Love, Pearl

LOVE, PEARL 2

The memories weighed heavily on my mind as I sat at my desk, tears blurring my vision. The past had a way of creeping up on me, especially during quiet moments. I was fourteen when things started to get hard, my life shattered like glass.

"Mommy..." I had called out, my voice trembling as I found her slumped on the floor, eyes vacant and unresponsive.

She had been crying all night, mourning my father who had succumbed to an overdose. He went first, leaving us in despair. I was just a child, too young to grasp the force of addiction and loss.

A glimmer of hope flickered when Mom seemed to pull herself together, to salvage our crumbling company. For a while, it worked. She was present again, no longer lost in her darkness.

During this, I met Mauricio. It was a chance encounter by the roadside where he was selling juice. I was parched, and he was my only option.

"U-uh... paano 'to?" I muttered to myself, fumbling for words. "Um... Kuya, how much is this po?" My voice wavered, unsure. Mauricio looked at me and laughed.

Was something wrong?

Bakit ba siya tumatawa? May problema ba sa mukha ko?

I'm wearing these pearls... Ang ganda ganda ko kaya.

His laughter puzzled me, and I placed my hands on my hips in confusion.

"Nauuhaw na po ako. Bili po ako ng juice niyo, Kuya," I insisted.

"Palamig lang 'to sa amin, Señorita..." His tone was sarcastic, and he added, "Limang piso lang 'to ineng." Irritated, I snapped back, "I'm not ineng. I'm Pearl!"

Nauuhaw ako noon, kaya bumili ako sa kanya. 'Di ko alam na magiging malaking parte siya ng buhay ko.

Years passed, and by the time I was eighteen, we found ourselves in the same university. We became inseparable, sharing lunches and walking home together.

"Kuya, don't tell this to Mommy ha?" I'd tell my driver, who always complied with a nod.

05/ 16 / 20**
Dear Mauri,

I want you to know how much you mean to me. Every moment we spend together fills my heart with so much joy and love. Your support, kindness, and strong love have been my guide through life's ups and downs. I cherish our memories and look forward to creating countless more with you. Thank you for being my safe haven.

I love you more than words can express.

Love, Pearl

Sometimes, I'd help Mauricio sell his juice. "Pwede libre nalang sakin 'to, Kuya?" I teased. "Kuya ha? Sige, Ineng," he retorted, teasing back. "You brute—" I'd say, playfully hitting him.

But one night, he surprised me by climbing up to my balcony. It was then that my mother's suspicions grew.

She did everything to investigate Mauricio, ultimately demanding that I break up with him. I defied her, clinging to our love.

Pero hindi ko inaasahan makikipaghiwalay sa'kin si Mauricio ng ganoon nalang. He was my strength, my hope...

Then, everything spiraled out of control. Our company was sabotaged and went bankrupt. My mother, unable to cope, overdosed and left me alone in a world that suddenly felt hostile and cold.

"Oh, hija. This mansion is permanently owned by someone. Binili na ang mansion niyo. Pwede ka nang umalis," a man informed me, sealing my fate.

With nowhere to go, I wandered the streets at night, clutching my stuffed toy that Dad gave me and a bag filled with my cherished pearls.