A Love To Remember

Chapter 52: Twist of Events

Chiara

"Dahan-dahan lang po." natatawang sambit ni Mama, I just shrugged my head at dali-daling lumabas ng sasakyan while smiling widely, inhaling the fresh air.

You can't blame me, okay? Ilang linggo akong na-confine sa ospital, ilang linggo akong nakahiga, ilang linggo akong hindi nakalanghap ng masarap na simoy ng sariwang hangin.

Guess they're right, it's true na you'll only value the existence of someone or something kapag nawala na ito sa'yo..

"I'm just happy Ma! Nakakabagot kaya dun sa ospital, mabuti na lang talaga at pumayag ang doktor ko na umuwi muna ako." I replied.

Nakalabas nga ako sa ospital, still, we must go there often for my treatment. As if, sina Mama lang naman at Daddy ang may gusto na ipagamot ako, yes, it's always 11:11 but that doesn't mean na pumayag na ako sa gusto nila, tsaka isa pa, mahirap gamutin ang isang tao na ayaw ng magpagamot o gumaling man lang.

They're just wasting their money but anyway, they're both damn rich so walang problema d'yan.

"I love seeing you happy, smile always, you look like someone I knew when you do that." wika ni Mama na ikinataas ng kilay ko, at sino naman ito?

"Who?" nagtatakang tanong ko rito.

"You're Mom." Dad butt in at naglakad patungo sa gawi namin ni Mama sabay akbay niya rito, "You reminded her of her, Chia." he added na mas kinakunot pa ng noo ko, I'm a slowpoke sometimes, okay?

"Sorry, I don't get it." nakangusong wika ko na-ikinatawa nilang dalawa, it's true, nakakagaan pala sa pakiramdam ang marinig ang tawa ng mga taong mahal mo.

"What I mean is that, you reminded me of me. When I was young, exactly your age, I'm as stubborn as you, in fact, you're totally my replica." Mama told me while smiling widely at parang natouch naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

Wow, I may be her daughter but I can't help not to be flattered by her words. I mean it's the Lea Salonga, no matter what happens, I'm still the Chiara who's fangirling over this woman who also ended up as my real mother. Ang gulo ng mundo ano? But still I'm thankful, and lucky to have her as my Mom.

"I am? Thanks." mahinang bulong ko.

"Anyway, let's go inside na?" pagaya ni Mama, sabay kaming tumango ni Daddy as the three of us made our way inside our house, pinagigitnaan nila akong dalawa pero si Daddy, ang kamay, nakaakbay sa' kin at kay Mama.

Sus, ang harot, pasimple pa siya, tsk. Binuksan ni Daddy ang pintuan at napasinghap ako sa nadatnan.

"WELCOME HOME CHIARA!!" my jaw dropped as my eyes widened in surprise while looking at the people standing right in front of us.

There's a banner saying welcome home Chiara. Pastel colored balloons, a table with different kinds of foods and there's also party poppers na pinaputok ni Eros at ni Tito.

There's Kallie, Eros, Tito Harold, Tita Kate, Tita Analaine, Tita Dawn, Tita Sharon, Tito Richard and Tito Gabby. Wow, that gang is complete!

"Naks, effort ha? Thank you!" nakangiting pasasalamat ko at naglakad patungo sa direksyon nila, Kallie ran towards me and hugged me tight, muntik pa nga kaming matumba, mabuti na lang, I balanced myself immediately.

"I miss you Chia.." she murmured, napailing na lang ako as I hugged her back.

"I miss you too Kall." I answered, bumitaw siya ng yakap at nagpout sa harap ko, she's so cute, para siyang bibe.

"Your cousin is harassing me, that jerk! I'm gonna kill him, can I?" saad niya na ikinatawa ko.

Kallie and Eros are like a dog and a cat, hindi nagkakasundo at palaging nagaaway. Sus, as if I know, may lihim na pagtingin ang leche kong pinsan kay Kallie but my friend is just too naive enough to notice it.

"Yeah, kill him, ako ang bahalang magdispose ng katawan niya, I got you." sagot ko at nagthumbs up pa and speaking of, Eros is now walking towards our direction.

"I miss you, couz." he said at ginulo naman ang buhok ko, asshole but I didn't complain, akala ko galit pa rin siya sa' kin but thankfully, he isn't.

