Remembering Sir Tisoy

Sibuyas

This house that she lives in. It used to be filled with people. By people, it meant her whole family. Five kids that always roamed around the house, causing mischief, producing laughter, expressing love. Two amazing parents always watching, always present, reciprocating the same feelings. Until there was only six, when Ate Nikki moved out to start her own family. Five, when Ate Coleen did the same. Four, when the unfortunate passing of their father came to be. And finally two, when the remaining men moved to the States. Now, the liveliness of it all is replaced by short glances, careful steps, and empty clanks of cutlery. Gone were the cackles, rustling of feet, and long conversations. 

"Maine?" a voice calls out from the doorway.

Maine raises her head and widens her eyes to see who it was. Richard does the same by turning his head to see behind him. As soon as he got a view he removes his arms form her and pivots his whole body. 

"'Nay."

"Ma'am." 

She doesn't say a word but walks over to the kitchen counter to drop her bags. Richard and Maine look at each other, questioning their next steps. Richard obviously hadn't seen her for a long time, and so he decides to greet her.

"K-Kamusta po kayo?"

She still doesn't speak or make any eye contact with the both of them. This went on for a few minutes, with her looking as if she was busy doing something in the kitchen.

"Puwede bang iwan mo muna kami ng anak ko?" she finally says as she directs her focus on them. 

"S-Sige ho," he says nodding. 

He gives Maine a quick buss on the cheek and leaves the house. As soon as he was out of their sight, Maine turns to her mother and sees her face full of concern.

"Anong ginawa niya dito? Bakit siya pumunta dito? Hindi mo naman napaalam sa akin na bumalik na pala siya."

"P-Po?"

Maine was surprised by her mother's sudden concern. Believe it or not, but they haven't had a proper conversation for ten years. It seems quite impossible, but they made it happen. When her father passed, it was mostly her siblings that helped to comfort her mother. Maine was in great disbelief of their loss for a long time, that she continued to not have interaction with anyone. 

After this, Maine poured her focus on school work, as she wanted a good career. And of course, once she achieved that career, she needed to give lots of her time to it. She had school breaks but they were used to catch up on lost sleep, and relax for the free time that she had left before it was back to work. 

"'Yang si Mr. F. kailan pa siya bumalik?"

"Bumalik po siya ng school ngayong semester." 

Her mother nods continuously, as she keeps making her way around the kitchen. Maine couldn't judge if her face was angry or not. All Maine did was follow her round with her eyes, waiting for her next move. Soon, her mother stops on her tracks and turns her face towards Maine. Surprised, she sees tears rolling down her face. 

"'Nay, bakit ka naiyak?" Maine concerns, rushing up to her side. 

"Anak, ang dami ko ng hindi nalalaman tungkol sa'yo. Anong nangyari sa atin?"

Maine felt a sudden pang in her heart. Her eyes were suddenly opened to the fact that they were no longer spending quality time with each other. Maine places her palm on her mother's cheek, caressing it. She uses her thumb to wipe away a falling tear, and she notices faint wrinkles that she swore weren't there before. It soon dawned on her the reality of losing so much time, just because they both forgot that they still had each other. It was only when her mother mimicked her, that she realised that she was crying as well. 

"Maine, bakit hindi ka na nagsasabi sa akin? Hindi mo na din ako kinakausap. Tayo na nga lang ang nandito sa bahay, hindi pa tayo nagpapansinan."

"'Nay, pasenya. Hindi ko talaga sinasadiya na hindi kayo kausapin. Naging sobrang busy ako, na nakalimutan kong andiyan kayo para sa akin." 

Her mother wraps her in her arms, and hugs her tightly. 

"Pasensya din, anak. Nakalimot din ako. Napaka iresponsable kong ina."

"'Nay, 'wag niyong sabihin 'yan. Ako ang may kasalanan. I shut all of you out of my life. Tapos, kung ano-ano na ang pinagkaabalahan nating lahat. At least now, for the short time na mayroon ako out of school, mabibigyan natin ng atensyon ang isa't isa."

They continue to reassure each other some more, until they decided to move the conversation to the couch. 

"O, eh ano ba talaga ang nangyari? Bakit ka ba nasuspend?"

"Ha? Ehe," Maine expresses nervously, scratching her head.

"May kinalaman ba si Mr. F. dito?"

Maine could only nod her head slowly at her mother. 

"Magsimula ka ng magkuwento. Baka kung anong oras pa tayo matapos nito."

"Eh, sandali lang, 'Nay. Bakit parang ang cold niyo kay Richard?"

Her mother continues to stare at her, trying to find the right words to speak. 

"Ayoko sa kaniya," she says plainly.

"Hala, 'Nay. Agad-agad?" 

"Bakit parang sobrang kontra ka? Mahal mo pa din no?"

"'Nay! At bakit naman may 'din'? Kailan ko siya minahal?"

"'Wag mo akong ma ganiyan-ganiyan, wala ka mang sinasabi sa akin, anak kita. Nararamdaman ko ang mga nararamdaman mo."

"Eh, bakit ayaw niyo?" she asks playfully.

"Kasi, siya ang dahilan kung bakit nawala 'yong Maine kong makulit," her mother acknowledges.

Maine freezes, looking at her mother saying so. Though her face didn't show it, Maine could tell that her mother was hurt saying that. Maine sighs and scoots over to her mother. She hugs her from the side, and rests her head on her shoulder. 

"Malapit na siyang bumalik, 'Nay."

-

A/N: You're probably questioning why her father's gone all of a sudden, but more of that in the upcoming chapters.

You'll see what Fourth looks like in the next chapter. It'll be down on the author's note as well. Not going to put it on the 'Visuals' chapter as I don't want to spoil anything for future readers 😉

Ok, I'm done, I've used the word chapter too many times now.