Victoria just woke up and like her morning routine she's going for a walk,she puts her sports wear on she puts her socks, it's just 3 a.m and she's still sleepy,she walks downstairs,but she paused for a second and sit at the stair,she put her shoes beside her. She put her palm on her chin,and slowly closed her eyes.
Irene on the other hand was thirsty so she decided to go down and get some water,as she walk down the stairs she saw her daughter sitting there. She saw her daughter sleeping. Natatakpan naman ng buhok ang mukha ni Victoria kaya inayos niya ito,pero nagising si Victoria what are you doing?"she asked with her morning voice"natatakpan kasi ng buhok yung mukha mo eh, it's too early pa kasi for jogging eh,bakit hindi ka nalang sumabay sa amin mamaya ng dad mo?"sabi nito at umupo sa tabi ni Victoria. Kinuha ni Victoria ang isa nitong sapatos at isinusuot niya,kinuha naman ni Irene ang pangipit ng buhok mula sa kanyang wrist itatali niya ang buhok ni Victoria. As she puts her shoes her mom was tying her hair,she didn't utter any words hinayaan niya nalang iyon,after that she went to the kitchen to make lemon water.
Irene went to their room ang wake Greggy "Greg? wake up,mag jojogging tayo"she said while putting her sports wear. Greggy rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock "it's 3:30 palang"she said at humiga ulit sa kama"eh sasabayan natin si Victoria,halika na"she said while shaking Greggy's body. Bumangon na si Greggy at nagbihis na din,Greggy was still wearing his shirt but Irene pulled him outside, he's like a turtle napakabagal magbihis.
Victoria saw her parents,her mom was wearing her sports wear,while her Dad is still wearing her shirt,habang pababa sila inaalalayan naman ni Irene si Greggy dahil tulog pa ang diwa nito.
"sasabay kami sayo"sabi ni Irene habang hinihingal ito"you're going with me? eh hindi pa nga nagsisimula hinihingal ka na?"she said with a cold voice,but nacucutan siya kila Irene"Hindi,kaya namin"she said at malakas na hinampas si Greggy,dahilan upang magising ang budhi nito"aray"sabi nito habang hinahaplos ang balikat niya kung saan hinampas siya ni Irene.
"okay,if you say so"she said at lumabas na ng bahay. "Gregorio,umayos ka,tara na nauna na si Victoria oh"sabi nito habang hinihila palabas si Greggy,para silang bata si Irene na hinihila si Gregorio sa amusement park.
they're walking at the village,nasa likod ni Victoria ang mga magulang niya,napansin naman nito na nahihirapan si Irene kay Greggy dahil inaantok pa ito,hila hila naman kasi siya ni Irene.
She rolled her eyes at tinulungan si Irene para akayin si Greggy"bakit pa kasi sumama eh"she whispered but Irene heard it. Ilang minuto nilang hinihila si Greggy and pagod na pagod na sila,they sat on the floor at doon nagpahinga saglit"bakit kasi sinama mo pa,hindi mo nalang hinayaang matulog "she said stamping her feet,Irene was just looking at her daughter while smiling. Victoria opened her water bottle at uminom,wala namang dalang water sila Irene. "here,baka himatayin ka sa daan"she said at ibinigay kay Irene ang tubig"thank you"she said at inabot ang tubig"Love,ako din I'm thirsty"he said habang nakapikit ang mga mata nito"no, don't give it to him,pabuhat lang siya eh,hindi ka naman napagod,Dad."she protested"mommy mo kasi mapilit eh,kasarap palang ng tulog ko"he said at inakbayan ang dalawa ng mahigpit"Dad ano ba hindi ako makahinga!"she said at tinanggal ang kamay ni Greggy"edi don't"he said at niyakap si Irene, Victoria simply rolled her eyes,Irene saw her pero nginitian niya lang ito.
