In Between Stitches

kabanata ▫️▪ 02

02

e l o i s e

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"We cannot let this storm ruin our plantation," Lilac continue to take pictures of roses dancing through the rain. Her face is quite amusing despite of the storm that if it won't stop until next week -- these inflorescences will be shattered.

"Doctora, we spent almost an arm and a leg for three months.... I pray that this storm will end as soon as possible," she may sound sad. She continues to wander and splash the droplets from the umbrella directly to me.

"We could fix this together, hindi pa naman umaabot ng signal number 5 ang bagyo," I slap the droplet which is about to fall on the ground and -- it spatters on her face.

Ibinaba niya ang kanyang hood, sumabay sa pag-alon ang kanyang mahabang buhok.

"I know what you're trying to say," I figure it out that she may ask me to take her a picture with the roses around her.

Lumapit ito sa akin at inabot ang camera.

"Baka ito na ang huling araw na makikita ko sila," she wipes her cheek to get rid of the fallen beads of water.

"Tigilan mo na nga 'yang kadramahan mo, hindi tayo pwedeng tumagal dito. Kailangan kong balikan ang pasyente ko," I answer.

"He can manage himself at saka may bantay naman...Sierra can give assistance of what he needed," she put herself in the aisle of roses, hold her umbrella upward and pose like she's catching the rain.

Si Sierra ang katulong niya sa mansyon at bukod sa pagiging masipag na kasambahay, nag-aaral ito at accounting tech ang kinuhang kurso.

"Ikaw naman," she offers.

"I'm not photogenic like you," naghanap ako ng magandang angle niya. Her skin is like a bar of polished silver, even if it's raining it gives off life.

"Flex your hip more and fiercer," pag-uutos ko sa kanya.

She inserted more; turning into an image of a sophisticated woman. Napangiti ako nang makita kong mas ginalingan niya ang pag-aura.

"I'm doing great ba? Should I exert more or it's okay na?" she asks me.

Ibinaba ko ang camera at saka tiningnan siya. She's like the sumptuous rose, you couldn't just say that she's pretty or beautiful because she's magnificently aesthetic.

"Nothing to worry," I switch off the camera and shortly smile to her. "because everything is perfect," I added more weal, which gives her a luxe smile; stating that she's more than welfare.

"That's why I always owe you and your family," nakatingin ito sa mga bulaklak na nakapalibot sa kanya.

Then she drew a brighter smile, tumingin sa akin nang hindi tumitigil sa kakangiti.

"I always consider you as my sister," I barely talk to her and even rarely seeing her happy after my father's death.

"Ano ka ba, masyado mo namang ginalingan ang pag-arte," pagpapatawa ko sa kanya.

"No, I'm serious."

"Umuwi na tayo, baka umiiyak na roon ang pasyente ko," pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

I could no longer carry the atmosphere, my shoulder would give up for another agony. Hindi pa nga ako totally healed after my mother's death, muli niyang pinaalala sa akin si Papa.

Maybe, pagkalipas ng isang dekada, hindi pa rin mawawala ang lungkot dito sa aking puso. They always said that pain is difficult to forget. Makakalimutan mo ang nakaraan pero hindi ang sakit na idinulot nito.