Fire Catches Rain

Chapter 2

Three months later...

Vereniel

"Do not accept anything without my approval," bilin ko kay Mrs. Rufiana, my beloved Everything. "I'll be away for a day to select the best light I need for the dining, and farther away for a week to see my father."

"Isang linggo at isang araw kang mawawala na naman. Yamot ka na namang uuwi rito," wika ni Mrs. Rufiana na naupo sa swivel chair ko. Kunot ang noo. "Mag-isa na naman ako rito sa villa mo. Mami-miss na naman kita."

"Oh, mom, c'mon!" I rolled my eyes and went to her. Hugged her tight from behind, rested my chin on her weary shoulder. "I'll be back before you even know it. I promise."

"Nang may ngiti na sa mga labi, hijo?"

"Hm. Of course."

"Thirty one ka na. Kailan ka mag-aasawa?"

Umangat ang katawan ko mula sa pagkakayuko at tumayo nang tuwid. "I don't know. I'm not sure."

"Pero marami kang babae."

"Naging babae."

Humagalpak ng tawa si Mrs. Rufiana.

Kinuha ko ang itim na jacket na nakasampay sa armrest ng sofa sa isang sulok na basta ko na lang inihagis roon kanina pagkapasok, saka mabilis na isinuot.

"Marami ka ngang naging babae, wala ka namang sineryoso." In her fifties ay malakas pa rin ito. Masigla at palaging nakangiti. Her hair was mixed in black and white and neatly tied into a bun. Nakasuot siya ng makapal na salamin sa mata at palaging nakasuot ng mahahabang damit.

Mrs. Rufiana has been my mother since I can remember.

She was there when my mother wasn't; on my birthday parties, school meetings, programs, at kapag naka-quota ako ng offense at nakakulong sa principal's office with a terror dean. Naroon siya kapag may sakit ako, kapag gusto ko noon ng kalaro. Siya ang nagpapakain sa akin, nagpapaligo, naghahatid at sundo sa school. She was there during my outbursts and tantrums, she was there when I was celebrating.

Mrs. Rufiana Reno is a Filipino, and was my mother's maid back in England, noong maliit pa ako.

She was there and here like a mom. For me.

Hanggang ngayon, anak niya ako at nanay ko siya. She never left me like...

"A penny for your thought?"

"What?" Napatingin ako sa nakangising mukha ni Mrs. Rufiana.

"Malalim ang iniisip mo."

"I wasn't thinking anything," depensa ko.

"Baliktad ang jacket mo."

Napatingin ako sa suot. Baliktad nga. "Kilalang-kilala mo talaga ako, 'Ma." I took off my jacket with my hands holding the end of the sleeve so it would turn to the right side as I pull my hands off.

"You've been with me for twenty-one years," she reminded me. "Ako lang ang babaeng nakakaalam ng likaw ng bituka mo." She gave me a wide smile. "Hala, maiiwan ka na ng flight mo. Kasama mo ba si Glue?"

"Yes. 'Ma."

Glue's one of my friend. There are five of us. Pero siya lang ang kasosyo ko sa restaurant na idinagdag ko sa Lé Bourne Villa na pitong taon ko nang pagmamay-ari sa pribadong islang ito sa Palawan.

May kumatok sa pinto, bumukas at sumungaw ang mukha ni Glue roon.

"Speaking of the devil," nakangisi kong sabi na muling isinuot ang jacket.