The Widow

Scene 1 - The idiocy of mothers

Scene 1 – The idiocy of mothers

Clara Dela Merced admired the painting Ralphe just purchased. Ralphe was an art-connoisseur, his house was full of paintings he bought around the world. This one was the newest addition to his collection.

Ralphe wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her shoulder, “Do you like it?” he asked.

Tumango si Clara, napakaganda nung painting, isang painting ng mag-ina. Hindi niya alam kung coincidence o ano pero eto siya buntis at eto yung painting na kakabili lang ni Ralphe, mother and son.

“It’s a Durand. It’s says that Oliver met the mother when he was in Africa.” Kwento ni Ralphe, “The mother haven’t eaten in a week trying to find food for her son. She took beatings just for her son’s food.”

Tumango siya, “Gagawin talaga lahat ng ina para lang sa anak niya ano?” she said in awe of the story behind the painting. Sobrang iba talaga ang pagmamahal ng isang ina, na lahat talaga ay kaya nitong gawin para lang sa anak.

Magiging ganun kaya si Clara? Siguro. Dahil ngayon palang, protective na siya sa baby niya. Gagawin din niya ang lahat para lang sa anak niya, maski ikamatay pa niya siguro ay gagawin niya.

A mother’s love was a powerful thing, nothing could trump that love. It was unconditional and overflowing.

“That’s the idiocy of mothers.” Ralphe said unwrapping his arms around her and walking back to the den, she followed him, wondering why he would say that kind of thing.

Nang nasa den na rin siya, tinignan niya si Ralphe, may hawak na tong isang baso ng brandy, “Bakit mo naman nasabi yun Ralphe?” tanong niya dito. “That’s not a kind thing to say.”

Tinignan siya ni Ralphe tas ininom muna yung brandy bago nagsalita, “Yung mga ina, sinabi mo nga gagawin nila ang lahat para sa anak nila. Kahit pa mamatay sila para lang mabuhay yung anak gagawin. Why couldn’t they value their own lives for god’s sake.”

Pero hindi na yung buhay nila ang mahalaga, yung buhay na ng anak nila. “Dahil mahal nila yung anak nila. A parent will do just that.”

“And that’s why I will never want to have kids.” He said, “I don’t want to lose myself.”

She stilled, ayaw ni Ralphe magka-anak? Bakit? “Pa..paano kung biglaan?” tanong niya, paano na si Rip kung ayaw ni Ralphe?

Ralphe studied her a moment and she willed herself to look casual and collected. He shrugged, “If I got you pregnant, I’d bring you to the abortion clinic.”

Her tears were clamping out on her throat, god, abortion? She wouldn’t do that. She couldn't. Instinctively, she placed her hand on her stomach, this was her baby, their baby. Would he really do that?