Miracles and Sins

Chapter 4

Imogen

𓇢𓆸

"Anong sinabi mo?" Nanay Tilda's voice echoed around the kitchen.

"I am getting married." I said using sign language. Nanay Tilda learned sign language with me when I was young. She's with me during my private lessons because I am homeschooled. Minsan, meron pa rin siyang hindi naiintindihan kaya mas pinipili ko pa ring magsulat.

"Wala kang ni isang boyfriend na dinala dito kahit isang beses! Paano ka ikakasal?" pagtatanong niya.

"I met him yesterday."

"Nako, Imogen. Baka patay na ko't lahat-lahat, hindi ka pa ikinakasal! Hindi mo ako mauuto!" pag tawa pa ni Nanay Tilda sa akin.

She stopped laughing when she realized that I am being serious about it.

"Anong nangyari kahapon?" pagtatanong niya sa akin.

"I was called for a meeting, right?" I paused. "They are talking about business. I couldn't understand all of it, because I never attended to any of his meetings before."

"Tapos?"

"He shot my father. But after few conversations, my father asked him to marry me." I shrugged. I can still remember how the gunshot caught me off guard. So that's where the noise comes from every time my father has "meetings". They came from gunshots. This might be a normal thing for them. And being shot is also a part of it.

Totoo naman ang sinabi niya na wala akong alam sa mga bagay na ginagawa nila. It's also true that I can easily get killed because I am too naive. All of his effort to build his empire is going to waste if he's going to leave it to me. If he isn't Antonio Damari, I am long gone.

And one more thing. I am mute. Who would take a dumb mute girl seriously in mafia business? No one!

"Ha?! Binaril ang ama mo?! Kumusta siya?! Tsaka anong sinasabi mo?! Papakasalan mo yung taong bumaril sa ama mo ng harapan?!" Her voice grew louder.

"I can't manage the business and I am mute. He wants someone to be his successor." I explained.

"Eh paano ka?" natigilan ako dahil sa tanong ni Nanay Tilda.

Paano nga ba ako?

It's not like I have many choices to begin with.

Gustuhin ko mang umayaw, wala naman akong magagawa. I am just Antonio Damari's mute child. A failure. A disappointment. I don't want to disappoint my father any further. I just have to do things as he told.

Hindi rin naman ako sigurado kung saan siya sasaya. but at least I tried to do what he wants right? Iyon naman ang mas importante.

"I am going to be fine. I guess?"

"Sumama ka sa akin! Umuwi tayo ng probinsiya! Magpakalayo-layo tayo! Pumunta tayo kahit saan basta malayo dito! Pumunta tayo sa lugar na hindi ka mahahanap ng ama mo! Hindi man ganito karangya ang pamumuhay doon, sigurado naman akong mas magiging maayos ka!" concern was written all over Nanay Tilda's face. Sometimes, having her here is enough to comfort me.

"May mga pogi din naman sa probinsiya. Makakapili ka ng gusto mo!" biro niya pa.

I am so thankful and blessed that she's here with me. Kung tutuusin nga, matagal na dapat siyang umalis sa lugar na 'to. But she stayed with me despite all of these.

"It's okay, nanay! It's the least that I can do for him."

"Hindi!" sagot niya sakin. "Hindi mo kailangang sundin ang gusto ng ama mo. May sarili kang isip at pakiramdam." sabi niya pa. "Nangako ako sa mama mo na hindi kita papabayaan..." Niyakap niya ako habang sinasabi ang mga salitang yon.