ONLY TIME (Leiza Lei)

Prologue

Prologue

WINDOR ANCESTRAL HOUSE - FRANCE

VINCE woke up and heard vases crashing on the floor. He silently crept up from his bed, taking with him his favorite pillow and toy gun, making sure that his little feet won‘t make any noise. He slowly opened his bedroom door, walking without any preamble. He could hear voices. He put his hands on his ears as the sounds of thunder almost burst his eardrums, and the fright he had suffered when he saw the angry lightning sizzled by outside their glass panel home. He walked downward to their stairs, he was sure he was hearing his mother and father voices at their study room. Hindi na nga niya mabilang ang pagkakataon na nag-aaway ang mga ito.

Mula ng magka-isip siya ay araw-araw na niyang nasasaksihan ang ganitong pangyayari. Sa bahay man nila sa Pilipinas, sa Pransiya o kung saan pa mang lugar na mayroon silang tirahan. Sa pagkakatanda niya ay walang araw na lumilipas na hindi nag-aaway ang mga ito, maliit man o malaki, ay pinagtatalunan ng mga ito. Iyon na ang nakamulatan niyang mga kaganapan sa loob ng sampung taon na nabubuhay siya sa mundo.

He wondered why the people around them seem oblivious to what was really happening. Sabagay, kapag may mga nakaharap na tao ay hindi naman nag-aaway ang mga ito. Mukha pa ngang sweet na sweet sa isa‘t-isa. Lalo na kapag nariyan ang mga kamag-anak nila. Maingat na isinilip niya ang kanyang mga munting mata sa siwang ng pinto ng kanilang silid aklatan. There he saw his parents, and the broken vases scattered on the floor.

―What do you think you‘re doing? What are you trying to prove? You make me look like an idiot!"

He saw his mother, still clad in a sexy evening dress. Hindi man lamang natinag sa mataginting na boses ng kanyang ama. ―You started it, Franko. I‘ve been a good wife, I forgave you numerous times with your infidelity."

Her mother puffed a smoke to the air. ―But I told you before I don‘t know how far would I go. ―This marriage is all for show! We both know that our marriage is just a license for your family to establish a business empire in my country!"

His father didn‘t comment, although he can see the guilt that was written all over his face.

―Cat got your tongue?" his mother taunted his father. ―I wonder, what your elite world would say if they only knew the real you!"

―Shut up!" His father shouted, while pacing back and forth around his expensive study table.

―Oh! Poor baby, but sorry, you  won't stop me!"

Nakita niya ang pagtaas ng sopistikadang kilay ng kanyang ina, kasabay ng pagpapakawala ng malutong na halakhak.

His father walked predatorily towards his mother, ―Be Quiet Selena! I don‘t want Vince waking up and hearing this stupid nonsense ranting of yours."

―Since when did you get concern over our son? As far as I know, mas importante pa sa iyo ang mga negosyo mo at ang panahong ibinibigay mo sa mga querida mo kaysa sa amin ng anak mo." His mother said with a smirk plastered on her beautiful face.

―Shut up! One more word from you. Sinasagad mo ang pasensiya ko Selena."  kuyom ang kamao na naupo ang kanyang ama.

―I would like to see you try."  Hamon naman ng kanyang ina dito. The next scene he saw would be forever imprinted on his mind. His father‘s big hand slapped the face of his mother. Sa kabiglaanan ay nabitiwan niya ang yakap-yakap na unan at toy gun, the sound of things dropping on the floor gathered the attention of his parents. Who now notice him standing on the study room door.

―Mama!" malakas na tawag niya habang tumatakbo sa kinaroroonan nito.

―VINCENT, why are you awake baby?" tanong ng kanyang ina na hindi ininda ang lakas ng pagkakasampal ng kanyang ama sa mukha nito. Her mother‘s voice became soft all of a sudden. She was worried and remorseful. Ngunit siya naman ay hilakbot na nakatingin sa namumulang pisngi nito kung saan nakamarka ang kamay ng ama. Hinarap niya ang ama. Sa murang isipan ay nasa isip na mali ito sa ginawa nito.

 They were supposed to be a picture of one big happy and reunited family. But... 

―I hate you Papa! I hate you!" he run towards the direction of his bedroom.

―Tingnan mo nga ang ginawa mo?" 

―Pinalabas mo pang masama ako sa anak natin."

―Let‘s just finish this Franko. I want a divorce."

Panandaliang katahimikan ang namagitan sa kanyang mga magulang.

―I thought we could make this arrange marriage work" narinig niyang bigkas ng ama habang umaakyat siya sa unang baitang ng kanilang hagdanan.

―I thought so too, But a decade of marriage to you is slowly making our lives a living hell" his mother‘s voice floated like a whisper.

The rest of their conversation didn‘t seek in anymore on his still shocked mind. Nagmamadali niyang tinungo ang kanyang silid at doon ay nagtalukbong ng kumot, silently crying as he sleeps. The harsh storm outside their house accompanies the continuous flowing of his tears.

ISANG linggo, matapos ang insidenteng iyon ay nagulat siya ng makitang nakamaleta at nakakahon ang mga gamit nila ng kanyang Ina. The past week he didn‘t saw even the shadow of his father on their home.

―Mama, where are we going?" tanong niya sa ina habang isinusuot nito sa kanya ang kanyang sumbrero.

―Sa New York, anak." His mother answered.

―Hindi kasama si Papa?‖muli niyang tanong. ―Hindi,"

―Bakit?"

―Saka na magpapaliwanag si Mama. May hahabulin pa tayong flight sa airport baby.‖ She kissed his cheek.

―Magkaaway pa din po ba kayo?"

―No, baby."

―Then why the sad face Mama?"

―Wala." anitong yumuko at hinawakan ang mukha niya.

―Baby, remember this, okay? Your father and I didn‘t work because, we didn‘t do good enough. When you grow up, be responsible. Never end up like me or your father."

Hindi man niya naiintindihan ang sinasabi ng ina ay tumango siya. As the car they were in speed away, he feels that the family he cherish so much at madalas na ipagmalaki ay nasira na ng tuluyan…so were his dream of their forever united family…