KABANATA 5

“Hindi mo naman kailangan magtrabaho habang nag-aaral, anak. Pinaghandaan namin ng Papa mo ang tungkol dito. Matatapos mo ang Med School dahil sapat ang perang itinabi namin para sa iyo.”

Juliana’s voice was warm, but there was a clear note of worry underlying her words. Marcus could see the concern etched in her features—she wanted to protect him, to ensure he didn’t burn himself out by taking on too much. But as much as he appreciated their support, he also knew that he wanted to take charge of his own future.

Marcus shrugged, his gaze dropping to the last bite of the sandwich on his plate. “Ma, I’ll be okay, I promise,” he said, his tone reassuring but resolute.

Alam ni Marcus na hindi kumbinsido si Juliana sa sinabi niya. Pero buo ang desisyon niyang sundin ang kanyang plano. Finishing the sandwich, he wiped his hands on his napkin and looked back at his mother. Despite her concern, he could feel the pride and love in her eyes.

Alam naman niyang wala itong ibang hinangad kundi ang mapabuti siya palagi. Pero gusto rin naman kasi niyang ipakita sa mga magulang niyang kaya rin niya—na mayroon siyang sariling disposisyon sa buhay. Hindi dahil gusto niyang may mapatunayan siya sa kanyang ama. He wanted to show them that he could manage, that he could achieve his dreams on his own terms.

Juliana simply gazed at Marcus for a moment, her eyes filled with the kind of love that only a mother could have for her child. It was the kind of gaze that spoke of years of sacrifice, care, and an unbreakable bond. Marcus could feel the weight of her love, but it was a warmth he’d grown used to over the years. He could see the pride in her eyes, mixed with that trace of concern that always seemed to follow him—especially when he pushed himself too hard. As he met her gaze, he thought about how beautiful she was.

Despite the years that had passed, his mother seemed to possess an ageless elegance. She had a graceful aura that made her stand out wherever she went, and Marcus had always admired her for it. It wasn’t just her appearance that made her so captivating, though. She had a quiet strength that shone through every word and every gesture, a quality that had shaped him into the person he was today.

 It wasn’t just about physical beauty for Marcus. As much as he admired his mother’s appearance, it was her intelligence and kindness that had made the biggest impact on him. She was more than just the woman who had raised him; Juliana was someone who inspired respect and admiration in everyone she met.

Her intellect was sharp, and her approach to life was grounded in a deep sense of empathy. Marcus could never recall a time when his mother hadn’t been a source of wisdom, not just for him, but for everyone around her. She had taught him that beauty wasn’t just skin deep—it was reflected in how one treated others, in how one approached challenges, and in the quiet strength of character.

Hindi na nakapagtatakang bagay na bagay ito at ang ama niyang si Mario. They complemented each other so well, each bringing out the best in the other, and together they created a foundation of love and stability. At ang klase ng pagmamahalang iyon ang nasaksihan niya habang siya ay lumalaki.

Ilan sa mga kaklase niya ang nagsabing kaya siya lumabas na gwapo at simpatico ay dahil na rin sa pagiging match made in heaven ng mga magulang niya. They would often joke that Marcus had inherited the best of both his parents, though he couldn’t help but feel that they were right. They’d always said he looked more like his father—his broad shoulders, his tall frame, and even the strong jawline that defined his face.

Pero sa paglipas ng panahon, unti-unting nakita ni Marcus ang mga katangian ni Juliana na humubog din sa kanya.His fair, mestizo complexion, and his soft yet striking brown eyes were a reflection of her heritage. It was a unique combination, one that made him look like the blend of both his parents' beauty and strength.

However, it was his eyes that seemed to tell the deepest story—a reminder of the quiet strength and kindness he’d inherited from Juliana. They were the kind of eyes that could soften the hardest of hearts and show a depth of feeling that many would miss at first glance.

