A Set of Tears And Joy

A Season of Forgiveness

Title: A SEASON OF FORGIVENESS

Content:

I was a product of a relationship without love and pure affection. I have a broken family to be exact. When I was a child, I witnessed how my parents fought and shouted painful words to each other. That's why I always end up hiding in my room, crying silently. I thought that those were just fights that can be fixed immediately because it's really happening with other couples out there.

But I was wrong, because my family is really different from others. When I was growing up, I slowly realized that I was just their daughter to serve as a living proof of their marriage. To justify their dignity and reputation with their chosen career. They never treated me like a child which I deserve to be. And it saddened me that I can't even have them both because they don't want to be together anymore.

"Mom, where are you going to come home? I miss you so much." I can't help but to get teary-eyed when my mother answered my call.

She smiled yet a sad expression was evident on her face. She's still wearing her office uniform. She's been living in Singapore for more than five years and she only visit the Philippines during special occasions.

"Anak, I can't decide yet. I still have works here." she said

"But Christmas is coming soon, mom!" I exclaimed with my pleading voice.

She sighed deeply before looking at me with an apologetic expression.

"Gaudie, please understand.." she uttered that pierced my heart.

Then, tears filled my eyes upon hearing her words. Palagi naman niyang dahilan iyon eh. Na may work siya! Na hindi siya makakauwi dahil kailangan niya munang tapusin ang mga mahahalagang bagay. Eh ako? Hindi ba ako mahalaga bilang isang anak niya? Sa Pasko na nga lang yung time na magkakasama-sama kaming tatlo tapos pinagkakait pa niya.

"Dad.." I murmured when my father joined our group video call.

I created a GC for the three of us because that's the only way to get in touch with them. They are always busy and I can't even talk to them every day.

"Anak, hayaan mo na lang ang mama mo. Baka busy talaga siya kaya wala tayong magagawa." My dad said while looking at me.

He seems worried in the screen. He can't look at my mom directly because he feels awkward with her presence.

"Baka busy din ang papa mo. Huwag mong pilitin ang ayaw!" sabat ni mommy at nag-iwas ng tingin.

I felt suffocated. Pati ba naman sa video call, mag-aaway pa sila? Seryoso? Kaharap nila ako tapos ganito pa ang mangyayari.

"Hindi ako busy, anak. Hahabol ako sa Noche Buena, may tatapusin lang akong project sa Tagaytay---"

"Ay naku! Gaudie, huwag kang maniniwala diyan sa magaling mong ama! Scam 'yan. Huwag ka ng umasa dahil hindi na naman 'yan sisipot tulad last year." iritadong sabi ni mommy habang nakatitig nang masama kay papa.

I gulped. I sighed frustratingly. My head aches because of their fight again. Kailan ba sila tatahimik at magbabati? Palagi na lang eh! Sa tuwing mag-uusap kaming tatlo, hindi nawawala ang pag-aaway nilang dalawa. Hindi ba nila alam na may anak silang nakikinig?

"Cien naman. Huwag mo naman akong siraan sa anak natin. Babawi na nga ako eh" buwelta ni papa at nakakunot na ang noo.

Wala akong masabi. Nagpalipat-lipat lang ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa.

"Hoy! Anong bumabawi? You're always busy with your low-class projects. How could you spend time with our daughter when you're always out-of-town huh?" my mom fired back.