I heard knocks on my door. I opened my eyes even it won't. I groaned and sat. I looked for the time on my phone and groaned again when I saw it was two am.
"Claudia! I need you right now! It's your grandmother!"
That woke me up. Adrenaline rushed through my body when I stood up and ran outside without talking to Mom. I went to Grandma's room and saw her difficulty in breathing.
"Grandma!"
Hawak-hawak niya ang kanyang dibdib habang nahihirapan sa paghinga. Nagtama ang paningin namin at pagkatapos ay hinawakan niya ako sa kamay.
"Kuhanin...mo ang libro sa ilalim ng unan ko," utos niya sa akin.
I'm panicking. My hands are sweaty when I helped her sat up. Mabilis kong inalis ang unan niya at kinuha ang librong tinutukoy niya.
"What will I do with this?!" I asked, frustrated.
I've never felt worried and teary in my life. I gasped when Grandma held my hand. Tears pooled her eyes.
"Gusto kong pumasok ka sa...attic. Pinto...p-"
"Narito na ang ambulansya, Ma! Let's go!"
"I'll come with you!" I yelled.
Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil ni Grandma sa kamay ko. Umiling siya. Nakita ko na lamang ang sarili kong sumunod sa pagbaba nila kasama ang mga lalaking hindi ko kilala. The ambulance went away after Nom and Grandma were inside.
It was a horrible moment. My body wobbled in exhaustion and distress. How could life take away someone I cherished?
"Ate?"
Napatingin ako sa tumawag sa likod ko. I saw Sofia standing and holding herself on the staircase. My forehead wrinkled. Mom left Sofia with me.
"Gosh."
I left Sofia and went to Grandma's room. Kinuha ko ang libro na ibinigay niya sa akin kanina at tiningnan 'yon.
"Ate...si Mama?"
Bumaling ako kay Sofia. Huminga ako nang malalim at hinawakan ang kamay niya.
"Wala si Mommy. She's with Grandma. Come on," I answered.
Tinulungan ko siyang umakyat sa attic. Inalis ko ang hawak ko sa kapatid ko at tiningnan ang libro. Binuklat ko 'yon. Anong gusto ni Grandma na gawin ko rito?
"Ate...."
"Shhh."
I read the title on the cover. Like what old books are, it's thick, heavy, leather-bound, rusty, has a sweet and musky smell.
"Nawalang unang pag-ibig."
Nawala? Why would she make a title with gone and first love in the same sentence? Does she mean the death of Grandpa?
"Mystery ba 'to? Gosh, Grandma. What are you up to?"
"Ate...." my sister whispered again.
I rolled my eyes and sat on her level. "We're going for an adventure," I lied to make her stop whining. I let her see the book. "We're going to find out what Grandma wants me to do with this book, okay?"
She shook her head. "I don't want to...."
My mouth snapped shut. I stood up.
"Let's call Mom. Titigil ka na?"
She nodded. I told her to wait for me. I went to my room to get my phone. I don't know if my mother has her phone, but whatever.
"Claudia!"
Napatingin ako sa sala. I saw Jason. I stopped walking and went downstairs.
"Anong nangyari? Kay Lola Penya?"
"Nahihirapan siyang huminga. Pwede ba akong humingi ulit ng favor sa 'yo?"
Hinawakan ko siya sa balikat.
"I am desperate right now. Could you please go to the hospital and see if Grandma's okay? I need to know if she's okay!"
Nang tumango siya ay mabilis akong tumakbo sa taas. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang nangyari sa loob ng attic.
"What did you do?"
I went to Sofia. She was sitting on the floor and the boxes that were piled up on the center of the wall of the bookshelf fell.
"That fell."
Tiningnan ko ang maliit niyang kamay.
"Are you hurt somewhere?"
Umiling lang siya. Hinawakan ko siya sa kamay at tiningnan ang laman ng mga kahon. Mas lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang walang nakitang laman. When I looked at the other boxes, all of them were empty.
