A Night with the Wild Beast(On-going)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

   
"Pasabay pag uwi Ate Adi!"Myiah shouted and run towards my direction.
   
She's catching her breath when she stop in front of me."Ate pasabay naman,mag ligpit lang ako dito sa counter."
   
I smiled at her.
   
Matagal ko ng kilala si Myiah. She's one of  my co-worker here in the convenience store in our town. She is also my neighbor. She's a year younger that me--I think.
   
She's a college graduate--but decided to work here instead of pursuing her dream. She keeps on nagging me about manila. Where job and opportunities awaits.
   
"Tulungan na kita"I offered.
   
I saw how her face lightened. We carefully place the materials in the counter so it can be easy to access.I usually work in morning  Since our store is open 24 hours. I chose the morning shift because I have things to do at night. I get used to this for almost 2 years. Pero sa kasamaang palad our store decided to fired some of their employees. And unluckily I'm one of them.
   
"Ate paano ba 'yan last day mo na talaga? Hindi na kita makakasama bukas?"
   
I sighed.
   
I don't know if she's excited on not seeing me here, or she's sad because no one will be able to help here on her loaded work.
   
I smiled bitterly.
   
"Malungkot pero kailangan. Maybe I should focus more on our money issue."
   
I know she will easily get that thing about money issue. Though hindi naman namin sila katulad na rich to rag. Pero dahil magkapit bahay kami at may mga chismosa 'din kaming kapit bahay ay siguradong kahit saan mang sulok ka pa makararating ang balita. Hindi dahil may pakpak ang balita kung hindi dahil may bunganga ang mga chismosang kapit bahay.
   
Itinuon ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa mga panindang mamimiss ko na ayusin.
   
Malungkot ko na tiningnan ang mga lagayan ng pagkain at mga basket at cart na madalas ko na ayusin.
   
Ito na talaga ang huling araw ko sa trabaho. Nakuha ko na kanina ang huling sahod ko. Itatabi ko ito para sa pag-aaral ni Koa at pandagdag bayad sa utang. I don't know how am I going to pay every debts. Mula kasi ng matapos na si Doris ng kan'yang pag guguro ay umalis na kami ng maynila para umuwu dito sa probinsya at ayusin ang mga naiwan ni Daddy at Auntie Diana.
   
Apat na taon na din ang lumipas since we decided na umuwi na lang dito simula ng malaman namin na buntis ako. Kailangan na din kasi na intindihin ang mga naiwan na utang at farm ranch.
   
Pagkatapos ni Myiah sa gawain ay lumabas na kami ng tindahan at nag tricycle pauwi.

    "Manong dito na lang po.Salamat!" Iniabot ko ang bayad. Nag paalam na si Myiah at pumasok na sa bakuran nila. Maliliit ang hakbang ko na tinahak ang madilim na daan patungo sa kabilang bakuran.

The old Mansion of Señor Armando Pascua.

Mula sa labas ay kapansin pansin ang disenyong kastila. Ngunit ang ibang parte naman ay moderno na dahil naisailalim na din ito sa renovation.
   
The two storey mansion of pascua's composed of five rooms. A mansion good for abuelo's children which includes my Dad. Señor Armandon Pascua is my Abuelo's great grand father. But the house was build for his sons future family and that is us.
   
Pagtapat ko sa pintuan ng farm house ay sinilip ko ang kuwadra ng mga kabayo. Ang mga manok sa aming poultry farm at ang sampung truck para sa deliveries ng mga prutas at itlog.
   
Mahal ko ang lahat ng ito...I can still remember when I was four. I used to feed our chickens as well as our horses. I was seven when Dad thought me how to ride sputnik. I get my own trainer and when I was twelve I already join my first ever racing competition.
   
I can still remember I was the one who teach Doris how to ride a horse. We  used to sneak out on her room when auntie Diana is busy or not in the house. We have lots of memories in this farm ranch so I can't just gave up everything easily. I still have other options. I can still think. But for now I need to let go of some of our chickens and trucks. I need to let them go. But I promised to myself not our horses neither our land.
   
Nang makapasok ako sa loob ng bahay ay sinalubong ako ng mahigpit na yakap ng anak ko. "I miss you Mommy! Come here let's eat!". Hinigit ako nito papuntang kusina.
   
"Adi marunong na mag sulat ng name 'yan si Koa."
   
Umupo ako sa tabi ni Doris."Lagi ba naman sa Day care center, ewan ko na lang kung hindi pa matuto itong baby ko." I pinched Koa's cheeks.
   
"Mom! Stop doing that it hurts you know!"mataray na sabi nito bago kumain. Matapos ang hapunan ay isinama ko na si Koa sa kwarto para linisan.
   
"Mom! How's work?"
   
I plastered a small smile."It' fine anak. But you know what anak? Starting tomorrow Mommy will always be in the house. I have more time for you."
   
