Best Mistake

Chapter 02

That was the cue for me to butt in.

I never really wanted to be in any talk like this, especially when I would be doing it with the elders, but this is too much.

Matheus is sick and her mouth was too blunt for my brother's condition!

Hindi alam ng kapatid ko na wala na ang Daddy. And it's no good to tell thim that.

I was about to speak when a hand stopped me from doing so.

Napalunok ako.

I thought they were already leaving. Bakit nagpunta pa sila rito?

Are they gonna take over the place? 'Cause this is the ancestral one? The one that they've been craving for so long?

I stared blankly at my Titas. They were smiling as if something in front of us was entertaining enough to make them stretch their lips wide for a smile.

Never in my wildest dreams I did consider them my family. And I am certain I never will.

We only share the same blood, but they were nothing near like a family to me.

Tita even shook her head, as if to make me keep my mouth shut, with her smile never fading.

This is impossible!

Galit ako, pero marahan kong tinanggal ang kamay niya sa braso ko.

I walked towards Mama and Matheus.

As I neared them, I immediately crouched and cupped Matheus' face gently, and carefully touched his chest.

"How are you feeling?" Maingat kong tanong. Pinakikiramdaman ang lagay at paghinga niya. I stared at his eyes.

Matheus is just five. Yet I know how smart he is. That's why I wanna curse the old hag of the family, the real way.

Matheus forehead was creased, and I am pretty nervous, knowing what would be his prior concerns.

"What did Granny mean by that, Ate?"

Napapikit ako ng mariin at naririnig ko pa rin ang mga hikbi ng Mama.

Mama's a very soft woman. Vulnerable and fragile, yet she managed to teach me how to be the strong lady she wasn't able to be. That is why I am trying my best to be firm. Para sa kanila ni Matheus.

"I'll explain later, alright? Tell Ate how do you feel first. You think you can travel?" I'm trying to keep my voice calm and persuasive enough to make Matheus do as I say. Takot na takot na rin ako sa totoo lang. His heart is weak. Too weak.

"I'm fine po, Ate. I'm a bit sleepy, but I think I can travel . . . But you'll explain later right?" I slowly nodded and kissed his forehead tenderly.

"Of course."

He smiled understandingly. Kumirot ang puso ko. "Alright. I'll ask later."

Muli akong napapikit at maingat na kinabig ng yakap si Matheus.

He was still so young, yet he was already like this.

It would be a shame if I won't be able to compose my self, given that I'm older. He needs me. And I'm willing to stand with him.

Hindi ko ugali ang magpukol ng masamang tingin, ngunit gustong-gusto kong gawin iyon ngayon sa matandang nasa harapan ko.

But I forced to make my self refrain from doing such things I know I would regret later.

So I just stared at my grandmother blankly. Void of any emotions, in spite of feeling a lot.

"Poor innocent smart child. He would've been a perfect Zamora. Too bad he's a bastar—"

"Let's go Mama." Bago pa matapos ang matanda sa pagsasalita ay kinarga ko na si Matheus.

He was already heavy, but it's bearable. Nagpapasalamat na rin ako at hindi siya nag-reklamo. He doesn't really wanna be carried by anyone, but I guess, he's this tired that he let me do it.

"Let's go Mama." Ulit ko nang manatili siyang nakaluhod at humahagulgol.

Gusto ko siyang daluhan. But we both know Matheus needs me more.

I picked one of the baggage and started walking when I finally saw my mother stood up and walked her way with me.

"Leave the trash to the men, Persephone. We'll be having a dinner outside."

Tumigil ako sandali at hinarap ang matanda.

She really is starting to be so funny now.

Dinner outside? Matapos ang libing ng anak niya? Will she be celebrating because she's already got rid of Mama? I know too well how she's never favored my mother for my dad. One thing is their money. Zamoras were extremely screaming with wealth, and my mother was not. She's an ordinary woman. Not rich, but neither poor. It just probably didn't help my Mama to get their side favor her when she kept her self the fragile that she is. That is why she made sure not to make me be in the same trouble as her. She loved my Dad dearly that she was able to endure. But I guess, her love is imperfect. When she cheated on him in the end.

I composed my self before uttering my response.

"I would take care of it my self po when I can." I stared straight in the eyes of my grandmother.

Nangiti siya.

"Oh, if that pleases you, my dear." She shrugged. "Make sure to catch up with the supper, I don't want you to dine alone here."

I didn't respond to her.

I was sure I will be lashing out her death if ever I dare to open my mouth to speak.

I just don't wanna make her add up to the souls that are creeping in the world. She's already unbearable alive, I won't anymore be able to handle thinking what a devil will she be when she dies.

"Well, at least, leave the baggages to the men, Persephone. You weren't born to carry things, my dear."

I didn't argue with that anymore.

I just wanna get rid of this night now. Isa pa, nahihirapan nga naman ako.

Ang mga unipormadong tauhan ang nag-dala ng mga bagahe. I know I have no belongings in there. Kaya kakailanganin ko pa silang hintaying magsialisan sa bahay bago ako tuluyang maka-alis.

They didn't wait for us to get gone anyway.

My grandmother already walked her way out of the mansion together with her devil spawns. When the cars were already gone, maingat kong inilapag sa sasakyan ng Mama ang kapatid ko.

"I'll drive Mama. Hintayin niyo ho ako. I'll just get some things upstairs."

Humahagulgol pa ang Mama pero alam ko namang hindi niya pababayaan si Matheus kaya nagmadali na ako sa taas.

I just wanna get out of this freaking place.

This hell of a house. Supposedly a home, yet turned like a hell when the devils reigned.

Well at least, I'm already saying good bye.