Chapter 37
"Hello, Manong Ernot! Kamusta po?" masiglang bati ni Lea sa may edad nang lalaki na kasalukuyang naglilinis ng kulungan ng mga baboy. Agad siyang napatingin sa amin at ngumiti bago muling ipinagpatuloy ang kanyang ginagawa.
Nandito nga pala kami ngayon sa isang maliit ngunit maayos na farm kung saan maraming alagang hayop—may mga baboy, baka, kambing, manok, at kung anu-ano pa.
Halos kung saan-saan na lang talaga kami napapadpad dahil kay Lea.
Hindi ko alam kung paano niya nalalaman ang mga ganitong lugar, pero tila may natural siyang talento sa paghahanap ng kakaibang pasyalan.
Napalingon si Manong Ernot sa amin at ngumiti. "Oh, iha, nandito ka pala! Matagal-tagal na rin simula nung huli kang dumaan dito ah. Sino 'yang mga magagandang kasama mo?" tanong niya habang panandaliang tinigil ang paglilinis at itinukod ang kanyang pala sa lupa.
"Ito po," sabay turo ni Lea sa akin, "siya po 'yung may-ari ng lupa malapit kina Aling Marie."
Agad na lumawak ang ngiti ni Manong Ernot. "Ah, siya na ba 'yun? Kay ganda nga naman talagang dalaga. Ngayon ko lang nakita, pero matagal ko nang naririnig ang pangalan mo sa mga taga-roon. Mabuti at napasyal ka rito!"
Napangiti ako at magalang na tumango. "Magandang araw po," bati ko.
"Ba't pala kayo napunta rito?" tanong ni Manong Ernot, kita sa kanyang mukha ang interes.
"Pinapasyal ko lang sila," sagot ni Lea habang inilibot ang tingin sa paligid. "Gusto ko lang ipakita sa kanila kung gaano kaganda rito."
"Ah, ganun ba? Sige, mag-ikot-ikot lang kayo diyan," sagot ni Manong Ernot bago bumalik sa kanyang ginagawa. "Pasensya na’t medyo madumi, alam niyo naman, trabaho sa farm. Kung gusto niyong makita ang ibang hayop, nandoon sa kabila 'yung kulungan ng mga baka at kambing."
"Salamat po, Manong!" sagot ni Lea bago ako hinila palayo upang ipagpatuloy ang aming pag-iikot sa farm.
Napangiti si Lea at tumango kay Manong Ernot bago niya kami niyaya ni Ms. Sanchez na maglibot sa paligid ng farm. Ramdam ko ang init ng araw na dumadampi sa aking balat habang nilalanghap ang amoy ng lupa at mga hayop. Sa kabila ng amoy, may kakaibang kapayapaang dala ang lugar na ito.
"Halika na, ipapakita ko sa inyo ang iba pang mga alaga rito," masiglang sabi ni Lea habang hinawakan ang kamay ko at hinila ako papunta sa isang bahagi ng farm.
Unang huminto kami sa kulungan ng mga baka. Malalaki at malulusog ang mga ito, ang ilan ay nagpapahinga habang ang iba nama’y ngumunguya ng dayami. Lumapit kami sa harap ng bakod at tinuro ni Lea ang isa sa mga baka.
"Alam niyo ba, may isang baka rito dati na parang aso kung umasta," panimula niya. "Ang pangalan niya ay Putol, kasi wala siyang buntot. Palaging sumusunod kay Manong Ernot kahit saan siya magpunta. Minsan nga, sumama pa 'yan sa bahay namin!"
Napatawa ako sa kwento ni Lea.
"Paano siya nakapasok sa bahay niyo?" tanong ko.
"Ewan ko ba! Ewan ko kung paano niya nabuksan ang pinto! Nagulat na lang kami isang umaga, andun siya sa sala, parang aso na nakahiga sa sahig!" sagot ni Lea habang natatawa.
Mula sa kulungan ng mga baka, dumiretso kami sa mga kambing.
Maliit lang ang espasyo nila pero marami silang gumagalaw-galaw at tila nag-aaway sa pagkain.
May isang batang kambing na tila masyadong malapit kay Lea, sapagkat paglapit namin ay agad itong pumunta sa kanya at kinikiskis ang ulo sa kanyang binti.