"Why? You don't have to work? Did they fired you? Why? I can see that you are hard working mom, why is that?"
   
Gusto ko na matawa sa reaction ng anak ko. Imagine tatlong taon pa lang s'ya gan'yan na mag isip. I smiled at him but I know he knows what I really feel.
   
His face turn into a frown. I pinched his cheeks while laughing at him. He suddenly roll his eyes. "Mommy stop pinching my cheeks!"
   
"Fine! Wear your pajamas. We have something to talk down stairs with Mamang". He didn't ask anything. He knows that he shouldn't meddle on the problems of grown ups.
   
Matapos mag dasal ay nahiga na si Koa. Kinuha ko sa shelf ang isang libro. Arko ni Noah,one of his favourite bed time stories. Nang makatulog na ito ay hinalikan ko ang noo nito at inayos ang comforter. Napangiti ako dahil sa lahat ng ibinigay ng tadhana na pagsubok sa akin ang pagiging ina ko kay Koa ang pinaka maganda.
   
Maybe because I didn't experience being raised by my mother. But I don't blame mom for that. I'm not here existing breathing the same air as others if not because of her. If I will be given a wish even just for a day, ang hihilingin ko ay ang makasama sina Mom at Dad.
   
Pinahid ko ang ilang butil ng luha na nag landas sa aking pisngi.
   
When I saw him sleeping peacefully, I decided to go down stairs. Naabutan ko sa kusina na magkakaharap habang nag uusap sina Doris, mamang at Ate sandy ang katiwala namin.
   
"Oo nga pala, bukas na darating ang buyer ng manok at sasakyan."Ate Sandy reminded us.
   
Mamang suddenly look at me. "Sigurado ka na ba talaga Adi?" I slowly nodded.
   
It's been weeks since we last talk about this things. Masakit para sa akin. Pero sa tingin ko naman ay makatutulong na ito kahit papaano na mabayaran ang ilan sa mga utang namin.
   
Tumayo si Mamang at may kinuhang isang kahon. Inilapag n'ya ito sa harap namin."What's that Mamang?"I asked out of curiosity.
   
"Inside the box is your Dad's message ang some of his cards."
   
I saw white envelope inside the box together with dad's cards. Some of Dad's cards were with him on his last trip. I think I need to call attorney Conjuanco about his cards and probably about the message too? I opened the envelope and read his letter.
   
Anak this is not my official last will. But all the things you need to know is written in this. First of all anak. After this trip supposedly our last trip. We will be able to get the title of our land. Which is in the hand of Mr. Del Mundo if I'm not mistaken. Minsan ko ng sinabi ito sa'yo. I trust you Adi. You can save our land if I can't I know that you can! I know... I'm so wrong on doing that thing pero desidido na talaga ako noon. I'm sorry for giving you head aches. I promised that this trip will be the last after getting the title we will travel anak, with Mamang, Doris and Auntie. We will all settle down.Live in the province and enjoy life. I keep on telling mamang everytime I go out of the country to give you this when something bad happens I'm sorry for leaving such problems but I believe you can still do this even when I'm gone. Alam ko naman nna naiisip mo na wala kang choice kung hindi isalba ang dapat isalba. I know you too well. I know you love our ranch more that I love those. I love you always anak. Ganda ganda n'yan eh. Daddy loves you so much. I'll be happy with your mom here. You can do this anak! You are not named strong and powerful lady if you can't surpass this one.
   
I quickly wipe my tears. I let out a sigh and frown. "Grabe naman si Daddy binola pa ako."
   
"Ewan ko ba d'yan sa Daddy mo. Hayaan mo at malalampasan din natin 'to."She cheered my up.
   
"Oo nga pala. Isasama ko pa din si Koa at Omet bukas sa school para makapag ayos pa ka'yo ni Mamang dito bukas." Doris smirked.
   
I handed her the list of  debts we need to pay.
   
Doris pouted."Sana talaga matapos na itong mga utang natin. Grabe mas mahaba pa yata ang listahan ng mga utang natin kumpara sa listahan ng mga naka date ko!"
   
Pinipigilan ko ang pagtawa. I can feel mamang gasping for air.
   
"Doray ilugar mo nga 'yang kaharutan mo. Guro ka na!"Singhal ni Ate Sandy. Napalabi na lang si Doris.
   
"Easy ate Sandy. Doray ka pa din d'yan. It's Doris okay? 'Tsaka huwag ka na mag taray pinagagaan ko lang naman ang atmosphere dinaig pa kasi natin ang El niño sa init! Kaya ka matandang dalaga ang sungit mo eh!"
   
Mamang and I laughed. Napainom na lang ng tubig si Ate sandy 'tsaka napahilot sa kan'yang sintido."Doris!"she shouted with greeted teeth.
   
"Matulog na nga ka'yo. Tulog na ang mga bata sa itaas."
   
I walk to our room and sleep beside koa. I have more things to do tomorrow. Brace yourself Adira!