Malia POV:
It's around 9am when I woke up and prepared myself for the day. Pagkagising ko rin ay wala na sila mom and dad. Perhaps umalis na sila and they didn't bother to wake me up na.
"Salamat manang, kain po tayo. Sumabay napo kayo sa akin" I said as manang handed me my breakfast.
"Nako anak tapos na ako, ikaw na lang. Sasamahan na lang kita. Nga pala, ang aga umalis nila mommy at daddy mo kanina. Ang tanging naabutan ko lang ay papaalis na ang sasakyang dinala nila sa gate. Hindi rin sila hinatid ni Roel dahil ang sabi ng daddy mo sila na lang dalawa"
"Ah ganoon po ba? Tatawagan ko na lang po sila mamaya. They didn't say na kung saan naman po sila pupunta" I said and continue eating.
When I was finished, tinawagan kona si mommy and made me wonder na ang tagal niya sumagot. Perhaps their event is starting already, baka naka istorbo pa tuloy ako. Not until she answered.
"Goodmorning mom! I presume that the both of you ni daddy left early this morning?" I stated and the only thing I can hear on the other is that mom's sobbing.
"H-hi! Lia anak, sorry I didn't wake you up kanina na ha? We're in hurry kasi ng daddy mo but please be safe today honey. You can go anywhere with your friends at kapag later by night me and your dad are not home yet. M-matulog kana lang okay" she said at bakas sa mga boses nito na para bang umiiyak.
"M-mom? Are you okay? Umiiyak ka po ba?" I worriedly said.
"N-no anak, sinisipon lang ang mommy. The event will start na anak. Mag-ingat ka jaan ha! Don't be hard on yourself. M-mommy loves you so much" she quote formally.
"S-sure mommy. Mag-ingat kayo okay? I'll wait for you mamaya hanggang sa makakaya ko. I love you" the last words I mouthed and ended the call already.
Then I just spend my time to read my pending books in the garden. I've been calling mama Imee plus kuya's if they want us to bond pero ni isa sa kanila wala manlang may sumagot, maybe they're busy right now. Ganoon din sila Jessan and Keirt, perhaps nasa province sila. Until I've decided to visit the grave of Oliver and lolo daddy. It's not that far ang sementeryo nila sa isa't-isa naman. Just want to bid my goodbyes before you know. I'll vanish.
"Kuya Roel, pwede niyo po ba akong samahan mamili ng bulaklak sa Dangwa? I'll visit a friend's grave and lolo daddy po" I note as he eneter the house.
"Syempre naman po ma'am. Handa ko na lang po ang sasakyan" he said and I just get my things upstairs.
Hindi nagtagal ang biyahe and we're already here sa Dangwa. Kuya Roel assist me dahil hindi siya panatag na ako lang mag isa at hihintayin niya na lang ako sa parking area.
"Ate magkano po to?" I said to manang as I point the hyacinth and lilies I also added the piece lily plant to make it look more beautiful.
"450 po bawat niyan ma'am maganda po yan dahil matagal nabubulok" she quote and she's the one na nag assemble na kasi hindi naman ako marunong.
And when it is done, and I was about to pay. Pagkakuha ko ng wallet ko, one kid suddenly stole my cellphone na nahulog.
"Hoy magnanakaw!" kuya Roel shout and all of the people suddenly heard him while he's chasing the kid. Dahil bata pa naman ito ay nahuli kaagad ni kuya Roel at binitbit patungo sa akin while he successfully retrieve my phone
"Toto, sa kanya yang cellphone na ninakaw mo. Alam mo bang masama yan at pwede ka niyang ipakulong" kuya Roel state while I'm still lost sa anong nangyare. His parents is responsible for this, they're too young to do stuff like that. They're supposed to be in school.
Then two tanod came here by.
"Sino yung magnanakaw? Ah! Ikaw na namang bata ka! Napakarami mo nang taong kinuhanan ng gamit tapos isa pa to! Halika! Dadalhin ka namin ulit sa barangay, pang ilan monang nakaw to. Doon ka muna sa preso ng barangay ilaw araw boy. Para naman sa katinuan mo ito" one of the tanod said and held the boy tightly while he's younger brother is begging the tanod to stop.