"Ito naman si Kulot! Mula nung maliit pa lang siya, palaging gusto ng lambing," sabi ni Lea sabay himas sa ulo ng kambing. "Noong minsang nagkasakit ako at hindi nakadalaw rito, sabi ni Manong Ernot, ayaw raw niyang kumain!"
"Wow, loyal pala siya sa'yo," sabi ko, humanga sa pagiging malapit ng kambing kay Lea.
"Oo nga eh. Kaya tuwing may pasalubong ako, siya lagi ang unang binibigyan ko," natatawang sagot ni Lea.
Pagkatapos naming bisitahin ang mga kambing, dumaan naman kami sa kulungan ng mga manok. Ang ingay nila, tila nagsisigawan habang nagkakaripas sa pagtakbo sa loob ng kulungan. May isang tandang na lumapit sa amin, tila nagmamatapang habang binabantayan ang mga inahing manok sa paligid niya.
"Ingat kayo kay Bart," babala ni Lea habang itinuro ang tandang. "Minsan na akong hinabol niyan!"
Napaatras ako at si Ms. Sanchez. "Why are they chasing you?" tanong ni Ms. Sanchez na mukhang kinakabahan sa presensya ng tandang.
"Eh kasi, gusto ko lang naman siyang hawakan, pero ayaw niya. Simula noon, tuwing makita niya ako, parang gusto niya akong sugurin," natatawang paliwanag ni Lea.
Dahan-dahan kaming lumayo sa kulungan ng mga manok at nagtungo sa huling bahagi ng farm—ang maliit na lawa sa likuran ng farm kung saan malayang lumalangoy ang mga pato. Tahimik at payapa ang paligid, tanging tunog ng tubig at huni ng ibon ang maririnig.
"Dito ako madalas pumunta kapag gusto kong mapag-isa," sabi ni Lea, lumingon siya sa amin na tila may iniisip. "Alam niyo ba, may kwento raw si Manong Ernot tungkol sa lawa na 'to. Sabi niya, minsan daw may batang naligaw rito at mula noon, may nakikita raw siyang anino sa tubig tuwing dapithapon."
Biglang lumamig ang pakiramdam ko at nagkatinginan kami ni Ms. Sanchez. "Totoo ba 'yan o tinatakot mo lang kami?" tanong ko, tila hindi sigurado kung matatakot o tatawa.
"Hindi ko alam! Pero sabi ni Manong Ernot, minsan daw may naririnig siyang tawa ng bata kahit walang tao sa paligid," dagdag ni Lea na mas lalong nagbigay ng kilabot sa amin.
Maya-maya ay natawa na lang kami, inisip na baka isa lamang itong lumang kwento para takutin ang mga bata sa farm. Hindi nagtagal, bumalik kami kay Manong Ernot na ngayo’y tapos na sa paglilinis ng kulungan ng mga baboy.
"Nagustuhan niyo ba ang farm tour niyo?" tanong niya sa amin.
"Opoh," sagot ni Cynthia na mukhang enjoy na enjoy sa aming paglilibot.
"Aba, mabuti kung ganun. Balik kayo rito, ha!" sagot ni Manong Ernot bago kami nagpaalam at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa bayan, dala ang mga kwentong hindi namin malilimutan.
As we returned to Manong Ernot, he pointed toward two carabaos tied near a tree. They were massive, their dark hides glistening under the sun, their broad horns curving with strength. One of them turned its head slightly, watching us with quiet curiosity.
"Gusto niyo bang sumubok sumakay sa kalabaw?" Manong Ernot asked, a smile playing on his lips as he gently patted the animal’s sturdy neck.
Lea’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Oo naman, Manong! Matagal ko nang gustong ipatry sa kanila 'to!"
Ms. Sanchez stood beside me, silent as ever, her gaze fixed on the carabaos. She didn’t look disinterested, but as usual, she remained unreadable.
Lea eagerly stepped forward, taking the lead. With practiced ease, she climbed onto the carabao’s back, moving like she had done this a hundred times before. Settling in her seat, she turned to us with a wide grin. "Ang dali lang! Halika na!"
Ms.
