Victoria just woke up,the sun is still not rising,she wear her sports wear,she put her white nike shoes. She decided to start the day productive, she's going for a walk.
It's still dark when she go outside,while she's running her tears began to fall, she's not ready to face her parents specially her Mother.
Nakarating ito sa park at sumisikat na ang araw,naalala nito noong family day nila sa school. When they're kinder kasi magkaiba sila ng school.
*flashback
a young Victoria is really excited because today is family day on her school,her parents promised her that they will come to the program.
Hinatid na siya ng driver nila sa school niya,she was wearing a P.E uniform,madaming palaro mamaya and for family yon. Pagdating niya sa school sinalubong siya ng mga kaibigan niya"Hi, Victoria, where's your Mom and dad?"one of her friend asked"susunod daw sila"tugon niya dito. Sabay na silang pumasok na magkakaibigan. They went to their classroom first to put their bags on their locker after that lumabas na sila because the program will start soon.
They sat on their respective chairs together with their parents,mag isa lang naman ni Victoria na nakaupo,tiwala naman siya na makakapunta ang parents niya. Soon the program started,lahat ng mga family ay magakaksama na maliban sakanya dahil wala pa sila Irene at Greggy.
It's already 10 pero wala pa sila,12 matatapos ang program,she gets nervous habang tumatakbo ang oras,she decided to wait for them at the gate,nakaupo lang siya doon kasama ang guard ng school"Hija,hinihintay mo ma magulang mo?"tanong ng guard sakanya"opo,sabi po kasi nila hahabol sila eh, Malapit na pong mag twelve"sabi nito sa guard,dahil bata ito naiiyak naman na siya"huwag kang mag alala baka na traffic lang sila"sabi ng guard para hindi ito matuloy sa pag iyak.
She was stamping her feet,the whole time matagal itong naghintay,halos hindi na niya na enjoy ang program dahil hindi nakadating sila Irene,binigo nila si Victoria.
Tapos na ang program,nawalan na ng pag asa si Victoria na makakadating sila Irene,kinuha na niya ang mga gamit niya sa locker at hinintay ang sundo niya. Sayang yung pinaghirapan niya,pinaghandaan niya pa naman itong family day. Kakanta sana siya para sa parents niya pero hindi natuloy kasi hindi sila nakapunta. Nakayuko naman si Victoria na naghihintay,unti unting tumutulo ang mga luha nito"bakit pag kay Louis lagi kayong present? Bakit pag sa akin parang okay lang sa inyo na hindi niyo ako mapuntahan? Bakit okay lang sa inyo na paghintayin ako?"sabi nito sa sarili niya.
Soon dumating naman na ang sundo niya,nakita naman ni Beth na namamaga ang mata ng alaga niya kaya tinanong niya kung bakit ito umiiyak"bakit ka umiiyak?"tanong nito habang hinahaplos ang buhok ni Victoria,sumandal lang naman si Victoria sa balikat ni Beth at pinili nitong tumahimik at wag nalang sabihin.
After 30 minutes nakadating na sila sa bahay,matamlay itong pumasok ng bahay,natingin naman ito sa sala may nakalagay na "congratulations Louis" nagiwan naman ito ng malaking tanong sa mukha ni Victoria,nakita niya ang kambal niya kasama ag mga kaibigan nito na nagtatawanan,lumapit siya dito para tanungin kung anong meron"anong meron dito Ate?tanong nito kay Louis"I won sa math quiz bee, that's why,kumain ka na ba?"she asked her sister"nope"sabi naman ni Victoria"kaya pala katamlay mo,kuha ka ng pagkain mosa kusina nagluto si mommy ng pinakbet doon yung favorite mo"alok ni Louis sakanya pero tinanggihan ito ni Victoria,mas pinili nitong matulog nalang. She didn't want to see her mother's face muna. But Louis informed her mom na mukhang matamlay si Victoria.
Irene decided to knock at her room, Victoria is sketching at that time"Tori?"Irene said while knocking at her daughter's room. Victoria immediately opened the door,"why?"she asked bowing her head"what's wrong?"Irene asked she holds her daughter's chin and lift it up,she saw her daughter's eyes it's puffy"umiyak ka ba?"tanong nito"Com'on tell mommy, what's the problem"she added.