“You look so much like your dad, sweetheart,” Juliana said, her voice breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Matamis ang ngiting pumunit sa kanyang mga labi. Feeling the familiar warmth of her gaze. Sa maraming pagkakataon, hindi lang iisang beses niyang narinig ang linyang iyon. At kahit pa sabihing simpleng compliment o obserbasyon lamang iyon, palagi ay binibigyan siya niyon ng dahilan pag mag-reflect. He could see it—his father’s features were so prominent in his own appearance. The same strong jawline, the tall stature, the way he carried himself.

It was as if his father’s presence had been etched into him in ways he couldn’t escape, and in many ways, he was proud of that. Si Mario ang noon pa man ay matibay na halimbawa ng katatagan at lakas para sa kanya. Bata pa lamang siya ay tinitingala na niya ito. Palagi niyang sinasabi na paglaki niya, gusto niyang maging katulad ng kanyang ama. Being compared to him was both an honor and a reminder of the high expectations he’d set for himself, to live up to the legacy his father had built.

“Yeah? But I got my eyes and skin tone from you,” Marcus replied with a soft laugh, feeling the easy camaraderie with his mother.

Ang mga sandaling gay anito—simple at walang komplikasyon ang isa sa palaging nilu-look forward niya kasama sina Mario at Juliana. His mom, Juliana, had always been a striking woman in her own right—her features a delicate mix of beauty and strength that had only grown more refined with time. The fair skin that ran through their family was one of her most defining traits, something Marcus had inherited without question.

His brown eyes, a rich, deep hue, were the most obvious giveaway of his mother’s influence. Habang gaya nga ng kanya nang nabanggit, ang iba pa niyang mga katangian ay malinaw na nagmula at namana niya sa kanyang ama. Those eyes were undeniably hers. It was a small, personal connection that always made him feel closer to her, and in that moment, he couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Well, maliban sa mga iyon ang lahat ay sa kanya na. Kaya hindi na ako nagtataka bakit maraming babae ang naghahabol sa iyo,” biro pa sa kanya ni Juliana sa magaang tonos aka mahinang tinapik ang kanyang kamay.

Nakangiting pinakatitigan lamang ni Marcus ang mukha ng kanyang ina. She was still as stunning as the day he was born, a timeless beauty who seemed untouched by the years. Her features, delicate and refined, had only become more graceful as time passed. Her brown, wavy hair cascaded just past her shoulders, the soft curls catching the dim light from the kitchen, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

Ang totoo, napakahirap paniwalaan na fifty years old na ito. Her youthful appearance belied her age, and to Marcus, she seemed to carry herself with the elegance of someone much younger. In every way, Juliana was the picture of poise and vitality, and it made Marcus feel incredibly lucky to have her as a mother. She was the kind of woman who drew admiration effortlessly, and yet, she had always been humble and unassuming.

Para sa kanya si Juliana ang epitome ng isang babaeng matagumpay sa karera at buhay pero nanatiling mababa ang kalooban. Who could excel in the professional world without losing the kindness and gentleness that made her who she was. Iyon ang isa sa napakaraming katangiang hinahangaan niya rito. Isa sa mga dahilan kung paano niya ngayon nakikita ang mundo maging pakikipagrelasyon.

“Pero wala pa sa plano ko ang ganoon, Ma,” aniya sa tinig at tono na siguradong-sigurado. Sandali niyang sinalubong ang mga mata nito saka nagpatuloy sa iba pang gustong sabihin. “Ang totoo kasi, kayong dalawa ni Papa ang priority ko,” aniya pa.

Hindi na iyon tungkol sa karera. Para sa kanya, gusto niyang tiyakin kina Mario at Juliana na may makakasama ang mga ito pagtanda at siya iyon. They had given him everything, and it was his turn to be there for them, to provide for them, just as they had for him.

His words were simple, but they carried a depth of gratitude and responsibility he had always felt but had never fully expressed.