(DIVINA POV)
The party is about to end and there were a few guests who decided to leave. I sat alone in our table, nagpasama kasi si Leona kay Sofia sa restroom.Iginala ko ang aking mga mata sa buong venue upang hanapin si Vince, I want thanks him before the party end. Because I haven't been able to thank him for everything that he has done and for being with me for a few days.
Mabilis ko namang nakita si Vince kasama sina Henry, Jerry at Clarence na nagkukwentuhan sa isang mesa. I got up from my seat and started to walking towards their table.
"Hi guys, sorry to interrupt. May I talk to Vince for awhile?" sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa aking kinaroroonan. I feel so awkward, kasi silang lahat ay siryosong naka tingin sa akin. I don't know what to do, kaya ngumiti nalang ako.
Jerry was hit by my peripheral, that's why I turned my gaze to him. I saw him smiling and nodding at me, that's why my smile grew even bigger.
"I think Divina already misses you bro." natatawang saad naman ni Henry, nakisabay naman sa pagtawa si Clarence, which is why I suddenly lost my smile.
"Yeah, go ahead talk to him." natigil sa pagtawa si Clarence at siryoso siyang nagsalita. Mapapasalamat sana ako kay Clarence, when Vince suddenly pulled me away from them. We just kept walking until we got out of the venue. He just let go of my hand when we got to the garden.
"Sorry about that." wika nito, inayos ko ang aking pagkakatayo at ang aking damit pagkatapos ay hinarap ko siya. I look at him then I took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I just want to say thank you.” I really don’t know where to start sa dami ng aking gustong sabihin sa kaniya. So, I closed my eyes and I took another deep breath.
“To be honest, I really don't know what to do without you.” This time I got the courage to opened my eyes and look at him straight to his eyes.
“Thank you for being with me whenever I need someone to be with. I know, I've been through a lot this pass few days and thank you for not leaving me behind. Thank you for all your effort. Thank you for lending me your shoulders for me to cry on. Thank you for lending me your ears and for listening to my dramas in life. Thank you for lending me your arms to make me more comfortable and secured." hindi ko mapigilan na hindi mapaiyak.
Madrama na kung madrama na appreciate ko lang talaga ang lahat ng mga ginagawa niya para sa akin at dahil ang laking parte ang ginampanan ni Vince sa buhay ko. Siya ang naging sandalan ko sa lahat, siya 'yong hindi nang-iwan sa akin, siya ang laging nand'yan araw at gabi. Inaamin ko, hindi ko kayang mawala si Vince sa buhay ko.
Pinunasan ni Vince ang mga luhang pumapatak sa aking pisngi, ngunit bago paniya mapunasan ang kabilang pisngi ay binigyan ko siya ng isang mahigpit na yakap.
"I'm so thankful and blessed to have you." hindi nagsalita si Vince bagkus ay niyakap niya rin ako ng mahigpit. Simula ng mabalitaan niya na patay na si daddy hindi na siya umalis sa tabi ko. Sa mga araw na iyon, siya ang naging gabay ko sa lahat, siya ang nagpapalakas ng loob ko upang harapin ang lahat.
“I’m always here whenever you need me.” Kaya sobrang laki talaga ng aking pasasalamat kay Vince.
"Oh, nandito lang pala kayong dalawa." mabilis kaming kumawala sa mahigpit na yakap mula sa isa't isa at bago ako humarap sa pinagmulan ng boses ay pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha at mabilis na inayos ang aking itsura.
"Kuya Jonas." pagbangit ko sa kaniyan pangalan at lumapit naman siya sa amin ni Vince.
"Bro, I haven't thanked you yet." my brother Jonas tapped Vince on his shoulder and Vince nodded. Hindi ko man sila maintindihan ang mga ikinilos nila, alam ko naman na katulad ko malaki ang pasasalamat ni Kuya kay Vince.
"Anyway, sasabay kana sa akin sa pag-uwi." my older brother said and he give signed to Vince that we were leaving. I gave a wave to Vince signed of saying goodbye and I immediately followed my brother. When suddenly Vince called me that’s why I turned to face him.
“I’m just one call away.” I didn’t say anything but I gave him a big smile. In my mind I know I can count in him. I wave my hand again before I run to follow kuya until we could get in his car and he quickly started the car.