"Manong wait!" I said and turn back at me.
"H-huwag niyo na pong siyang ikulong, kakausapin ko na lang po siya" then they looked at me as if I'm sure.
"Sigurado po ako, ako na rin po ang humihingi ng pasensya sa gulong nagawa ko. I assure you that I'm all okay po, huwag niyona rin po siyang dakpin. Pinapatawad ko na rin po naman ang batang ito" I declare at wala naman na silang nagawa kundi umalis. At first dismayado pa sila dahil daw baka marami pang kuhanan ang batang ito.
"Ma'am Lia, sigurado po kayo?" kuya Roel added.
"Opo, ayos lang sa akin" I answered at tumango lang ito.
The the boy suddenly hugged me, both of them ng younger brother niya. Kuya Roel want to let them go away from me baka kasi madumihan ako.
"Ayos lang po kuya Roel" I mouthed which he followed right away.
"Salamat ate ganda. Hindi naman po dapat ako magnanakaw, wala naman na kasi akong magawa dahil gutom na gutom na kami ng kapatid ko. Kanina pa kasi kami lako ng lako ng sapamguita ngunit wala pa rin kaming benta. Nagagawa lang naman po kasi namin ang mga ganitong bagay dahil sa kahirapan, pasensya na po talaga kayo" he said while bowing his head and crying.
"Hey, I'm not galit. But sa susunod huwag niyo nang gawin yun okay? Masama ang ginagawa niyo and dapat nasa school kayo, wala ba kayong mga magulang?"
"Meron po kaso wala ring mga trabaho at sa ilalim lang kami ng tulay tumitira ate. Pasensya na po kayo ulit hinid ko na po uulitin, pagpapatuloy na po namin ang pagbebenta nito" he mouthed and was about to left.
"Sandali lang, ito oh. Kumain na kayo ng kapatid mo. Tsaka babayaran ko na yang mga binebenta mo, huwag mo ng ibigay sa akin. Ibigay mo na lang sa parents mo o sa kahit kanino" I quote as I handed him the money.
"Nako ang laki po nito, mukhang sobra po sa one hundred. Ngayon lang po ako nakakita ng sampung blue na pera. Hindi ko man po alam kung magkano to sa kadahilanan na hindi po ako marunong mag bilang. Pero salamat po talaga" he said while the both of them hugged me again at napa luha-luha pa ang mga ito.
"Nako walang anuman, basta promise niyo sa akin na kumain muna kayo okay? Huwag kayong magpapagutom, tapos bumili kayo ng pagkain para sa bahay niyo. Higit sa lahat huwag mo ng gawin yung ginawa mo sa akin kanina ha? Masama yun" I said.
"Opo ate, pasensya na po talaga kayo sa ulit. Hindi na po mauulit, kahit po mahirap ang buhay sisikapin ko rin pong makapag-aral. Ang ganda niyo po sa labas at panloob na anyo. Minsan lang po ako makakita ng taong mga ganyan. Mauna na po kami at kami'y makakain na" he said and waved his hands together with his younger brother as they left.
"Ayos lang kayo ma'am? Baka po nasaktan kayo? Pero napaka bukas ng puso niyo naman po para sa mga ganoon. Kayo na nga po ang muntik ng manakawan ang bait niyo pa, ito na po ang bulaklak niyo" manang said as she handed me the flowers.
"Salamat po manang, ayos lang po ako at wala po yun. Hindi naman po kasi ako nanghuhusga basta-basta" I said and handed her the money and insist that she'll keep the change.
"Salamat po talaga ma'am. Pero teka, diba ikaw yung nag-iisang babaeng apo ng mga Marcos? Ikaw yung anak ni Irene at Greggy diba?" she said and that made me alarmed perhaps someone here will atack me even I'm already wearing glasses.
