While Yvan and his family was talking to their father over Skype, Ms Eli and I went in the kitchen to talk. She looked like one of those days when I haven’t done anything right for the whole day. I hated that she looked exactly like that. It literally means that she will be speaking in all english when our little chat begins.
“Ms Eli..” I turned around. Her arms are crossed in front of her. “Diba gusto mo naman si Yvan?” She didn’t respond. “Nakilala mo naman sya diba po? Nagpaalam naman po sya na manliligaw sya sakin diba? I know that you didn’t expect this.”
“Yes, Maria, I didn’t expect this decision from you.” She said coldly.
“Why?” I asked. Pero hindi sya sumagot. “Bakit po hindi nyo in-expect na sasagutin ko sya? Mabuti syang tao. Mabait. Gentleman. Maalaga. Lagi nya akong napapasaya, Ms Eli. Hindi nyo po ba nakikita yun?”
“How about the curse? Do you think he will still love you when he knows about your diamonds?” Humawak sya sa lababo na akala mo ay anytime magcocollapse sya. I looked away. Alam ko naman na anytime soon kailangan ko ding sabihin sa kanya na alam na ni Yvan.
“Ms Eli, alam na ni Yvan..” I turned my gaze to Ms Eli, “Sinabi ko na sa kanya at tinanggap nya yun!”
“You told him?” She asked in surprised.
“Yes, Ms Eli. Wala syang nakitang dahilan para iwanan ako. Wala syang nakitang dahilan para hindi ako mahalin. Sinantabi nya ang sumpa dahil mahal nya ako. Ano pa bang dapat nyang patunayan sa inyo? Para sakin sapat na yung tanggap nya ako at mahal nya ako.” Lumapit sakin si Ms Eli at hinawakan ang magkabilang balikat ko.
“Makinig ka sakin, Maria. Tanggap ka ni Yvan, oo, pero paano si Ellen? Yung dalawang kapatid nya? Sa tingin mo ba matatago nyo ‘to sa kanila habambuhay? Hindi. Lalabas at lalabas din ang katotohanan. Hindi sila katulad ni Yvan mag-isip, paano kung hindi ka nila tanggap? Paano pag nalaman ng ibang tao ang tungkol sa’yo? Ano nang mangyayari satin? Mag-isip ka, Maria.”
“I will take the risk.” I said.
“I won’t. And I won’t let you.”
“Maria! Eli! Halika na kayo. Malapit ng mag countdown!” Sigaw ni Ms Ellen. Natahimik kami parehas ni Ms Eli. Lalabas na sana ako kaso nahigit ako sa braso ni Ms Eli.
“Maria, may plano ako.” She said. I looked at her. “Naplano ko na ang lahat. Aalis tayo dito bukas. Lilipat na tayo sa ibang lugar. Sa Batanes, Maria. Diba gusto mo dun? Nahanda ko na ang lahat. May bahay na tayo dun. Magiging maganda ang buhay natin dun. Tahimik at malayo sa mga tao.” She stated in desperation. I was shocked, of course.
“Kailan nyo pa po naplano yun?” Tanong ko.
“Matagal na. Nung una pa lang na nalaman natin ang sumpa. Naisip ko agad na lumayo at tumakas. Hindi tayo makikita ng babaeng kumausap satin sa Batanes.” I stared at her for so long. In whole life, I never got these angry with Ms Eli. Tinuring ko syang magulang ko.
“Nagkakamali ka, Ms Eli. At hindi ako sasama sa’yo.” I said, firmly. I don’t want to go with her. I don’t want to go anywhere away from Yvan. “Hindi tayo titigilan ni Veronica. Mahahanap at mahahanap nya ako.”
“Sino si Veronica?” Tanong ni Ms Eli, nanlaki ang mga mata nya. “Have you spoken with her again? Why didn’t you tell me, Maria! This matter is important!” She shouted. I never heard her shouted at me like this. “You should have told me. Anong sinabi nya sa’yo? Kaya ka ba nagkakaganyan kasi may sinabi sya sa’yo?”
