They're having a talk around the bonfire, kandong kandong ni Louis si Mia.
They're eating some snacks, while having some chika.
"Am am!"sabi ni Louis kay Mia at sinubuan niya ito ng maliit na marshmallow"Yum! yum!"sabi ni Mia habang gumigiling.
Everyone is looking at them pati sila Victoria at Irene.
"Amponin mo na kaya si Mia?"sabi ng dalagang kasama nila"Bakit naman? Eh hindi naman siya orphan eh"sagot naman nito habang pinupunasan ang chocolate na nakalagay sa gilid ng labi ni Mia.
Lumapit si Victoria kay Louis "Ate? Pwedeng ako din?"she said while spreading her arms, Binigay niya naman si Mia kay Victoria.
Nilalaro nila ito.
"Ang cute mo Mia!"Victoria said and pinched a little her chubby cheeks
"Gusto kitang iuwi!"she added.
As the time passes, isa isa silang lahat nakaramdam ng antok, Mia is already sleeping with teacher Ana.
Pinatay muna nila ang bonfire bago sila pumunta sa kwarto nila.
Habang naglalakad silang tatlo papuntang kwarto ay may naisip si Victoria.
Niyakap niya ang braso ni Irene, nasa likod naman nila si Louis na nakikinig lang.
"Mom, Mia is so cute, right?"she asked"Yeah"sagot nito, mahahalata mo sa boses ni Irene na antok na antok na ito. Halos hindi na sya makalakad ng maayos
"You know what, Mom? I think I love her na, she's adorable. If you don't mind lang po uhm.... Can we have a new kapatid?"she asked, nagising naman ang budhi ni Irene sa sinabi ng anak.
Louis chuckled at their back but hindi niya lang pinapahalata.
"Your mouth, Victoria! Ano ka ba?!Do you think madali lang mag buntis?" she said at mas binilisan ang paglalakad.
Victoria grabbed her hands, to stop her Mom"Pwease, mommy?"she said while pouting at nag b-baby talk.
Napasapo nalang ng noo si Irene sa anak niya"Anak, you and your Ate is enough for us na okay?"she said
"hmp! But I want a baby! I want to be Ate also!"she protested
"Hay naku, tumigil ka Victoria! Hirap na hirap ako noon na ilabas kayo, tama na yon!"she answered na medyo naiirita na at mabilis na pumasok sa kwarto nila.
Victoria faced Louis"How about you, ate do you want to have another sibling?"she asked seriously
"Oo, naman. Para may kapalit ako"she answered
"Anong kapalit? Aalagaan natin si baby, tayong dalawa. Mom and Dad will make a baby and then tayo na ang mag aalaga. Okay lang sa akin yon"saad nito, "Itulog mo na yan"Louis replied bago pumasok sa loob.
Louis was already sleeping but Victoria can't sleep, kinukulit pa din nito si Irene.
"Mommy, please? kami naman ni ate ang bahala, basta you and Dad will make a baby and then kami na ni ate ang bahala sa lahat. Promise, magiging mabuti kaming ate sakanya"pangungulit nito kay Irene, na hindi makatulog dahil kay Victoria
"Anak, pagod ako. Let me rest. Hindi na nga ako naging pantay sa inyo ng ate mo gusto mo pang magkaroon ng isa pang kapatid?"she said at humarap kay Lois na nakatalikod sakanya.
"Damot, fine! Good night mommy, love you!"she said and kissed Irene bago matulog.
Nasa gitna nila si Irene, Victoria is facing Irene, while Irene is facing Louis, Louis is facing the lamp beside the bed.
*Next day
The three are getting ready because its palengke day.
Mamamalengke sila ng mga pagkain na kakailanganin nila sa loob nh dalawang linggo
Victoria kept on asking Irene about wanting a new sibling.
"Mommy, sige na po. I'll tell it to Dad pag nakauwi na tayo, so that you can make a new one. Pwede niyo kaming iwan kila Lola para masolo niyo yung house"sabi nito habang nakasakay sa kotse.
Hinampas naman niya si Victoria sa kanyang hita ng mahina"No, is No, Victoria."she said
Victoria kept on talking but Irene didn't utter any words hanggang sa makadating sila sa palengke.
They're buying some gulay and karne when they bump into an anti-Marcos.
