A Mistaken Pathway

CHAPTER I

CAYE'S

Through the years
You've never let me down...

I started to flinch, my eyebrows met and my nose wrinkled.

You turned my life around
The sweetest days I've found
I've found with you...

I turned off the radio and annoyingly sat on my usual spot, the passenger's seat, and faced the window next to me again. We're on the road for about 7 hours, it's 8:00 am and we're still not yet in our destination pa, but I guess we're almost there na.

We're heading to Lola Amor's house in Kinawayan Province.

Kainip.

I shut my eyes close and memories from the past began to flashback in my mind.

The warmth of the sun pressed on my bare cheeks, the smell of the fresh cut grasses, the warm yet refreshing breeze of air touched against my skin and...

Mom.

I miss her so much.

"Caye..."

What now, dad?

I just pretended to not pay attention.

"Hanggang ngayon ba ganyan ka parin?"  Dad's voice was full of melancholy and the longing for my attention.

"Kausapin mo naman ako, anak."

"W-woah, anak?" I was trying to compose myself and not shed even a single tear.

I know he's hurt because of my attitude and also my behavior but I just can't... after what he did.

"Yes, Caye. Anak kita kahit na hindi ka lumaki sa puder ko, kaya show some respect, I'm still your father after all."

I just rolled my eyes in annoyance and wiped off the tears on my cheeks. Good thing, I was facing the window and I didn't let him see how weak I am.

Mom's been gone for about 2 years now, car accident. And guess what? I was with her when the incident happened.

"Sige kunin niyo muna yung bata! Abante!"

When help came, they got me out first.

"Mommy!" I cried out for her name as they pulled me out of the situation.

My knees were weak, face, arms and legs full of bruises and my heart.. scared.

The rain was continuously pouring over our heads, watching the car already tilting on the edge of the high grounds and in any time it'll be one with what's below the cliff.

"Pull!" A man in his 40's shouted, together with some other men who were also trying to get the car out of the situation.

Mom was still inside the car, they couldn't get her out because the position where she's at was beyond dangerous for them to approach.

No matter how they tried to pull the car off the edge, it just slips because of the heavy rain and the slippery ground.

"I love you," I saw mom mouthed those words, with a smile on her face, looking at me.

I just stood there watching her, feeling so useless.

Please God, help us.

And then suddenly...

"MOMMY!!!" 

A tap from my back awakened me to reality.

Lola Amor.