“Madami syang sinabi sakin, Ms Eli. Hindi sila titigil hangga’t hindi nila ako nakukuha. May isang lugar dito sa mundo kung saan ang mga katulad namin ay namumuhay.” I said.
“Maria! Eli!” Sigaw uli ni Ms Eli. “10!.. 9!..” They started counting down.
“Hindi po makakatulong ang pag alis natin. Hindi ako papayag na iwan si Yvan, Ms Eli. Sorry.”
“8!.. 7!..”
“Maria, bumalik ka dito!” Ms Eli shouted back.
“6!.. 5!.. 4!.. 3!.. 2!” Chanting continued. I turned to her. I was at the door step. I saw her crying. “1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!” They all shouted outside.
Narinig ko kung paano nagsindihan ang mga paputok. Lahat ng may mga sasakyan ay bumusina. Marami rin ang mga nagtotorotot. It was so magical and so bright everywhere. Sa sobrang ingay, halos wala na akong ibang marinig. Feeling ko nabingi ako. I saw my own shadow against the wall. Saan kaya nanggaling ang napakalakas na liwanag na yun.
In slow motion, I saw Ms Eli shouting but I can’t hear anything. She was approaching me. The light was getting brighter and brighter. And it was too late when I realized. The light was approaching me. I turned to my back and covered my eyes from the brightness. Something hot hit me. A fire. Napaupo ako sa sahig. I can feel my skin burning.
“MARIA!” I heard Yvan’s voice, then Ms Eli’s and Ms Ellen’s. I can’t open my left eye. Nilapitan ako ni Yvan at binuhat. “CLOSE THE DOOR!”
“Tatawag ako ng ambulansya!” Sigaw yata ni Ms Ellen. Nilapag nya ako at nasa loob na kami ng CR. Binuhusan nya agad ako ng tubig. I closed my fist and I was holding a lot of small stones. When I looked at it, there’s a lot of diamonds in my hand. A lot of diamonds everywhere. Niririnig ko na may naiyak. Nakita ko ang dalawang bata sa likod ni Yvan at naiyak.
“Mommy! No! Hindi ka tatawag ng ambulansya! Just close the door!” Yvan commanded. Hindi na nakapagsalita si Ms Ellen, narinig ko na lang na malakas na sumara yung front door.
“Anong gagawin natin!? Yvan! Baka mapano si Maria!” Ms Ellen shouted. Hindi ko makita kung nasaan si Ms. Eli, gusto ko syang makita.
“Wag kayong magpanic. Kaya ni Maria ‘to.” Yvan said to them, he looked at me and brushed my hair away from my face. “Bubuhusan muna kita para matanggal ang mga chemicals ng paputok.” Hindi ko alam kung tumango ako pero binuhusan nya ako ng malamig na tubig.
“No, I can’t take this. I have to call the hospital.” Bago pa makalabas ng banyo si Ms Ellen, hinabol na sya ni Yvan at pinigilan.
“Maria..” Ms Eli appeared next to me. I smiled at her, although it takes a lot of effort. My whole body stings, I don’t know how I can tolerate so much pain. Nagmamadaling lumapit si Yvan sakin.
“Okay.. Maria.. I know you can do this.” Yvan said. I looked into his eyes, and I swear I can see tears forming.
“Let me heal myself..” I whispered. I concentrated on rejuvenating. I screamed because of so much pain. Naiyak ako sa sobrang hapdi. Lord, help me..
“You’re doing good, Maria. You’re almost there. Konti na lang.” Yvan cheered. I breathe then I screamed.
“Ms. Eli!” I called. I saw her beside me. Hinawakan nya ang mukha ko, naramdaman ko ang init ng kamay nya. “I’m sorry..”
Then, I passed out.