They started singing'Anti Marcos chant' to them.
Nagsisimula naman nang atakihin ng anxiety si Victoria dahilan para manginig ang mga kamay nito.
Naaalala niya yung landlady na umaalipusta sakanya sa England noon.
Irene was just chill at that time. She's trying to be calm as long as sge can. Pero ang totoo, parang bumabalik din yung mga trauma na naranasan niya noong umalis sila sa malacañang.
Louis is trying to calm her sister by holding her hands. She's also covering her ears but their voice is too loud kaya naririnig niya pa din ito
"Don't mind them, breathe in breathe out"Louis whispered, ginawa naman ni Victoria and sinabi ng ate niya.
Binilisan ni Irene ang pagbili upang maka alis na sila
"Marcos, Marcos! Magnanakaw! Ibalik niyo ninakaw niyo! Dapat hindi na yan pinapatungtong dito landgrabber yang asawa niya na nagpapalayas ng mga magsasaka sa bulacan! Dapat hindi niyo hinahayaang makapunta yan dito! Mga Magnanakaw!"sigaw ng lalaki habang dinuduro diro si Irene mula sa hindi kalayuan.
"Mom, hurry it's getting uncomfortable here"Louis whispered
Mabilis na umalis sila sa palengke kung saan nag eskandalo ng mag asawang aktibista.
Pumasok sila sa loob ng kotse, ang kaninang madaldal na Victoria ay nawala.
Irene went to them to check if they're okay.
She saw Victoria na nanginginig sa takot. Umiiyak ito.
"Anak, you okay? Don't worry hindi ka nila sasaktan. Mommy is here"she said while hugging Victoria.
"Mommy, I'm scared."sabi nito habang nanginginig
Kinuha ni Louis ang gamot niya sa bag, yung pang anxiety.
"Here, take this. Makakatulong ito para kumalma ka"sabi nito habang inaabot ang gamot kay Victoria.
Inabot naman sakanya ni Irene ang tubig.
After niyang inumin ang gamot ay nag ayos na sila at umalis.
"Ikaw Louis, okay ka lang anak?"tanong nito kay Louis na nakatingin sa bintana
Louis looked at her and smiled "Opo, I'm used to it naman na. Sanay na po ako"she answered at tumingin ulit sa bintana.
Victoria became quiet the whole ride.
"Why do you have those medicines pala? Are you also suffering from anxiety?"Irene asked
"Opo....but hindi na po masyado ngayon"she admitted
"I didn't know that, bakit hindi ka pumunta sa akin. Bakit hindi mo ako kinausap tungkol diyan?"she asked at napatigil sa pagmamaneho.
"Kasi ayokong makadagdag sa iniintindi niyo, kadami na nga nating problema tapos dadagdag pa ako. Okay naman na po eh, tara na po"she pleased
Pinandar naman ulit ni Irene ang kotse atsaka umalis.
After nilang makabalik, mabilis na nagtungo si Victoria sa kwarto nila
Sinundan naman siya ni Irene, binuhat ni Louis ang mga pinamili nila at pinunta sa kusina.
Irene saw Victoria crying pumunta siya dito para pakalmahin.
"Anak, it's okay. Wala na sila. Mommy is here"she said while hugging Victoria
"Mommy, natatakot ako."Sabi nito sabay yakap ng mahigpit kay Irene.
"I'm so sorry, anak. Sorry kung kailangan nitong maranasan yon. Dapat pala iniwan ko nalang kayo dito"she said, she's also in tears
"Wala naman po kayong kasalanan, hindi niyo naman po alam na magkakaganon. Sorry Mommy kung naging mahina ako kanina. Pero alam mo mommy, ate is really strong. Tinakpan niya kanina yung tenga ko, but naririnig ko pa din. But she's protecting me."bigla nitong sabi.
Habang nagsasalita ng masasama ang dalawang anti ay tinatakpan ni Louis ang tenga ni Victoria para hindi nito marinig. Ngunit naririnig niya pa din ito, dahilan para bumalik ang mga trauma niya noon.
