Loving a Believer

Chapter 14: New Start

Napatigil kami nang magsimulang pumatak ang ulan. Humiwalay si Tyler kay Mark at hinarap ako. "Storm, just leave me here and I'll take care of them," he told me. I noticed that he was teary-eyed. "Thank you," he sincerely said.

I just let out a sigh and nodded my head. "I have to go," I told them. I looked at Peachy. "Peachy," I called her.

She nodded her head. "Take care, Dylan."

I left them and drove to the airport.

***

F A R A

I woke up to the sound of the rain against the window. I immediately turned my gaze to my side. I saw no trace of Storm beside me anymore, but I saw a sticky note on his pillow.

I have a business trip for three days.
Wait for me to come back.
I love you.

—Storm

I felt a tickly sensation in my stomach and I couldn't help but bring the blanket up to my nose. I couldn't believe that Storm said these words. Until now, I am still thinking about whether or not to believe him. But what happened and what he said last night convinced me to believe him.

He was still my husband.

Still having that tickling sensation, I got up from the bed and looked for new clothes in the cabinet. While I was in the shower, I suddenly thought of Storm.

Three days. Storm would be gone for three days. That would be too long for me. I would miss him.

After a moment, I heard Manang Linda's voice from the outside, "Fara?" I heard knocks on the door of the bathroom. "Nandiyan ka ba, hija? Bumaba ka na pagkatapos mo riyan."

"Opo!" sagot ko at mabilis na umahon.

***

"Pagkatapos mo ipantay, ibuhol mo."

Manang Linda was teaching me how to sew while I followed her example. We were sewing a Christmas sock, and it wasn't easy. She told me this was her sideline especially when in the months of October and November because Christmas is around the corner.

"Ang mama mo magaling din sa pananahi," she said.

"She loved making dresses and gowns," I said in a low voice. I was not comfortable being around people anymore but I didn't want to ignore Manang Linda, either.

"Natuwa nga ako dahil napakinabangan niya ang mga tinuro ko sa kaniya."

Mom did own a boutique in Las Vegas but they closed it when she died.

"Ano po ba ang buhay ni Mommy dati? Why did she become a seamstress?" I asked. Mom never told me about her childhood and teenage life because she was distant from me.

"Naghirap kasi ang Lola at Mommy mo noong mamatay si Rogelio, ang lolo mo. Kaya, nagpakasipag ang Mommy mo noon. Lahat ng trabahong puwede niyang pasukan pinapasok niya kahit na hindi siya masyadong sanay sa trabaho, kaya madalas siyang magkasakit. Nagbago ang lahat nang makilala niya ang Daddy mo. Kakilala kasi ng kasintahan ni Thalia na si Travis ang Daddy mo. Pinakilala sa Daddy mo si Sara. Saksi ako sa pagmamahalan nila. Mahal na mahal ni Francis si Sara." Tumingin siya sa akin nang makahulugan.

"Paano niyo po nasabi?" may pagdududang tanong ko. If Dad really loved my Mom, why did he put us in danger?

"Sigurado ka bang gusto mong malaman? Baka kasi..." she hesitated and looked away.