WS1: Where It Started

Chapter 6

We were riding in the elevator when my phone suddenly rang.

I immediately answered when I saw that Ate Celestine was calling me.

"Yes? Hello, Ate?" I greeted her with excitement. She rarely called because she was busy with work. Yes, she's already a doctor, and I'm proud that I was able to support her education. Without her sacrifices, I wouldn't have achieved all my dreams too. But my excitement disappeared instantly when I heard her crying on the other line.

"Ate? Why are you crying? What happened?" Sunod-sunod ang naging tanong ko, feeling a growing unease in my chest. "It's because of lola, Si lola--' She hadn't finished what she had to say when I desperately pressed the 'P' key repeatedly. I didn't mind if our manager and my entire group were with me. My hands trembled, and I couldn't comprehend the rest of what Ate Celestine was saying.

"Are you okay?" What happened?" There was concern in Junella's voice when she asked me that. Sinundan din yon ng tanong nila Yvonne dahil na din siguro nakikita nila kung anong naging reaksyon ko.

"Just relax Celine. Calm down first." sabi ni Rosevel na hinihimas na ang likod ko ngayon.

"Si lola kase Something happened to lola and Ate is crying baka kung ano ng nangyare kay lola." ng bumukas ang elevator lumabas na agad ako pero sumunod silang lahat sa'kin nagaalala ang mga tingin. "Mauna na kayo sa taas baka hindi na ako makasabay sa inuman nyo baka ma late ako ng uwi o hindi na umuwi. Please manager el paki explain lahat kay ms.ava" mahaba ko na sabi. Hindi ko alam kung naiintindihan pa ba nila yung mga sinasabi ko dahil sa bawat salita na binibigkas ko ay lumalabas ang hikbi doon.

Fuck ""First, you need to calm down, Celine, okay? Manager El. I'll make sure we won't have an outside party. We won't make any problem to you Just accompany Celine," Junella said in a reassuring tone.

"Okay. I trusted your word June." lumingon sa'kin si manager el "Let's go celine" Mabilis naman ako na sumunod kay manager El.

"Sigurado po ba kayo na okay na kayo?" I asked, my voice filled with concern, while holding Lola's hand.

"Oo, apo ayos na ako. OA lang itong ate mo at tinawagan ka pa edi nadistorbo ka pa namin. Ang dapat ay nagiinsayo ka sa pagsayaw at kanta dahil malapit ko na kayo mapanood ng mga kaybigan mo." Lola spoke at length. It seemed like she was okay because she continued talking without interruption.

"Wag nyo po akong intindihin, mas intindihin nyo po ang sarili nyo. Pinag aalala nyo po ako eh sinabi ko naman po sainyo na hangga't maari piliin nyo palagi na magpahinga." I found myself tearing up again. When it comes to my loved ones, my tears always flow so easily.""

"Tumaas lang naman ang dugo ko at nahilo kaya muntikan na akong matumba apo dahil sa init." She said, laughing.

"Sinabi ko na po kase sainyo na pwde nyo na kapag nakakaramdam kayo ng pagod ay isara nyo na lang ang sari-sari store dito. Pinalagyan ko po kayo ng ganyan para may pagkalibang-an kayo hindi para pagurin nyo ang sarili nyo. Kung ayaw nyo po na isara kahit si Kakay na lang pagbantay-in nyo"

Kakay is Lola's grandchild, practically raised like her own, so when she came to visit from the province, we took turns looking after her. Before long, she decided to stay here. Ate couldn't always be with Lola due to our jobs, but we made sure to dedicate all our attention to her whenever we had the time.

"May trabaho naman na po ako ganoon din si ate kaya na po namin na buhayin kayo gaya ng ginawa nyo samin." My explanation was gentle and calm.

"Apo, hinahanap na ng katawan ko ang trabaho na to, Simula pa man ay ito na ang hanap buhay ko. Kapag hindi ko to ginawa pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo lang akong hihina" She held my hand, took the peeled orange that I prepared, and fed it to me. She also offered some to Ate. "Wag kayong mag-aalala mga apo. Mahaba pa ang aking buhay."