When was it?
When was the last time I felt the home I need?
When was it?
When was the last time I felt the happiness I need?
When was it?
Ah...
It was when I was still called 'Maria'.
It was my first life, the life that was peaceful even though it wasn't perfect.
"Maria! Halika na, naghihintay na ang papa mo sa labas."
Napalingon ako sa pinto kung saan nakasilip ang ulo ni mama. Napangiti ako at isinara ang zipper ng packbag na dadalhin ko.
"Here, I want you to bring this too. I want you to pray the rosary kahit wala ako, tell your father to accompany you."
Inilahad sa'kin ni mama ang puting rosaryo at hinalikan ang noo ko.
Mama isn't that old but she looks weak, I wonder if she's overworking herself? I want her to rest badly.
"There! You're ready!"
"I'm not a child anymore mama," ani ko sa inis na tono.
Tumawa ito at ginulo ang buhok ko, "you're always been my baby and my one and only child. I want to take care of you till you can walk to the altar to marry the man you love."
"I don't want to get married mama, ayokong iwan ka."
Napailing-iling siya at hinaplos ang pisngi ko, "Life is limited Maria, everyone of us dies."
Napanguso ako, why is she talking about dying? I don't understand her. Is she that tired from her work?
"Gabriel, please take care of her."
Kinuha ni papa ang backpack na dala ko at ngumiti kay mama.
"Ano ka ba, sa sobrang bait ni Maria ay hindi na lumalabas ng kwarto ang batang yan."
Napasimangot ako at dumiretso na lamang sa sasakyan, I don't like it. They're talking as if they are okay with each other but I know that they're not.
"It's been a while, Maria."
Napatingin ako sa harapan at nakita ko ang asawa ni papa. Ngumiti siya sa'kin kaya ngumiti ako pabalik, she's kind to me even though I'm not her daughter.
They didn't have the chance to have a child, may sakit kasi sa puso ang asawa ni papa kaya hindi ito pwedeng magbuntis.
Lagi akong sinusundo ni papa tuwing sunday ng hapon dahil sakanila ako nagsestay tuwing lunes hanggang Friday ng umaga.
BINABASA MO ANG
Howling Marionette
Historical FictionI woke up on a bed full of rotten roses, it was supposed to be my 59th life but again I was reincarnated in a body who was extremely tortured by her step mother. I've been reincarnated for about fifty-nine times. I became a teacher, a mother, a vil...
