Love, Catherine

CHAPTER 9

Love, Catherine

CHAPTER 9
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Catherine's POV

I still remember the texture of your soft hands, your sweet angelic voice, the smiles on your face everyday-reminds me of how lucky I was to have you until that day... The day I hated more than my life.

I was carefully arranging the items I was going to bring when Sandra came over. She was also toting a luggage with her personal items.

"Are you ready?," I asked.

She gave a quick head nod before smiling tenderly. Sandra came over and took hold of my hands.

"I'm more than excited to finally meet her," she said while softly carressing my hands.

Saglit muna naming iiwanan ang Villa Celestina to go home-to be with my sweet girl.

In our way, nakakita ako ng flower shop so maybe I could buy a buquet of flowers for Cate. I told Sandra to stay in the car as I selected the most beautiful flower arrangement.

"white tulips?" usisa ni Sandra.

I smiled while putting the flowers in the back seat.

"Cate's favorite," I replied.

I started the car engine and drove away. My old town was 3 towns away from villa Celestina. My father owns a small town house not that far away from the cemetery and plano kong doon muna kami mamalagi ni Sandra.

We have arrived at the cemetery at 2 in the afternoon. Marahan kong inilapag ang dala kong buquet of white tulips sa marmol na lapida.

"It's been five years, my dear and I missed you so much," wika ko habang marahan kong sinasalat ang nakaukit niyang pangalan sa marmol. Batid marahil ni Sandra ang lungkot at pangungulila sa boses ko. Limang taon na buhat ng mawala sa buhay ko ang anak ko. "I'm so sorry if things went this way. I know this was not you wanted us to be, anak. Forgive me if sasabihin ko sa'yo ngayon na siguro it's time for me to choose what's best for me and I know, living with your dad was not it. Sana anak maintindihan mo," I said with tears. Naramdaman ko ang mainit na palad ni Sandra sa kanang balikat ko.

"Hi, Cate. Ako si tita Sandra. You know what? Your mom is getting better. In fact, she's so much stronger than before. I will make sure that she will be the happiest person in the whole wide world. I promise you that," ani Sandra.

I realized, love is a complex concept with various meanings that vary depending on the person experiencing it. Love is a gift from God. My love to my daughter is boundless. I am her mother and always will be. But love will also takes the form of a surprise. It will arrive unexpectedly and fill you with enthusiasm and vigor that you have been missing for a very long time. It's very deep and sometimes misleading. It can make you taste its savory but it can also bring you poison that will slowly consume you.

"Sorry if walang masyadong mapaglibangan dito. This house is old and matagal na hindi natitirahan," I told Sandra ng makarating na kami sa town house namin. Simula nung mamatay ang mga magulang ko, I am the only living heiress of the family kaya sa akin napunta ang mga ari-arian ng pamilya including this old town house.

"Okay lang, Catherine. Maganda nga ito e. We have some alone time," pagfiflirt niya pa na bahagya kong ikinatawa. Madilim na ng makarating kami dito sa town house namin. May kuryente naman pero walang TV, DVD player and Wi-Fi connection.

"Shh! My ancestors can hear you," pagbibiro kong ganti sa kanya na pareho naming ikinatawa. "Anyways, what do you want to eat?," usisa ko habang isa-isang inilalabas ang mga pinamili namin sa grocery after naming dumalaw sa sementeryo.