"By the way, nakapag enrol kana hindi ba?" hindi siguradong tano niya.
"Oo kuya, last month pa." this coming Monday is our first entrance for this second semester. He doesn't say anything but does nod.
"Anyway, next week na ang alis ko and I want to know if you can handle everything here on your own." medyo bumagal ang kaniyang pagmamaneho and it means na gusto niya akong makausap ng sarilinan.
He needs to go to Toronto to handle some things dad left behind. I was suddenly nervous. Can I handle all the rest here? Seems like I'm not ready yet. That’s why I didn't answer and just kept quiet. When he heard nothing from me, he parked the car first and he stopped the car then he looked at me.
"To be honest. I don't want to leave you, but I need too. Listen..." he held my hands and I could see in his eyes the difficulty of the decision he had to make.
"Listen, I'm not doing this for my own sake, I need to go and I need to do it for you, for our family, for us." niyakap ako ni kuya at niyakap ko naman siya pabalik. Pinipilit kong hindi maluha ngunit hindi nagpapigil ang mga tumakas na luha mula sa aking mga mata.
Natatakot ako, oo, natatakot akong mag-isa.
"Promise me that you will take care of yourself and I promise you, I will be okay here." pununasan ko ang aking mga luha at huminga ng malalim habang pilit kong ikinukubli ang aking takot.
"Tara na kuya at ng makapagpahinga ka na sa bahay. Alam kong pagod na pagod kana." pinilit kong hindi magsalita na may malungkot na tono, kaya naman pinilit ko na itinago ang lungkot sa mga mata at hinarap sa kaniya ang ngiti sa aking mukha.
Nang makita kong ngumiti siya pabalik ay mas nilakihan ko pa ang ngiti sa aking mukha. Pinaandar niya ang sasakyan at wala ng nagsalita sa amin hanggang sa makauwi kami sa bahay.
When we reached our house and were ready to park the car, we noticed a car parked in our garage and when we went down the car, we immediately asked kuya June.
"Kuya kaninong sasakyan po ito?" mukhang may hindi tama sa expression ni kuya June, may pagkadismayado, medyo takot na hindi maipaliwanag.
"Kay ma'am Ellora ang sasakyan." nanlaki ang aking mga mata ng narinig ko ang pangalan ni mom. Mabilis namang pumasok sa loob ng bahay si Kuya Jonas at iniwan kami ni Kuya June. Akmang susundan ko na sana si Kuya Jonas ng bigla akong pigilan ni Kuya June.
"Sa ating lahat ikaw lang ang nakakapagpakalma sa kuya mo, pigilan mo siya sa ano man ang gusto niyang gawin." wika ni Kuya June, nagsimulang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Tumakbo ako upang habulin si kuya Jonas. Kasing bilis ng aking pagtakbo ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko.
"Ang lakas naman ng loob na bumalik pa dito!" sigaw ni kuya Jonas, makikita mo sa mukha niya ang sobrang galit.
"This is still my house!" sigaw naman ni mommy, nakikita sa mga mata niya ang gusto niyang ipaglaban.
"Oh, really! Kaya pala ni anino mo hindi namin nakita nang mga araw na nakaburol si dad at sa mismong araw nang kanyang libing!" his jaw clenched in rage. I grabbed my brother's arm to stop him from approaching our mother.
"Ell, anong nangyayari dito?" may isang lalaki na biglang tumakbo pababa ng hagdan at lumapit kay mommy.
"At dinala mo pa talaga ang kabit mo sa bahay!" hindi ko napigilan si kuya, because he exerts an effort to take off my hand at biglang sinunggaban ni Kuya si Benjie at mabilis namang itong natomba sa sahig.
Susunggaban pa sana ni kuya si Benjie ng hawakan at pigilan siya ni Kuya June. Ngunit ng magpumiglas si kuya ay nabitawan naman siya ni kuya June at pinagsusuntok si Benjie. Hindi lang isa, dalawa, tatlo, hindi ko na mabilang ang mga suntok ang natamo ni Benjie, dahil sa mabilis at gamit ang dalawang kamay ni kuya sa salitan na pagsuntok nito.
