Solace After The Storm

Prologue

Warning: There are numerous grammatical and typographical errors inside the story. If you are looking for a perfect story, then you're at the wrong place.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction only. All names are product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Plagiarism is a crime.

There are some sensitive contents. Please do understand that some of the characters' perspective are different from the author's. Thank you!

We are all rich as long as there's love in our hearts!

Prologue

Why do suffering exist?

And of all people, why do it always come to someone who don't deserve it? We did not hurt anyone in order to be successful. We made it without being a burden to other people's life... So bakit kami pa?

They say it is karma but in our case? It's not. We don't deserve any of this.

"Jas, dramang-drama?"

My eyes turned to Ingrid who's sitting beside me. I'm wondering how is she able to smile like this. The world is fucked up. I rolled my eyes and continued eating, "You don't care. Wala ka namang sasabihin, diba?"

"Sorry na. Ikaw kasi, mukhang binagsakan ng langit at lupa" she replied.

"Hindi pa ba?"

She tapped my shoulder. "Let's move on already.. Kung ano man ang nangyari, leave it in the past. Hindi tayo makakausad kung mas-stuck lang tayo doon."

I ignored her. Here she goes again with the optimistic thingy. Saan ba niya nakukuha ang optimism niya? Is she able to look at reality? Kung di nalugi ang negosyo namin, siguradong sa mansyon pa din kami nakatira. Siguradong hindi dito sa luma at pasira nang bahay. Siguradong sa pribadong paaralan pa din kami nag-aaral.

Halos maluwa ko ang kanin. I'm not used to this. Hindi ako sanay na tanging asin lang ang pampalasa. I forced myself to swallow it again. Darn, I can't take this anymore.

"Busog na ko. Mauna na ko sa kwarto" I said, coldly. Agad akong tumayo at dinala ang pinagkainan sa isang makeshift na lababo. A tear escaped from my eye.. There's nothing left.

Lumakad ako paalis ng kusina. Hindi ko nililingon si Ingrid. I don't want her to see me crying for the nth time. Pretty sure, she'll lecture me again to be positive about what we're  going through. That annoys me. So much.

I can't help myself but to compare what we have now and before. The friction between the ground and my worn out slippers reminded me where we are already. Maybe we are perfect for the term "hampas lupa" seeing our life after our business' downfall.

There is no floor. Just the ground. There is no cement wall. Just something made out of wood and old tarpaulins. I went upstairs. I suddenly realized how much I have changed since then. Not physically, but on how I view situations. I grew bitter but it's better so I'll be more realistic.

I immediately opened the capiz window in our room. My hands rested on top of the table facing the sunset. Napabuntong hininga ako. Kitang kita sa kabilang dulo ng hacienda ang pagsasaya ng mga tao sa mismong bahay na tinitirahan namin dati.

A heavy burden was felt inside my chest. Anger? Disgust? I don't understand.

Mixed negative emotions, if I may describe. Bakit nagagawa nilang magsaya habang nagkakandarapa sa gutom ang iba? How can they sleep peacefully knowing there are people starving and suffering?