#TCS72: Storms Could Be Weathered
Miracle Silhouette's POV
Sobrang sakit sa puso no'ng makita ko silang umiiyak lahat, at halos hindi na makahinga mula sa pagluha dahil sa kinuwento ko sa kanila. Halata mo 'yong bigat at hirap dahil sa nalaman. 'Yong pagsisisi rin sa mga mata nila kitang-kita ko.
"Did... you finally had your peace after everything?" Pierce asked when trying to keep his tears, but it kept falling, and his voice was nothing but hoarse.
I could see how he was holding Gabby's hand so delicately. Napapatungo si Pierce habang umiiling. Hindi inakala na 'yong walang muwang naming kapatid, sobrang naapektuhan din ng lahat. They thought we just disappeared from them... little did they know we suffered so much, too.
Gabby was slowly tapping Pierce's head, while crying silently. I could see how Pierce wanted to stay strong, and be Gabby's strength, but he couldn't do it because he was breaking down, too, with my experiences... with our parents' experiences... and with our family's sacrifices.
"Were you finally able to smile again after that?" mahina at nanghihinang tanong ni Harper kay Law. Law was crying on Harper's shoulder. And Harper was also weeping, trying to comfort Law, but her every touch with Law's back... she could feel every heaviness, and every pain he was carrying all this time.
"No... we still suffered..." It was Rebel who tried to answer but his voice broke. Pinahid ni Honoka ang mga luha sa mga mata nito, pero s'ya rin naman 'yong halos naghihingalo na sa pag-iyak, kaya yakap-yakap s'ya ni Rebel.
"We thought we could finally have a new life... I was hoping for a new life..." Justice murmured, and Luna was just beside him. Trying to be strong for him, but was crying with him, too.
"'Yong tipong kahit... hindi na namin kayo makita ulit... basta tama na 'yong iyak ni Momo. 'Yon na lang..." Justice wiped his tears, and tried to look at everyone, but he couldn't look at them, because he slowly bowed down closing his eyes.
Hindi ko masisisi si Justice o ang kahit sino sa triplets kung bakit gano'n ang naiisip nila. Sobrang hirap din kasi sa kanila lahat, na kahit malaki 'yong kaya nilang isakripisyo, para lang maging maayos ulit 'yong pamilya namin, gagawin nila.
"Sorry..." Justice apologized sincerely.
"Hindi namin alam... Hindi namin alam..." paulit-ulit na sabi ni Biblee, habang umiiyak sa amin. She was shaking her head badly, and was heaving up and down because it was so painful for her.
Sino ba naman kasing hindi masasaktan?
'Yong magulang mo na alam mong sobrang lakas parehas, na alam mong walang laban na sinusukuan, na alam mong kakayanin kahit ano'ng pagsubok na ibigay... gusto na lang sumuko? Gusto na lang... matapos ang lahat?
Hope was crying so hard, halos mapahiga na s'ya sa sahig dahil sa nalaman sa akin.
"I'm... so... sorry... It was on me... it was on me... kung hindi ko sana ginawa 'yon. Kung hindi sana ako nagpahatid kina Nanay, kung hindi sana ako—" Napapalo-palo s'ya sa dibdib n'ya at pumalahaw ng iyak.
"Please... Amythee..." Theon cried hugging trying to hug her.
Ang sakit makitang gano'n 'yong epekto kay Hope. I shook my head at her.
"Sana... sana hindi kita tiningnan ng gano'n... Patawad, patawad, patawad..." Her tears, broken voice, and heart wrenching eyes was too much for me. Ang sikip-sikip at ang bigat-bigat sa dibdib. Para akong paulit-ulit na sinasaksak.
I hid my face inside Akakios hug. He was tapping my head lightly, and his touch was making me feel so safe, and although hurt... I was healing with him. Rinig ko 'yong pagsinghot at mahinang iyak nito, pero kahit gano'n sobrang damang-dama ko sa puso ko kung gaano ako kamahal ni Akakios.
"Mas malaki 'yong parte ko sa trauma mo... Miracle... sobrang kasalanan ko... kung hindi ako naniwala noon. Kung hindi ako lumabas. Kung hindi kita binaril—" Sobrang sakit marinig ng boses ni Hope.
"Amythee, please..." Theon pleaded trying to calm her down.
"No! It was my fault!" Hope howled painfully.
"Stop blaming yourself... please..." I heard Akira's deep cracking voice. "Tama na 'yong sisihan, parang-awa n'yo na..." he sobbed.
"Walang may gusto ng nangyari... walang may gusto no'ng mga dinanas nila..." Honoka added while weeping.