Inawat siya ni mommy ngunit ng hindi niya mapigilan si kuya kaya naman itinulak niya ito at doon natigilan si kuya. Tumakbo naman ako papunta kay kuya at pumagitna sa kanila.
"Kuya..." hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko kaya naman niyakap ko nalang si Kuya Jonas. Dinig ko ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ni kuya at ang bawat bigat ng kaniyang paghinga.
"I'm still your mother and this is still my house Jonas! Kaya papatirahin ko kung sino ang gusto kong tumira dito!" galit na galit na sigaw ni mommy, hinila kami nina kuya June at ni nanay Perla at dinala kami sa may kusina. Ikinuha kami ng tubig ni nanay Perla at inabot sa amin and dalawang baso ng tubig at naupo sila sa aming harapan.
I can’t really believed what I’ve heard from her. Is she really our mother? Para kasing hindi, kung umasta siya parang wala siyang anak, ni hindi niya man lang naisip ang mga epekto ng kaniyang ginagawa sa aming dalawa ni kuya.
"Kahit na anong gawin natin, may karapatan pa rin ang mommy niyo sa bahay na ito." nahinahong sambit ni nanay Perla, tinignan ko naman si kuya at hindi pa rin naalis ang kaniyang galit.
"At wala naman tayong karapatan na pakialaman ang disisyon ni ma'am Ellora." dagdag naman ni kuya June, mababatid ang lungkot at pag-aalala sa mga mata nila.
"Huwag kalang talagang nilang lalapitan, baka hindi lang 'yon ang abutin niya. Baka hindi na ako maawat nino man at tuluyan na niyang hindi mabukas ang kaniyang mga mata." nakakatakot ang kaniyang tono habang nakatingin sa akin. Alam kong may pinanggagalingan ang kaniang galit. I know he remember the day that our mom left us for Benjie. He still angry about this thing that happened a long time ago. Dad is really kind and because he loves us so much mama can still come home.
Three days pass...
Today is monday, kaya naman medyo maaga akong nagising. Simula ng gabing umuwi si mommy parang nahati ang bahay. Pinagbawalan ako ni kuya na huwag lumapit at makipag-usap kina mommy at doon sa Benjie.
Oo, maging ako ay galit din kay mommy, dahil sa nagawa nan'ya kaming iwan at ipagpalit si dad at dahil na rin sa hindi siya dumalaw kahit isang beses lang sa pagkamatay ni dad at ngayon nag-uwi pa siya ng asungot.
Bantay sarado talaga si kuya sa mga galaw nila at talagang hindi sila nakakalapit sa amin at sa tuwing aalis si Kuya, kailangan kasama ako. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner sa kwarto kami kumakain ni kuya. Mas mabuting sa kwarto nalang kami, kasi naman kapagnakikita ni kuya ‘tong Benjie, para talaga niyang susunggaban ng suntok hanggang sa malagutan ito ng hininga. Sobrang nakakatakot si kuya this passed few days. Every time kuya sees Benjie, he's like a dragon holding back his fire.
"Let's go, I will take you to school." sumilip ng kaunti si kuya sa aking kwarto at mabilis namang naglakad palabas ng bahay, kinuha ko ang aking bag at mabilis namang tumakbo upang habulin si kuya.
"Kuya June, kayo napo ang magsusundo mamaya kay Divina at nay Perla kayo napo ang bahala kay Divina, please lang po pakitandaan po ang pinag-usapan natin." habilin ni kuya na may pagkaawtoridad ngunit nandoon pa rin ang paggalang. Maya-maya lamang ay pinaandar na niya ang sasakyan at umalis na kami.
"Si kuya June na ang maghahatid at magiging sundo mo. I need to stay in Manila for three days. When you get home, please don't leave your room and don't forget to luck the door." siguro panglimang beses na niyang inulit itong pagpapaalala niya sa akin.
"Oo kuya don't worry about me, mag-ingat ka d'on ah." hindi ko alam pero kinakabahan ako kasi malalayo si kuya sa akin knowing na nasa bahay si mommy at si Benjie.