"Nako hija, huwag kang mangamba. Hindi ako kagaya ng ibang tao, alam kong mababait kayo. Huwag mo akong itulad sa kanila dahil alam ko din ang nararamdaman mo sa ngayon" she note.
"S-salamat po ate ha, mabuti na lang mabait kayo. Nga pala, ang ganda ng pagkaka ayos niyo dito sa bulaklak. Mauuna na po ako, mukhang dito na din ako mapapabili sa susunod" I said as I bid my goodbyes and head to the car already.
"Kuya, we'll head muna at The Heritage Park Mortuary and Crematory, I'll just visit a friend there then kay lolo daddy" I said as we enter the car.
"Sige po ma'am" he respond.
When we got here, hindi naman ganoon karami ang mga tao and I insist that I'll be visiting Oliver alone and gladly manong Roel agree.
"Hi!" I said as I put the flowers in front of his grave.
"It's been a while. A lot of things happened, but I'm glad that the family agreed upon my decision. Ilang days na lang we'll be together again. Perhaps you already saw lolo daddy up there. Just send my regards to him and I hope wherever you are, you're already happy and okay" I concur then remember the story he said to me.
"And you now what, I already get what did you say that there's beauty in darkness too, like the stars that glimmers at night behind those darkness. But for me it's the moon. The moon taught me there is beauty in darkness too, that even when I don't feel whole, I am enough. And in the abandoned corridors of my heart, your footsteps still echo late at night. My soul will always search for you, and when we meet again, a million new galaxies will dance together, celebrating our next hello. Till our next blossom, my dandelion" were my last words and already left his grave.
"Tara na po manong. We'll head to lolo daddy na" I concur as I'm inside the car which kuya Roel nod.
Hindi nagtagal ay we got here already at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
"Ako na po ulit manong, hindi naman malayo. You can still see me naman" I said and kuya Roel just smirked.
Initially, I put the flowers in front of lolo daddy's grave. There's someone who visit him pala, for there's a flower rin here.
Then I started greeting and talking to him.
"Well I guess magre-reunion na po tayo sa makalawa lolo" I said and take a deep breathe.
"I didn't expect how hard is my life would be, but after those instances I've encountered. I'm so fulfilled for how far I've become, how long my patience and my perseverance. But after all of that, my life already has a limit. A limit for me to love, breathe, and to live. Until I've decided to rest and give up already, I know that you hate to give up lolo but sometimes giving up is the only way to live and to be in peace. And that's the reason why I made that decision. But always remember this lolo, even the world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you, shall never pass away. Can't wait to see and cry in your arms lolo. I love you" I state as I left his grave.
"Saan tayo sunod ma'am?" kuya Roel asked me as I returned inside the car. Then a paradise popped up on my mind. The paradise where it all began.
"We'll be heading to the last destination kuya Roel" I said which he agreed upon.
I just teach him the direction, kahit malayo-layo man ay kuya Roel didn't stopped me.
"Dito na po tayo kuya" I said while he seems nervous.
"Huwag po kayong matakot, noong unang punta ko rin po dito ay ganyan din po ako. Just wait for me here na lang po kuya at babalik rin naman ako kaagad" I said.
"Sigurado po kayo ma'am? Ang daming kahoy na nakapulupot at baka maligaw kayo. Nasa gubat na po ata kasi tayo" he answered.
"Opo, naka ilang balik na po ako rito" I said and gladly he just nod and he'll stay inside the car na lang daw.
While I'm on my way sa pintuan. I saw the sign that this lot will be under construction next week and the government will going to destroy it. Sayang naman, but there's nothing I can do.
The place is still the same, the birds singing and the flowers dancing. How selfish other people to destroy this ethereal paradise.
While remembering about this spot, I gazed around and took in the fresh air. Many memorable events occurred here, but they will all remain memories. Recollections that I'll never forget and memories that have brought me back to life. This paradise will be remembered and missed for a long time. Even though this is no longer in my side but forever in my heart.
