Nine Minutes - LEGACY #9 (AWESOMELY COMPLETED)

Pana

22

Dalawang buwan magmula noong uli naming pag uusap ni Trey sa parke. Kinabukasan ng gabing iyon ay nag check-out na sila at umuwi sa Pilipinas. I lost contact, I mean, I never heard anything about him after. And so, for two months I was simply haunted by how devastated he looked during our last moments together under the snow. Paulit ulit kong binabalikan iyon, iniisip kung sakaling iba ang naging desisyon ko, posible kayang hindi na ako ganito kamiserable ngayon?

I smiled bitterly. For the nth time Illea, you are late. I guess, no one is really meant for me, huh? Kahit kailan ay walang nananatili dahil wala naman talagang nakatakdang manatili. It's just my fate. I am forever condemned to break and hurt because I cause a great deal of pain to the people around me. Tanggap ko na ito na nga ang parusa ko.

The cold morning air blew and I turned my back to gather my luggage. I fixed my trench coat before going out of my room. Nakita ko si Luke na karga karga ni Mama. Her fac was blotchy and red from crying when she saw me. Agad niya akong sinubukang abutin kaya ibinaba ko ang maleta ko.

"Mama, wag ka alis," she cried. Binuhat ko siya bago ko hinalikan ang kanyang matabang pisngi. Her brown eyes turned sadder as she tries to control her tears.

"Baby, sandali lang si Mama doon."

"Wag ka alis Ma," aniya sabay yakap sa aking leeg. I looked at Mama to ask for help but she just smiled. Hinaplos ko ang likod ni Luke para patahanin siya sa pag iyak niya.

"Mama will just stay there for a week, honey. Uuwi din ako agad. And once I get home, we will eat your favorite blueberry cheesecake, I promise," I told her. She looked at me before scratching her cheeks. Suminghot pa siya ng kaunti habang nakatingin lamang sa akin.

"Berry cake?" she cutely said. Pinisil ko ang kanyang pisngi sabay tango.

"Yup, blueberry cheesecake Luke," I corrected her. She finally smiled and let go of my neck. Doon ay inabot ko na siya kay Mama na naghihintay lamang sa amin.

"Mga ilang araw ka ba sa Pilipinas?" she asked me. Iniupo niya si Luke sa mat bago ito binigyan ng laruan.

"Three to five days Ma. I'll just close the deal with IAF Furnitures para sa itatayong hotel nila Rome sa Siargao. Uuwi din agad ako dito pag natapos iyon," I answered. Mama sighed before looking at Luke.

"And..you won't meet Terrence there?" she asked. Natigilan ako bago malungkot na umiling.

"Ma.."

"Can't you just look at your sister Illea? Masaya na si Ianna dahil pinaglaban niya si Rome—"

"Ma!" medyo tumaas na ang aking boses. Luke stopped playing and stared at me too. Alanganin kong nginitian si Mama bago ako lumapit sa kanya. Mama sighed before fixing my scarf, her eyes being shadowed by sadness that I know too well.

"Think of your daughter Illea. You could actually give her a complete family if you would just throw your fear. Lumalaki na si Lucille, anak, at balang araw hahanapin din niya ang ama niya," she reminded me. I looked at my daughter who was playing her favorite elephant toy. Tiny needles started pricking my heart as I stare at her. The words of my mother slowly sinking in me but I just can't muster the strength to accept it.

I will never be able to forget Trey's betrayal. You just don't simply forget. You might forget the event, yes, but you will never forget how shattered you felt. How worthless you were. How you will never be enough.

I just don't want my daughter to go through that same pain.

Mama touched my cheeks before giving me a small kiss, "Pag isipan mo Illea. At kung hindi mo talaga kayang magdesisyon ngayon, nandyan naman palagi ang Papa mo para sayo. Tandaan mo yan, anak."