Yula's Prequel

2. Yula: The Brave

Yula Maria Consunji's

"How was your first day as a university student, anak?"

When asked by the driver, I told him to take me to Mommy's bakery because I wanted to see her. I didn't want to go home to an empty house now. I want all the cuddles and assurance and love that only Mommy could give me because let's face it, I had a hard time in my first day as a normal student, but I won't be telling her that, she might tell Daddy and I might lose this chance. So, instead of telling her what I happened earlier, I smiled and lied to her.

"It was fun! The professors are all great. But it was only our first day, so I won't know for sure. But I had fun, Mymy. Thank you for letting me take the exams and for convincing Dydy!" I hugged mom after saying all that. I didn't want her to see the reluctance in my eyes. She knows me too well.

"Did you make any friends, Yula?" This time, she softly whispered in my ear and this time, I chose to be truthful to her.

"Not yet. But I am hoping I'd have some friends as the semester goes by, Mymy." I gave her another full smile. Tumango lang siya sa akin. Mymy was playing with my hair, and she was looking at me like I am her most precious. Lahat naman kaming magkakapatid ay most precious ni Mymy at Dydy.

Walo kaming anak ni Mymy at Dydy pero kahit na ganoon kami karami ay hindi ko naramdaman na may paborito silang dalawa kahit na halata may Dydy na ang favorite niya talagang anak ay si Ate Yana. When it comes to Mymy naman, masasabi kong ako ang paborito niya kasi laging ako ang inaalala at inaasikaso niya. Nagseselos ba ang mga kapatid ko dahil doon? Siguro, baka hindi, baka oo. Pero kahit kailan ay hindi ko nakitang nainggit o nagalit sila sa akin dahil doon.

Kuya Yohan is our eldest. He is now married and is waiting for their first child. He's the one taking over the family business, siya rin yata ang susunod sa yapak ni Daddy pagdating sa pagpapatakbo ng mga company sa ilalim ng family empire na mayroon ang angkan namin.

Ate Yanessa or as we fondly call her Ate Yana, is in Spain with her fiancé. Paminsan – minsan ay umuuwi siya rito para dumalaw, lalo na kapag hinahanap na siya ni Daddy. She loves all our sisters. Tuwing uuwi siya ay napakarami naming pasalubong sa kanya. Next one is Ate Yuna, she's in New York right now studying fashion. She wants to be the next in the family to build a clothing company. I don't know when she's going back home but she calls us every day just to check on us. Noong nalaman niyang mag-e-enroll na ako sa UP ay agad niya akong tinawagan. She has actual tears in her eyes because she was so happy for me. She knows how long I have been wanting this. Isa siya sa pinakaunang taong naging masaya para sa akin.

Then, we have another Y, si Kuya Yuan. Kung kamukha ni Kuya Yohan si Dydy, sinasabi naman ng lahat na si Kuya Yuan ang kamukha ng Lolo namin na si Yto Consunji. Mukhang nakuha rin ni Kuya Yuan iyong ugali noon, kasi masungit rin siya – their words not mine. Third year college na siya sa Ateneo. Kaya raw lalo siyang masungit kasi magthe-thesis na raw siya – sabi ni Ate Yoonie. Ate Yoonie is in Ateneo too. She's going to be a great doctor.

Sa totoo lang, si Ate Yoonie ang talagang bunso ng pamilya namin kung hindi dumating ako, si Yosef at Yoodie. Kaming tatlo ay ampon lang. Kung tawagin kami ni Mymy at Dydy ay mga anghel nila. Napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa pamilyang ito dahil kahit ganoon ang sitwasyon ay hindi nila kami ginawang iba.

Mommy always said that being adopted is a beautiful thing because it only means that we were meant to be in this family because we were chosen.

"Anak you'll find friends. Who wouldn't want to be friends with you? Napakabait mo anak." I only smiled this time. I wanted to answer her question with the fact that no one really wants to be friends with me because I am different than everybody else pero masasaktan si Mymy sa katotohanang ito kaya hindi na lang talaga ako sumagot.

Not a moment later, I was served a beautiful piece of lemon cake – Mymy's specialty and a glass of Okinawa milk tea. This is what I needed after that harsh day. I thanked Mom and let her go back to whatever she was doing before I got here. I ate and busied myself with my phone. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nag-text pala si Dydy at tinatanong kung gusto ko raw bang siya na lang ang magsundo sa akin. Hindi ko siya na-replyan, hindi na rin siya nag-message ulit, so I guess nakausap na niya ang driver ko.

I smiled at myself thinking how lucky I am to be found by these parents. Hindi ko alam kung anong buhay ang mayroon ako kung hindi ako napunta kina Aly at Yael Consunji. I really won in life because of them. I am always thankful, and I make sure I give back in my own little way.

Tuwing birthday ko, I always ask my parents to celebrate it in an orphanage, or in a hospital with children as patients. Natutuwa ako tuwing nakikita kong nakangiti sila dahil sa mumunting regalong galing sa aming pamilya. Dydy once asked me what I really want in life, something that is only for me, a gift that he could give me but when I think about it, wala naman na akong mahihiling pa.

I am full of love, and I feel cherished every waking moment of my life, so what's there to wish for?

I took a deep breath and replied to Dydy with a picture of me eating in Mymy's bakery.

To: Dydy

Msg: I love you, Dydy. See you later.

I just want to tyell Dydy that I love him because I know how hard it is for him to allow me to be where I am right now. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. I will show him that I deserve to be here because I am ready for the world.