TIME AFTER TIME (KathBie)

1. SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY

“Mara! Mara! Mara!” Lumingon si Mara trying to locate where the voice is coming from. When she scanned a line of faces she saw a familiar one. She hurriedly ran to that familiar face forgetting that she’s with someone.

“Kuya!” the siblings ended up hugging each other tightly. “Mommy!” sabi naman ni Mara ng makita ang ina. Halatang miss na miss nila ang isa’t isa. It’s been almost two years afterall. 

“O, yung luggage mo at kasama mo.” Sabi ng Kuya Andrei nito.

“Shoot, I forgot.” Mara ran back to where she came from. Nakapako pa din sa kinatatayuan niya ang company ni Mara the whole flight. Hindi ito gumalaw to watch both of their things.

“Sorry about that, come on.” Yaya ni Mara sa kanya. Ngumiti lang ito. 

They walked together to Mara’s family as they push their luggages.

“This is my mom and Kuya Andrei, if you don’t remember.” Mara smiled.

“Of course I remember. I’m still young.” Sagot ng binata

“Ma, Kuya, this is Derek. Kung di niyo na maalala.” Mara introduced her company.

“Ikaw na bata ka talaga, bakit ko naman makakalimutan ang anak ng Tita Emily mo?” patawang tanong ng mommy niya.

“Tama na kwentuhan, sa kotse na tayo magkwentuhan.” Sabi ng Kuya Andrei niya. He helped Mara with the luggages. Soon they were on the road going back their homes.

“Who are you staying with, Derek?” tanong ni Mrs. Delgado.

“I might stay with Tita Rica first hen we might follow mom in Ilocos.” Sagot naman ni Derek.

Magkaibigan ang mommy ni Derek at si Mrs. Delgado. Pareho kasi sila ng department sa kumpanya na pinagttrabahuan nila. Derek lives in the village near sa village nila Mara. Derek grew up in Canada and even though his parents separated at the age of 8, it didn’t ruin his relationship with his mom, Emily Bautista. 

Mrs. Shiela Delgado invited Derek to have lunch with them instead pero tumanggi ito dahil alam na nagprepare din ang Tita Rica niya. Next time na lang daw.

“Finally!” Mara uttered as she stepped out of the car and put her feet on the ground of their house. Ang kuya Andrei na nito ang nag-unload ng gamit niya. Mara ran to the front door at binuksan ito, her mother is just behind her.

“New interior?” Mara asked her mom. 

“You noticed.” Sagot naman ng Mommy Shiela niya.

They moved in to new house years ago kaya laging may bago dito dahil continuous ang pagpapalit ng mga gamit sa bahay. Dati sa landscap sa labas at ngayon naman ay sa loob na. Ang totoo, mas gusto ni Mara ang bahay nila ngayon. Their old house had too much to hold. Even memories.

Pumasok na ang kapatid nito para ilagay ang mga gamit sa sala muna. Paano, handa na din kasi ang lunch nila sa dining area. Mara took her blazer off and dumped her shoulder bag on the sofa sa living room. 

It would be just the three of them for lunch. Mara’s Dad, Rene Delgado, had important things to fix sa company nila. HInain lahat ng favorite Filipino foods ni Mara. Naparami tuloy ang kain niya. They exchanged stories while eating at tinatanong ng kapatid niya kung bakit tuwing babalik siya ng Pilipinas, nagiiba ang itsura niya. Hindi alam ni Mara kung compliment bay un or insulto.

After resting for some minutes, Mara decided to sleep. Handa na din ang room niya. It felt different. Her room in the new house is way bigger than the old one, it’s way bigger din sa kwarto niya in Canada.