ECHOES OF CRESTFALLEN

PROLOGUE

Upset. That's what I'm feeling right now, hayaan ba naman ako ni Mama na sumakay sa bus, I'm so pagod na tuloy. Kuya Ben is taking his vacation din kaya wala akong driver, it's summer kaya kay Papa ako the whole 2 months.

I love being here. Tahimik ang surroundings, fresh air, all you can see is green. You'll hear the songs of birds, you'll see the dancing trees, you'll feel the warmth of the sun. If only I could stay here, hindi ko na babalaking umalis pa.

Simula nang mag hiwalay sina Mama at Papa ganto na ang sitwasyon namin. Pag mag start yung class namin kay Mama ako, pag matapos naman o pag bakasyon na kay Papa naman ang bagsak ko. It's hard for me to cope with this situation, but what can I do? I'm just their child.

Nasa may tabing dagat ang rest house namin na tinutuluyan ni Papa, he didn't bother to build another house sa City since he wanted a peaceful life.

After they got annulled Papa temporarily stopped working. My Brother Reev took over Papa's business, so he could finally rest.

Masyado nang madaming nagawa Si Papa para sa pamilya ni Mama, The great Almazan. Papa was once the President of Almazan Enterprises, he never stopped working hard in order to make the business flourish. He got a lot of money na din from his savings kaya naman nag desisyon na syang tumigil kahit temporaryo lang naman.

Their Annulment caused a big crack towards the Almazan, lalo na saming anak nila. I was just 12 when my parents decided to end their relationship, and 2 years ago tinapos na talaga nilang dalawa ang lahat. They cut ties from each other ang tanging connection na meron nalang sila ay kami nila kuya.

If it weren't for us, I think they will treat each other as if they never had a relationship before, as if one of them never existed.

As I've noticed with those times na kasama ko sila sa iisang bubong, it feels like they never really loved each other, they almost treat each other like ghosts. Nagkakasama-sama lang kami kapag dinner. We never really had a family day, hinde kami lumalabas para mag bonding, busy sila palagi.

Wala si Mama kasi nasa foundation, wala din si Papa kasi nasa kompanya. Kung minsan nga nag-aaway pa sila sa mga araw na kompleto kami. All those years bahay and school lang ako, my manang will sometimes bring me sa Park or sa mall para mag strall, pumapayag naman ako na mag-gala pero hinde ko naman talaga ma enjoy, palaging may nakikita akong buong pamilya and that makes me jealous.

Kasi ako, I never had the experience going out with them. I never had the experience having a complete family.

I've never been so insecure my whole life, I got all the things I needed. I got a luxurious life, I can buy myself anything in just one click.

But all those fortune would never make me happy, I only got 1 wish. It is to have a beautiful and happy family. But destiny won't allow it....

I got back from my senses when I felt a tap on my shoulder, I looked at the direction of the guy.

" Señorita, alis na ho tayo? Hinihintay na ho kayo ng Papa nyo." I only nodded as a response. I'm still preoccupied with the things running into my head.

Kuya Ruel took my things, sinundan ko lang sya hanggang sa makaabot kami sa parking lot. Through the biyahe I cannot stop myself but admire the beauty of these scenery, ang City dito sa province is not like sa Manila, hinde mausok hinde masakit ilong, all the people here are smiling, parang walang crime na nangyayare dito. Nagkakaisa sila, at nag tutulungan. That made me smile. There's a lot of flowers at kahit City dito may mga puno paden, makikita mo everywhere.

Nagpatuloy ang byahe namin ni Kuya Ruel nagugustuhan ko ang ambiance dito, I'm a city yes kasi I was born there I like clubbing, hotel hopping. I love shopping and anything it's my source of happiness.

But province's ambiance had a different impact on me. I can smile without doing anything, all I have to do is to feel tge wind gently brushing my skin, listen to the birds singing. Look at the tress dancing, the cute pets running and playing at the side walk.

Madami akong bagay na nakita at nagustuhan through our 30 min drive, it's still malayo sa rest house.

Hapon na at sakto napadaan kami sa may bridge where you can have a clearer view of the sunset, I kept staring at it and every time I look at it there is something heavy in my chest. It feels like it has something to say to me, perhaps a goodbye. Ayun naman talaga ang sinisimbolo ng sunset, but if that's what it's trying to say to me, I don't want it, I don't wanna hear it. I don't even wanna look at it. Sa lahat ng pinaka ayaw ko ay ang pamamama alam.

I hate Goodbyes, and I'll forever will hate it. Sino ba naman matino ang gugutuhin na mamaalam ?

Pinalis ko ang luha sa aking mukha at naupo ng tuwid bago tanggalin ang tingin sa bintana.

It stings my eyes, mapanakit ang sunset. I said to myself then shook my head with that thought.

I moved forward a bit to get my driver's attention before talking.

"Kuya Ruel, can you please drive faster I need to rest po. I'm so pagod kasi sa biyahe." Napatingin si kuya Ruel sa rear view mirror at ka agad na tumungo before he stir the car and increased its speed.

" Okay po, Señorita." sabi nito sabay tango sa akin. I threw my back towards the seat and crossed my leg.

I took my headphone and wore it, kinapa ko ang phone ko sa bulsa, then I saw it's 4 pm already. I still have long drive 2 hours ang layo ng rest house ni Papa dito sa terminal. I closed my eyes then finally went to sleep.