Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 43

Hindi na ako kumibo pa at tahimik na lang na nagmasid sa daan. The view of city around seems unfamiliar to me now. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa ilang taon akong hindi nakabalik dito o naging malilimutin na rin ako dahil sa mga gamot.

"A lot has changed here." I said out of nowhere.

"Hmm. A few restaurants just added up here. But our favourite places are still here. Hindi rin naman ganoon katagal ang lumipas. Maiksi lang ang tatlong taon kung tutuusin," aniya sa malamig na tono. "It just felt long because I'm always longing for you. Always waiting for the day you'll come back."

Nilingon ko siya. His eyes were still hitting the road with a menacing expression.

Minsan, iniisip ko kung talaga bang napatawad niya na ako sa nagawa kong pagkakamali sa kaniya. O, sinasabi niya lang na ayos na ang lahat dahil sa pagmamahal niya para sa akin.

"Terrence..." I called out.

"Hmm?"

"Napatawad mo na ba talaga ako?"

That's the only time he shot me a glance. Sandali lang 'yon dahil na rin sa pagmamaneho niya at nasa gitna kami ng kalsada.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Wala naman," malungkot na ngiti ko at itinuon ang atensyon sa harapan. "Naisip ko lang kung bakit ang bilis mo akong pinatawad. Mabilis mong pinalagpas ang kasalanan ko sa'yo."

No words rushed down his lips. Bumuntonghininga ako, nag-alinlangan na sana ay hindi ko na itinanong pa 'yon.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to answe-"

"I don't want to waste another long time to think about my hard feelings for you. It will eventually fade. It sure will," he said and heaved a deep breath. "What important to me is that you're finally here with me. Nothing changed, Priscilla. I still want to marry you. Still bad."

A sad smile escaped my lips. "Even if I'm sick?"

He licked his lip and gave me another quick glance.

"Until death, Priscilla."

I don't know why I found his words funny and ridiculous. Kung sakali bang mamatay ako, pakakasalan niya pa rin ako? I heard it truly happened in some part of the world. Even death didn't set them apart.

Nakarating kami sa family house namin. It made me cry in happiness seeing the house where I grew up.

"Are they here?" I asked as soon as the car stopped.

"Yes."

Paulit ulit akong huminga nang malalim, pinipilit kalmahin ang sarili. Binuksan ni Terrence ang pinto sa gilid ko at inalalayan akong makababa.

Walang gaanong nagbago sa bahay namin. Only that there were new palmera trees planted around the area.

The guard opened the gate. Bago na rin 'yon kaya hindi ko na kilala. Maging ang mga kasambahay ay napalitan na rin.

"Good evening, Sir Terrence." bati nung may kabataang kasambahay.

Pasulyap sulyap ito sa akin. Maaaring wala siyang ideya kung sino ako. Wala rin akong balak magpakilala dahil ang tanging nais kong makita ay ang mga magulang ko.

"Good evening. Where's Mama Eula?" Terrence asked.

"Sasamahan ko po kayo."

Tumango si Terrence. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko kasabay ng pagtalikod ng kasambahay. We both walked towards the stairs as my heart beats even more fast.

Huminto ang kasambahay sa mismong tapat ng pintuan ng kwarto ko. It was opened. Mula sa loob noon ay naririnig ko ang boses ni Mommy, nag-uutos ngunit kalmado.

"Call the flower shop and order a fresh of yellow daisies. That's my daughter's favorite flower."

Parang kinurot ang puso ko nang maring ang sinabing 'yon ni Mommy. Nagkatinginan kami ni Terrence, may maliit na ngiti sa labi niya.

"Nandito po si Ma'am Eula." sabi ng kasambahay at tiningnan kami ni Terrence. "Maiwan ko na po kayo."

Hindi ko na siya nagawa pang tingnan dahil ang atensyon ko ay na kay Mommy na. Terrence let go of my hand as I took steps towards the door.

"That pillow, change it now. Use the one I bought last week." she continued.

"Ma'am, uuwi po ba ang anak ninyo?" tanong ng isang kasambahay na hindi ko rin kilala. "Tuwing linggo po kasi ay ipinapalinis ninyo po itong kwarto niya. Inaakala ko po palagi ay uuwi siya.

Hindi nakasagot si Mommy. Dinig ko ang paghugot niya nang malalim na hininga na tila ba mabigat ang pakiramdam niya.

"No. I'm not sure when she'll go home. I just want to make sure that her room is clean just in case she goes back here," her voice cracked. "I miss seeing her lying here."

I giggled under my breath. "The bedsheets looks beautiful and clean. Can I lay down there now, Mommy?"

I saw how her body freeze to the spot. Napatingin sa gawi ko ang ilang kasambahay, natigil sa ginagawa.

Slowly, Mommy turned her body around and faced my direction. Her eyes grew wide, her lips gaped open.

"P-Priscilla, anak?"

Tears fell down my cheeks as a chuckle escaped my throat.

"Mommy..."

I ran towards her, my arms wide open. As soon as I reached to her, I locked my arms around her neck and embraced tightly.

"I'm sorry, Mommy." I whispered in between my hysterical sobs.

—

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