Falling

Prologue

"Ma, next week na lang tayo umalis... please." I am pleading my mother to listen to me while she's packing our things.

Hindi siya nagsalita kaya nagpatuloy ako.

"Ma, kung aalis kayo ngayon, hindi ako sasama," I said in frustration at doon siya nag-angat ng tingin sa 'kin.

"Pat naman, hindi mo ba nakikitang ayaw talaga sa 'kin ng Lola mo?" nanubig ang mata niya. Ang tinutukoy niya ay ang mama ni papa.

Ever since nang ipanganak ako ay dito na kami nakatira sa bahay ni Lola. She loved me so much but ever since I was a kid too, I never saw her love for Mama, hindi niya pa rin kasi tanggap hanggang ngayon na si Mama ang pinakasalan ni Papa. For her, Mama is just a poor woman who will bring Papa down.

"I know, I understand pero kasi Ma, mag-isa na lang si Lola dito." I said but she just continue to put all the things in her bag.

Last week ay nagsagutan sila and it even came to the point na sinabunutan ni Lola si Mama kaya napag-usapan na lang namin na umuwi sa El Salvador after ng first semester ko sa Grade 12 pero next week pa ang second quarter exam!

"Alam mo ang paghihirap ko dito araw-araw, Patricia." she stood up and heaved a sigh.

I saw her left cheeck still reddish, the maid said sinampal daw ni Lola si Mama kaya kahit pagod pa galing school, dumiretso agad ako sa taas at ito ang naabutan ko. She's alredy packing our things while crying. She seems unstoppable with her decision and I understand her but I just cannot leave Lola.

"Sasama ka sa akin sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, Patricia Lionelle." she said with finality.

I cried and sighed before standing up. I don't know what will Lola say but I guess, I need to tell her we're leaving.

I looked for her and the maid said she's on her room. I knocked three times before she says, "pasok".

"La," I called her.

She's sitting on her bed while looking at me.

"Ano 'yon? Tungkol ba sa Mama mo?" she raised a brow.

I sat beside her and took her hands. My gosh, Lola always hurting Mama hurts me but leaving Lola here hurts me too. Bakit ba kasi hindi mo matanggap si Mama, Lola?

"L-La, ano.. aalis na kami." I started to cry. I am crying because seeing Mama hurt makes me hurt or maybe beacuse we are leaving Lola here, or maybe both.

"Alam ko, matagal ko na 'yang hinihintay sa kaniya, Pat." she smiled at me.

I gulped. Why is she so straightforward right now?

"It's good that she will leave this house but of course, mamimiss kita." she said and hugged me.

"I'm sure, sa El Salvador kayo pupunta. Tell me if she's not around and I'll visit you there." she pulled from the hug and stood up.

"Ingat, apo."

And just like that, we left Lola's house which served as my home for almost eigtheen years. I will miss my home.

"How about Papa, Ma?" I asked when we are already on the bus.

"Nagtext ako at ang sabi niya ay doon na siya didiretso pagkatapos ng trabaho." she gave me a small smile so I nod and smiled back.

Tulala ako buong biyahe, thinking the people I left pained me, si Lola at ang mga kaibigan ko. Life there means freedom. Masaya ako ro'n pero si Mama... I am sure that she would never feel happiness in that place.

Sasakay pa kami ng tricycle bago makarating sa El Salvador. El Salvador is just a small town but known for its tourist spots, doon din si Mama lumaki. Maraming sikat ditong mga lugar... well, I went here when I was sixteen. Mama brought me to one of its beautiful spot, the Maaasahan Falls and I enjoyed there. We have also a house there na matutuluyan dahil doon naman talaga sila nagsimulang magpamilya. When I was born, lumipat kaagad sila sa bahay ng Lola. Mama hoped na kapag may anak na sila ni Papa, magugustuhan at tanggap na siya ni Lola.

It's already seven nang makarating kami. Binuksan ni Mama ang pinto and we immediately went in kasama ang mga gamit. I coughed because the house is dusty, maganda pero maalikabok talaga basta uuwi kami rito. Well, walang nag-aasikaso but starting from now, I'm sure Mama's going to clean this house everyday.

