabelle might be a beautiful woman and she might satisfy her father. Pero hindi ito naging ina para sa kaniya. At times, she feels na they remained as 2 different people. Isabelle was just her father's second wife. But nonetheless, hindi naman siya pinakialaman nito.
"Don't forget to come home on holidays and special occasions. You promised to be here always," ani ng ama niya.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Pa. I promised. And don't worry so much about me. I know how to live independently."
"Your mom will haunt me if she knew about this," ani ng ama.
Napangiti siya. Her mom might be dead for a long time, but palagi pa rin nilang sinasama sa anumang desisyon nila sa buhay ang nanay niya as if she was just somewhere far away.
"Mama is with me, Pa. Always."
Tumawa lang din ang papa niya.
The door bell rang. Napalingon din dun agad si Alli.
"Pa, the movers are here. I'll call you later after I've set up the place," mabilis niyang paalam sa Papa niya.
"Ok. Take care always, baby. I love you."
"Love you, too." She blew him an air kiss saka mabilis na in-off ang call button. Tumayo na siya to check the movers.