"She's been through that. Noong nagpunta kami sa UP to watch roleplay at the theater. We were mocked habang palabas ng university with some students na anti. Ganyan din siya, nanginginig, but she managed to stay calm. Me too, I tried to stay calm kasi I'm the mother I need to be strong for my children. You and your ate are strong."she said to Victoria
"You know what, Mom? You, Tita Imee, Tito Bonget, and Wowa are the strongest person I know. I remember your stories to me yung last 3 days niyo sa malacañang. That made me cry so hard, but made me laugh at the same time. Your sweet, graceful but strong at the same time. Kayong lahat. Bilib nga ako sa family natin eh, and I'm proud to be a Marcos. Pag naalala kita, at yung mga napagdaanan niyo, nawawala yung takot na nararamdaman ko. I love you mommy!"she said and hugged Irene.
"I love you too, Victoria!"she whispered.
After that Mother and daughter heart to heart talk, Irene left Victoria at the room so that she can help Louis, and Ana to prepare their dinner.
She went beside Louis, kinuha niya ang chopping board at knife to cut some potatoes"How is she?"Louis asked while cutting the pork.
"She's okay na. Ikaw? You okay?"she asked
"Yeah, I've been through that, not just once but so many times"she answered at napabuntong hininga.
"Bilib na bilib nga sayo si Victoria, sabi niya you protectited her."she said
Louis smiled a little while her head is bowing"Good to hear that, Mom"she almost whisper
"By the way, thank you for that, anak"she said
Louis was touched sa sinabi ng mommy niya, she felt like na nagiging mabuti na siyang ate kay Victoria.
After nilang magluto siyempre kumain na sila.
Louis get the tray, she decided na siya nalang ang maghahatid ng pagkain ni Victoria sa kwarto.
She knocked first, Victoria immediately opened the door.
"Here's your food"she said while smiling
She puts the tray at the table, Victoria is looking at her.
She went near Louis and hugged her tight "Ate"she said
"Why?"she asked"Thank you! Thank you for protecting me kanina. sorry sa mga nasabi ko, Ate, binabawi ko na lahat. Ayokong mawala ka, I need you Ate!"she said na ngayon ay umiiyka na.
Pumatak na din ang luha ni Louis, she knew na hindi ito magiging totoo, dahil naghihintay nalang siya ng tamang oras para malagutan ng hininga.
"You know what, kailangan mong masanay na wala ako, paano kung isang araw bigla nalang akong mawala sa tabi niyo? Nakaya mo nga sa England diba? Kayanin mo, ako lang naman yung mawawala eh, andyan sila Mom and Dad, sila Lola, yung mga pinsan natin. Kayanin mo, okay?"she said
"Paano kung hindi ko kaya? Kambal kita kailangan magkasama tayo"she replied
"Hindi sa lahat ng oras, may mga taong nandiyan para sayo. Dadating yung oras na kailangan mong masanay na ikaw lang. Sanayin mo"she said while cupping Victoria's cheeks
"Kain ka na"she said at hinila si Victoria sa lamesa
"Kami ni mommy ang nagluto niyan"she said trying not to cry, Victoria did that too but kusang tumutulo ang mga luha nilang dalawa.
"Iiwanan mo na ba talaga kami ate? Kung kelan okay na tsaka ka aalis"she said
Louis looked at her"Babalik din ako, promise"she said
Victoria thought na yung pag papaalam sakanya ni Louis ay ang matagal na nitong pangarap na maging isang independent, but no. There's a deeper meaning behind that goodbye. Paalam na walang balikan.
After niyang kumain ay niligpit na ni Louisang pinagkainan niya at natulog na si Victoria.
Dinala niya ang pinagkainan nito sa kusina at hinugasan Irene was talking to the other kids and to Teacher Ana.
"Alam niyo po, nagmana po sa inyo si Louis. Napaka mapagbigay po niya. Alam niyo po ba yang bus na sinakyan namin siya po yung may pinakamaraming share diyan."Sabi sakanya ni teacher Ana.
"I see. Kaya siguro ang bilis mawalan ng allowance noon. Akala ko pinang Aarcade niya"saad nito.
Ngayon alam niya na ang dahilan kung bakit ang bilis maubos ng allowance niya.
"Kasama ko din po siyang tumutulong sa mga bata, tuwing summer po, nagpupunta kami lagi sa Rizal park para magturo ng mga bata na mahilig magpinta yung mga may talento po. Tapos madalas pag wala siya, siya yung laging hinahanap ng mga bata"dagdag ni Teacher Ana
"Kaya pala hindi sumasama pag may out of the country trip kami."she said
Sakto namang kakadating lang ni Louis, she sat beside teacher Ana.