after 30 minutes nilang magpahinga,at gising na gising na si Greggy they continue jogging. Nangunguna naman sila Irene nasa likod nila si Greggy nakasunod,may nakasalubong silang nagtitinda ng pandesal,but hindi nila iyon pinansin at patuloy na nag jogging,lumiko sila sa isang kanto,napansin naman ni Irene na wala na si Greggy"where's your Dad?"she asked"I don't know,dapat kasi sinabayan mo eh baka bumalik na yun sa bahay?"she said while drinking water"No,nakita ko kanina nasa likod ko lang eh,hintayin nalang natin dito. Pahinga muna tayo"sabi nito at umupo muna. After 5 minutes nakita nila si Greggy papunta sakanila and he's holding a brown paper bag, he's eating some pandesal"saan ka nanggaling? Ba't katagal mo? tsaka ano yan?"sunod sunod na tanong ni Irene
Napanganga naman si Victoria sa itsura ng daddy niya,jogging while eating?"isa isa lang mahina ang kalaban"she said while chewing his food"Gregorio ano ito jogging ba or lamon?she asked habang nakapamewang,nanonood lang naman si Victoria sakanila"Eh gutom na ako eh"he said"you want?"he offered pandesal but Irene just rolled her eyes ",you want?"she asked Victoria,kumuha naman si Victoria, she's also hungry na din. Pinagsaluhan nilang dalawa ang biniling Pandesal ni Greggy,si Irene naman nakatingin ng masama kay Greggy.Greggy went to Irene and give her a pandesal"wag ka na magalit,nagutom lang kasi ako eh"
"sa susunod wag ka na sumama ha"she said as she accepted the pandesal "sa susunod wag mo na ako ulit gigisingin ha?"he said, Irene rolled her eyes again.
after nilang kumain ng pandesal,nakadating na sila sa park,nagpunta si Victoria sa isang swing,ganon din sila Irene at Greggy,nasa gitna nila si Victoria. Naglalaro silang parang mga bata.
Naalala tuloy ni Irene yung time na inilalabas nila ang kambal at nagpupunta sa park, they're so happy,ganon din ang mga bata.
After nilang nanatili sa park they decided na umuwi na,Irene and Greggy are walking while holding their hands together,nasa gilid lang naman nila si Victoria, she's holding her water bottle. Greggy saw her daughter kinuha niya ang kamay nito na siyang ikinagulat ni Victoria,lumilipas kasi ang utak nito habang naglalakad sila,pinunta niya sa gitna si Victoria,hinawakan ni Greggy ang water bottle nito at hinawakan nila ang kamay ni Victoria at naglakad pauwi.
"Ganito pala yung pakiramdam na pinagtutuuann ka ng pansin ng magulang mo,sana noon ko pa ito naranasan"she thought
After 30 minutes nakadating na sila ng bahay,agad na nagpunta si Victoria sa kwarto nito,ganon din sila Irene at Greggy they took a shower tapos kakain na sila.
Nagbibihis na ngayon si Victoria nang kumatok si Beth sa kwarto niya,pinapasok niya naman ito agad. Kinurot ni Beth ng mahina sa bewang si Victoria "ikaw ha? ano yung sinabi sa akin ni Irene?"she said habang nakasandal sa kama ni Victoria "na alin po?"she asked"eh wala ka namang allergy sa mani ah? bakit ka nagsinungaling?"she asked raising her eyebrows "wala lang,trip ko lang"sabi nito habang naglalagay ng lotion sa kanyang mga hita. Hinampas naman siya ni Beth sa legs nito"aray!"sabi nito"bakit mo naman sinabi yon? eh favorite mo kaya yung peanut butter Jelly sandwich"sabi nito at lumapit kay Victoria "eh gusto ko yung gawa mo lang"she said and hugged Beth"eh ano yung mga pula sa katawan mo kahapon? tskaa no yung ininom mong gamot?"she asked with full of curiosity,natawa naman si Victoria "don't worry yaya, mosquito bites lang yon,tsaka yung gamot? yaya vitamins lang yon"sabi nito habang tumatawa"loko loko ka talaga,nagmana ka talagakay Irene"sabi nito"nagmana? saan banda?"she said at biglang nagbago ang mood nito"madami"sabi nito. Kinuha ni Beth ang suklay at sinusuklay ang buhok ni Victoria
Hindi namn nila alam na narinig pala ni Irene ang usapan nila. She was about to call Victoria dahil kakain na,she saw Victoria with Beth talking and narinig niya din yung sinabi ni Victoria na hindi talaga siya allergic sa peanut "I knew it,hindi ka talaga allergic doon"she thought, she's just watching them until sinuklay ni Beth angbuhok ni Victoria,parang may tumutusok sa dibdib nito"sana ako din,sana bigyan mo din ako ng chance maging annay sayo Victoria,sana ako din yung hanapin mo"she thought at umalis na.