"Ikaw ang mag-ingat, may asungot sa bahay kaya kahit sa loob ng bahay bawal kang gumala." naiinis nitong saad na ikinatawa ko bigla, dahil pareho kami ng tawag kay Benjie.
"Huwag kang tumawa-tawa d'yan. Siryoso ako dito." natigil ako sa kakatawa at pinilit kong maging seryoso.
"When there are unexpected things happened, call me right away." pahabol ni kuya bago ako tuluyang makababa ng kaniyang kotse at ipinahabol ko na rin ang kayap ko sa kaniya bago siya tuluyang umalis.
After ng sem break balik estudyate ulit kami. Nag text kanina si Sofia sa akin na maghihintay raw siya sa tapat ng gate ng school at nabanggit niya rin na sasabay sa pagpasok si Leona. Sino kaya ang mga bagong kaklasi namin? For sure kaklasi ko si Sofia sabay kasi kaming nag-eroll at same section ang pinili namin since regular students naman kami. Iginala ko ang aking mga mata ngunit hindi ko makita si Sofia at si Leona, siguro maghihintay nalang ako dito sa may guard house.
I didn't wait longer because after a few minutes, a car stopped in front of me and took out Sofia and Leona. "Kanina kapa ba?" kaagad na tanong ni Sofia at niyakap ang kanang baso ko. Hindi na ako nagsalita at naglakad na kami. I look around, mukhang maaga ang mga estudyate ngayong unang araw ng klase. As we enter the school gate, we hear the loud screams of every girl. I would not wandered why, balik eskuwela na naman kaya panigurado mag-uumpisa na naman sila. Sanay na ako sa pagsigaw nila araw-araw and shouting every morning is their routine. Bago kami tuluyang makapasok sa gate nagtinginan nalang kaming tatlo. "Hahhhhhhh!" Nanggigigil na tili ni Leona. Napatapik ako sa aking noo sa ginawa niya makikisama na sana si Leona sa mga babaeng nagtitilian kaso pinigilan siya ni Sofia, and I would not be surprise why Leona is one of them. "Where are you going? Daretso tayo sa classroom." pagsita ni Sofia kay Leona. Ang alam ko classmate kami
Vince helped me unload all my belongings in the compartment of his car. “Are you sure you will be fine here?” he asked me several times while we were on our way to Sofia’s apartment. I know that he can't help but worry about me after what happened. “Vince, how many times I should answer that same question?” hindi sa naiinis ako pero malapit na roon, Isa pang tanong niya maiinis na talaga ako.“You’ll answered as many questions as I could asked you.” He sarcastically responds, without looking at me, he walked inside the apartment and he left me alone outside. Looks like I already pissed him off. Sumunod nalang ako at nanahimik, pinagbuksan naman kami ng pinto ni Sofia. We put the things down next to the bed, here in the bedroom. “Once you need anything just call me. You should take care of yourself while I’m not around. I have something important to do, I should go now.” I smile at him and nodded onto him. He lowered his head a little and kissed m
“Divina! Uy best. Wake uuup! We're getting late!" I heard Sofia’s voice waking me up. Napasarap ata ang aking tulog. "Hmmm! What time is it?" Inaantok kong tanong. I don't know why I’m so drowsy, I went back to bed when Sofia accompanied me after I had my dream last night and fortunately, I never dreamed again. Mabuti nga at hindi ako namamahay. You know, I’m the type of person who can't sleep when I’m not in my own bed. Siguro dala na rin ng pagod at sa mga hindi inasahan na pangyayari kahapon. When I open my eyes, I saw Leona, papasok ng bathroom. It’s embarrassing that I woke up late. "06:30." She answered. I look at Sofia, she already took her shower at inaayos na niya ang gamit pang school. "Best, I think it's to early to wake up?" I mumbled and I closed my eyes to sleep again. It's to early to wake up, our first subject is 08:00 am in the morning. "Best wake up. Maliligo kapa tapos magaalmusal. Take note, wala kanang driv
(DIVINA POV) Our conversation was interrupted when my older brother's orders were served on our table. "How about your allowance? Paniguradong hindi mo magagamit ang bank account mo we both know mommy." I can see on my brother's face that he really worried about me. Pero hindi naman ako ganoon katanga kung maglayas. "Kuya, don't worried about m-." I’m not done talking when he interrupted what I was going to say. "Anong kuya, don't worried about ang sinasabi mo!?" his blood is about to boil and any moment he will start to emit a fire. I know he has a right to be angry with me for what I am doing now. I couldn't even tell him what had happened. So, I understand if he’s mad at me, he’s entitled to that as an older brother. "Kuya listen. You don't have to worried about me, na withdraw ko na lahat ang nasa bank account ko." Mabilis kong saad. I saw his forehead furrow and his two eyebrows meet.