Sanchez moved next.
Without a word, she approached the carabao, her movements calm and deliberate.
She took hold of the rope, then—assisted by Manong Ernot—climbed onto its back.
Once seated, she paused for a moment, adjusting to the height and the slow, steady breathing of the animal beneath her.
She made no comment, no sign of unease, simply watching as I was left as the only one still standing on the ground.
I took a deep breath. It was my turn.
Stepping forward, I reached for Manong Ernot’s hand for support and pulled myself up.
As soon as I settled on the carabao’s broad back, I felt an immediate sense of vulnerability.
The height was greater than I had expected, the animal’s muscles shifting slightly under me.
Instinctively, I tightened my grip on the rope, my body stiff with tension.
"Madali lang, dahan-dahan ka lang sa paggalaw," Manong Ernot said as he adjusted my position.
The carabaos began to walk, their movements slow and rhythmic. With each step, I tried to relax, loosening my grip little by little. I was beginning to get the hang of it—until suddenly—
A shift. A small but sudden movement beneath me.
Before I could react, my balance was gone.
I felt myself slipping, my arms flailing as I tried to grab onto something—anything. But it was too late.
I fell.
And landed straight into the thick, wet mud.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then—
Lea burst into laughter.
Manong Ernot chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
And Ms. Sanchez—
She didn’t laugh aloud, but something changed. I turned to look at her, and for the first time, I saw it.
Her shoulders shook slightly, her head tilted down just enough to hide her face, but not enough to conceal the small, amused smile on her lips. There was a flicker of light in her usually guarded eyes, a rare glimpse of something unfiltered.
It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was there. And for Ms. Sanchez, that was significant.
Heat rushed to my face—not just from embarrassment but from the realization of what I had just witnessed. Yet, despite the mud clinging to my clothes and the cold seeping through my skin, I found myself grinning.
Lea approached, still giggling, and offered her hand to help me up. "Hay naku, Sylvia! Para kang bata na naligo sa putikan!"
I sighed dramatically, wiping mud from my face. "Mukhang kailangan ko nang maligo,"
"Halata naman, mukha ka nang putik!" tawang-tawa na pang-aasar sa akin ni Lea kaya hindi ko mapigilan talsikan siya nang mga putik.
"Hoy! Andaya mo!" reklamo niya sa akin kaya ngayon ay dalawa na kaming mukhang putik.
"We should head back home now," sabi ni Ms. Sanchez kaya agad kaming nag pa-alam kay Manong Ernot.
As we made our way back to the house, the weight of the dried mud on my clothes made every step heavier.
The afternoon sun bore down on us, making the sticky mess on my skin even more uncomfortable.
Lea walked beside me, still chuckling every now and then whenever she glanced in my direction.
Ms.
Sanchez trailed a few steps behind, silent as always, but I could feel her gaze on me.
The moment we stepped onto the house, the door swung open with a loud creak, revealing Aling Rosa, her hands on her hips and an unimpressed frown on her face.
"Lea! Ano na namang pinaggagagawa mo ha?!" Her sharp eyes zeroed in on her daughter, completely ignoring me and Ms. Sanchez. "Mukha kayong galing sa sabong ng mga baboy! Anong nangyari?!"
Lea scratched the back of her head, her usual mischievous grin barely fading. "Eh, gusto ko lang namang ipakita sa kanila 'yung farm…"
"Ipakita ang farm o ipalubog sila sa putik?!" Aling Rosa’s voice rose slightly as she waved her hands in frustration. "Lea, Diyos ko, ang laki mo na pero para ka pa ring bata kung magpakaadventure! Ano na namang sumapi sa’yo?!"
Lea shifted awkwardly, clearly used to this kind of scolding. "Eh kasi, sinubukan lang naman nilang sumakay sa kalabaw—"
"At nadulas si Sylvia, ano?!" Aling Rosa cut her off, shaking her head. "Ikaw talaga, kung anu-anong trip mo! Buti na lang at hindi nasaktan nang todo si Sylvia!" Finally, she turned to me, her face softening slightly. "Pasensya ka na ha, Sylvia. Nakakaloka talaga 'yang apo ko."
I smiled sheepishly, lifting my hands in surrender. "Ayos lang po, Aling Rosa. Wala namang masyadong nangyari."
