Before Nightfall

CHAPTER 4 : The House on Calle Diaz

It's the first day of summer.

This morning, Aurora is pretty occupied in the kitchen cooking a feast while I painstakingly clean the bedrooms. I replace the sheets with the ones I got from a wooden cabinet filled with linens and blankets, as well as changing the curtains with new ones Aurora specifically ordered. For this room, she gave me a see-through, peach-colored curtain with floral prints at the bottom edge. The next one is a bit darker, the curtains are thicker, and its maroon color gives off a gloomy vibe. The last room across Aurora's is the most radiant because of how the thin, white curtain allows the light from outside to come in. I can see it has embossed abstract details on the surface. Afterward, I help out Aurora in the kitchen.

She finishes cooking, and I've gathered the ceramic plates and glasses from the far corners of the cupboard. "I made everyone's favorite. And hot chocolate for my grandkids, they love it!" she exclaims giddily. Then a loud honking comes from outside. Aurora hastily wipes the dirt off of her hands with the apron she's wearing. "Lala, we're here!" I can hear children's voices echo through the house. She gives each one of them kisses. They exchange laughter and giggles at the dining table. I recognize Mrs. Ocampo and her husband because she's the one who hired me, plus the other two adults that I see on the family portrait. For dessert, I cut up the watermelon and pineapple from the fridge.

After breakfast, everyone settles their luggage on the bedrooms while the kids watch cartoons with Aurora in the living room. Mrs. Ocampo helps me with the dishes, while her husband and the other men smoke cigarettes at the veranda. "It's a family tradition. Every summer, we come home to visit and spend the entire vacation with Mom." She says while rinsing the plates. "When Dad died, we told her to live with us in the city, but she firmly declined and stayed here in our grandparents' house," she continues. "I thought it's probably because this house is where she grew up, but when I asked her why she told me it's because of Hernan. She said that what if one day he comes back and she's no longer in this house, then they won't see each other ever again." Mrs. Ocampo says, and I can see how here face went unhappy. I just nod my head to show I'm listening. I wonder what she must have felt knowing that her mother was in love with a man other than her father. "We knew of Hernan just recently. Mom only mentioned him a few months after Dad died. They were a happy couple. They loved and cared for each other, gave birth to three wonderful children, and now plays with their grandkids. Dad knew about Hernan. It must be the hardest for him. Mom would tell us 'I loved your father, and I don't regret loving him, because he gave me the most wonderful thing, and that is all of you.'" She finishes while turning the faucet off.

I wonder how Aurora's husband died, but I refuse to ask because it feels like putting salt on the wound. Out of curiosity, I ask if they know where Hernan is now, or if he's still alive. It turns out they also don't have a clue on his whereabouts, and they didn't bother looking for him. I get it, Hernan is the reason why Aurora didn't love her husband sincerely. I understand why they haven't looked for him. But for some reason I want Aurora to see him just one more time, I want Hernan to fulfill his promise, to let him know that Aurora, after so many years, is still waiting for his return.

Mrs. Ocampo tells me I should go home and spend the summer with my family for a month. She says I shouldn't worry about housework because they grew up doing it on their own then gives me my salary and a little extra for my hard work. I pack my bags and prepare to go, bid goodbye to Aurora and the rest of her family. After a two-hour bus ride, I see my mother and sibling waiting for me at the station.