" Metring, Anak, my sweet daughter, don't blame yourself too much. What was meant to be was meant to be!" was Inang Maria's words to her distraught daughter. "You were not responsible for what ever happened to Armando. You were the victim, nothing to be guilty about anak!"
the kindly mother assured her further.
" But Inang... I could have killed Andoy! Forgive me Jesus..." Metring said visibly shaken from the incident by the Ambuclao River.
" There is no point in torturing yourself now. Why, even the head of the local police, Hepe Diosdado declared it as a non-incident. Just you wait and see, Armando will come back anytime soon."
" I really really hope so mother..."
" Of course Metring! Now go to sleep, you are expected early by Dona Rosa at the mansion tomorrow. You need to rest."
Maria said calmly and pulled the thin blanket made from flour sacks over Metring and her brothers.
She has always been calm and collected despite the many adversities she had faced in all of her 48 years.
Maria's mother and father were both farmers at the Hacienda De Gracias, but her grandfather Lolo Tasyo used to own the moderate sized farmland. They sold it to the De Gracias family when they fell on hard times during one dry spell.
Her husband was forced to try his luck at the neighbouring Hacienda, but unfortunately, he contracted a mysterious illness and never made it back to his family. His remains was buried in some unmarked graveyard.
Metring, being the eldest was forced to stop her studies and helped support the family with the little income she can get scrapping for Moscuvado sugars at the mills, as well as doing house chores here and there.
She was a bright child and possessed a good memory. She could easily count the stacks of sugarcanes as well as the centavos she made from doing odd chores.
Sacrifices, sacrifices and sacrifices were the three things that Metring installed in her mind from an early age. That kept her going, and she has learned to put her own interest last.
But God has also been good to her. She was born with a captivating face and overall good mind and body. Her beauty was well known thoughout the Hacienda De Gracias.
Many tried to court her but no one succeeded. She was very much focused on her family until Armando came along.
It was the first time ever that she hoped for a possible future, and a family of her own. Armando was supposed to be the man by her side as they grew old together.
Now... even that hope is gone.
Outside the majestic Mount Kanlaon hides behind the white clouds.
YOU ARE READING
FOREVERMORE ( Simula Ng Walang Hanggan)
Historical Fiction" According to stories, which may or may not be true, this was half of a whole. This used to be a tiara, a mini crown when Nana Sepa got it. She was awaken one midnight by a voice calling her name...Sepa! Sepa! So she followed the calling, well thr...