"Hay naku! Maligo na kayong dalawa! Sylvia, sa banyo ka sa loob, at ikaw, Lea, sa poso ka sa likod! Ayoko ng putik sa sahig ko, naiintindihan mo?!"
Lea groaned dramatically, muttering, "Ang unfair naman…"
But before she could complain further, Aling Rosa shot her a glare, making her scurry away towards the backyard. I turned to head inside, catching a glimpse of Ms. Sanchez still standing by the door, watching the scene unfold with her usual unreadable expression.
As I stepped into the bathroom, the first splash of cool water against my skin sent a shiver down my spine. I closed my eyes, letting the mud and the embarrassment of the day wash away. And yet, no matter how hard I scrubbed, one thing remained clear in my mind—Ms. Sanchez rare, fleeting smile.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, my damp hair clung to the back of my neck, and oversized shirt hung loosely around my frame. The house was quieter now, save for the occasional clang of pots from the kitchen where Aling Rosa was probably preparing lunch.
Ms. Sanchez was waiting for me on the bed. The dimming sky cast long shadows over her face, making it harder to read her expression. But I knew she had something on her mind.
I hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "Hindi ka maliligo?" I asked.
Ms. Sanchez tilted her head slightly, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Didn't need to. I wasn’t the one who decided to wrestle with the mud."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small chuckle that slipped out. "Fair point."
A heavy silence stretched between us, thick with something unspoken. Ms. Sanchez had always been quiet, an observer more than a participant, but right now, there was a different weight to her silence.
"You were watching me," I said, my voice quieter now, testing the waters.
She didn't deny it. Instead, she finally turned to face me fully, her dark eyes locking onto mine. "You’re different here," she said simply.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She let out a soft breath, her fingers tapping against the wood. "Back in the city, you’re careful. Always put together. Always saying the right things. But here? I don’t know… you don’t try as hard."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Ms. Sanchez took a step closer, the space between us shrinking. "No," she murmured. "It’s just… interesting."
The way she said it sent a shiver down my spine, though I wasn’t sure if it was the cool evening air or something else entirely.
"You don’t talk much, but when you do, you say things that stick," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ms. Sanchez lips quirked up slightly, and for a fleeting second, I caught that rare smile again—the one I had seen earlier, the one that had lingered in my mind even under the shower's stream.
"I only say what I mean," she said.
"Alam mo, walang araw na hindi ako nahuhulog sa'yo."
She raised an eyebrow at me, obviously unimpressed. "What am I? A hole? Crazy," she said, rolling her eyes before crossing her arms.
Napangiwi na lang ako. "Napaka ano mo talaga!" reklamo ko, but before I could say anything else, I heard her chuckle.
That sound. Her chuckle. Her laugh. It was music to my ears. Seeing her smile, watching the way her eyes twinkle whenever she teases me—it makes my heart race in ways I can’t even explain.
Walang minuto, walang oras, walang araw na hindi ako namamangha sa kanya. The way she speaks, the way she moves, the way she exists—it’s mesmerizing. Kahit anong gawin niya, kahit gaano siya kabangis sa akin minsan, I still find myself falling harder and harder every single day.
Dapat nga siguro itigil ko na ‘to. I should stop before I completely lose myself, before this love consumes me whole. Pero paano? Paano ko pipigilan ang sarili ko kung sa tuwing tinitingnan ko siya, mas lalo lang lumalalim ang nararamdaman ko? Kung sa bawat tawa niya, sa bawat irap niya, sa bawat simpleng kilos niya, parang hinahatak niya ako papalapit nang papalapit sa kanya?
She drives me crazy in the best and worst ways. And maybe, just maybe, I don’t even want to stop falling.
"Hey, do you even hear me? They've been calling us to have lunch." her voice snapped me into the reality. That's when I realize nakatulala pala ako.
"Right. Tara na," sabi ko at nauna na siyang maglakad sa akin.
?The aroma of sinigang and freshly cooked rice filled the air as we stepped into the dining area.
The wooden table was already set, laden with bowls of steaming dishes, plates stacked neatly, and glasses filled with cold water that glistened with condensation under the afternoon light.