Nilingon ko sila kahit nakakulong ako sa yakap ni Akakios. I shook my head at the heartbroken Hope. She was so pitiful to look at... ang hirap-hirap.
"Hope... please..." I bit my lowerlip, and she looked at me with so much overwhelming emotions. The blame in her eyes was too strong. Sobrang sinisisi n'ya 'yong sarili n'ya. Umiling ako sa kanya. Hindi ko gusto 'yong sisihin n'ya ang sarili n'ya.
Oo, nasaktan ako sa ginawa n'ya.
Oo, sinisi ko rin s'ya dahil sa sobrang bigat ng lahat. Kung siguro... nginitian n'ya ako ulit, kung siguro hindi n'ya ako tiningnan ng gano'n... may mababago ba sa mga nangyari?
Would I not be caged by the name Silhouette?
Would I not kill the Empress?
Would I not... stab her?
Ang daming tanong... ang daming sakit. Pero sa huli... nauuwi ako palagi sa pagpapatawad.
Kasi kung hindi ko gagawin 'yon... paano ako makakawala sa kulungan na ginawa ng sarili ko para sa akin? Paano ako mabubuhay at hihinga? Paano mabubuhay at hihinga... si Hope?
"I was... thankful you went out that night... Hope..." I told her while closing my eyes momentarily, before looking at her powerfully. Nalilito n'ya akong tiningnan. Gusto magsalita, pero tanging sunod-sunod na patak ng mga luha lang ang naging sagot.
"Kung hindi ka lumabas... hindi lang tayo ang makukuha..." Nanginginig na sambit ko sa kanya, kinakapos ang hininga.
"Kung hindi ka nag-ayang umuwi sa Nanay mo, sa tingin mo papalampasin nila na hindi makuha ang mga kapatid ko?" Mas lalong nasimulang umiyak si Hope sa sinabi ko, at matinding paghihirap na tanggapin 'yon.
"Kung uulitin man ang mga nangyari..." pahina nang pahina ang boses ko. "Mas gugustuhin ko ako na lang ang nakuha... kaysa madamay ang mga kapatid ko... baka ngayon wala na rin sila sa harap n'yo kung gano'n ang nangyari..."
"Ate..." Rebel's voice called me, and I wiped my tears, and tried to smile at him.
"Si Ate na lang... ako na lang... h'wag lang kayo..."
Justice and Law shook their heads. Nasasaktan na mas gugustuhin kong akuin ang lahat ng bigat at sakit sa puso ko. I smiled at them. Ilang beses man ako pabalikin sa pangyayaring 'yon... hinding-hindi ko isusugal ang kaligtasan ng mga kapatid ko.
"Habang buhay akong hihingi ng tawad sa inyo... Law, Justice, at Rebel..." I told them with a whole heart. I was going to be indebted to them forever, because I almost killed them, when I attempted to end my life.
I almost killed them because of how heavy it was for me to live after everything that happened.
"Ate..." Justice cried, and tried to reach for my hand.
"I'll always be forever in your debt, Luna..." I looked at my friend... no my precious family, Luna.
"Mira..." pumiyok si Luna, halata mong nasasaktan pa rin kapag naaalala ang mga pangyayaring 'yon. Kung paano ko kinayang mabuhay, sa tulong n'ya. Kung paano ko kinayang ngumiti, dahil sa pagngiti n'ya sa akin.
"Thank you... for being there when I felt desperate to live by ending my pain..." I held her hand, and caressed it. I would be forever grateful because of her.
She smiled at me, her eyes glowing with tears, her eyes were thankful that I was still here in front of her, after all that happened in the past.
Si Luna 'yong naging liwanag namin, no'ng puro dilim na 'yong nakikita namin. Who knows... if Luna weren't there all throughout... I might have succeeded ending everything when I walked to the ocean.
"Ate Miracle..." Napalingon ako kay Art nang sambitin n'ya 'yon. "Salamat..." At binigyan n'ya ako ng mapayapa at buong pusong ngiti. "Salamat... sa hindi pagsuko, Ate..."
Mas lalo akong naiyak sa sinabi n'ya. Pakiramdam ko sobrang worth it na lumaban ako noon, na kahit ilang beses ko na lang gusto sumuko, tumayo pa rin ako kahit halos wala na akong panghahawakan.
We became silent, but you could hear nothing but their heartbreaking cries for why it had to happen to us. Akakios was softly touching my hair as he tried to comfort me.
"I love you..." He would whisper from time to time, and my heart would hurt.
Bakit n'ya ako minahal nang ganito... kung minsan naiisip ko na sobrang imposible ko na lang mahalin?