I just wander here for the last time and saw the tree where our names of Oliver engraved on was still there. Sadly hanggang dito na lang ito.
"Malia?" I was taken aback when a familiar voice appeared out of nowhere.
And when I turned my back, I want to teleport out of nowhere because it was Eva who's in front of me.
I thought it's just me and Oliver together with Jessan and Keirt knows this place. But what on earth is Eva doing here?
I just stared at her and on the other hand, she's just waiting for me to talk. I don't want to start a fight with her if that's what she wants. In fact I just bitterly gave her a smile and was about to exit when she hold my hand. Matagal na yun at umusad na ako.
"H-hey, It's not what you think Malia" and I was shocked on what did she say.
"E-excuse me? I-I'm sorry but I think I'm lost. I need to go Ms. Eva" I said but she stopped me again.
"I'm Oliver's mom. His real mom" she stated at napabalik ang tingin ko sa kanya. How it is possible? What we saw of mama Imee in Dapitan and saw Oliver with a girl is not his real mother? Naguguluhan ako.
"W-what? I mean how is it possible? A-are you sure Ms. Eva?" I mouthed with a smirked. This is improbable for me to think.
"Wala ako dito sa ngayon and won't able to know the truth Malia kung hindi totoo ang mga sinasabi ko"
"Y-you're joking, aren't you?" I quote.
"I-I'm not" the response I got and she was about to cry.
"I-I know what happened made you upset or-"
"It didn't" she cutted me.
"In fact, you made me realize and woke me up in reality" she added.
While me, didn't left a word. Waiting for her to speak and for me to listen as a wholly.
"Remember both of us ni daddy mo saw you and your mom at the cemetery? It was the burial of my son, Oliver, yet hindi manlang ako nakaabot. We're in hurry ng daddy mo for he was also about to attend yet when he saw the both of you and your mom hindi na siya napasama sa kin and I left your dad for him to explain to you but the both of you didn't listen on him. He didn't even know na pareho lang naman pala kami ng taong pupuntahan ng libing. While it's too late for me. It's too late because I didn't even saw my son for the last time. Ang tanging naabutan ko lang pagkarating ko doon ay tapos na ang lahat. Wala na"
"But when we made our vigil in Oliver's house, I didn't saw you" I remarked.
"That was because I hid myself from you. That time, your mom had already unfavorable thoughts about me and your dad. She even went on my office and did the same sa ginawa mo. Pagkagabi noon, the three of you went to our house to visit Oliver. Sinadya kong hindi magpakita dahil wala na naman akong mukha na ipapakita because of what I did"
"Then what about what you did kay daddy? Did you even think that our family was about to break? Sana nag isip ka manlang" I stated.
"That's why I'm giving you this" as she handed me a letter.
"W-what is this for?"
"It's a letter, a letter from Oliver"
"W-what?" I spoke.
"When the both of us are still in good terms. He suggest me to make a latter for his loved one's and that Malia was you. But when he knew what I did especially the urge of me want to reconnect to your dad made him change. That's why si Catherine ang naging nanay-nanayan niya simula noon. And I failed to gave him this letter because of the actions what I did. Simula noon, he didn't treat or knew that I'm the one who brought him to this world. Kinakimutan na niya ako. Dahil sa kagagahan at katangahan na ginawa ko, hindi ko kinaya ang kasuklian ko. Then that one night before his accident, the both of us argue. It's because he saw the video of me and your dad kissing. After that he left angrily, I tried to explain and stopped him but walang nagawa. Until I received a call that my son is already at the morgue and the only person that the hospital called was Catherine. I mourn up until I think I'll heal, but it went to an opposite path. I tried to love your dad as the way he loved me back then but that didn't work. It's just me who felt that the connection was still there yet he's connection was in your mom. Kahit ipagsiksikan ko pa ang sarili ko, it's always Irene he chose. I thought that we could still rebuild, you know, when we're high school sweethearts back then. He was in 10th grade while I was in 7th grade. But a healthy relationship suddenly change, because I cheat on your dad when I'm already 22 years old. And had Oliver in my life. Sadly the father of Oliver didn't treat me right and left me. And now, both of our paths of Greggy collided again and the thought of mine that we could start again however it's all too late. But I still hope and took the advantage us being a business partners yet your dad was very loyal to your mom. And that's the start where I made a mistake. A mistake that I didn't even think of the consequences and a mistake that will haunt me forever. A mistake that killed my son. What made me a villain the most is that I played the victim of the things I committed" were the words I heard and here I am. Nevertheless, I lost to say a word.