?
?Aling Rosa stood by the stove, stirring a large pot while humming a familiar kundiman tune.
Lea was already at the table, grinning as she tapped her spoon impatiently against the surface.
Ms.
Sanchez, as usual, was quiet but took her seat beside me without hesitation.
?
?"Tamang-tama, kakaluto lang ng sinigang," Aling Rosa announced, wiping her hands on her apron before setting the final serving bowl on the table.
The soup was still bubbling slightly, the tangy scent of tamarind making my stomach growl in anticipation.
"Kain na! Bago pa lumamig."
?
?Lea wasted no time, grabbing a ladle and eagerly serving herself a generous portion of sinigang, the vegetables and tender pork chunks sinking into her bowl.
"Ito ang pinakamasarap na sinigang, promise," she declared, taking a sip of the broth and sighing in satisfaction.
"Ah, ang asim-tamis, sakto lang!"
?
?I took my turn, scooping up some of the hot soup and letting the warmth spread through my fingertips before taking a careful sip.
It was the kind of dish that made you feel at home, even if you weren’t.
Ms.
Sanchez took her time, her movements precise and deliberate as she served herself.
She didn’t say anything at first, just took a small sip of the broth before nodding slightly.
"It’s good," she finally murmured, which, coming from her, was high praise.
?
?Aling Rosa beamed.
"Aba, kung nagustuhan mo, ibig sabihin, pasado sa panlasa mo. Maselan ka pa naman sa pagkain, Cynthia." There was a teasing lilt in her voice, and I caught a small smirk on Ms.
Sanchez lips before she hid it behind another spoonful.
?
?As we ate, the conversation turned light and easy.
Lea, ever the storyteller, launched into another one of her dramatic tales, this time about how she once tried to chase a chicken around the yard, only for it to turn on her and send her scrambling onto a nearby tree.
?
?"Kaya pala lagi kang may galit sa mga manok!" I teased, taking a bite of the tender pork that nearly melted in my mouth.
?
?"Hindi galit! Respetado naming magkaaway," Lea countered, dramatically placing a hand over her heart.
"Pero aaminin ko, natakot ako noon. Alam niyo ba, ang bilis pala nila tumakbo! Akala ko kaya kong habulin, pero ako pala ang hinabol!"
?
?I snorted softly, stirring my rice absentmindedly.
"Natural, Lea. Hindi ka manok, wala kang pakpak."
?
?Lea rolled her eyes.
"Wala kang pakpak, pero lumilipad ka sa kakatalino mo, Sylvia."
?
?A collective laugh erupted from the table, even Aling Rosa shaking her head in amusement.
"Aba’y ang ingay niyong mga bata. Buti na lang at masarap ang pagkain, kung hindi, pinalayas ko na kayo sa mesa!"
?
?I took another spoonful of rice, savoring the warmth of the meal, the comfort of laughter, and the quiet contentment that settled over us.
I never thought I’d feel this at ease in a place so different from where I grew up, but something about this house, this family, and these people made it easy to belong.
?
The meal ended with full bellies and lighthearted laughter still echoing through the dining area.
The sun had started to dip lower in the sky, casting golden hues across the small home.
As the dishes were cleared and put away, Ms.
Sanchez excused herself quietly, saying she was going to take a shower.
I busied myself helping Aling Rosa wipe down the table while Lea stretched out on the wooden bench, rubbing her stomach in exaggerated satisfaction.
"Kung ganito kasarap ang pagkain araw-araw, hindi ko na kailangan pang maghanap ng ibang bahay," Lea joked, earning a chuckle from Aling Rosa.
---
Time flies so fast that I didn’t even realize na nakatulog na pala ako ulit. The next thing I knew, it was already 5:30 PM—hapon na pala. The soft glow of the setting sun seeped through the windows, casting golden hues across the room.
Napatingin ako sa tabi ko, expecting to see Ms. Sanchez, but she wasn’t there. The space beside me felt empty and cold, as if she had been gone for a while. Medyo nag-alala ako, kaya nagdesisyon akong lumabas para hanapin siya.
As I stepped outside, the warm afternoon air greeted me. Hinanap ko siya sa paligid, pero hindi ko siya makita. My brows furrowed in confusion. Where could she have gone?
