Somewhere in Vigan

17

"Bakit ka nga ulit nandito?" I asked.

She cleared her throat before she spoke. "Feel ko trustworthy ka naman kaya sige. I'll spill the beans na."

What?

"I want to find my mom... The biological one." she stated, smiling a bit. "My mom left me when I was three years old. Baka isipin mo parang teleserye 'to ah," she shook her head. "this is a different story."

"Care to elaborate?" I asked.

"My mom left me when I was three. Iniwan niya 'ko sa simbahan tapos natagpuan ako ng pari roon sa simbahan kinabukasan. Long story short, inampon nila 'ko, pinag-aral nila 'ko, tinulungan nila 'ko na maabot kung anuman 'yong naaabot ko ngayon. Of course, I helped myself. Nagtrabaho ako para may pandagdag sa gastusin sa simbahan at syempre sa pag-aaral ko."

I just stared right into her eyes as she said those words. Kung titignan mong mabuti ang mata niya, makikita mo na hindi sila masaya. Oo, nakangiti siya ngayon pero iba 'yong sinasabi ng mga mata niya.

"I'm proud of you." I said.

She smiled. "Thanks. Big word 'yon for me."

"Gusto mo bang tulungan kitang hanapin siya? Hahalughugin natin buong Ilocos kung gusto mo."

"Alam mong hindi ko tatanggihan 'yan." she laughed. "Thank you so much, Russel. Super big help." she added.

•••