"Is that so?" I shortly remarked and she just nod.
"I-I'm sorry about what happened, you lost someone that you only have. I wish I did some investigation back then before committing those things toward you"
"You don't have to, Malia. In fact thank you for being the instrument for me to finally realize what I did is very humiliating. And most of all I sincerely apologized to the pieces I broke especially your family. I'm sorry for hurting you, it was childish of me to do that to you. I don't expect you to forgive me, I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry" she mouthed.
"What you did had taught you a lesson Ms. Eva and well I guess, apology accepted" I concurred and she hugged me.
"You're so strong and forgive people easily Malia, thank you very much"
"Wala naman na akong magagawa if I'll revenge, lahat naman tayo nagkakamali and all I needed to, is to forget and forgive. I let come what comes, let go what goes and see what remains" and the silence reamains between the two of us.
"Uhhm, by the way Ms. Eva what are you doing here? Oliver said it's just us and two of our friends knows this place" I added which made her smile.
"I'm the one who brought him here and discover this place. Sadly, I just saw a sign over there, that this place is going to vanish. Also, it's already my last visit here for I'm already flying to Australia later"
"Oh, uhm have a safe travel" I exclaimed.
"T-thank you, and you. What are you doing here?"
"Just bid my goodbyes for I have only a weeks to live. I'm already diagnosed with severe leukemia Ms. Eva" I answered and it made her frown.
"I-I'm sorry Lia, but why you didn't undergo in chemotherapy. There's still a chance for you to live"
"I tried and we tried. It's just still the same, I'm just hurting myself to live. It just got worst. Most of all I want already to rest, at first the whole family didn't agree upon my choice but gladly in the end napa oo ko naman sila" I note.
"You want the two of you of Oliver to meet up aren't you?"
I just nod as a response and decided already to leave.
"Oh Malia, before I forget" Eva suddenly spoke which made me turn.
"Yes?"
"I saw your dad earlier at the hospital when I got Oliver's some documents , he's with your mom" and that details made me alarmed.
"W-what? W-why?" I worriedly said.
"You didn't know?"
"H-hindi ko alam, what happened Ms Eva? Please don't tell me-
"Your mom will be donating her heart and today is her surgery"
"What! Hindi ko alam ni isa sa mga nangyayare, why and to whom will she be donating her heart?" I said full of fear.
"I didn't know Malia, wala ka bang alam talaga dito?"
"No, walang-wala and all they have said is that they're going both of daddy in an event" I answered.
"Oh God! What time is her surgery?" I added and my mind is already full of fear and dismay.
"I don't know Malia, but hey! Look at and listen to me. I'll be with you and let's go to the hospital. Don't panic stay calm" she said while trying to make me calm.
"Ayokong mawalan ng nanay!" I raised my voice.
"Shhh, just take a deep breathe. We'll go together at the hospital and you're not gonna loose your mom. Okay?" and I just nod while trying to stay calm even my heart already wants to come out.
....
We made our way to the hospital while I instructed kuya Roel na susunod na lang sa amin.
"Mommy please don't do this" I said as we're inside the elevator.
"It's all gonna be okay" Eva mouthed then hold my hand.
When the elevator opened I didn't waste any time and go to the information and asked the nurse.
"Ahmm is there an on going surgery right now?" I said.
"What surgery ma'am?" the nurse respond.
"H-heart surgery" Eva spoke.
"Oh the one that we offer an honor of walk earlier. Sadly the surgery is already done and are you the family?" then I just nod.
