Remember Love

Prologue

"No. No. No." Words that my mind keeps screaming as I'm sitting in front of my dad's office table. Based on his looks, I think I know what our meeting is all about.

"Anak, sorry to say this pero-"

"Hindi pwede!" I said and stood up.

"Anak, wala pa nga akong sinasabi eh. Huminahon ka muna."

"Dad, hindi nga kasi pwede."

"Kailangan anak eh. Kahit masakit, kahit mahirap, kahit gaano kahalaga sa atin ang isang bagay, kailangan natin itong pakawalan."

"Pero kasi dad eto na lang ang tanging memorya natin noong nabubuhay pa si mommy tapos mawawala pa. 'Di pwede!"

"Wala tayong choice anak."

"Meron tayong choice, dad! At choice mong i-give up ang restaurant na itinaguyod at pinaghirapan ni mommy para sa atin." I furiously said and walked away, banging the office door.

"Kuya..." I saw Riza waiting for me outside. I can see the worry and sadness in her eyes.

"Riz, 'wag kang papayag please. 'Wala na si mommy, 'wag na natin hayaan na pati 'tong restaurant ni mommy, mawala."

"Kuya, baon na tayo sa utang."

"Pero, kasi Riz..."

"Okay lang sa'yo na maghirap tayo para lang sa restaurant ni mommy na matagal naman nang walang pakinabang?" I'm stunned by what my sister just said.

"Anong sinabi mo?! Walang pakinabang? Riza, nakalimutan mo na ba dahil sa restaurant na 'to nakapagtapos ka ng pag-aaral, natupad ang debut na gustong-gusto mo, at naging maayos ang buhay mo, buhay natin. So anong pinagsasabi mong walang pakinabang?"

"May pakinabang 'to, noon. Pero, ngayon? Walang-wala na, kuya. Dumadagdag lang sa problema natin. 'Di na natin kayang isalba 'to."

"Magtatrabaho ako-"

"Kuya, kaka-resign mo pa lang kahapon."

"Edi maghahanap ako ng bagong trabaho. Para makabayad tayo sa utang, para maisalba natin ang Rosario's."

"'Di ganun kadali 'yun, anak." Riza and I are busy arguing that we did not notice, our dad is already at my back, listening to us.

"Magsusumikap ako. Kakayanin ko kahit wala na akong tulog at di ako makakain."

"Just for this, Richard?!"

"Just, dad, just?! This is more than just! I can't believe you said that. Of all people, ikaw pa na asawa niya?" I said, not minding the words that slipped my tongue.

"Bastos ka!" He was going to punch me but Riza stood between us, gently pushing me away from dad.

"Kuya, dad! You're making a scene. Nakakahiya!"

"Kuya mo kasi, walang respeto eh." I scoffed and bit my inner cheek, controlling my anger.

"Dad, I'm sorry pero I can't let this go. I don't care kung lugi na 'to or wala ng pumupunta dito as long as hindi niyo ibebenta kasi dad, respeto din kay mom. Respeto din sa mga pagsasakripisyo niya para sa restaurant. Every inch of this restaurant reminds me of mom. Everywhere I look, I see her deep beautiful eyes and cheerful smiles. Please dad, let's keep Rosario's. For mom and memories of her." I ranted and begged tearily.

Before I left, I looked back and saw dad and Riza wiping their tears. I just hope I made them change their minds.

//

My mind is not clear and my heart feels heavy so I let my feet drag me where they wanted to go and they did not fail me. They brought me to the place where I can find peace and serenity-the Aviary. Away from the chaos of the world, of my life. Wherein the only noise I can hear is the birds chirping. No argument, no shouts, no problems. Here, I found the real meaning of life, but not the purpose of it.