Habang buhay akong magpapasalamat na ako ang pinili n'ya, at ako ang minamahal n'ya.
"What happened after... kahit papaano ba naging okay?" Napalingon ako kay Thorn nang tanungin n'ya 'yon. Sobrang pulang-pula ng mga mata n'ya mula sa pag-iyak. Idagdag mo pa si Katniss na sobrang tahimik lang pero walang tigil sa pagpupunas ng mga luha.
Hindi ako makapagsalita kaya si Law 'yong sumagot sa kanya. Law shook his head.
"When Ate... was gone... it was still hell for us..." Halos mapabuntonghininga s'ya at pinilit na h'wag umiyak, pero walang tigil sa pag-agos ang mga tubig sa mata n'ya.
"Momo was still having a hard time... she couldn't stand seeing Gabby, and hearing Gabby..." Napatingin ako kay Gabby.
I saw how hurtful it was in her eyes. Napayakap si Pierce sa kanya, at narinig ko ang hagulhol ni Gabby. Para s'yang ibinalik sa mga mabibigat na nangyari noon.
"Si Dada rin... hirap na hirap na kasi si Ate... wala. 'Tapos si Momo madalas hindi makausap, pinapabayaan ang sarili, at palaging galit sa amin..." Law continued with a hurtful voice. He shook his head lightly because it was so hard that time.
"I tried to take care of Justice and Rebel. I tried to learn how to cook, how to help Dada, how to take care of Momo..." Halos habulin na ni Law 'yong hininga dahil sa sinasabi n'ya. Sobrang hapdi sa puso ko ng hitsura n'ya ngayon.
He just looked so... vulnerable and weak.
"Minsan... sobrang palpak ng ginagawa ko... kaya lagi akong nasisigawan ni Momo."
Harper closed her eyes while holding Law's hands. She was having hard time hearing and learning Law's experiences.
"Nakakabingi... 'Yong ginawa mo naman lahat para maging okay kayo... pero 'yong maririnig mo na palpak ka rin lang? Masakit..." Law heaved a sigh, and tried to calm himself.
"Lumayo 'yong loob namin kay Gabby... at nagtagal 'yon nang sobra." Justice confessed, and bowed at Gabby to ask for forgiveness. Gabby cried louder inside Pierce's arms.
Parang pinipiga 'yong puso ko sa sakit na nararamdaman sa sinasabi nila kay Gabby.
Si Gabby na wala namang ginawang masama, pero s'ya 'yong nagdala ng mga bigat namin sa murang edad n'ya. Gabby didn't even deserve it.
"Si Momo na palaging galit at malungkot... si Dada na palaging pagod at walang buhay..." Rebel told them with a broken voice. "Ang hirap mabuhay na makikita mong gano'n sila."
"'Tapos lalo pang naging mahirap kasi si Gabby 'yong naiisip naming dahilan ba't gano'n si Momo at Dada. 'Tapos lumayo na rin 'yong loob namin kay Ate dahil tumatak sa amin na muntik na kaming mamatay no'ng naniwala at hinawakan namin ang kamay n'ya..." Justice confessed, and covered his face.
"Taon din namin hindi nakasama si Ate... kaya mas namuo sa puso namin na hindi na s'ya 'yong dati naming Ate... na sasaktan n'ya lang ulit kami..." Law looked at me painfully, and closed his eyes, ashamed of everything.
I couldn't blame them at all. Ang babata pa nila nang maranasan ang lahat nang 'yon. Syempre... 'yon ang maiisip nila. 'Yon 'yong tatatak sa kanila. I remembered their howls, and their eyes of fear.
"Sobrang lumayo 'yong loob namin kay Momo at Gabby noon... palagi kaming pumupunta kina Luna, kasi pakiramdam namin do'n lang kami tanggap at nakakahinga," Rebel spoke gently, while his shoulders were shaking.
"Kapag kasi sumusubok kaming laruin at lapitan si Gabby... umiiyak 'to palagi... pakiramdam namin kami ang dahilan kung bakit umiiyak s'ya. 'Tapos magagalit pa si Momo kasi maririnig n'ya si Gabby. Magagalit si Dada, kasi pagod na s'ya at gano'n palagi ang madadatnan..." Justice continued.
"Para kaming walang ginawang tama..." Rebel added with heavy tone of sadness.
"Kaya natakot na kaming lapitan o alagaan si Gabby. Natakot na kaming kausapin si Momo. Natakot maging pabigat kay Dada..." Law confessed striking his chest in torment.
