LOST AND FOUND

Prologue

No part of your life is an accident—every joy, trial, blessing, and moment of mourning is perfectly written according to God's purpose in your life. In God, there are no accidents—only mighty purposes.

In this world full of suffering, here I am fighting for my life. I was born Catholic, and my parents were Catholic, but the funny thing is I never saw them go to church. I once asked my Papa why they didn't go to church, and I never forgot what he said,

"Why would you want to go to church when our house can be a church?"

Well, he has a point though. However, going to church provides a unique sense of community, guidance from religious leaders, and a focused environment for worship.

My life before was not good, but it wasn't that bad. I have a mother who is a hardworking 'labandera' and a father who works in a company as a Larrazabal's driver. We're not rich; I was born poor, but we lived as a happy family.

Then, one day, I woke up in the morning to heard my Mama crying while watching me sleep. When I opened my eyes, she quickly dried her tears and looked away.

“ Ruth, bumangon kana.. ” Tumayo ito sa pagkakaupo at nagbihis. Halata ang pagkabalisa nito sa  pagbibihis.

 I was confused while watching her, hindi lang kasi isa yung sout nyang t-shirt, ipinagdudugtong nya ang limang T-shirts at tatlong pamibaba nitong short, leggings, at pantalon. I also noticed the luggage beside her— I was about to get dress as well when she grab my hands.

“ Ruth... ” I didn't look at her, but I feel her hands were shaking.

“ Ma, magbibihis din ako, saan po ba tayo pupunta? Dadayo kaba kina lolo at lola sa Mindanao? Nasaan po ba si Wen? Bibihisan ko lang din–”

“Ruth, ako—ako lang ang aalis... Pupunta ako ng Maynila, babalikan ko kayo.” I looked at her—crying, balisa at aligaga ang pag haplos nya sa kamay ko. I knew it.

“ Ma, ga-graduate na'ko sa elementarya tapos sasabitan mo'ko ng medalya, mag ha-high school nadin ako next year, sisikapin ko rin makapasok sa NOCNHS magsisikap ako dun kahit taon-taon mo pa gustong umakyat ng entablado at sabitan ako ng medalya, gagawin ko lahat wag—wag ka lang umalis..” Humihikbi akong yumakap sa kanya't dahan-dahan na lumuhod sa harap nya, alam kong darating ang araw na 'to pero di pa rin ako handa.

“ Ikaw na ang bahala kay Dan at Wen ha? Alam kong maasahan kita sa mga kapatid mo. Pangako babalikan ko kayo, kukunin ko kayo sa papa nyo—”

“Ayoko! Sama kami ni Dan at Wen, ba't mo kami iiwan? Mag aaral po ako ng mabuti, matututo na'kong magluto at maglaba para di kana mahirapan, lilinisin ko ang buong bahay, ako na magpapaligo kina Wen at Dan, Isama mo lang kami—” Napatigil ako ng hawakan nya ang mukha ko at hinalikan ang noo ko.

“ Babalik si mama, tandaan mo 'yan.” 

Dali-dali akong kumapit sa braso nya nang akmang kukunin nya na ang luggage nya't lalakad na palabas.

“Ma... w—wag nyo po kaming iwan..” Halos pumolupot nako sa paa nya habang nahihirapan na ako sa pahinga dahil sa pag iyak. Pilit nyang tinatanggal ang paghawak ko sa kanya habang balisang umiiyak na amimoy nagmamadali na itong umalis.