Victoria's tears start to flow on her cheeks,pinunasan naman iyon ni Irene gamit ang kanyang thumb,she hugged her daughter na patuloy sa pag iyak,pinapatahan naman ito ni Irene. Nung tumahan na si Irene tinanong niya ulit si Victoria "tell mommy,why are you crying?"she asked her daughter "you promised me kanina na pupunta ka sa family day ko,but you didn't. I've been waiting for you for almost 2 hours sa gate ng school"she said at nagsimula nanamang tumulo ang mga luha niya"mommy's sorry,I forgot. I'm so sorry"she said,she hugged her daughter again"Ilang beses kong pinapaalala sayo yun mommy eh halos araw araw how come na nakalimutan mo po?"she asked her mom again"sorry,babawi ako sayo. Bakit kasi ayaw mo na doon ka nalang mag aral sa school ni Louis? Para pareho ko kayong mapuntahan, mommy and daddy is too busy kasi sa work anak eh,and hindi namin kayo kayang pagsabayin lalo na hindi kayo pareho ng school"she explained "but mommy ayoko sa school niya,pwede namang siya nalang yung lumipat eh"sabi nito,dahil alam niyang aawayin lang siya nhmg kambal niya pati ng mga kaibigan nito. Mabait lang sakanya si Louis pag nakaharap sila Irene pero pag nakatalikod na sila kawawa si Victoria sakanya"bakit ayaw mo? is there any problem ba between you and Louis?"Irene asked"wala po"pagsisinungaling nito"then why you don't want to go on the same school with her?"tanong ni Irene sa anak"because I don't have friends doon"she said"then make again,that easy. Next school year ililipat na kita doon ha?"napilitan lang naman na tumango si Victoria sa mommy niya"hindi ka pa daw kumain?"she asked"I'm not hungry mommy, it's okay"she said convincing her mom. "ipagtatabi nalang kita ng food okay?"she said Victoria just nodded, Irene went outside her room na.
It's easy for you to say na make new friends without knowing na hindi kami magkapareho ng kambal ko. Kaya niyang makipagusap kahit kanino,while me kahit sa inyo hindi ko kayo lahat kayang kausapin.
Kahit na ayaw lumipat ng school ni Victoria wala itong magawa dahil iyon ang kagustuhan nila Irene,walang siyang magawa kundi iwanan ang mga kaibigan at school niya. Magkaklase sila ng kambal niya and her elementary life was hell,and that's because of her sister.
*end of flashback
Victoria decided to stay at the park muna,may mga dumating na mga batang palaboy doon, they're looking for food at the trash,lumapit naman si Victoria sakanila"anong ginagawa niyo dyan?"tanong nito"kumuhuha po ng pagkain"sabi ng isang bata habang nangangalkal ng basura"eh madumi yan ah?"tanong niya sa mga batw"eh wala pong magagawa,kung hindi po namin ito gagawin mamamatay kami sa gutom"sabi nung isa ding bata.
Victoria had some money naman so she decided to give them food"wait lang kayo dito ha?"sabi niya,tumango naman sila. She went to the near resto and order some food for them after a minute bumalik siya sa park kung saan siya galing kanina nakita niya naman na nadoon pa sila,pumunta siya sakanila,malayo palang siya ay nakita na niya ang mga malalaking ngiti ng mga bata. Binigay niya ang mga pagkain dito at kumain na sila,masaya naman siyang pinapanood ang mga ito.
After nilang kumain nagpasalamat ang mga bata sakanya at umalis na sila,she decided to go home na din naman. She arrived at the house,she prepared her breakfast. She cooked some pancakes,bacon and egg. She made a smoothie too.
She went ro their garden and enjoyed her breakfast. After she finished her breakfast she washed the utensils that she used. She went back to the garden and starts scrolling through her phone, suddenly her yaya texted her
*Yaya Beth*
"paalis na kami ngayon."
-yaya Beth
"okay,Ingat."
- Tori
After that she went to her room,and takes a shower. After that she decided to paint,inilabas nito ang kanyang mga painting materials sa balcony ng kanyang kwarto at nagsimulang magpaint.