Tahimik lang naman si Irene na nakaupo katabi sila Greggy,at Louis.
Narinig naman nila ang tawanan nila Beth at Victoria and that makes Irene hearts hurt. Victoria is sitting with Beth they're talking and laughing,Irene just smiled at them weakly"Yaya I want those"Victoria said at agad naman nilagyan ni Beth ang plato ni Victoria "just a little yaya"she said while gesturing her hands like this 🤏 Beth put a little . Irene was just looking at her daughter.
"here,you look tired hun"Greggy said while putting some roce on Irene's plate,napatingin naman sakanaya si Victoria, Victoria just give her a blank look. Kumain na sila,after nilang kumain, Victoria went to the garden with Beth,tinitirintas nito ang buhok ni Victoria nakita naman iyon ni Irene. "yaya,you know what, sometimes I wish na ikaw nalang yung mommy ko"she said,nasaktan naman si Irene sa sinabi ni Victoria "Bakit naman? maswerte ka nga si Irene ang nanay mo"sabi nito"paano mo nasabing maswerte yaya?"she asked"sweet siya,maalaga,higit sa lahat mabait"she said habang tinitirintas ang buhok nito, Victoria sigh"you're right, she's sweet kay Louis, she's maalaga to Louis,and she's kind to Louis"she said coldy,Irene was shocked when she Heard it from her daughter,she rush to go upstairs at doon umiyak.
VICTORIA'S POV
we're here at the garden with yaya I asked her if she can braid my hair at pumayag naman siya. While she was braiding my hair,I saw my mom's reflection at the mirror, she's watching us"yaya,you know what, sometimes I wish na ikaw nalang yung mommy ko" sinadya ko talagang marinig niya yun, yaya asked me why and sabi niya maswerte daw ako kay mommy,tsk. Paano ako naging swerte eh hindi naman nila ako pinapansin noon,kasi yung tingin nila sa akin noon nerdy,kasi puro lang ako aral ganon lang, she's always paying attention to my twin sister,paano niya malalaman na I can also sing,play piano and paint,kung hindi niya ako napagtutuunan ng pansin?"you're right, she's sweet kay Louis, she's maalaga to Louis,and she's kind to Louis" I saw my mom's reaction,and tumakbo ito sa taas,bakit natumbok ko ba? eh totoo naman eh,sweet siya kay Louis,mabait siya kay Louis,at maalaga siya kay Louis.
After maayos ni yaya yung buhok ko,I went to my room,pero bago ako makapunta sa room ko,I heard a sobb,sinundan ko ito at nanggagaling ito sa room nila mommy. Sinandal ko yung tenga ko sa pinto at oo nga umiiyka siya "nasaktan ba siya?"she thought, Victoria felt guilty when she heard her mommy sobbing,but nananaig pa din ang galit niya dito dahil napaka rami nitong pagkukulang.
Tumulo naman ang mga luha nito,agad niya itong pinunasan"you deserve it,dapat lang na marinig mo yun. "sabi nito at nagpunta na sa kwarto niya. After niyang kuhanin ang kanyang phone ay lumabas na ito,kasabay ng paglabas niya sa kwarto niya ay ang paglabas din ni Irene mula sa kwarto nila.
Irene's eyes was puffy,she looked at her daughter,who is looking at her coldly. Irene just smiled at her daughter,naglakad naman si Victoria sa harap niya na parang hindi nito nakita si Irene,Irene want to hug her but nakalayo na ito,she covered her mouth with her hands,parang may tumutusok sa dibdib nito.
She went back to their room,nakita nito ang litrato nila ni Victoria. Naalala nito yung time na bata pa siya,she used to sneak at their room and ask Irene if she can read a story for her.
