Memories of the Wind

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Here & Now

The wind blew my hair when I went out of my car. Hinawi ko ang lumilipad na buhok sa ilalim ng tenga ko.

Santa Cruz is very peaceful. It's in a high place, so it's very cold. May kalayuan nga lang sa siyudad pero sulit naman ang pagbisita dahil sa ganda ng tanawin ng mga bundok.

The people of Ministry of Jesus greeted me. I smiled and greeted them back. I removed my shades when I arrived at the receiving area.

"Ngayon lang po kayo nakabalik, Ma'am," bungad ng receptionist.

Ngumiti ako. "Ngayon lang ako nakabakante, eh. Is she here?"

"Opo. Nasa overlooking park, po."

After I logged in, I walked towards the overlooking park here in the ministry. The place was located on a hill and you can see the view of the mountains here in Santa Cruz.

Nakita ko kaagad si Mama na nakaupo sa park. She had a cardigan to shield her from the cold wind.

"You look melodramatic," tukso ko.

Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumiti.

I looked just like her. Maganda si Mama kahit puti na ang ugat ng kanyang buhok. Her wrinkles are visible, given the fact the she took drugs before. Nevertheless, she's still beautiful especially when she smiles.

In her rehab years, she found faith in God. Kaya naman nang makalabas ay kaagad siyang inalok ng taga Ministry upang mag-serve. She contacted me during my graduation in college. Since then, we reconnected.

Now, she's staying in Santa Cruz as one of the leaders. They have been guiding the youth and those who are lost. May pa-outreach sila at kung ano pang mga aktibidad.

Masaya si Mama. Masaya na rin ako ro'n.

"Mahangin kasi kaya feel na feel ko," aniya.

Natawa ako at umupo sa katapat na upuan.

"May bagyo raw. Alam mo ba?"

Umiling ako. "Kailan daw tatama?"

"Bukas. Kaya sobrang mahangin."

Tumango ako.

"Ngayon ka lang ulit dumalaw rito, ah?" tanong ni Mama.

"This place is five hours away from the city. Sayang ang gas."

Ngumiti siya. "Nabasa mo ba iyong text ko sa 'yo noong nakaraan?"

Hindi ako sumagot at tumingin na lang sa magandang tanawin.

"Magandang opportunity rin 'yun, Kat. Malaki ang chance sa Australia."

"Ma," tawag ko. "Ayos na po ako ngayon."

"Sabi mo na delikado na ang kalagayan ng firm ninyo, 'di ba? Second option mo lang naman, Anak."

I really thought I wouldn't pass during my first board exam. Alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako gaanong nag-review sa kaba. But I did it.

My grades were not that great. Kaya naman hindi kaagad ako nakakuha ng trabaho. Until Gomez Architecture & Associates took me three years ago.

It was a struggling firm but the founder is very kind. I was at the brink. Hindi rin nakatulong na hinusgahan kaagad ako dahil sa stereotype na may tattoo ako. But they accepted me.

Then, I realized that I don't love my tattoos anymore.

It was just a rebellious phrase. Naging maayos na kami ng pamilya ko. Now, I just want to have a normal life. I want a new life.