"Ma, linisan ko muna iyong kuwarto niyo ni Papa and after, iyong akin naman." presenta ko kahit pagod na.

Wala akong choice, wala kaming matutulugan kapag pina-iral ko ang pagod ko.

"Oh sige, magluluto naman ako ng dinner natin tapos hintayin na natin ang Papa mo." she agreed.

The house has a second floor at doon sa taas ang kuwarto ko at nila Mama. We also have guest room here pero ipapahuli ko na 'yon paglinis dahil may bukas pa naman. Besides, hindi pa naman ako agad makakapasok bukas dahil aasikasuhin pa ni Mama ang pagtransfer ko.

After cleaning ay naligo ako at nagbihis. I just wore denim skirt and paired it with white fitted top bago bumaba para kumain. Wala si Mama at bukas ang pinto, baka sinundo si Papa sa labasan.

I was about to prepare our dinner in the dining table nang may tumawag.

"Tita Macy! Tita Macy!"

The owner of the voice is a man and goodness, ang lakas ng tawag niya. Akala mo naman ay may nagvivideoke dito sa loob.

I went ouside to see who's owner the voice. Nakangiti siya sa akin habang hawak-hawak ang isang transparent tupperware, mukhang ulam yata. Tsinito siya, maputi at mukhang hanggang balikat ko ang tangkad niya. Parang kinse palang ang edad.

"Hello teh, ikaw ba 'yong anak ni Tita Macy?" he asked using his jolly voice.

I just nod my head and asked why.

Kinamot niya ang ulo niya at inilahad ang tupperware, "pinapabigay ni Mama teh, ano.. adobo po. Alam niya kasing naka-uwi na pala kayo." paliwanag niya.

Lumabas ako ng bahay at aabutin na dapat ang ibibigay niya nang may tumawag sa kaniya mula sa likod.

"Mark," the baritone voice carried a clear command.

And who's that? Itinagilid ko ang ulo ko para makita kung sino iyong tumawag pero masyado nang madilim kaya hindi ko makita nang klarado iyong mukha niya.

"Kuya?" lumingon iyong lalaki  sa "kuya" niya.

Hindi ito sumagot kaya dire-diretso itong lumapit sa amin at may bitbit din itong tupperware. He's tall and he's wearing a gray shorts and pastel blue plain shirt. His hair was messy, giving him a casual yet polished look. Nang makalapit ay napalunok ako. Oh damn.

I examined his face, well.. he's handsome. He has a sharp cheeckbones and a well-defined jawline, his eyes are captivating and framed by thick lashes, pointed nose, and his lips are full and well-shaped. He has a strong, athletic build, with broad shoulders and a lean waist. This man embodies a charm and strength, with an aura of intimidating yet, captivating.

From his posture, para siyang basketball player.

"Tinola, pinapadagdag ni Mama," aniya at sa kapatid niya inabot, hindi man lang tumitingin sa akin!

"Eh bakit hindi mo na lang sa kaniya ibigay, 'ya? Nandiyan naman na siya sa harapan natin," pasimpleng tumawa ang kapatid saka ibinigay sa akin iyong tupperware na may lamang adobo.

"Ibigay mo," utos niya.

His brother laughed awkwardly before taking the tupperware and gave it to me.

"Teh oh, sorry mahiyain kasi 'tong si kuya eh," kumamot ulit siya ng ulo.

I just nod and took the tupperware, "it's fine." Hindi ko naman sana kakagatin ang kamay niya kapag siya ang umabot.

The man didn't comment anything on his brother's remarks at nang tingnan ko siya ay nakatitig siya sa akin kaya umiwas agad ako ng tingin. Bakit parang nahihiya na naiinis ako? No way, Pat.

"Ako ate si Mark, tapos ito naman si kuya—" he was about to introduce his brother's name pero bigla na lang itong tumalikod at iniwan kami.

Ang guwapo pero bastos!