After niyang magpinta inayos na niya ang mag gamit niya dahil malapit nang dumating sila Irene,ayaw niyang malaman nila Irene ang mga talents niya,hindi alam nila Irene na alam niyang magpinta,na alam niya ding kumanta at tumugtog ng mga instrument,never din siyang naging open sa parents niya.
Her eyes becomes tired so she decided na matulog muna. After 30 minutes Irene,Greggy,Louis,Imelda,Imee,and Bonget just arrived. They asked the guard where is Victoria now,sabi nung guard nasa loob daw but,inside the house is really quiet."Victoria?"Irene shout but no one's answering"Irene ako na baka natutulog siya sa kwarto niya hintayin niyo ako dito at tatawagin ko lang"sabi ni Beth agad naman itong pumunta sa taas, Nanatili namang nakatayo sila Irene, she's so excited to see her daughter again,after almost 8 years ngayon lang sial ulit magkikita.
Beth knocked at Victoria's room,dahilan para magising ito,she rubbed her eyes,she heard a familiar voice she knows that it's her Yaya Beth. Bigla itong nabuhayan ng dugo at tumakbo sa pinto at niyakap ito ng mahigpit"yaya!"bati nito kay Beth"may naghihintay sa'yo sa baba"Victoria knows that it's her parents,Beth holds her hands as they walk down the stairs,she was nervous.
She saw her mommy and daddy, together with her lola,tito and Tita they were smiling while looking at her including her twin sister,she smiled fakely to them.
When they reached Irene, Irene pulled Victoria ang hugged her tight"I miss you so much,anak"she said"thanks"she said coldly to her mom,she looked at her dad who is looking at then and throw him a fake smile.
She went to her Lola and hugged her"still looking young Mama Meldy ha"she said"we missed you"sabi ni Imelda while hugging her"really?she said and looked at her mom"of course we missed you,so,so,so,so much"she pinched Victoria's cheeks
Umalis na sila sa pagkakayakap,sumunod itong pumunta kila Imee at Bonget,she greeted them they also did the same.
Everyone is busy,yaya Beth was cooking,Louise,Imleda,Imee,and Greggy is at the sala they're watching movie. Irene and Victoria is upstairs nasa kwarto si Victoria while Irene is also at their own room she's arranging their clothes,after niyang ayusin yon she decided to go on her daughter's room. Victoria is on her laptop, she's doing some activities for school,Irene knocked to her door"Tori?"she asked while knocking at the door. Binuksan naman iyon ni Victoria "po?"she said"we'll eat soon,maybe gusto mong bumaba na?"Irene said,while looking at her daughter "uhmm...maybe later na po,sandali nalang naman na po yung ginagawa ko eh"she said habang umiiwas ng tingin kay Irene"okay, I'll wait here nalang"she said"okay,you can come inside if you want to"she said coldly at bumalik na sa study table niya,Irene sat in her bed,nakita naman nito na hindi pa nakaayos ang mga gamit ni Victoria"Hindi mo pa pala naaayos yung mga gamit mo?"napalingon naman si Victoria sa mga maleta nito na nakalagay sa sulok"I'll do that tomorrow po,Pagod po kasi ako kahapon"she said at bumalik na sa laptop niya"I can fix this,if you'll let mommy"napatingun naman kay Irene si Victoria"ako na po, nakakahiya "sabi nito natawa naman si Irene sa sinabi ni Victoria"it's okay,para habang hinihintay kita,inaayos ko ito"sabi nito at sinumulan na niyang pakealaman ang maleta ni Victoria,wala namang magawa si Victoria so she just let her mom do the thing.
After 5 minutes malapit na silang matapos sa mga ginagawa nila,while Irene was digging sa maleta ni Victoria she saw the music box that she gave to her daughter kinuha niya ito"nasayo pa pala to?"she said while holding the music box,napalingon naman si Victoria sakanya"uhm...yeah,but don't worry I'll donate that soon"she said coldly"no,bakit mo ipapamigay? This is my gift for you I thought this is special to you?"she said, Victoria went to her,kinuha niya yung music box mula sa kamay ni Irene"you're right, special ito sa akin.....noon....but now? This is useless"she smirked at inilagay iyon sa isang box,Irene was speechless naman sa sinabi Ni Victoria "I'm done, let's go"she said at umalis na,hindi naman makagalaw si Irene.
