Queries: Compilation Of Short Stories

21: WHAT IS LOVE?

WHAT IS LOVE?

"Love can may be sacrificial. Love can make people glow. Love can be dependency. Love can be faithful. Love can change people."

"Mom, we have an essay assignment and I really don't know how to start it honestly. "

I chuckled lightly with what my daughter uttered, "Can I see? Is it hard?"

"Yes! Yes!" She cried.

Smiling a bit I shaked my head with amusement in my eyes while watching her running back to her room to get her papers.

Five years ago, her father died in a car accident and now she's eleven hindi pa rin niya alam kung anong nangyari sa kaniyang tatay. I guessed I'm still not ready to tell the truth.

"Mom! Here!"

Napakurap-kurap akong tumingin kay Heaven.

"Where, Baby?"

"Here! It says 'What is Love?'. Can you help me here Mom?"

Tensed, I looked away and stand up to gather more words. Lumayo ako rito at saka tumalikod.

Am I ready for this?

She's now eleven, would she understand me?

"Mom? Are you, okay? Why are you crying? Did I said offensive words?"

Hindi ko namalayang nasa harapan ko na pala ito at inosenteng nakatingin sa akin. Nang akala nito may sinabi siyang masama ay niyakap niya ako habang umiiyak.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"I'm really sorry. Sorry po. Stop crying Mom. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry."

Umupo ako para magkapantay kaming dalawa, tinuyo ko na rin ang mga luha.

"Stop crying na rin, Baby. I'm not crying na. See?"

"You never did utter such offensive words, Baby. I just remember something that it bothers me."

"What is it Mom? Tell me. I still remember you said, 'no secrets' with each other. Then you should do that too." She innocently said.

Nakangiti kong ginulo ang buhok niya at saka siya binuhat patungo sa sofa.

"I'll help you with your essay assignment."

"Thank you, Mom!"

"But promise me, you won't be mad with me after hearing this out. Okay?"

"Of course, Mom!"

"Good girl."

Honestly speaking, hindi ko alam kung paano sisimulan ito. Wala akong kaalam-alam na ito na pala ang tamang panahon para rito.

"Mom?"

"Ow. I'm sorry. What is the question again, Baby?"

"It says here, create an essay with a title of 'What is Love'."

"Listen carefully, okay? I'll start."

"Yes Mom. Always."

"Sa totoo lang noong bata ako, I never believe in love, why? Dahil never ako nakaranas na makipag-interact sa mga lalaki at ma-inlove tulad ng mga kaklase ko dahil masyadong strikto sila Mama. They always wanted me to be a perfect girl. Hindi rin itinuturo sa school ang mga ganiyang bagay. Pinagbabawalan din akong magbasa o manood ng mga tungkol sa romance."

"Until one day, this boy immediately caught me in his arm, literally. Muntikan na akong madapa noon pero mabuti na lang nasalo niya ako. His tantalizing eyes met my innocent almond eyes para bang huminto ang buong paligid ko nang mangyari iyon kaya kinakabahan akong itinulak siya at pinagalitan siya sa pagiging hindi alerto when in fact ako naman ang may kasalanan dahil wala ako sa sarili ng mga panahong iyon."

"Siguro kung alam ko lang ang ibig sabihin ng Love na 'yon. Hahabulin ko ang lalaking iyon at aalukin siyang maging boyfriend ko for experience." I laughed.

"We became friends and eventually turn into lovers nang makapagtapos ng kolehiyo pero siguro nga walang forever daw. Nalaman ng mga magulang ko, nagalit sila at nang malaman nilang nasa mababang uri si Peter, mas lalo silang nagalit at pinilit kaming ipinaglayo."

"That time, I only know that love is all about acceptance and contentment. Naglayas ako sa bahay para makasama si Peter, naging masaya kami sa panibagong buhay namin, noong una mahirap syempre pero habang nagtatagal nakakayanan na namin. Naging maayos naman ang lahat, nabubuhay namin ang isa't isa gamit ang propesyon na natapos namin."

"Until one day, my parents successfully located our place. Sinubukan naming umalis at tumakas, hinabol nila ang sasakyang lulan namin, Peter got interrupted by the loud thud coming outside the car, binangga ng mga humahabol sa amin ang kotse. Nawalan ng preno si Peter at sumabay pa ang malaking sasakyan na papasalubong sa amin, and boom... Nagising na lang ako nang may mabigat na bagay ang nakatabon sa akin, and when I look at it, it was Peter, protecting me through his body. Nakapikit na ang mga mata niya at halos hindi ko na rin marinig ang tibok ng puso niya."

Hindi ko na napigilan ang paglandas ng mga luha sa pisngi. Walang ibang ginawa si Heaven kundi yakapin ako ng mahigpit.

"Nakaabot kami sa hospital. I was lost. Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko kung mawawala si Peter, gusto kong tapusin na rin ang buhay kung mangyayari man iyon not until a doctor came into my room with both negative and positive news."

"I am pregnant and Peter is dead."

"That time, I have to choose one between the baby and Peter. Sinong bibitawan ko? Sino ang pipiliin ko?"

"I choose the baby, and here you are, Heaven, smiling at me, hearing your loud laugh , alive and always curious. I am lucky I choose you and Peter is happy too."

"Is Peter my Dad, Mom? Is he handsome? Is he sexy? Genius?"

Hindi ko inaasahan ang sasabihin nito dahil inaakala kong magagalit siya sa akin sa oras na malaman niyang may sekreto ako.

"Y-Yes. H-He is."

"Does he looks like me?"

"Y-Yes, of course, baby."

"Then did you ask him, if he knew what love is, Mom? Did he always tell you that he loves you?"

"For him, depende raw sa tao 'yan. Love can may be sacrificial. Love can make people glow. Love can be dependency. Love can be faithful. Love can change people. But one thing is for sure, if you really love someone, you are willing to sacrifice your life just to protect him or her."

Heaven kissed my lips and hug me tightly before uttering sweet words.

"I love you both Mom and Dad."

"We love you too, baby."

Thank you for reading.