Victoria went to her parents room wearing her night dress"Mommy,can you read this for me?"a three year old Victoria asked while holding her book. Irene smiled. Victoria went to Her parents room,since their bed is medyo mataas nahihirapan itong umakyat,pinapanood naman siya nila Irene at Greggy. She put the book on the top of the bed, she's having a hard time to go up"maybe we can help you"Greggy offered but Victoria refused it"I can do it daddy"she said habang patuloy na umaakyat sa kama,nahihirapan siyang itaas ang mga maliliit nitong paa,habang ang maliliit nitong kamay ay nakahawak sa kumot. "you can do it"they said,after nilang maghintay sawakas nakaakyat na si Victoria,but she's sweaty na,pinunasan naman agad ni Irene ang pawis nito. Siniksik ni Victoria ang maliit nitong katawan kila Irene at Greggy,pinisil naman ni Irene ang mataba nitong mga pisngi"so cute"sabi nito, Victoria crossed her legs and leans on her mother's shoulder,Irene started to read the story. Victoria was just listening to Irene,in the middle of the story Irene paused,she heard some snore,she looked at her daughter, Victoria also looked at Irene,tapos sabay silang tumingin kay Greggy, he's already sleeping habang humihilik"Mommy,daddy is noisy"she whispered to Irene"Let's go to your room?"she asked, Victoria nodded. Tumayo na si Irene at kinuha ang robe nito,while Victoria was stack on Greggy nadaganan nito ang pantulog ni Victoria "Mommy,I can't move!"she whispered to Irene. Irene let out a chuckle. Victoria is pulling her night dress,nahihirapan ito dahil mabigat si Greggy."Let me help you"Irene said at lumapit kay Victoria,she pulled her dress at natanggal ito"wow mommy, you're so strong!"sabi nito habang nakangiti sa mommy niya. Binuhat ni Irene si Victoria at nagpunta sila sa kwarto nito.
Nung nandoon na sila sa kwarto ni Victoria ay bumaba ito"wait, mommy"she said at agad na pumunta sa kama nito,nagtataka naman si Irene. Victoria went to her bed,at pinagpag ito,then lumapit siya kay Irene at hinila ang kamay nito"here mommy"she said while tapping the space beside her,umupo naman si Irene at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkukwento kay Victoria.
"The end"she closed the book,she looked at her daughter who is already sleeping. Inayos niya ito,at kinumutan,she kissed her forehead before leaving her room. She went back to Greggy at natulog na
Irene's tears was scaping through her eyes as she remembered those memories with young Victoria. She smiled weakly"sorry,for being imperfect,sorry for making you feel that you're unloved by me."she whispered. She went to the bathroom to wash her face,after that bumaba na ito.
She went downstairs Louis is talking to her Tita Imee and Tito Bonget,Mama meldy was not home she went to a Visit somewhere here in Ilocos,Greggy was watching tv,Beth is at the kitchen cooking for their lunch, Victoria is at the sala with Greggy but may distance ito. Victoria was busy scrolling through her phone. Irene went to Greggy,tumabi siya dito,she want to get the attention of her daughter,Napansin naman ni Greggy na kanina pa nakatingin si Irene kay Victoria "matunaw yung anak natin"she whispered,Irene hugged her arms,she looked at Greggy and smiled. Greggy kissed her forehead.
"they're growing so fast,kadami nang nagbago sakanila"she whispered little did she know Victoria was secretly listening to them"Yeah,mas lalo ko silang nagiging kamukha"he said"Ako kaya"she said at hinampas ng mahina si Greggy, Victoria simply rolled her eyes at umalis kung nasaan sila Irene at Greggy. She went to the kitchen she saw Beth cooking"Hi yaya!"she greeted and hugged her at the back,nakita naman iyon ni Irene from the reflection of the mirror sa gilid,tinitignan niya lang ang kasweetan ni Victoria kay Beth."anong ginagawa mo dito? umalis ka dito,magiging amoy bagoong ka,alis na!"sabi nito pero mas hinigpitan pa ni Victoria ang pagyakap dito"kiss muna"sabi nito habang nakanguso ito at nakapikit pa"Ang kulit mong bata ka ah?!"sabi nito at kinurot ng mahina ang bewang ni Victoria "sige na kasi"pangungulit nito kay Victoria "nanay mo ba ako? doon ka kay Celestina"sabi nito, Victoria frowned "ayoko nga"sabi nito at umupo sa lamesa while crossing her armsBumaba ka nga dyan,gusto mo magkapigsa sa pwet?"sabi nito at hinampas nanaman ang legs ni Victoria,agad namang bumaba si Victoria. Irene saw that, she's jelous.