"Look...." Sofia muttered.
Bumaling ako sa itinuro niya.
"Door," she mumbled again.
Grandma said about a door. I realized now what she's telling me about the other night. A place. There's something in that door and I need to see what's beyond it. This is making me dizzy.
I dialed Mom's number but it wasn't ringing.
"Your mother wasn't accepting! Maybe she forgot to bring her phone. Come on."
Hinila ko siya palapit sa pinto. Nagulat ako nang kumalas sa hawak ko si Sofia. I looked down and saw her crying.
"I'm scared."
I rolled my eyes. "Grandma wants me to find out something. I don't know. About this book maybe? About her first love? Wait..."
I stared at Sofia. I think about what Grandma and I talked about.
"Her first love was Grandpa, Boston. But what does she want me to do with this book when it means her first love?" I stopped.
I gasped. "Oh, dear. Grandpa wasn't her first love?"
Tinitigan lamang ako ni Sofia. I stared at hers as well na parang may mahahanap akong sagot dito.
"But she said that Grandpa is her first and last love...." I whispered.
Naguguluhan ay lumuhod ako sa tapat ng kapatid ko.
"Do you want to go on an adventure with me or I will leave you here?"
She pouted and bit her nails. I know she doesn't want to be alone here. So, she doesn't have a choice.
Tumayo na ako at tumitig sa pinto sa harap namin. It was an old blue one, even the doorknob is rusty. What's beyond there?
"Let's go?" I asked Sofia.
She nodded hesitantly. Hinila ko siya malapit sa pinto. May kung anong mabigat sa dibdib ko. Tiningnan ko ang libro sa kamay ko. What will I do after this? I haven't read this book.
Kahit na nahihilo na ako sa pag-iisip, I know I have to go behind this door. I feel that I owe this to Grandma. Since we've gone here, she's the only one who could understand me.
I took a long breath and turned the doorknob. Before I regret my decision, I was greeted by a strong wind. I gasped in horror.
I could see a street with a long road that I couldn't see where it ends. People are walking together. They were men and women conversing and laughing as well. There are houses on the sides including this door we're at. There's daylight and mountains and birds. And then I just felt my heartbeats after and Sofia's grip tightening on my hand.
"Is this Narnia?" naguguluhan kong tanong kay Sofia.
She's biting her nails again, staring at me with her face, shocked and clueless as mine.
"Name, please," a man walked towards us and asked.
Nangunot agad ang noo ko. The tall guy in front of us was holding a huge book. It's color blue and he has an old kind of pen in his right hand.
"Sino ka?" pagtatanong ko rin.
Nagkatitigan kami. His eyes were chocolate. I think I saw him somewhere.
"Your name first, ladies," pormal niyang usisa ulit.
Lumunok at saka umayos ng tayo. "Claudia and Sofia."
Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya. Parehas na kaming naguguluhan ngayon pero mukhang iba ang iniisip niya kaysa sa akin.
"Claudia? Sofia? Where does that come from?"
Mas lalo akong naguluhan. "Uhm...I don't know? And who cares?"
"Uhm, me?" he mocked.
I felt irritated. "Hey, Mister. This is quite rude asking for our names. What will you do with it, anyway?" naiinis kong tanong.
Napatingin ako ulit sa paligid namin. I don't why we are here in this kind of another world.
"Totoo pala ang Narnia?" bulong ko.
"Ladies, I'm asking why is your name Claudia and Sofia? It is supposed to be related to writing."
"Why writing? Will you please explain what's going on?"
Napahawak na lang ako sa noo ko. Tiningnan ko ang librong hawak ko at ipinakita 'yon sa lalaking kanina pa kaming ginugulo tungkol sa pangalan namin.
"Do you know a name Boston? He's an old man, maybe in his sixties?"
He tilted his head and looked at the book I'm holding.
"What's in that book?"
