GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANGER | MaColet

20 LAST DAY

YVES

For the past two days, we’ve grown closer than ever. The storm has passed, but the electricity hasn’t been restored yet. Kaya naman naisipan namin na magwalis at ayusin ang garden na sinira ng bagyo. 

At night, it was still the same—we shared the same bed because we only had one flashlight. There was something comforting about it, knowing na kahit sa dilim, nandiyan siya sa tabi ko.

We found the generator, but it wouldn’t work after being unused for so long. It was frustrating, but somehow, I was okay with it. Being stuck here with her didn’t seem so bad.

Hindi naging boring dahil tinuruan ko siyang magluto at tinuruan niya naman akong maglangoy sa pool.

"My phone died" halata ang inis sa boses niya bago siya tumabi sa akin.

"Matagal pa ba bago magkaroon ng kuryente dito?" tanong ko, kahit na halos hindi ko na aninag ang mukha niya sa dilim.

“Usually, it takes about a week bago maayos" she replied.

"Gusto mo na bang umuwi?" I asked.

"The question is, kaya mo na bang umuwi?" she countered, turning the question back on me.

I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "You really wanna know the truth? Ayaw ko pang umuwi. Gusto ko ganito na lang tayo palagi. Gusto pa kita makasama ng mas matagal na tayong dalawa lang." I confessed, my heart pounding as I waited for her reaction.

"Am I being selfish?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid of what her answer might be.

Nanatili lang siyang tahimik, not saying a word.

"Gusto ko pagbalik natin ng Manila, ganito pa rin tayo, ha, uyab? Gusto ko pa rin maging kakampi mo." I added.

"Samahan mo ako bukas, may pupuntahan tayo." she suddenly said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Magsasalita pa sana ako, pero inunahan na niya ako.

"No more questions, matulog ka na." utos niya, hudyat na tapos na ang usapan.

"Goodnight" I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Night" mahinang sagot niya.

——

Pagkarating namin sa sementeryo, tahimik lang kaming naglakad papunta sa puntod ng mama niya. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filled the air, creating a peaceful ambiance that somehow made the moment more profound.

She knelt down, pulling out the candle from her pocket, while I carefully placed the flowers beside it.

"Hi, Ma" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sorry ngayon lang ako nakabisita sayo. Nandito pa rin kasi yung pagsisisi na wala man lang akong nagawa that night." She lit the candle, the flickering flame casting a soft glow on her face, highlighting the tears that started to well up in her eyes.

"Isang taon na lang, Ma, may engineer ka nang anak. Pangarap mo sakin yun diba?" she said, her voice cracking as she wiped away the tears that had escaped.

I sat down beside her, crossing my legs in an Indian seat, and leaned forward to gently rub her back in slow, comforting motions.

"She’s proud of you, you know? Sa lahat ng pinagdaanan mo, sa lahat ng hirap na kinaya mo. I’m sure she’s watching over you, smiling."

She looked at me, tears brimming in her eyes but with a small smile on her lips. “Do you think... she’s really proud of me?”

"Of course" I replied softly. "She raised an incredible person. And soon, you'll be an engineer—something she always dreamed for you. You’ve made her proud every single day, uyab."

Just like how I’m proud of you.

We sat there for a few more moments, the silence filled with unspoken words and shared emotions. It was a peaceful kind of silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words because the understanding was already there.

Lumingon siya sa akin, her eyes softening as she introduced me. "Si Maloi nga pala, Ma."

"Uyab niya po" I added, trying to keep my tone light despite the emotions swirling around us. "Ako na po ang bahala sa anak niyo, Tita. Hindi ko po siya iiwan, pero sana hindi siya mabanas sa kaingayan ko."

I heard her chuckle softly beside me, so I turned to look at her. Her eyes glistened, filled with a mixture of emotions—gratitude, relief, and perhaps a hint of sadness she was trying to hide.

Binalik ko ulit ang tingin sa puntod, taking a deep breath as I softly read the name etched into the stone. "Colleen Villanueva" I whispered, letting the name sink in.

"So you're a Villanueva?" I asked gently as we walked back to the car, the sound of our footsteps the only noise breaking the silence.

"I wish" mapait niyang sagot.

"Huh?" I stopped, turning to look at her, confused.

"Vergara" she clarified with a bitter smile. "Gusto ni mama na dalhin ko ang apelyido ni Papa."

Bigla akong natahimik. Kaya pala ayaw niyang binabanggit ang full name niya.

"Pwedeng malaman, nasan ang father mo?" I asked carefully, not wanting to push her too much. "If you're not comfortable, we can talk about it some other time."

She sighed, the pain in her eyes unmistakable as she looked down. "Hindi ko siya nakilala" she started, her voice trembling with restrained anger.

"Bata pa lang ako, wala na akong ama sa tabi ko. Sabi ni Mama, nagtatrabaho daw sa malayo kaya hindi nakakauwi. Kalokohan... ilang taon na ako pero hindi ko pa rin siya nakikita. Baka nga may ibang pamilya na yun." she continued.

Her hand clenched into a fist.

Without saying a word, I reached out and gently held her hand, feeling the tension in her fingers as they remained tightly clenched. I didn't let go, offering her the silent support she needed at that moment.

"Let’s go." she finally said, squeezing my hand bago bitawan.

As we reached the car, I opened the door for her, making sure she was comfortable before getting in on my side. The ride back was quiet, but it wasn't an awkward silence.

It was the kind of quiet that spoke of understanding, of two people who had found a safe space in each other’s presence.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang bigla niyang iliko ang kotse papasok sa isang maliit na daan na may mga bahay na magkakalayo. The road was quiet, almost secluded, as we drove further in.

After niyang iparada ang kotse, tumingin siya sa gawi ko, a soft yet unreadable expression on her face. "Tara" she said, her voice gentle but firm, parang may gusto siyang ipakita sa akin.

Pagkababa namin, I saw a modern house na hindi naman kaliitan pero simple at malayo sa ibang mga bahay na nadaanan namin.

"Dating bahay namin"  she said softly, her eyes lingering on the familiar structure as if she was seeing ghosts of memories long gone.

I could see the nostalgia in her eyes, as if each corner of the house was filled with memories na gusto niyang balikan, kahit masakit.

"Sino na ang nakatira dito?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"You'll see" hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at marahang hinigit palapit sa bahay.