Break Fresh Ground

42: THAT VOICE

"Kayong dalawa, matulog ha?" sabi ni Tita Esme habang ang mga tingin ay nang-aasar. "Mauna ka na sa loob, Sergio," she said, planting a tender kiss on her youngest child's cheek.

Sumunod naman si Sergio sa sabi ni Tita. Pero bago nito tuluyang isara ang pinto ay humarap ito sa amin. "Good night, mga Ate ko!" he exclaimed, blowing us a kiss that made me smile.

Kakatapos lang namin kumain ng nilutong suman ni Tita dahil nagbigay ang mama ni Violet ng malagkit na bigas sa kaniya. Gumawa rin si Tita ng mainit na tsokolate kaya naging night snack namin ito.

Sapphire clicked her tongue in skepticism. "Imposible, Mama. Ang lakas ng ulan tapos ang lamig-lamig. Baka mag-ano sila--"

"At paano mo nalaman 'yan?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Sierra sa kapatid.

Sapphire rolled her eyes. "Excuse me, Ate Sierra, may common sense ako."

"Common sense mo mukha mo, Sapphire Althaea."

"For your information, I'm not watching porn. I'm watching videos na related sa sex education. Mas maganda nga na dapat alam ko na ang mga bagay na 'yan kahit na ilang taon pa lang ako," Sapphire defended herself.

Tita Esme nodded in understanding. "Mabuti 'yan. Pero siguraduhin mong hindi porno ang pinapanood mong bata ka. Hindi sex ang porn, tandaan niyo 'yan," tumingin ito sa mga anak niya.

"I know, Mama. Ang talino ko masyado para hindi malaman 'yan," Sapphire confidently declared, and we watched her enter her room.

We said good night to each other before walking in in Artemis' room. The rain was pounding heavily due to the monsoon, making it quite chilly. She rummaged through my luggage to find a comfortable hoodie for herself, and I did the same with her clothes. Hindi naman pwedeng siya lang ang gumawa niyon.

We engaged in a heartfelt conversation until we drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I felt a tight grip on my waist, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Artemis almost occupying my space, trembling slightly.

"Are you--" I was interrupted by a deafening thunder that seemed to shake the ground, causing Artemis to flinch and hold onto me tighter.

I caressed her back gently. "Hey, it's just thunder," I whispered.

Umiling siya at mas lalong nagsumiksik sa akin nang muling kumidlat. I wonder kung nakatulog na ba siya. As I continued stroking her back, she sniffled, mabilis kong tinignan ang mukha niya, and she's crying.

"Are you okay? Why are you crying?" I asked softly.

"'Yong kidlat kasi," she stammered, embarrassed to admit the reason for her sudden tears.

"Is it that scary?" I asked as if I am talking to a kid. She looks so vulnerable right now. When she nodded, I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Andito ako," I assured her.

Silence filled the room, but the rain continued to pour heavily, and the thunder showed no signs of stopping.

"Noong bata pa ako," she suddenly began, her voice filled with vulnerability. I nodded, letting her know that I was all ears. "Naiwan kaming magkakaptid dito sa bahay. Wala pa si Sergio noon, hindi pa siya napapanganak. May pinuntahan si Mama at bilang ate, kailangan kong bantayan ang mga kapatid ko."

Her grip on my waist softened as I decided to gently massage her scalp.

"May bagyo noon. Ang akala namin babalik si Mama bago gumabi pero hindi. Nawalan ng kuryente noon dahilan para matakot kami. Pero hindi ko pinakitang natakot ako kasi mas lalong matatakot ang mga kapatid ko. Binantayan ko sila hanggang makatulog. Noong ako na lang ang gising, doon ako umiyak at sumigaw sa isip ko, hinahanap si Mama at nagtatanong kung nasaan na siya."