Aaliyah Gale Arceta, a simple girl from the province, leaves her quiet life behind to pursue her studies in the big city of Manila. There, she meets Maxine Jae Lim.
'A new beginning, in a new city. She wonders how will she survive this all by herse...
“Oy Gale iha, pinabibili ka ng mama mo nitong mais. Bagong hango pa to” Aling Pilang the corn-vendor said as gale walk passed by holding a two full bags of vegetable on her right hand and on her left hand are 2 more bags, one containing the chicken she’ll used to make adobo while the other bag contains the ingredients mainly cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, onion and garlic.
“Si Aling Pilang talaga oh wala namang sinabi si mama eh, pero pabili po akong tatlong piraso” Gale gives the vendor an ear-tear smile as she handed her payment. It takes her 4 minutes to arrange all of those bags full of groceries on her e-bike. Before she could start the e-bike she received a message from her mother.
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It only takes her 7 minutes to reach her home.
“Gale!” Migs, her gay friend calls, “ huy bakla ang shala naman may nakaparadang ford sa harap ng bahay nyo”
Gale immediately knows who’s the owner of that car, her heart was beating so fast as she hurried back home not minding the shout from her friend Migs.
“Fuck” she take a deep breath as soon as she arrive on their house gate. She was right, it was her fathers car.
“Anong ginagawa nyo dito?” Gale said as soon as she opened the door. The man is in his late forties, standing confidently in a well-tailored suit. His posture is upright, with his head held high, exuding an air of self-assuredness and authority. Gale's father, Arman Arceta.
“Ma ano to??” she faces her mother who’s now avoiding her eyes, Gale catches a hint of tears on her mother's eyes.
“Nakausap ko na ang mommy mo, sa Manila mo na itutuloy ang studies mo Nak” her heart drop hearing her father word.
“Ma? Anong Manila? Wala naman kayong sinabing sa Manila ako mag-aaral?” she looked at her mother directly waiting for her to answer all the questions that’s been running in her mind.
“Magandang opportunity yun Nak and besides nandun naman si Papa at Tita mo to guide you” Gale looked at her mother in disbelief. That’s not the word she wanted to hear.
“Ma, naman bakit parang pumapayag ka na isama ako ni Papa doon, alam mo naman kung gaano kahalaga sakin yung scholarship ko dito, pinaghirapan ko yun eh, paano kayo? Sinong mag-aalaga sainyo?” tears was about to fall from her eyes.
“Naka-enroll ka na Nak” her mother said which makes Gale step back in disbelief.
“Ano? Ma naman, bakit naka-enroll na agad ako ni hindi nyo man lang sinabi muna sakin. Wala akong alam” her voice was shaking as she speaks, she felt a lump on her throat. She felt betrayed.
“Gale anak-” her father Arman calls her.
“Please lang Pa, wag muna. Ang tagal mong nawala tapos bigla kang babalik na parang walang nangyari. Iniwan mo kami nina kuya remember? Mas pinipili mo yung kabit m-” her words was cut off when her mother speaks
“Aaliyah Gale, wag mong pagsalitaan ng ganyang papa mo”
“Why ma? Kinakampihan mo naman si papa? Eh sa totoo naman ah, paulit-ulit ka nyang niloko-mas pinili nya yung babae nya. Ma please ayaw ko” her mother could only bow her head. Gale sees tears leave her eyes and drop to the floor.
“Pack your things now, Nak. We’ll leave in an hour” her father looked at her softly as he gently tap Gales shoulder. She clenched her jaw as she ball her fist hard.
“Gale anak—” she walked past her mother. “Ayusin ko na po gamit ko” her voice was stern and cold.
"I'm sorry anak, I've tried hard to fix things between me and your dad but it was no help. Your father and I have been talking about it for about a month already" Her mom looked at her with tears in her eyes while watching her daughter pack her luggage. Gale heaved a sigh and wiped her tears as she continued putting all her clothes in the luggage.
"Stop apologizing Ma, naiintindihan ko. Sorry po on how I acted earlier, alam ko naman po na mahirap din sa inyo to make this decision" pain was evident in her voice. Her mother burst into tears upon hearing gales statement.
“I’m so sorry Nak—” Gale pull her mother into a tight hug, "Having you and kuya was more than enough for me, who cares about having a complete family? All I want for you is to be happy Mama, don't worry I'll visit you as soon as I have a semester break hmm?" She hugged her mom tightly, never wanting to let go.
Amidst their heartfelt conversation, she saw Nanay Cora peeking by the door.
"Gale iha, inaantay ka na ng papa mo" Gale wiped her tears and hugged her mom one last time.
"I promise to call you once I get there Ma, hmm?. I love you always" Gale's voice choked as she held her mom, this was too hard for her. She never wants to live far from home, fearing that she might feel too isolated or lonely.
"Nanay please kayo na po bahala kay Mama habang nasa malayo po ako" She hugged her Nanay Cora, who was now crying as well.
"Nako bata ka, mamimiss kita. Wag kang mag-alala ako bahala sa Mama mo" Nanay Cora said as she kissed Gale on her forehead, a gesture they've shared since Gale was young.
"Mag-iingat ka doon ha? Wag magpapalipas ng pagkain"
"Opo nanay salamat po, Ma alis na ako" she looked at her mom who couldn't stop crying. She only nods in response as she can't bear to utter another word.
Every step that Gale takes feels so heavy. She took one deep breath and looked back one last time before entering the car. She'll surely miss her home. Her tears began to roll down her face as their car slowly drove away.
"Thank you Nak for taking this opportunity. Don't worry your tita and I will take care of you while you're there. We got you your own condo unit near your school so di ka na masyadong mahihirapan mag-commute” her father said while looking at her. Gale however had her head lower, not making any eye contact.
“You can sleep Nak, it will take lots of hours bago tayo makarating” she didn't spare any glance to her father and just put her headphones on. Tears falls on her eyes. I hate you.