Magkatapat sila ni Irene.
"So....anong na miss ko?"she asked
"Pinag uusapan ka namin"sabi ni Teacher Ana, nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Louis"Why me? Wala na bang ibang topic?"she suggested
"Eh ikaw yung pinakamadaming kwento eh, naalala mo yung pulubi na yumakap sayo noon? Yung napagkamalan kang nawawala niyang anak? Tawang tawa kami sa reaksyon mo noon."sabi ni Teacher Ana habang tumatawa, nakitawa na din silang lahat maliban kay Irene.
"Yeah I remember that! She was like'Anak ikaw si bebang yung nawawala kong anak' she said and I was like' bebang? Me?'sabi ko because the name bebang is like you know, I don't like it. Why some parents named their children bebang? Tsaka hindi bagay sa akin. But ngayon..... I don't know....sounds cute na"she said while doing some hand gestures
"But I miss her na din, si nanay Ising. Hope she's doing okay sa mental"she added
"Ay ma'am magaling po makisama itong anak niyo, nasasabayan niya po kahit may sakit sa pag iisip. Napapalapit po siya"she said while looking to Irene, Irene is looking to her daughter na mukhang masayang masaya na nakikipag kwentuhan sa kanila.
"I know. Kahit sino namang kausap niya nagiging kaibigan niya kahit sino pa"shesaid while looking at Louis, Louis is also looking at her mom and give a big smile.
After nilang mag kwentuhan, they decided to sleep na since madami ding lamokat that time at nasa bundok din kasi sila.
Sabay silang naglalakad papuntang room nila, mas lumapit si Irene kay Louis at inakbayan ito.
"I'm so proud of you, ang galing mong makisama"she said while tapping her back
"Chikahan with some people is so fun. Nagmana lang ako ng kadaldalan sayo"she said.
When they reached at their room they decided not to go inside muna they sat at the chair sa gilid ng pinto.
Nakapatong ang ulo ni Louis kay Irene, Irene was holding her hands.
"Mom, malulungkot ka po ba pag nawala ako?"she asked while looking at the stars
Irene looked at her"What kind of question is that? Siyempre naman malulungkot ako, hindi lang ako, kaming lahat."she answered
"You know what, Mom. In this world there is no permanent, may mga taong aalis pero may papalit din. Sabi nga pag may isang pintong sumara, may isang bintanang bubukas. Basta ako, I want to spend the rest of my life happily, and no regrets just enjoy!"she said
Irene became teary kasabay ng pagiging seryoso ng kanilang pag uusap.
"Bakit, iiwanan mo ba kami?"tanong nito habang lumuluha na din.
Louis looked at her with a smile, she wiped Irene's tears with her thumb.
"Soon, but not now. Promise me na hanggat nandito ako, masaya tayong lahat"she said. Masakit man ay kailangan niyang ihanda ang sarili niya at ang pamilya niya sa hindi nila aasahang biglaang pag lisan nito.
Inilagay niya ang kamay ni Irene sa pisngi niya"As long as I'm here, I want to see your smiles. As long as I'm here walang iiyak. As long as I'm here Victoria had a twin. As long as I'm here you had a panganay, okay?"she said, she hugged her Mom
"As long as I'm here, I want us to be happy, walang away, inggit, at sama ng loob. That's why I chose to forgive, so that we can move on and make new happy memories together. Hindi ako pwedeng magalit sa inyo kasi ayoko, hindi maganda sa pakiramdam, nakakapangit, sabi nga ni lola."she added
Irene cupped her cheeks"As long as you're here, were happy. As long as you're here were complete. We don't wanna lose a daughter like you, a brave ate like my manang Imee. Were so lucky to have a daughter like you, anak. Napaka maunawain mo, kahit napakadami naming pagkukulang, pinili mong magpatawad, magpakumbaba. Thank you for that. I will promise that we will make a happy memories together, again. I love you Gummy bear "she said
They stayed is that position for almost 20 minutes before going inside their room.
Umayos na sila, si Irene amg nasa gitna nila.
Louis hugged her, Irene also do the same"Good night, mommy "Louis said"Good night, I love you"she retorted"I love you all!"she said before closing her eyes and fall asleep.