I decided to ask Aling Rosa, who was sitting on her usual spot by the sari-sari store. Lumapit ako at magalang na nagtanong, "Aling Rosa, nakita niyo po ba si Cynthia?"
She looked up from the vegetables she was sorting and nodded. "Oo, nandoon siya sa labas, nakaupo sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga," she said, pointing towards the open yard.
Agad akong nagpasalamat at nagmadaling pumunta roon.
As I approached, the sight of her made me slow down.
Ms.
Sanchez was sitting quietly under the big mango tree, her back resting against its sturdy trunk.
The golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her skin with soft patches of light and shadow.
Her posture was relaxed, but there was something distant about the way she stared ahead—lost in her own thoughts.
For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. Parang may bumigat sa dibdib ko. She looked peaceful, but at the same time, she looked so alone.
I sat beside her, the cool grass brushing against my legs as the warm afternoon breeze wrapped around us.
The sun was beginning to set, casting golden hues across the sky, streaks of orange and pink blending together like a painting.
Tahimik lang siya, staring ahead as if lost in her own world, the soft rustling of the leaves the only sound between us.
"Okay ka lang?" I asked softly, not wanting to startle her.
She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she let out a slow, quiet sigh before finally speaking.
"I miss them. I miss her."
Napatingin lang ako sa kanya. Her voice was steady, almost emotionless, but the weight behind her words was impossible to ignore. She wasn’t crying, pero ramdam ko ang sakit na pilit niyang tinatago.
"Sino?" I asked gently. "You can share it with me, I'll listen."
She sighed again, her fingers gripping the grass between them. "I actually don’t regret coming here. I think it’s the best decision I’ve made. I found the comfort, the peace that I was looking for. This is the first time in a long time that I’ve felt this kind of feeling..."
She paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. Then, barely above a whisper, she admitted, "I really miss my family."
Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin. I wanted to comfort her, pero parang kahit anong sabihin ko, hindi magiging sapat. She wasn’t crying, pero alam kong ang bigat ng dinadala niya.
"I'm here," I said softly. "You can rant, okay? Whenever you're with me, you don’t have to act tough. Tell me about the pain you keep quiet. The pain you hide because you think nobody gets it."
She turned to me slightly, her eyes meeting mine for the first time that afternoon. There was hesitation in her gaze—uncertainty, fear, longing.
"Show me, even the hurts you’re good at hiding," I continued. "Gusto kitang maintindihan. I want to be there for you. I want to help you feel better. I don’t want you to carry all of that alone. It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. At okay lang na makita ko 'yun."
She exhaled shakily, her voice trembling when she finally spoke again.
"My family has been gone for a long time. I was just a child back then. A child," she repeated, her voice breaking slightly. "I was left alone. I didn’t know how to act, what to do. I was scared."
She paused, swallowing hard as if trying to keep her emotions in check.
"But I managed to get through it. Somehow. And I just… miss them so bad." Her voice grew quieter. "I always blame myself. I always think that maybe… it was my fault they’re gone."
She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. She was holding it all in, trying so hard not to cry.
Lumapit ako sakanya, hesitating for a second before softly asking, "Can I hug you?"
She didn’t answer. She didn’t move. But she didn’t pull away either.
So I reached for her, wrapping my arms around her gently. Niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit, my hands moving slowly to her hair, stroking it in a comforting rhythm.
"You can cry, Cynthia," I murmured. "It’s normal for a person to cry when everything gets too heavy. Hindi mo kailangang tiisin lahat mag-isa. I’m here for you."
She didn’t move at first, her body tense against mine. But then, slowly, she relaxed.
"And I admire you," I whispered. "For being strong, for surviving all this time. But you don’t always have to be strong. Sometimes, it’s okay to just… let go."
For a long moment, she stayed silent. Then, I felt her shoulders tremble slightly, a quiet sob escaping her lips.
Hinayaan ko lang siya. Hinayaan ko siyang ilabas ang sakit na matagal na niyang kinikimkim. The sky above us deepened into twilight, the last rays of the sun painting the horizon in soft amber.
And I held her tighter, letting her know it was okay.
Letting her know she wasn’t alone anymore.