Ang simoy ng hangin ay parang nanghahalina. Lagaslas ng tubig mula sa hindi kalayuang talon ay parang isang musika. Mga ibon sa himpapawid ay parang nanghehele gamit ang kanilang kanta. Ngunit sa kabila ng magandang kapaligiran, puso ko’y hindi mapakali at namomroblema.
“Senyorita Aster, pinapatawag na po kayo ng lola niyo.” Napabaling ako sa aking likuran ng magsalita ang isang dalagitang katulong ng aming mansion. Nginitian ko siya. Nahihiya itong tumingin sa akin, wari’y nangingilag sa isang leon.
“What is your name, young lady?” I smiled sweetly at her.
“Isabel po, senyorita.” Nahihiya itong yumuko.
“You’re beautiful.” I caressed her soft straight hair.
“Let’s go inside.” I smiled at her at nauna nang maglakad.
Ipinalibot ko ang aking tingin sa kabuuan ng bulwagan ng mansion. This mansion was built in the 19th century at ipinamana ito sa amin ng aming mga ninuno. Montesclaros: a family of politicians at mga haciendero.
Napatingin ako sa hilera ng mga paintings na nasa dingding ng hagdan. From our eldest ancestors to the youngest, which is me, are there. Nag-iisang anak si papa at sa kasamaang-palad, nag-iisa lang din ako at babae pa.
“Aster Isabella, how long do you want to prolong this talk I want with you?” matigas na boses ng isang babae ang nakapabalik sa akin sa realidad. I turned towards the study room which is situated at the side of the grand staircase.
“Lola.” I greeted her. Her eyes are stern, making me uncomfortable.
“Follow me.” she ordered, like I am one of those maids who are afraid of her. Takot nga naman ako, lalo na ngayong ako na lang mag-isa.
I felt a pang in my chest when I remembered my parents.
They died last month due to a car accident. Hindi man diretsahang sabihin ni lola, ako ang sinisisi niya dahil sa nangyaring ito.
It was my graduation last month. I nagged my parents to go to Manila 1 week before my big day because I am so anxious. Hindi ako mapakali dahil sa hindi malamang dahilan. It’s hard to accept the fact that I am very dependent to them. Though I studied in Manila, which is very far from Batangas, I still got to be so dependent to them to the extent that I sometimes nagged them to go there in the middle of night. And that night was one of those nights I usually nagged them. Pero kaiba sa ibang pagkakataon, nadisgrasya sila at hindi nakaligtas. I blamed myself too. I want to kill myself. But I know they won’t be happy if I did.
“Sit down Aster.” Matigas na saad ni lola. Naupo ako sa harap ng kanyang mesa.
“Alam mo naman siguro na hindi tayo maaring magmukmok na lamang at habang-buhay na magluksa dahil sa pagkawala ng mga magulang mo.” Bakas sa boses ni lola ang sakit at galit na kailanman ay hindi niya ipinakita sa akin ng diretsahan. As much as she wants to, I know that she loves me dearly, pero hindi siya tulad ng ibang lola na sweet sa mga apo. She is stern.
“I know po. I already arranged my schedule for the CPA Exam.” Mahina kong saad.
“How about your review?”
“Hindi na po. Kakagraduate ko pa lang naman po and we already had an in-house review sa school.” she eyed me for a while before leaning in to her swivel chair.
Donya Isabella Montesclaros, in her early 80’s, is still strong. Kung hindi, sure ako na iniwan niya na rin ako.
“Well then, I want you to get ready. May mga bisita tayong darating.” She motioned me to go so I stood up and walked towards the door but before I could go out, may sinabi pa siya na ikinatigil ng mundo ko.
“Please be presentable and treat them nicely later. We are going to meet your fiancé.”
