My Millennium

CHAPTER 4

Barbara is an Adarna orphan raised by a poor couple. Growing up, she is a smart but naive girl. Every kid in the Adarna Clan hates her sense of justice.

"Why do you have to ruin her dress just because she accidentally hit you with mud, for by your fault, intruding on their game?"

"She did it on purpose. Why are you always on their side? They always bully me saying I was abandoned by my parents. Tell me, is it true? I wish it was true and hoped you had not taken me away from where you got me."

"Oh sweetheart, we love you and that is all that matters. Tho we're poor yet we are blessed to have you little Anita."

His father is working for a Lakan as Aliping namamahay and left them at the abandoned pilgrim site, their home. However, his salary is not enough to feed the 7 foster children.

(Lakan- is a title of warrior rulers who governed trade within the archipelago of pre-colonial Philippines)

Her mother, still at her ageless looks make money from selling her body, keeping it a secret. One night when Barbara followed her into the forest, curious as to where her mother got all the bruises on her body and seems to be exhausted every day. However, she always replied that it was because of her work. She hide well from a trunk of a huge tree and the innocent eyes she saw in the fire-lighted camp, two men crawling her mother, naked. She quickly covered her mouth and sob heavily from shock, anger, and hatred, quietly hearing her mom singing her favorite lullaby.

Dandansoy, bayaan ta icaoPauli aco sa Payao
Ugaling con icao hidlauonAng Payaw imo lang lantauon
Dandansoy, con imo apason
Bisan tubig di magbalon
Ugaling con icao uhauonSa dalan magbobonbobon.
Convento, diin ang cura?
Municipio, diin justicia?Yari si dansoy maqueja.
Maqueja sa paghigugmaAng panyo mo cag panyo co
Dala diri cay tambijon co
Ugaling con magcasiloBana ta icao, asawa mo aco.

(Dandansoy, I'd like to leave you,
I'm going back home to Payao.
Though if you yearn for me,
Just look towards Payao. Dandansoy, if you follow me,
Don't bring even water.
Though if you get thirsty,
Dig a well along the way. Nunnery, where's the priest?
City Hall, where's justice? Here is Dansoy, charged
Charged with falling in love.Your handkerchief and my handkerchief
Bring them here, as I'll tie them together
For if they interweave
May you be my husband, I your wife.)

From then on she became more harsh and indifferent to her mother. She doesn't understand how could her mother do such a horrible thing! She always shows her tender smile and kindness. Taught her values and principles! So why? The day came when her mother was exposed to being a prostitute and was bound to the tree of shame for 5 days.

"Mother, have some water."

"Little Anita, are you mad at me? Don't worry I won't blame you." Barbara did not respond and her mother smiled.

"You should go home and take care of your siblings." Before much hesitation, she finally spoke"Why did you do it?"