Disasters of Brazil

Chapter 17

Harmony

"Grandma, are there any chance that my identity isn't true?"

While Grandma was driving us towards home, I suddenly ask as I fastened my seatbelt. My brother was glaring at me with that sudden question. I know we should be hidious by our plan, the mission itself.

I don't know why my brother thinks that what am I saying ay pwede kami mabuking sa plinaplano namin gawin. There's nothing fishy in it. Just a normal teenage girl who knows nothing about her background but the "My parents died at an earthquake when I was born."

Everytime I ask Grandma about our history, she would often stutter. Ever since that hospital chaos happen, she started to have anxiety whenever I ask her about our past. My brother lists them all, all her reactions, positive or negative reactions.

It feels like we're in a puzzle. There's something missing in our lives, something missing. I really believe there is something missing in it.

"Why would you say such nonsense Roberta?" she chuckled.

"It's just a question Grandma," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Hey that's disrespectful!" my brother whispered.

I glared at him. "Gosh sorry!"

I didn't want the conversation to end there so I asked another question. "Where's our other relatives then?" 

"They're dead." Grandma says in deadpan. "Well you know, earthquake, natural calamities."

I think that reasoning is just stupid.

How come? 

"Do we have a relative here in the Philippines?" I ask another question. 

Growing up in Brazil was peaceful, there's nothing I know but my parents died in an earthquake. I'm not invested before to know about these things. In school, I would often say, "Não sei" which means "I don't know"

As a kid, I wasn't invested in those things to be unleashed and reveal it to me. I don't care at all. All I care is, I miss my parents and I hope they're alive. Everything is just so messy. Our life is chaotic to be honest. 

As we arrived home, I didn't take a break nor rest. Day per day, Grandma is getting weird and weirder. There's really something, something to unfold. I know there is. The moment I realize that my history and identity is only limited to my knowledge. There's something missing.

Hindi ko pinansin ang kapatid ko at dumiretso akong lumabas. I need to ask people about myself, for sure kilala naman kami rito, since one of the best Psychiatrist and well known in the Philippines si Grandma.

It was a cloudy weather and a windy as well. Nililipad ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko. Some are flying towards my face which is very annoying and a disaster for me. Mas nairita ako nang nakain ko na ang pira-pirasong buhok ko. 

"Stupid hair!" I mutter a curse then threw my hair towards back. Suot suot ko pa rin ang uniform ko at hindi ko na alam kung saan ako napadpad. I decided to call a Grab Taxi using the app to escape. 

Hindi na ako mapakali, I need to know, my life is mysterious, our life is. Mine and my brother's. I waited at the waiting shed located at our village's clubhouse. When a black Almera car arrived, I open the door and sat at the backseat.

The driver was a female driver. Her name is Harmony Reyes. There is something eerie in this ride. I just told her I'm going to Bonifacio Globe City. When we started driving, my anxiety rose.

She looks like a kidnapper! Not to judge her but she look like she is. She's wearing a cap, a black jacket, a facemask and shades. Sweat started to come out from my body.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Roberta Barraquias," she says. 

I swallowed a gulp on my throat and nod slowly. "Yes po?"

"Ganda mo naman iha," she says.

"Uhm thanks!" I laugh sarcastically, but deep inside, my heartbeat is beating so fast like a rock band rocking a drums. "Such a compliment," I sigh.

"Anak ka ni Doctora Emileigh?" She asks. 

I'm starting to get uncomfortable. She's asking about my family background. First my name and complimenting me and now my Grandma? I think I made the wrong decision of riding this taxi!

I want to get out. Should I jump or what? If I jump, I'll get into an accident and people will think I commited a failure suicide or attempting to kill myself. Dumb me! ginusto ko 'to. 

The airconditioner is making me dizzy, the smell of the air refreshener is sick! That arousing sakura smell makes my stomach roll over. I wanted to puke all over. I made vomit sounds but glad she didn't hear it.

"Why are you asking me personal questions?" I say, with my eyes furrowed. "You're supposed to take me to BGC. Not to ask me personal questions you woman." I pout. "Well yes, she's my grandma." I cross my arms.

"I see...."  she slowly nods.

"Hey why are you wearing those things? It makes you suspicious!" I pointed at her whole outfit. 

"There's a lot to unpack." She says before removing those body covering clothes. I was confused still of why she's wearing it. 

"Unpack what?" my eyes furrowed.

"Basta," she says.

Her face has a feature of something. I told myself "bakit parang kamukha ko?" I shook my head. This is nuts, it's driving me crazy. I kept on imagining things which I shouldn't be. There's something in her features that I can't explain. 

It's just......

There's something in it.

"Call me, tita Harmony." She says.

"Why tita? kaano-ano ba kita?" I roll my eyes. "Your a driver, not my tita. I should call you, Ate or Miss." I say.

"Bahala ka nga," she says.

Her face looks like in mid 40's. Nawala rin ang kaba ko dahil bigla nalang kami nag-uusap. Nakikipagbiruan siya, at ganoon naman din ako. Baka machika nga lang talaga siyang driver. I shouldn't be too judgemental.

I didn't realize that we're already in BGC. When I was about to go down, she gave me her phone number which made my eyes furrowed.

"What for?" I say.

"If you need grab rides, I can do those kid." she snaps.

"Gosh, okay fine! buti at hindi ka naman kidnapper po!" I laugh.

"How much?" I ask, getting my wallet. 

"It's free." She says.

"You're kidding," I roll my eyes.

"Oo nga!" 

"Fine, what's your name again?" I winced.

"Harmony, Tita Harmony." She introduced. "Tita Harmony at your service, grab safely!" She saluted.

I roll my eyes before closing the door of her car.

I texted the number she gave me.

Me: Thanks tita Harmony.

She replied back,

Tita Harmony: Just call me if you need a ride.

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