Beyond the Hourglass

Chapter 2

"Celestina!" Mr. C called from the back room, his voice thick with enthusiasm. "Kailangan ko tulong mo dito!"

"On my way!" I replied, forcing a smile.

It was easy to get lost in the intricacies of the items we sold. Each piece told a story—stories of love, loss, and time itself. Minsan nga naiisip ko kung kailan kaya magkakaroon ng ganoong ka-lalim at kahalaga ang buhay ko, or if it would forever remain a series of mundane moments strung together by the hardships of everyday life.

After hours of sorting and arranging, my shift finally came to an end.

 As I walked the familiar path home, I felt a strange weight settling in my chest, parang may mali.

Pagdating ko sa bahay, the first thing I noticed was the dim light spilling from the living room, casting long shadows across the floor. At ang amoy ng masangsang na alak na araw araw at gabi gabi kong nasisinghot. 

I hesitated at the door, my heart pounding. I pushed it open, the creak echoing ominously in the quiet house.

"Ma?" I called out, but the only response was the sound of muffled voices. I followed the noise, my heart racing.

Pagpasok ko sa sala, my worst fears were confirmed. Teodoro was there, slumped on the couch, a half-empty bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand. My mother was standing near him, her face pale and anxious.

"Teodoro, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Bibigyan pa kita ng pera bukas."

"Mukha ba akong tanga-tanga sayo?" he slurred, pushing her away roughly. "Wala kang trabaho, paano mo maiibigay sa akin ang pera?"

Before I could process what was happening, he lunged at her. My mother stumbled back, her eyes wide with fear, and instinct kicked in.

"Bitiwan mo ang mama ko!" I shouted, stepping forward, adrenaline surging through me.

He turned, his expression darkening as he focused on me. "At ano naman ang gagawin mo, hampaslupa?" he sneered, his voice laced with contempt.

"'Wag mo siyang hahawakan!" I pleaded, stepping closer, my heart racing. I wanted to protect her, pero bakas na bakas sa kanya ang galit.

"'Wag mo 'kong inuutusan, ha!" he bellowed, advancing toward me.

But I wouldn't back down. "Gago ka!" I declared, though my hands trembled at my sides.

In an instant, he lunged at me, his fist connecting with my stomach. The breath rushed out of me, and I doubled over in pain. Before I could regain my composure, he grabbed my arm and pulled me closer, his face inches from mine.

"Tignan mo nga sarili mo. Sino ka para pag salitaan ako ng ganyan?" he spat, before shoving me to the floor.

I hit the ground hard, pain radiating through my body. I could hear my mother's terrified gasps in the background, her eyes wide as she watched helplessly.

Nanatili akong nakadilat. Umiiyak. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. 

Nararamdaman ko ang bawat sipa at hampas sa akin.

"Ma, tulungan mo 'ko!" I cried, desperation clawing at my throat. "Mama!"

But she stood frozen, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding before her. In that moment, I felt utterly abandoned, betrayed by the one person who was supposed to protect me.

Teodoro kicked my side, and a gasp escaped my lips. I wanted to fight back, to scream, but the pain took my voice away. "Anong problema, Celestina?" he taunted. "Nawala tapang mo?"