That music box was her gift for Victoria on her 5th birthday. Victoria thought that Irene bought it from the store but no, that's Ferdinand's gift for Irene on her 10th birthday that's why it's special to her. She give it to Victoria because Victoria is really special to her. Kinuha niya ang music box sa karton at inilagay sa kwarto nila ni Greggy.
She went downstairs,nakita niya na nandoon na silang lahat, Victoria is just quiet,Irene decided to sit beside her daughter,hindi naman siya pinapansin ni Victoria. They started eating na, everyone was laughing except sa mag ina,Irene is observing her daughter
"wala parin siyang pinagbago,mahiyain pa din"she thought
Hinawakan ni Irene ang kamay ni Victoria, napatingin sakanya si Victoria at inalis ang kamay nito kay Irene. After nilang kumain, everyone is at the sala na they're watching some movies,magkakatabi sila Greggy,Bonget,at Imee sa isang malaking sofa. Imelda is with Louis. Irene is on the other sofa, she's waiting for Victoria.
Victoria went to the sala,hindi nito alam mung saan lulugar,but then Irene called her name,lumingon naman siya,tinawag siya ni Irene while tapping the space beside her.
She went to Irene at umupo sa tabi niya,she felt awkward hindi siya sanay na ganon ang mommy niya sakanya."what do you want to eat?"Irene asked her daughter "kahit ano po"maikling sagot nito,tumayo si Irene at kumuha ng snacks nila.
Irene prepared peanut butter Jelly sandwich,hindi naman nito alam na may allergy si Victoria sa peanuts.
She served the snacks to them, they're all focusing on the tv because nasa climax na ito. Victoria get some Sandwich hindi naman nito napansin na meeon yuong peanut,she took a first bite,while focusing on the tv,after a few minutes nagkaroon ito ng rushes sa buong katawan napansin naman iyon ni Irene"anak,is that rashes?"she said while pionting at the part of Victoria's body kung saan may mga rashes"may peanut ito?"she asked her mom"yes"she said agad namang tumakbo si Victoria sa kwarto niya oara kuhanin ang gamot nito sinundan naman siya ni Irene"I'm sorry,hindi ko alam na may allergy ka sa peanut"she said habang nakayuko ang ulo. Mabilis na nilunok ni Victoria ang gamot niya hinihingal ito habang nakaupo sa gilid ng kama niya"of course hindi mo alam,wala ka namang alam pag tungkol sa akin eh"she said coldly,ibinalik na niya yung gamot niya sa lalagyanan,Irene remained standing at her door"get out!"she said pushing her mother outside her room. She slams the door and throw herself on her bed,Irene went to their room,she saw the music box that she gave to her daughter,her tears began to fall, she's aware na madami itong pagkukulang sa anak niya,at ngayon ito bumabawi alam niya huli na ang lahat but hindi siya susuko.
Naalala niya noong time na may sakit si Victoria,galing ito sa work and gusto niyang alagaan si Victoria but bago pa siya makapunta sa kwarto nito narinig niya itong tumatawa,sinilip niya ito,she saw her laughing with her Yaya Beth,minsan nagseselos din si Irene dito but wala siyang magagawa,kasi lagi naman siyang wala.
Victoria was laying on her bed"paano niya malalaman na allergic ako sa peanut eh never naman niya akong pinagtuunan ng pansin noon? tapos kanina akala mo naman kung sinong mag alaga,ngayon pa? hindi ko na siya kailangan noh. Kung kelan hindi ko siya gusto tsaka siya lumalapit"she said while looking at the ceiling
"Noon halos daan daanan lang nila ako tapos ngayon himala kinakausap na nila ako,may nakain ba sila?"Bumangon ito sa kama niya and bumaba siya sa kwarto niya,nauuhaw siya. Nagpunta ito sa kusina at kumuha ng malamig na tubig sa ref. after niyang uminom napatigil siya sa tapat ng kwarto nila Irene"I miss you,tsk"while imitating Irene's voice,she rolled her eyes at pumunta na sa kwarto niya.