Love After Life

Fifteen: Mrs. Privera

*Note: Expect that there are typos and wrong grammars here*

-:-

"No! You'll not have this journal!"

Mom went inside her room again and slammed the door. Napayuko ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganoon ang reaksyon niya. Tumahimik ang paligid at alam ko pati rin sila ay nagulat sa ginawa ni mama. Especially Iven, he doesn't know anything about my mom kaya alam kong nagulat siya kay mama kahit hindi ko tignan ang reaksyon niya. Lumingon lamang ako nang marinig ko na bumuntong hininga si daddy.

"I'm sorry for my wife's reaction, Iven. Naging ganyan na talaga siya matapos mamatay ni Amery."

"It's okay. Naiintidihan ko po si Mrs. Privera."

"Dad, paano na? Paano natin makaka-usap si mama?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa tono ng boses ni ate.

"I tried talking to her for these past few weeks but it seems like your mom is spacing out. Minsan wala akong natatanggap na sagot sakanya, minsan naman sinisigawan niya ako. Just like what happened earlier. You know, your mom was really devastated when your little sister died, Lorielle. Mas lalo na at biglaang namatay si Amery. Marami tayong hindi nagawa bago siya namatay kaya ganyan na lang ang nangyari sa mama mo."

Napalunok ako nang kinwento iyon ni daddy. I didn't know that my dad is having a hard time in comforting my mom. Napa-isip tuloy ako kung lumaban pa sana ako kahit konti lang ay baka hindi ito nangyayari sa amin. Mas lalo na kay mama. I just don't want them to suffer because of me. It's the least thing that I want to see. I felt like I was really responsible with what is happening right now, to my mom. If only I could talk to her.

"Pero baka gusto niya akong pagkinggan? Kami ni Iven. Maybe she would listen to us." Ate suggested but daddy just sighed again. Mukhang hindi siya sang-ayon sa gusto ni ate.

"C'mon dad. Makaka-usap pa naman natin si mama eh. Malungkot lang siya kaya ganyan siya, but we can't give up on her."

Kahit hindi nila ako nakikita ay tumango ako. Ate is right, maybe mom would listen to her dahil hindi naman matigas ang puso ni mama pagdating sa amin. Mom has a soft heart for us.

"Alright. Ako na lang ang unang kakausap sakanya."

Dad answered like he was defeated in a battle. Ngumiti lang si ate sakaniya. Probably, giving him hope na magiging okay lang ang lahat. I glanced at Iven to give him a smile but he just nodded. Hindi ko alam kung kakausapin din niya si mama dahil hindi naman niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin niya. We didn't practice for this.

Tumayo na si ate at lumapit kay daddy.

"Are you going to talk to my mom?" I asked Iven nang kami lang ang naiwan dito sa kusino. Ininom niya muna yung baso ng tubig bago sumagot.

"If it is needed then I'll talk to her."

inaayos na niya ang kaniyang pinagkainan. Napangiti naman ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na pumayag siya kahit hindi ko siya pinilit na kausapin niya si mama. He's very thoughtful. I won't deny that attitude of him.

"Let's go." Sabi niya pagkatapos niyang nilagay ang pinagkainan niya sa lababo. Tumayo na ako para sabay na kaming pumunta sa sala.

Nadatnan namin na kumakatok si dad sa pinto habang nagsasalita ng malumanay.

"Mrs. Privera." He started. I really find it cute when they call each other by our surname. Iyon kasi ang endearment nila. Well, it was weird for others pero sanay na kami ni ate. "Open the door, kakausapin ka ng anak natin. Lorielle is here." Kinatok niya ulit ang pinto pero hindi sumasagot si mama. It must be really hard for my dad but I am thankful that dad is really patient when it comes to mom.