Behind What Seems (Completed)

Chapitre Six

Chapter Six

Still Mourning

7 days passed. It's time to bury them. I can't stand watching their coffins 6 feet under.

Nasa simbahan kami ngayon. Dumating na din ang iba pang kamag anak ni Nanang at Tatang. I feel like I'm an outcast, an outsider. They don't know me.

Ang kumakausap lang sa'kin ay si Jonas, ang kambal at si Joanna. Busy ang parents nila sa pakikipag usap sa kapatid at kapamilya nila.

Pag hindi ka talaga patay, they won't show love. They won't give you attention. Parang ginawa nang reunion ang burial ng isang tao.

They will remember you again if your death anniversary is coming or your birthday.

Or pag nagpapakita ka sa dreams nila.

Pansin kong tingin sila ng tingin saamin.

"Sino sila Angel?"

"Ahhh. Si Marie, kinupkop siya ni Tiya Ester. Si Jonas, Jonah, Noah at Joanna. A-anak namin ni Eric" pagpapakilala niya saamin.

"Ha?! Hindi bat--" hinila na ni Ate yung babaeng nagtanong.

Jonas sighed.

The mass has started. While the Father is stating his sermon, other family members including are crying our asses out.

Ang bilis naman ng panahon.

Hindi man lang ako nakabawi. I did thanked enough for the sacrifices they've done for me.

"Marie, mag s-speech ka mamaya ah" si Ate.

"Ha? Po? Pang family lang po yun diba?"

"Family ka din naman" my heart is melting at her words.

Kukupkopin din nila ako. Mas maswerte ata ako dito sa bagong pamilya ko.

"Are you nervous?" si Jonas.

How did he know? I'm not stuttering or shaking or something.

"Your hands are cold. You can't control your legs" ngayon ko lang napansin ang mga sinasabi niya. Oo nga no, halata din naman kasi.

"I don't why I'm nervous. Palagi naman akong kinakabahan eh" I smiled at him. He smiled back and it's like he's saying 'I know'.

Weird guy. When he smiles, his eyes are 404 not found. Get it?

"Marie, punta ka na sa harap."

"It's okay, you can do it" parang gumaan naman ang loob ko sa sinabi niya.

Oo nga naman Marie, kaya mo to. Magsasalita ka lang eh. Kahit na mag stutter ka basta galing sa puso, it's understandable.

Nasa harap nako, hawak hawak ang mic. Bago ako nagsalita, tinignan ko muna ang lahat ng tao na andito.

Puffed eyes. May mga naka shades din para di kita ang mga mata nila na sobrang mugto dahil sa pag iyak.

"H-hello po," okay, what? relax.

"Ako po si Marie. I know m-many of you don't know m-me" I looked at Jonas. He gives me a thumbs up and a wide smile.

I think my cheeks are red. Continue it damn it.

"Kinupkop po ako ni N-Nanang at Tatang. Two years ago passed when they found me. I owe them a lot, a big one" you're doing good self.

"Madami na po silang naisakripisyo para sa'kin. I didn't even thanked them enough at basta basta lang silang kinuha saakin. Sa atin."

I wiped my tears. "Sila yung kasama ko sa mga araw na mag isa ako. Hindi nila ako lubusang kilala pero they treated me like I'm their own child. They fulfill my need, the need of having a mother and father."

I faced their coffins.

"Nang, Tang. Maraming salamat po. Thank you is not enough to express my gratitude. Guide us always, I love you so much" hindi ko na kinaya. Bumalik na'ko sa upuan ko at itinodo na ang pag iyak.

Nagsalita na din yung ibang relatives nila. Like me, they are also crying while talking. Who wouldn't?

"Here" he lends his shades. "Mainit and for you to continue crying."

I accepted it. "Thank you Jonas ah, we're not related but you treated me like we are."

He just smiled at me. Lumapit saakin ang kambal at yumakap.

We are walking, like a parade. Actually, ngayon ko lang 'to naranasan. Even though wala akong maalala, I'm sure na it's my first time doing this.

Kitang kita ko din na first time to ng mga bata at kay Jonas.

He is side hugging me while his right hand is holding the umbrella.

Jonah and Noah is complaining so I hold them both. Nasa gitna namin si Jonah na nakahawak sa right hand ko at si Noah sa left hand ko. Kahit may bata sa gitna, Jonas is not letting me go on his side hug. Si Joanna naman ay nasa unahan namin.

Ang papawis na namin but I don't mind. This is for Nanang and Tatang. Ihahatid ko sila hanggang sa huling sandali.

Umabot pa ng ilang minuto bago kami nakarating sa cemetery.

I cried in Jonas' chest.

Wala na. Di na maibabalik ang dalawang bumuo saakin.

I will feel empty again.

He is rubbing my back like I'm a child.

Nababasa ko na ang shades niya, he wouldn't mind naman siguro.

Last soil to cover them. Nag stay muna kami ng ilang sandali bago umuwi.

Tang, sorry ah. Alam kong ayaw mo akong umiyak pero pag bigyan mo muna ako. I promise, I won't cry again. You two will forever stay in my heart and in my mind.

Nang, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. You can now rest in peace.

"Jonah at Noah, magbihis na dali. Ang pawis niyo baka matuyo yan" lumapit silang dalawa saakin.

"Jonas paabot naman ng pulbo, towel at bagong damit ng dalawa. Joanna magbihis kana. Dito ka lang magbihis, iwan mo ang mga damit diyan."

I remove their clothes, "Hmm amoy asim ah" they laughed.

"Let me guess your age, 10?" ang lilikot pa din nila, magbibinata na nga oh.

Pinunasan ko ang likod nila gamit ang damit na suot nila kanina. Yes dugyot pero makakatipid sa towel. Pinulbohan ko na ang likod nila at sinuotan ng bagong damit.

"Yes po" they both answered.

"Thank you po Ate" they both kissed my cheeks. I smiled at their gesture. Kids like this is for keeps. I mean all kids are jewel, may mga bata kasing pinaglihi sa dibel.

Nahagip ng mata ko ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa labi ni Jonas. Di ko na lang ito pinansin.

Tapos na ring magbihis si Joanna.

"Joanna, gusto mo ibraid kita?" she looked shocked but she agreed.

"Magpahinga muna kayo, punta kayo sa Kuya niyo" I ordered them.

Umupo na si Joanna sa paanan ko. Her hair is so soft, ang sarap hawakan.

"Alam mo ate, may nag tatali din ng buhok ko noon."

"Hmm? Sino naman? Hindi ka na ba niya pinagtatali ng buhok?"

"Kuya's wife po."

I stopped at what I heard. He's Married!