Burnt Skies

Wakas

A/N: Thank you for being with me until the end! This is the last book in the Esquivel series. Are you ready to say goodbye?
 

I was awakened by the soft tune of a piano. Alam ko na agad kung sino ang tumutugtog, kaya naman kusang kumurba ang mga labi ko. Marahan akong bumangon at kinusot ang aking mga mata. Dim pa rin ang ilaw na nagmumula sa lampshade sa ibabaw ng bedside table. I glanced at the wall clock and realized it was still 12 a.m. Humikab ako at bumaba sa kama. Hinanap ko ang pambahay na tsinelas at marahang lumabas ng silid. I walked down the grand staircase cautiously as I took a glance at the woman who was playing the piano in the wide living area.

Dim na rin ang ilaw na nagmumula sa chandelier pero kitang kita ko kung gaano kaganda at kapino ang kilos ng babaeng nakangiti habang nakapikit. The simple yet sophisticated woman was humming her favorite piece. Huminto ako at kumapit sa barandilya ng hagdan habang pinagmamasdan ang babaeng pinakmaganda para sa akin. My mother.

Nang imulat niya ang kanyang mga mata ay agad tumama ito sa akin. Natigilan siya nang bahagya pero agad ding lumawak ang pagkakangiti niya sa akin. Huminto siya at pinagmasdan ako.

"JuanPaolo, darling. Why are you still awake? Hmm?" kay lumanay at kay lambing ng kanyang boses.

I didn't speak. I just looked at her.

"Did I wake you up?" malambing pa ring tanong niya.

I slowly shook my head to hide my lies. I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want to make her worry either. I love my mom so much.

Magaan siyang ngumiti sa akin at inilahad ang kamay.

"Come, let me sing you a lullaby."

Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Hinalikan niya ang likod ng kamay ko at marahang hinaplos ang buhok ko.

She then started playing the piano.

"Goodnight, goodnight
It's time now to sleep
The moon's watching over
You and your dreams.."

"Goodnight, goodnight
My sweet little one
Tomorrow your eyes
They will light up the sun.."

She was smiling at me while singing, and I couldn't help but to smile too. Her voice was like that of an angel. Magaan, malamig at masarap sa pandinig.

"But goodnight, goodnight
Sweet dreams for now
Drift off to sleep
On your pillow of clouds.."

"Goodnight, goodnight
My sweet little friend
Tomorrow's adventures
They will soon begin
Tomorrow's adventures
Will soon begin.."

I didn't know that that would be the last time I'd hear her voice. She suddenly disappeared the next day, but before that, I heard her arguing with my dad.

"Don't get your son involved here, JuanPablo! I'm telling you! Sisirain mo lang ang buhay niya!"

"You don't tell me what to do, Chrisoula!" Dad's low and thick voice.

"Isn't it enough that you already took my two sons? Bakit kailangan mo pang isali dito ang bunso ko?!" her soft voie cracked.

Even if I wasn't looking, I knew that she was crying.

"He is a Montenegro. Don't ever forget that."

"But he doesn't deserve all of this! None of my children deserve all of thi-"

Isang malakas na tunog ng sampal ang aking narinig kasabay ng pigil na paghagulgol. I was stuck in place and I couldn't move. Hindi na naman ito bago sa akin pero tuwing ganito ang nangyayari awtomatikong kumukuyom ang mga kamao ko.