"I'm sorry for your loss, the body is already in the morgue" then my world suddenly stop. Wala na, tapos na. I already lost my mom.
Even a family or one of our relatives aren't here and I didn't saw one. They hide it from me, dalawa sila ni daddy.
Then the nurse assist us through the morgue. While Eva on the other hand, can't also fathom what just did happen.
"T-thank you. You can already leave us" Eva mouthed as the nurse followed by.
"Nauna na po kanina ang buong pamilya. Maya-maya po ay kukunin na po ang bangkay ng punerarya" the nurse spoke.
So all of them hide this from me.
While I just made my way to the only body here inside the morgue.
I didn't uncover the cloth because I can't comprehend what would I feel. I directly hugged the body for I knew it was mom. I shout and mourn for what I feel. Hindi biro ang mawalan ng isang lalo na't walang paalam na nagawa ito sayo.
"I know I did some things that hurt you. But why did you do this mommy! I knew that there's something wrong but I didn't expect this outcome! You left me without saying any goodbye, you left me in my lowest, and you left me expecting me for you to return. Please wake up! Hindi mo manlang ako sinabihan! Nagsinungaling ka na naman, at a-ang pinakamasakit pa w-wala na akong nanay! I thought I'll be waiting for the both of you ni daddy m-mamaya kasi sabi mo you'll be coming back pa. But what is this! Ayokonang mabuhay! I- iniwan mo a-ako ng w-walang p-paalam!"
"M-malia? Mommy's still here, who's that person you're hugging" a familiar voice suddenly appeared and when I turned my back it was the person who I though already vanished. For it was mom.
But who's this person I'm hugging? Until binuksan ko and it's a different person. Magka edad lang kami. Then shifted my gaze upon mom.
"Mommy!" I ran to her and hugged her tightly.
"Malia" all the answer I got and suddenly the family except for mama Meldy appeared from the right corner.
"Irene! Malia!" they all said and all of them looked so nervous. Scared for me to confront them.
"Ang daya niyo! All of you knew this sa una pa lang yet one you didn't tell me. Bakit n-niyo tinago?" I brokenly quote.
"Because we knew that you're going to disagree" mama Imee spoke.
"Of course! Sino ba naman ang hindi magagalit kapag nawalan ka ng ina lalo na't hindi nagpaalam. Mommy please don't do this please! Tama na! Ayokona na pati kayo nadadamay. Stop hiding the truth from me please! To whom are you going to donate that heart ba kasi mommy-
"It's for you Malia! Humihina na ang puso mo dahil sa sakit mo! What I'm doing is just for you to live! And I will do everything even it is my life in return, mabuhay ka lang. I'm the one who insist to hide it from you dahil alam kong susuway ka na naman. Anak, gusto pa ni mommy na mabuhay ka" mommy raised her voice.
"Mommy please no" pagmamakaawa ko.
"I already explore a lot of things yet you. Wala pa, I want you to reach what you want to become and do the things you want to do. Please accept my heart na anak" mom said as she tucked my hair behind my ears.
"Tahan na, always remember, I'll be always by your side and remember the necklace I gave to you? Just hold on it and I'll be there" the last words she spoke and was about to leave when a doctor suddenly came by. It was Dr. Ysabella.
"Mrs. Araneta and family. I'm sorry to interrupt but there's a person wants to replace you and to offer her heart to Malia" then it made all of us in quiet.
"E-excuse me doc. Did I heard it right? May isang taong papalit sa asawa ko na ibibigay ang puso niya kay Malia?" dad asked.
"Yes Mr. Araneta"
"That's impossible, is her blood and whatsoever, most especially her heart is compatible to our daughter Malia?" dad added.
"In fact her son was once admitted here and all of the requirements is very applicable to Malia. Especially her heart" Dr Ysabella once stated.
"And who's this person could be?" pops remarked.
"It's me" a voice we heard from the back.
And as I turned around I can't believe who it is.
For it was Eva who wants to donate her heart.