A Game of Luck and Faith

A Nightmare

A Game of Luck and Faith

“Manong, sa may tabi lang po,” Mommy said. She paid the fare and we got out of the cab. We were standing in front of a two-story house, painted in a faded white because–I guessed–of its antiquity. It was simple but fine, nothing like our Victorian-styled home back in US. It was located near the end of the street, and there were still rows of houses that stretched farther east.

Mom’s aunt was living in a subdivision here in Quezon City. Mom said that we should stay here first before we could move into our new house; she still hadn’t found one before we left America.

Mom led the way. She opened the gate, and entered, knocking on the wooden front door. “Tiya? Si Marianne po ito. Tiya?” Mom continued knocking.

A middle-aged woman appeared. Irritated siya. “Ano ba? Aga-aga, katok nang katok.” She scratched the back of her head, habang nagulat ako sa ugali niya.

“Tiya naman oh. Diba nagtext naman ho ako na makikituloy muna kami dito ni Wynona?”

“Tse! Kung di ka lang balo, di kita papapasukin sa pamamahay ko.” She went inside her house, and left me with my eyes still wide in shock.

Mom sighed. “Darling, I’m sorry sa inasal ng lola mo ha. Medyo galit lang siya sa akin. Pero don’t worry. I’m sure that she’ll like you, kasi ang bait-bait mong bata.” She smiled sweetly down at me. I couldn’t help but smile back.

Pumasok ako sa house with my pink backpack. The interior was quite nice. The TV was on, and I tried to see what show was on. Nadismaya ako. I forgot. I was in the Philippines, so bago ang mga makikita kong shows. Unless may cable ang aunt ni Mommy.

She–Mom’s aunt–was nowhere to be seen. So si Mom nalang ang nagdala sa aming dalawa sa mga kuwarto namin. She opened a white door on the left of the three other doors on the second floor.

“Wynona, this will be your room, anak. Mag-adjust ka na lang. My room is right next to you.” Then she left me to unpack. Not that I minded. I was used to do simple things on my own.

I spent an hour unpacking some of my clothes. Most of my clothes were not compatible with the weather in the Philippines. So we left them at home. I cleaned my room, fixed my bed, everything. After that, I went out and looked for Mom.

I was standing in front of the door next to mine. My hand was on the knob when I heard somebody crying. I didn’t have to see to know it was my mother.

Iniwan ko nalang siya, instead na pumasok pa ako. I knew naman na she was just controlling her emotions when she was with me, because she doesn’t want me to see her weak and devastated. I sighed. My mom was such a martyr.

Bumaba ako para uminom ng tubig. I went to the kitchen and saw Mom’s aunt sitting in one of the chairs, drinking coffee and reading today’s newspaper. I paused, not wanting her to see me because I was afraid of her.

But she saw me. She gave me a nasty glare. “Ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?”

“Wynona,” I answered quietly.

“Ano?” she asked. Apparently, she didn’t hear my answer. I sighed and repeated my name. She nodded her head, her lips pressed in a thin line. “Ilang taon ka na bang bata ka?”

“I turned eleven last month,” sabi ko.

Bigla siyang nairita. “Kaya mo bang magtagalog?”

“Yes,” I answered slowly.

“O, eh, ba’t di ka nagtatagalog? Paingles-ingles ka pa diyan. Naiirita ako kaya tigilan mo nga yang kakaingles mo.”

I nodded. “Opo,” I finally used Tagalog. I sighed again.

“Buti naman tinuruan ka ng nanay mo. Alam mo, malas mo diyan sa nanay mo. Wala yang pakundangan sa akin. Baka nga siya ang pumatay sa tatay mo eh,” she said in a dismissive tone, flipping a page. My anger flared. Who the hell does she think she is to insult my mother that way? Without thinking, I answered her accusations.

“You don’t know my mom! She loves me, and especially Dad. Hinding-hindi niya yun magagawa sa Daddy ko! Ano bang ginawa ng Mommy ko at ginaganyan niyo siya?” Hindi talaga ako nakapagpigil. Hindi niya ba alam na ngayon nasa taas si Mommy, crying?

Her face turned purple with rage. “Para ka palang nanay mo, eh. Walang hiya ka! Paano ka nakakasagot sa akin nang ganyan. Ha!” She stood up and made her way to me. Hala, ano kayang gagawin niya?

Before I could do anything, someone pulled me and put me behind her. It was Mom. “Tiya, ano sa tingin ninyo ang gagawin ninyo sa anak ko?”

“Hoy, Marianne, pagsabihan mo nga yang anak mo. Mana pala sa iyo yan eh. Palasagot!”

Mom sighed deeply. “Tiya, tama na nga po. O eto. Limang libo para sa renta namin dito. Aalis muna kami ni Wynona. Kakain lang po.” Mom handed the cash to her aunt. I saw how my mom aunt’s eyes sparkled when she received it.

“Halika na, Wynona.” Hinatak ni Mommy yung kamay ko at lumabas na kami ng bahay. Nagtaxi na naman kami. Tahimik ako when we got in.

“Anak, pagpasensyahan mo na ang lola mo ah. Sinaktan ka ba niya? Did she hurt you?” Tinignan niya ang mukha ko for any signs of injury. She was relieved when she found none.

“Mommy, kelan tayo makakalipat ng house?”

“Soon, anak. Konting tiis lang sa lola mo. Tawagin mo siyang Lola, ha? Remember dito sa Philippines medyo di accepted ang pagtawag lang sa matanda na gamit ang first name nila.” She smoothed my hair while I nodded. We were silent after that.

Dinner passed peacefully. Takot ang umuwi at makita ang tiya ng mommy ko. I mean, Lola. Hay. Luckily, tulog na siguro si Lola kasi sarado lahat ng ilaw nung dumating kami. I went to bed and couldn’t help but dread what was coming tomorrow.