Victoria and Beth keeps teasing each other,patuloy namang nanonood si Irene sakanila,napansin naman iyon ni Greggy,then he hugged her wife"pwede ba ako naman yung tignan mo?"he asked,Irene looked at him,nakita naman ni Greggy na naluluha na si Irene,niyakap niya pa ito ng mahigpit"babawi tayo,okay?sabi niya at hinalikan ito sa noo,at pinunasan ang mga luha nito.
Victoria saw her mother,she knows na umiiyak ito"pinaramdam mo din ito noon sa akin eh,you deserve this kung naging pantay kalang sana,kung wala kalang sanaglng naging favorite wala sigurong problema"sabi nito habang nakatingin kay Irene na akap akap ni Greggy.
*Lunch
Victoria is sitting at the dining table,silang dalawa ni Louis,hindi naman sila nagpapansinan. Iren3 went to Victoria at tumabi siya dito si Greggy naman tumabi kay Louis. Irene smiled at Victoria but Victoria is not looking at her, she's waiting for someone and Irene knows that's Beth.
Nakaupo na silang lahat,nasa gitna nila Beth at Irene si Victoria,Beth was putting juice on Victoria's glass while Irene is putting some rice and ulam on her plate, Victoria said thank you to Beth and she keeps on ignoring Irene.
Tahimik lang si Irene that time,while Victoria is teasing with Beth,napansin naman ito ni Greggy, he looked so worried to Irene. Alam niyang nagseselos ito,Irene was just looking at them.
Nasasaktan si Irene sa nasasaksihan nito parang sinasaksak siya ng paulit ulit sa dibdib. Linipigilan naman nitong hindi maluha. After nilang kumain,tinulungan ni Irene na magligpit si Beth. Napansin naman ni Beth na matamlay si Irene"okay ka lang?"tanong nito,Irene simply nodded her head,Beth holds Irene's shoulders "wag kang mag alala papansinin ka din ni Victoria,alam ko mahal na mahal ka ng batang yan"sabi nito,Irene gave her a weak smile"thank you"sabi nito.
After nilang magligpit at mag hugas ng pinagkainan,nagpunta na sila sa sala, they're watching movie again, Victoria was sitting beside Imelda,and Imee. While Louis is sitting beside her Dad and Tito Bonget. Hindi naman alam ni Irene kung saan ito pupwesto,then Beth called her,nagpunta naman siya dito,nakatingin naman sakanya si Victoria pero hindi niya ipinapahalata"dito ka na"sabi nito at umupo naman sa tabi niya si Irene"kalaki mo na Celestina,kelan lang nung karga karga kita"sabi nito. Beth was Irene's yaya before and malapit din siya dito. Beth was caressing Irene's hair,nakatingin naman sila sakanilang dalawa pati na din si Victoria "uy meron ditong may white hair na nagpapa baby!"sabi ni Bong"inggit ka?"sabi naman ni Imee"Hindi noh,may Liza ako pwede akong mag pa baby doon eh ikaw may baby ka ba?"sabi ni Bonget,na siya namang kinakunot ng noo ni Imee. Imee looked at Bonget na parang gusto niya itong saktan"Mukhang may gustong maulit dito na habulin ng itak"sabi nito habang nakatingin ng masama kay Bonget,tumahimik naman ni Bonget ang make a peace sign. "tumigil na nga kayo,ang tatanda niyo na,kung gusto niyo hukayin niyo yung mga dati niyong yaya at magpayakap din kayo doon"she said,napatingin naman sila kay Imelda"hay nako mommy,parehas lang kayo ni Manang Imee walang baby,diba Irene?"sabi nito nanlisik naman ang mga mata ni Imelda at Imee kay Bonget"aba wala akong alam diyan,ayokong matakwil"sabi naman ni Irene. Nag aasaran lang silang lahat,minsan naman ay tumatawa din si Victoria sa kakulitan ng pamilya niya,pero nagmomood swing ito pag si Irene ang nagsasalita.
{ don't forget to vote and comment}