"Cheesy but yeah, I miss you too." I answered, Kallie faked a cough kaya sa kanya naman kami napatingin.

"Don't worry Kall, I love you." Eros teased her at kumindat pa, Kallie acted like she's vomiting in disgust, hah!

"My ship is sailing! RosLlie for the win!" masaya kong sambit, a new OTP to support!

___

The rest of the day went so smoothly, tawanan at usapan lang ang nangyari and I can say na after all, ngayon lang ulit ako nakatawa at nakangiti ng ganto.

"No alcoholic drinks ha?" Mama reminded me for like, the 5th time, ngumuso ako pero kalaunan ring tumango.

"Yes Ma'am!" I answered with voice full of enthusiasm at kaagad kong ininom ang gatas na hinanda niya para sa' kin, Kallie and Eros are drinking vodka and I am obviously jealous pero I need to follow my Mom's commands for my health, aba, ayaw ko ng bumalik sa ospital ano!

"Where's Chiara?!" rinig naming sigaw ng isang boses mula sa sala kung asan silang lahat ngayon, bumilis bigla ang tibok ng puso ko upon realizing the fact that I knew who owns that voice, nasa kusina kasi kaming dalawa ni Mama pero nakaabot pa dito ang boses niya.

"Clara.." I heard Mama whispered and before I can even say a word, naglakad na siya paalis. Bloody hell!

Nilapag ko ang baso sa mesa at kaagad na sinundan si Mama, when I arrived, tama nga ang hinala ko, Mommy Clara is here, standing at the door while glaring at Mama who's standing beside Daddy.

"Wow happy family na kayo ngayon? Ginalingan mo rin Lea eh 'no, kinuha mo na nga si Aga, pati anak ko, kukunin mo pa? Such a whore." Mommy hissed and she looks so damn mad. She's scary when she's angry kaya agad akong napatago sa likod ni Mama at kumapit sa laylayan ng damit niya which she didn't mind at all.

"Yes, we're now happy. Ginalingan ko, of course I did so if I we're you, umuwi ka na." Mama fired back, Mommy Clara laughed evilly and I can feel the chills all over my spines.

"Such a bitch. Walanghiya ka, ang tapang-tapang mo rin ano! Kung nagawa kong sirain ang pamilya mo dati, matakot ka na dahil mas kaya kong sirain ang pamilya mo ngayon!" she exclaimed while smirking.

"Ate Clara, tama na." Tita Analaine tried to stop her but Mommy just glared at Tita in return.

"Isa ka pa! I trusted you but then kumaliwa ka, you're a traitor!" sigaw ni Mommy kaya napaatras naman si Tita.

"Go see a Psychiatrist, Clara, you're insane." malumanay na wika ni Daddy, kitang-kita ko kung paano naikuyom ni Mommy ang kamao niya dahil dun.

"You have my family but I swear, sooner or later, I'll have them
back." pagbabanta ni Mommy and glared at all of us for the last time bago tuluyang umalis palabas, napabuntong hininga naman ako when she finally left.

"Baliw na iyang kapatid mo Analaine." I heard Tita Kate commented pero 'di ko na pinansin iyon, nakasentro lang ang attensyon ko kina Mama.

"She have to rot in jail, Aga. I can't stand seeing that demon." she told Daddy, tumango lang siya at hinila si Mama at kalaunang niyakap ito at hinimas himas pa ang likod niya, to calm her down.

Napailing na lang ako at akmang pupunta na kina Kallie when I noticed something at parang nawala ang lahat ng kulay sa mukha ko upon seeing it.

"Ma---Mama." I called her, stuttering. Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon sakin at ngayon ko lang napansin ang pamumutla niya. Shit. Shit. Shit. This can't be.

"Yes?"

I gulped continuously, "You have your period?" kinakabahang tanong ko, Mama shrugged her head kaya mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil dun.

"No, why?" she asked, my hands are trembling at saka ko tinuro ang likod niya na ngayo'y, may dugo.

"Bl--blood." pahayag ko while looking at her legs where blood is falling nonstop.

Before I can even blink an eye, nagkakagulo na silang lahat because suddenly, Mama lost her consciousness.

Ba..bakit may dugo? Is she.. is she pregnant? Pero, dugo, huwag naman sana..

* * * * * *