TORTURING HER INNOCENCE °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

31. Losing

Uno's Point of View:

Summer ended so quick. They say that when you're in love, everything passes by in slow motion but I have proven otherwise. When I am with Gabriella, time seems to tic so swiftly. I would just stare at her beautiful face for a moment which seems like forever and when I check back outside the windows, the day has ended in a haze. I would just gaze at her smile and memorize it in my head and when I check outdoors, another day has just started. It's like when I'm with her, she's all that matters. I forget about the world and I intently lose track of time. Gabriella is now in her third year in college. I am just so proud with everything she does; from being a brilliant student up to being a talented singer. She sings at gigs during Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Heaven's Shot. I have never missed one of her shows.

"She's so adorable, Uno. Alam mo anak, masaya ako para sa'yo." Mom told me while we watched Gabriella singing on the platform with her favorite guitar she named after me, the One."She's really good. I wish she had pursued music."

"Oh mom. Have I told you that her mother is a graduate of Music in Empire State Academy as well?"

"What? Is that true? What's her mother's name? Baka kilala ko."

"Julianna..." Ano nga 'yong middle name ni Gab? "Julianna Silva."

"Julianna... Julianna! Yeah. Of course, Julianna Silva! She's a brilliant student of ESA. Fourth year na ako nang mag-first year siya. I really have remembered her. How could I forget that beautiful nightingale?"

Kasabay namin si mom pauwi. Both of them are in the backseat.

"Gab, we've talked about your mother earlier at the bar." Kuwento ko para basagin ang katahimikan.

"Oh, good thing you reminded me, son." Mom quickly interjected. "Alam mo 'yang mommy mo, she's the ESA's nightingale. Your mom sings like an angel."

Gabriella smiled at mom's statement.

"Oo nga po. Kinakantahan kami ni nanay noon. Naririnig ko pa nga po ang boses niya sa isip ko hanggang ngayon. Para nga siyang anghel, tita." She said in teary eyes. "Wala masyadong naikwento si nanay sa stay niya sa ESA. Ang sabi niya lang, gusto niyang do'n din ako magtapos. Plano niya kasi noon na pag-aralin din ako ng music."

"What happened?"

"Sa naikwento ko po dati, mom passed away months before my elementary graduation po. Nadepress ako at iniwan ko 'yong music. Ilang taon din 'yon, tita. Ngayon lang ulit ako bumalik sa pagtugtog." She shared without restrictions. She's really comfortable talking to mom. And it's so overwhelming in my part to see the two women that I love most treating each other well.

"Wag mo sanang mamasain, Gabriella. I just really wanted to know if you have met your mother's parents?"

"Okay lang po. Lagi naman po 'yang napag-uusapan noon pa. Hindi ko po sila na-meet. Sabi ng mga magulang ko,  inabandona nila si nanay mula nang sumama sa tatay ko. Kahit nga ng burol ni nanay e, hindi sila pumunta."

I did know that story. She told me about it. Mayaman ang pamilya ng nanay niya pero ipinaglaban nito si tatay Piolo kaya tinalikuran siya ng mga magulang niya.

"I see. I was just really astonished earlier when I knew. The Silvas are prominent people. Kaya din kilala ang nanay mo sa academy dati. She was coined for being a rebel. Hindi nga ako naniniwala kasi napakahinhin ng nanay mo. You are like the modern version of her."

"Naku tita. You should meet my sister. Kamukhang-kamukha niya si Nanay. Mana nga lang po 'yon kay tatay sa kadaldalan."

I have to agree on that. Daniella talks a lot. I can remember Six in her. They never run out of words.