It’s been three days when I have talk to Kuya Jonas. Nag-uusap naman kami, but we didn't talk about the last time we talked, he never opened that topic again. Dito ako sa Caffe Resto, kakatapos lang ng klasi namin. Nauna kasing lumabas ng classroom kanina si Sofia dahil may part time job pa na naghihintay sa kaniya. I want to go home because I’m hungry. Since, I woke up late earlier, I don’t have time to take my breakfast. I can't buy anything because I left my wallet in the apartment, it's a good thing I have a little money in my bag. "Where is Leona? Ang tagal naman niya." para na akong ewan na pabulong bulong dito, naku! She was ten minutes late. She still has class. I forgot to borrow Sofia’s key earlier. Ahhh! I really want to go home. "Hi Divina. I'm sorry, I'm late." She yields and speaking of Leona. Grabe lang kanina pa ako naghihintay dito. I really need to create a lot of duplicated keys. "Ho! Finally, your he
Jacob continued driving, I forgot to ask where we were going because I suddenly remembered my conversation with my dad back then. During the times when I was still with him and I once mentioned Jacob to him. Flashback! I was in front of the school gate and I was waiting for my dad to pick me up. When suddenly Jacob walk passed in front of me. I can’t help but follow him with my gaze, until I couldn’t notice that my dad was standing beside me and I couldn’t hear my dad voice calling my name and I didn’t even realize that he was behind me. “Divina!” I heard loud serious deep and loud voice mentioning my name, na dahilan para ako’y magulat, mapatalon at paatras. He followed where my eyes were looking and he saw Jacob. “Who’s that guy?” tinignan niya ako sa mga mata pero hindi pa rin naaalis ang malalim at siryosong tono ng kaniyang pananalita. When I didn’t answer he walked back to the car, I followed him and
After my lunch with Jacob. I'll take my way home. While I am passing the way home, I always find myself smiling and after a minute, I'm now standing in the front of our apartment. I open the door in our room and I shut off the door fast. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na hindi sumigaw sa kilig. Hindi ko rin naman napansin si Leona na nandito sa loob ng kwarto. Teka hindi ba siya pumasok sa kaniyang klase? "F*uck! Why are you screaming? Where are you been? And why are you late?" She was surprised and welcome me with her rapidly question. Bakit siya nandito? May pasok ‘tong babaing ‘to ah. "Hi Leona. Why are you here?” tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay, napara bang sinasabi ng kaniyang mga kilay, this is also my apartment. “I mean, you still have a class, haven’t you?” naglakad ako papalapit sa kaniya. “Tinamad na kasi akong pumasok, kaya umuwi nalang ulit ako.” Walang ganiyang sagot. “How did you get in?” t
(Jacob POV) This past week, I’ve been thinking for her every night, until the drowsiness visited me at the time, I fall asleep. I don't know, this is the first time that a woman has taken in my mind, I always thinks about her. "Hey, Jacob wake up! Hey, wake up!" Zach shouted while he knocking on my door, napuyat na naman ako sa kakaisip sa kaniya kagabi. I can’t stop thinking of her, since the day I have lunch with her. Pero ang nakakapagtataka hindi ko maiwasan ang kakaiba, sobrang nawiwirduhan ako sa kakaibang pakiramdam na hindi ko maipaliwanag. Hindi ko naman na ramdaman ito sa ibang babae. "Jacoooooob! Wake uuuuuuuuup!" I hear Danny yielded. Both of them was knocking on my door, I woke up and opened the door. While rubbing my eyes using my right hand and rubbing my thighs with my left hand. "Jacob, do you want to find out who is Divina?" Zach asked. Everyday ganiyan sila lagi akong ginigising, laging sagabal sa tul