"Hindi ka ba marunong sumagot ng hindi rin tanong?" singhal ko.
"Jeez! Wala akong kilalang Boston. Walang matatanda rito."
"This is absurd," I commented. "Wala talaga? Kung gano'n, why are we here in this weird world of yours?"
"No idea," tugon niya.
Napahinga ako nang malalim. I can't believe I will not find out what this book is about after entering this damn world we're in.
"What kind of a world is this? Is this Narnia? Are you an alien? Will you please explain all of this shit in three minutes?" I asked, frustrated.
"You're in the world of writers. Undoubtedly, if you haven't grasped the idea yet, we're all writers here. Perhaps you don't know what a writer is?"
I rolled my eyes at him. I gripped the book and put my hands on my chest. I waited for him to continue. I watched him closed his book.
"You will not be here if you're a writer or you two will be a writer a few years from now. You're supposed to have at least a Latin or Greek name that is relative to writing. I don't know who's Boston. This is not C. S Lewis's Narnia."
Ako naman ang huminga nang malalim.
"Then, I guess we'll be going now."
Tumalikod ako at hinawakan ang kamay ni Sofia. Hindi kami pinigilan ng lalaking kausap ko nang hawakan ko ang doorknob ng pintong pinaglabasan namin.
I turned it but it was stuck. What in the hell?
"Bakit naka-lock 'to?" Pinilit kong buksan ang pinto pero hindi talaga magbukas 'yon. Humarap ako sa lalaki na hindi pa rin umaalis hanggang ngayon. "Ni-lock mo ba 'to?" pag-aakusa ko sa kanya. Itinuro niya ang sarili niya. "Ako pa? Have you seen me near your door and lock that? I can't even hold that doorknob." I blinked twice. Napatingin ako kay Sofia na hinihigit ang kamay ko. "I wanna go out," she wailed. Napailing ako. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Pinihit ko ulit ang doorknob. Hinampas ko ng palad ko ang pinto. "Is there someone in there?!" I shouted at the door while banging it. "Please, help us get out of here!" Ilang minuto akong kumakatok sa pinto pero walang nagbubukas niyon. I sighed in disbelief and worry.Paano na kami ngayon? "What do you suggest we do?" I asked the guy. He shrugged. He looked at my younger sister. I watched him knelt in front of Sofia. "Hey, littl
Sofia and I stayed in this big room for two days. We haven't gone outside kahit na nate-tempt ako. I don't want to take Sofia around. Baka mapahamak pa siya at ako na naman ang mapagalitan. In the first place,why Mommy leaves her beloved daughter with me? There's no need to go outside. Every hour ay may pumapasok na maid at nagtatanong nang maitutulong niya sa amin. Everything from breakfast to dinner, even snacks is covered. I don't need to lay a finger because the maid would clean the room for us. I like it here. I don't need to face my mother every damn time. I can do everything I want here. I can eat everything I want and most especially, I don't need to take care of my sister because there's a maid who's doing that for me. Napangiti ako nang makita ang papalubog na araw sa labas ng bintana ng kwarto ko. I have a separate room with Sofia and I like this privacy. Napalingon ako nang may kumatok sa pinto. Binuksan ko 'yon, thinking it
Two days passed again. I haven't heard anything from Writan nor Bok. I'm comfortable that we're not wasting our time besides, our world's time is stopped on the other side.I tried writing on my own. Every room has a typewriter, paper, pencils, and pens. That's why this world is for writers. Totally. I don't know if it's my thing, but I don't mind. I don't have anything to do, anyway. What intrigues me is that I'm not bored here unlike on the other side. Maybe because I don't have to think about Mom, nagging about everything.Huminga ako nang malalim. Tiningnan ko ang bintana at nakita ang dalawang tao na nakaupo sa isang bench. They were exchanging books every three minutes, I've counted it. I'm curious about them and so, I feed my curiosity.Paglabas ko ng kwarto ko ay nakita ko si Sofia na naglalaro kasama ang maid niya. I'm thankful for the maid 'cause she's making my job easier. I don't have to take care of my sister; I have the time on my own."Lala
