The Substitute

Masaya akong umuwi sa bahay namin matapos kong mapanalunan ang championship sa larong archery. I'm the winner and I'm competing outside the country next month. Palundag-lundag pa akong nag lakad dala ang aking tropeyo. While I'm hoping that I'll make them happy. Their child is now a champion. "Mom Dad! Mom! Rose where are you? Dad" sigaw ko mula sa sala. Nasaan sila. Why this house is empty. Nasaan sila mama?Marahan  kong nilapag ang aking hawak na trophy sa babasaging mesa at nag lakad patungo ng kusina. And there they are Cooking. Napangiti naman ako. Siguro nalaman na nilang panalo ako sa competition kaya nag luto sila. These is the first time they cook for me. Well that's what I thought not until my twin sister enter the kitchen."Oh honey. Congratulations. I know you can do it." sabi ni Mama bago niyakap ang kapatid ko.Doon ko lang nahalata na may hawak din pala itong trophy. She's a champion like m

My heart is beating rapidly as I go down the stairs. Nasa kalahati pa lamang ako ng hagdan ay naririnig ko na ang boses ng kaniyang magulang. They are arguing with a high range of voice. Noong tuluyan na akong makababa ay nakita ko na sila ng tuluyan. I saw his father and his mother together with his siblings."What? Ganun na lang yun? That witch marry your brother! I want an annulment. I want that bitch to suffer behind bars!" His mother shouted as she slammed the table. Agad naman akong napatalon sa gulat. Lahat sila ay napatingin sa akin tila inaasahan na nila na papunta ako. His mother look at me while smirking. Siya ang unang nag tungo sa akin bago tuluyang lumapat ang kaniyang palad sa pisngi ko. My tears falls down as she tried to pull my hair. Pinigilan agad siya ng kaniyang asawa habang ako ay nakatulala lamang. Dale's brother pull me away at dinala sa kusina. Sumunod naman agad ang kaniyang kapatid na babae. Inayos nila ang buhok ko habang

"Si Dale po ba uuwi mamaya?" I asked manang as I saw her walking down the stairs. Dala niya ang walis habang marahang nag lalakad pababa. "Oo ata. Hindi ko alam. Hindi ba nag sabi saiyo ang asawa mo?" she asked me. Umiling ako sa kaniya habang sumimangot. "Baka hindi nga po. Baka kasama niya na naman ang kakambal ko. Manang pumunta na po ba yung taga deliver?" I asked her. Naubos na lahat ng gamit ko. I even sold some of my paintings to make money. Ito ang magiging libangan ko. Ito ang magiging pampalubag loob ko. Because in my every painting I gave my heart and soul to make my piece. And in every piece I make my heart was on it. "Hayaan mo na lang yan ineng. Ganiyan talaga yun. Huwag kang masyadong mag isip hah Lilly"Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at dumeretso sa taas. Nag eenjoy ako masyado sa pag pinta. Isinuot ko na ang apron ko before I sit on my chair. I usually paints sunset or moon.  Rain and fore

It was early in the morning when I saw him in the kitchen drinking water. Balak ko sanang kumuha ng tubig pero naroon siya sa daan. Umikot pa ako upang makakuha ng tubig ng mag simula siyang mag salita. Hindi siya nakatingin sa akin pero alam kong ako ang kausap niya. Hindi siya nakasuot ng pang trabaho pero alam kong aalis siya."Kamusta ang sugat mo?" lalagpasan ko na sana siya ng hatakin niya ako pabalik. He put down the glass and scan my lips. Marahan niyang dinampian ang labi ko na animo ay babasagin.Hindi pa ito magaling. Sariwa pa ito gaya ng kahapon. Kakawala pa sana ako sa kaniya noong mas higpitan pa niya ang kapit niya sa kamay ko. He let me sit in the chair before getting the first aid kit at the cabinet."Ayos lang ako. You don't need to do that." I told him bago tinabig ang kamay niya but he just gathered my hands then hold it."May pupuntahan tayo. They should not see tha

"So who was the lucky guy?" A reporter asked me over the phone. My painting was already release in that condo and offers flood in my email. Some are asking if they can guest me in the shows. Asked me if I can be their supplier or be one of the artist they'll showcase the talent."He was my first love. My longtime crush" I answer the reporter who asked me.Dale was my longtime crush. And my first love. I just don't know if he'll be my lifetime. "So can you drop the name?" she said politely.Napangiti lamang ako habang inaalala ang pangalan niya. My Dale was my ideal man. My dream. My true love. My life. My home. My everything. I close my eyes as I clearly remember the day that my love become more deeper. "I told you I can handle my self" I insisted to the man in front of me. Hawak niya ang payong habang nasa harap ko. He was smiling at me.