I kept on thinking if this is really a good idea. It might be crazy for a lot of people. I have a good life, they would say. The one everyone would've wanted even. But then, something would always take me back and would remind me that staying won’t be any different.

People won’t even notice. They won’t even care.

I was lucky though. Because nanay never left. I mean she did, at some point. Literally. But I know that she’s always there. And now, finally, I am with her.

“Anak, ayaw mo ba talaga umuwi?”

I glanced at the door of my room and saw nanay standing. She was holding a glass of milk. I made room for more space sa bed ko so she could sit down beside me. She first handed me the milk and watched me finish it in one go. As soon as she placed the empty glass on the bedside table, I hugged her.

“Nay, they surely know where I am. Nakita po ulit ako ni M-minhyung…" My hug on her tightens. “I'm sure he told them."

But they didn’t even bother to contact me or what. It's the thought that remains unsaid.

I felt her softly caress my head. It’s what she always did when I was still a kid. It always helps me to calm down or to make sure I sleep peacefully at night.

“Basta, pwede kang magsabi ng kahit ano sa akin, Minjeong. Kung may kailangan ka o kung nahihirapan ka.”

“Opo. Salamat po, nanay.”

It was scary. To leave home. The one you’ve been stuck to all your life. The one you surely know every single corner and turn.

I felt like crying. I felt like I wasn't anywhere safe. I didn't know the streets, and the people looked at me as if they were judging. It was terrifying.

But as I hear the familiar tune, the lullaby nanay always hums to me when I couldn’t sleep, I just knew that that fear is nothing. I am somewhere safe. I am somewhere where I wouldn't feel lonely.

I left home, just so I can come home.

Siguro ay dahil sa pagod. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw nang nagising si Winter. Rinig na rinig na ang mga busina at ang pagtunog ng bell na hudyat ng paglabas pasok ng mga tao sa baba.

Dali-dali siyang nag-ayos muna ng sarili at saka nagtimpla ng kape. Buti na lang at Sabado. Mamaya pang gabi ang klase niya kaya hindi pa nito kailangang magmadali.

Bumaba si Winter matapos niyang uminom ng kape para hanapin ang kanyang nanay. Napagpasiyahan niyang tumulong muna sa baba. Paniguradong maaga kasi itong nagising para magbukas ng laundromat. Madalas kasi ay mas marami ang customer tuwing sabado.

Bukas lang buong araw ang bungad ng laundromat at pagpasok mo sa looban ay may pintuan para makapasok sa kanilang munting grocery store.

"Rina, anak!"

Sabay ng pagbukas ng pinto ni Winter at pagkalembang ng maliit na bell ang masiglang pagbati ng kanyang nanay.

Napalingon si Winter sa may bungad ng laundromat at nakitang may kayakap ang kanyang nanay. Pamilyar ang babae. Hindi siya sigurado kung nakita niya na ba ito dito sa laundromat. Kung tutuusin kasi ay mahigit isang linggo pa lang naman si Winter dito at bihira rin itong lumalabas.

"Hindi ka dumaan noong Sabado. Ayos ka lang ba? Nagpakulay ka ng buhok! Bagay sa'yo, anak."

Humiwalay sila sa pagkakayakap at doon lang naaninag ni Winter ang mukha ng babae. Halos nanigas ito sa kanyang pwesto nang maaalala niya na kung bakit pamilyar ang babaeng ito.

Mabilis ang pagtalikod ni Winter para umakyat muli sa bahay.

"Winter, anak ko!"

Nanay naman.

"Halika rito. May ipapakilala ako sa'yo!"

Hindi pa pwede. Matapos ang kalokohan ko?

"N-nay, uhm. I forgot na I'm reheating something!"

Hindi niya sila nilingon at dali-dali nang umaky