Chain Reaction (On Hold)

Chapter V

"Aaaay! Jusko kang bata ka!" Manang Sita said in panic the moment she entered Ana's house.

"Ana! Ana, hija! Anong nangyari sa'yo!?" She saw Ana lying down on the floor with pieces of glass around her. Now, who wouldn't panic. Agad agad kumuha ng walis si Manang and started to clean Ana's surrounding. Delikado na, baka mabubog pa si Ana. After she cleaned the pieces of glass, she went back to Ana.

"Ana! Uy. Ana, anak! Gising. Nako, itong batang 'to." She said habang tinatapik ang pisngi ni Ana. Grabe! Parang mantika naman 'tong si Ana.

"Ooooouch!!" Ana shouted as she opened her eyes.

"Ana! Nako! Anong nangyari? ANASTASIA!" Manang Sita shouted out of panic.

"Ansakit ng ulo ko Manang." Ana said casually while holding her head.

"Ay! Sus maryosep! Akala ko kung ano. Uminom ka ano? 'To talagang bata na ito. Iinom na nga lang, magkakalat pa. Tsk." Tuloy tuloy na sabi ni Manang.

"He-he-he. Peace tayo Manang! Napasarap e. Hehe. Sorry na!' She said at akmang yayakapin si Manang pero pinigilan siya.

"Nako. Oo na. Kung alam lang ng magulang mo ito--" Manang wasn't able to finish her sentence.

"Manang naman! Wag ganun! Lagot ako! Teka, anong oras na ho ba?"

"Alas onse na, hija. Tumayo ka na dyan at maligo. Dungis dungis mo!"

"Eeh. Hehe. Sorry na Manang. Teka, alas onse ho ba? HALA! Nako! Di ako nakapag-Church!" She immediately got up and ran to her room.

"Hay nako. Yung batang yun talaga..." Manang said with a smile. Ana's such a funny girl. Then suddenly she heard heavy fast foot steps going towards her.

"Ay! Manang, nalimutan ko. Lunch po tayo dito. Alam niyo na po yun. Hehehe. Labyu!" And she ran again going to her room.

It took her almost an hour to take a bath. She just lied there in the bathtub trying to relax herself. She told herself that, it's been two years and maybe it's time na paunti unti siyang mag-move on. She can't stay like this forever. She has to let herself be happy naman. Today, she will rearrange the house then go to Church later in the evening. Ofcourse, it's a Sunday. She can't skip Church. She doesn't want to go there with a hangover. That's bad.

After she had a bath, she just wore a loose shirt and shorts. "It's time to fix this place!" She told herself. Well, it was like she actually cheering herself. Why rearrange the house? May napanuod kasi siyang video and it said there to be able to move on, let go of the things that reminds you of that person. It's not bad naman if she'll try diba?

"Manaaaaang. Tulong tayo, ayusin natin yung bahay." She said the moment she saw Manang. Para siyang bata na humihingi ng favor.

"Anank, malinis naman ah? Ano pang gagawin?" Manag didn't bother to look at her for she was busy cooking.

"Hehe. Manang talaga, hindi po linis. Ayos po. I want to make some changes. Ang lungkot na po kasi nung bahay. Nahahawa na po ako sa kalungkutan." She said jokingly.

Biglang napatingin sa kaniya sa Manang. She looked at Ana with a suspecting look.

"Ba-bakit po ganyan kayo makatingin?"

"May sakit ka ba Anak?"

"P-po? Nako. Manang talaga oh." She said and laughed.

"Bakit parang kakaiba ka ngayon? Hmmmm." Manang said still looking at Ana.

"Manang naman. Alam niyo naman ho ang pinagdaanan ko. Saksi po kayo roon hindi po ba? It's been a long time na rin po kasi. I just want to atleast try to move on." She said with all honesty and a smile. It's true, Manang Sita was a witness with what happened to her these past 2 years.

Manang was shocked at nahulog ang sandok.

"Haaaay. Naku, anak! I'm so hapi por you!" She told Ana while hugging her.

"Hehe. Salamat Manang. Maluluto na po ba yan? Nakakagutom po yung amoy."

"Ay! Oo, malapit na ito."

"Sige po, I'll set the table na po." She said and took out some plates and spoons and forks.

 When they were done eating, they rested for a while and then started with the work.

"Okay! The living room first." They rearranged the sofa and the couch. They can't change the place of the television because it's attached to the wall. She also changed the paintings that were displayed, she took some of her painting from her painting room. She took the ones with lively colors that matched her pillow cases.

They also changed the carpet and other displays. When they were done with the living room, they started with the dining area, they changed the table cloth and the candles that were displayed, again, she changed those with lively colors. There's actually nothing wrong with the old colors, but for her, it looked dull. That's why she replaced it. The dining now looked very uplifting. Pag nakita mo, siguradong gaganahan ka kumain. She used what she knows about psychology of colors. Like, when in the sight of pink, the person will not get angry easily. When seeing red, it will boost your appetite. Yellow for energy and orange for happiness. She studied those so that she can use it for her paintings. She never thought that she will be able to use it in their house.

When the kitchen was done, it was nearing 6 pm. So she called it a day. She thanked Manang for helping her. Off she went to the shower and had a bath and got ready for Church.

When she got home from Church, she felt very relieved! She doesn't know what happened but it felt like there's a weight lifted off her shoulders. Maybe it was because of the message. She left the Church with a geniune smile.

 

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert" The pastor read the passage.

 

"The Lord is telling you right now that you have to trust in Him. Because whatever you're going through, no matter how dark the valley is, He will make a way! Amen?! He is in control. Lift up to Him all your burdens. All the things that's keeping you from living the life you're suppose to live. Let go of the hurtful past. Let go of what hurt you in the past. Because the Lord says that how don't have to remember the former things.  This is the time Church. The Lord is talking to you. Hear Him out, talk to Him..."

 

 

She remembered the message of the pastor. And upon hearing that she felt like this is really the time! Yes, maybe she won't let go of him fully, but she has to forget what he did. She has to let go of the bad memory. The anger, bitternes and hurt she felt, she has to let go. She has to let herself be free. She realized that she has to start living in the present and not in the past. But even if she did all that, nothing can erase the fact that she still loves him very much.