"You want to find that out now?" I implored. The elevator door opened. I want to go with him but how about Sofia? "I want to walk with you in the middle of the road." In that simple remark, I felt my heartbeats. It was banging my chest and I never felt nervous, I came up with a realization. I'm liking Writan. I looked at him and saw him looking at me since we got out of the elevator. I licked my lips and stared at his chocolate eyes. "I would love to go with you." I spent my time asking the maid to take care of Sofia for two days. Writan said that it would take a day or so. He prepared the foods we will eat on the journey. I'v
I woke up feeling refreshed and rested. Maliwanag na ang kalangitan. Nakikita ko ang mga ibon na namamahinga sa puno kung saan kami natulog ni Writan. Umupo ako at napangiti sa ganda ng paligid. The more I look at the scenery, the more I'm falling in love with it. Napatingin naman ako kay Writan, natutulog pa siya hanggang ngayon. Nakapatong ang kanyang kanang bisig sa noo niya. Nakapikit pa rin siya at nakatikom ang bibig. Napangiti ako habang pinapanood siya. Tumayo muna ako para mag-stretch. After a few minutes, I wake Writan. I slowly tapped his face. Nakaluhod ako sa tabi niya habang tinitigan ang mukha niya. I want to know if he had girlfriends in the past. Imposibleng walang nagkakagusto sa kanya. Sayang ang guwapo niya. Tumayo ako nang kumislot siya. He opened his eyes and I quickly took my eyes off of him. Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at inilagay 'yon sa balikat ko. "Good morning," Writan greeted with his low tone voice. I grinned.
"Sinabi ni Bok sa 'kin ang tungkol sa first love niya raw no'ng bago pa lang ako rito. Na minahal niya raw ang nakababata niya. It's kinda disgusting. He's talking about his first love like it was his anecdote." Napailing ako sa pagkukuwento ni Writan. We were both resting again over the tree of cherry blossoms look-alike. "Hey, what's this tree called? It looks like cherry blossoms. But is it?" Bumaling ako kay Writan. Nakatingin na rin siya sa itaas ng puno. "This is a cherry blossom." I was in awe. "Wow. It's so pretty." "You're prettier." I grinned at his compliment. "Do
"Explain," I demanded to Bok. I looked at him. He's sitting on his chair when we barged into his office. Writan silently walked past me and sat on the chair. He ushered me to sit as well but I decline. We never talk again after our last. I refused to. I want to get this over with, come home to Grandma, and live a happy ending with someone else. That hit me hard. "Anong ipaliliwanag ko, Claudia?" I gritted my teeth. "That you're my grandfather and Penna, your first love who left you is my grandmother." I watched his jaw opened. He glanced at Writan.So, he knew too?I smiled bitterly. These two demons just played me. "Explain! Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sa akin
"Claudia? Why are you here and where's my daughter?"I rolled my eyes when I first saw my mother sitting beside Grandma's bed. I watched her walk nearer to me. I glanced at Grandma and didn't answer her."Grandma, can we talk?"Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Mommy ang kamay ko. Nakalimutan ko na agad ang itsura niya. Pathetic how worthless people could do to you."Mommy, can I talk to Grandma first?"Umiling siya. "Mag-uusap muna tayong dalawa."Hindi ko na siya napigilan nang hilahin niya ako palabas ng kwarto ni Grandma. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang magkaharap kami."Nasaan si Sofia? Why are you in that dress? Nag-club ka ba?"What?Napailing ako. Inalis ko sa mukha ko ang buhok ko at tumayo ng tuwid."Thank you for asking if I'm alright," sarkastiko kong tugon.Napasinghap ako nang hawakan niya ako nang mahigpit sa kamay ko. I gritted my teeth when her nails hurt my arm."Wala ka na bang iban