"Minsan kapag sinasama kami ni Tita Elena at Tito Tobias sa bayan... naiingit kaming tatlo, sa mga batang tumatawa at masaya kasama ang pamilya nila... Palagi naming hinihiling... na sana... sana maging gano'n din kami..." Justice told them with tears.
"Nakalimutan na kasi namin na minsan... naging buo at masaya rin kaming pamilya. Mas tumatak sa amin 'yong lahat ng sakit..." Rebel continued while looking at each one of us.
Pakiramdam ko mas bumigat ang puso ko. Kasi sobrang hirap din no'ng pinagdaanan ng triplets.
"Luna would also... ask us if we wanted to visit... Ate. Iiling lang kami nang tahimik. Natatakot... Kaya ni minsan hindi namin pinuntahan si Ate." Law looked like he was regretting his choice back then, but I completely understood why they made that decision.
"It was hard for us, too. It was heartbreaking for us, too. But we didn't have the right to be sad, and to feel bad..." Law added while clenching his jaw in frustration and misery.
Tahimik akong lumuha kasi habang gumagaling ako, nagiging mabigat naman at nadadagdagan ang mga sugat nina Law.
"No one... saw our pain..." Justice bawled.
"Nawalan kami ng childhood... kinailangan namin maging matatag para sa sarili namin," Rebel mentioned while covering his face in sadness.
"Kapag may gusto kaming kainin, kailangan magbenta kami ng mga pwedeng ibenta para bumili no'n, kasi ayaw namin makadagdag sa problema ni Dada..." My heart gripped in pain hearing Justice's statement.
"Grabe..." Akira looked up, trying to be strong. "Ang bata n'yo pa... bakit kailangan gano'n na kayo mag-isip? Bakit kailangan gano'n na kaagad ang maranasan n'yo?" masakit na tanong nito sa amin.
"Sobrang bigat ng lahat... para sa mga maliliit n'yong kamay at balikat..." Thorn murmured, and the triplets broke down.
"Kung wala si Luna no'n... siguro makakalimutan na namin 'yong ibig sabihin ng pagngiti..." Law looked at Luna, and Luna just broke down with his words.
"Kung wala si Luna no'n... baka wala na rin kami ngayon..." Justice smiled sadly at each of them.
"Kung wala si Luna no'n... siguro hindi kami gagaling mula sa sugat ng kahapon..." Ngumiti si Rebel sa umiiyak na si Luna, kitang-kita naming lahat 'yong ngiti ng pasasalamat nito kay Luna. The one who gave us strength.
"Akala namin... no'ng nahawakan ni Momo si Gabby at ngumiti 'to nang unang beses kay Gabby no'ng mag-isang taon 'to... magiging okay na ang lahat." Pinahid ni Justice ang mga luha n'ya sa mukha at humarap kay Gabby na nakayakap pa rin kay Pierce habang umiiyak.
"Pero hindi..." Rebel's voice cracked.
"Lalo no'ng makabalik sa amin si Ate... nahanap kami ng kalaban. Muntik nang mamatay si Dada, sa pagproprotekta kay Gabby..." Law added in agony.
"Kailangan naming umalis at magtago ulit..." I bit my lower lip remembering how we needed to go again after we thought the storm was over.
Saktong aalis din sana sina Luna no'n para pumunta sa probinsya ng mga kamag-anak nila. Dahil sa pamilya nila, nakaalis kami mula sa panibagong bingit ng kamatayan. We went to another island with her family.
Balak na rin ni Tita Elena at Tito Tobias umalis at manatili sa panibagong isla na 'yon, kaya naman magkakasama pa rin kami. Do'n din sa isla na 'yon kami nagtago at sa kabutihang palad, wala nang naghabol sa amin dahil hindi nila kami mahanap.
I was still distant with the triplets with the fear in my heart that I would suddenly be haunted by the nightmares again, and I would hold their hands again to end their lives.
Naalala ko no'n kung paano ko masayang dinadama ang hangin sa dalampasigan ng panibagong isla kung nasaan kami. Naglalaro kami ni Luna noon, pero hindi lumalapit ang triplets sa amin. Kaya naman tumakbo ako papunta sa kanila.
I offered my hands at Justice.
"Justice... hawakan mo ang kamay ni Ate... laro tayo..." I tried to hold Justice's hand.
But he suddenly cried.
"Hindi, Ate... ayoko... no..." he cried, and cried, and cried, while I was holding his hand, while trying to bring him with me to the waves.
Halos magwala s'ya sa sobrang takot dahil sa paghila ko sa kanya. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit... pero nang makita ko ang matinding pag-iyak nito, at ang pagtanggal ni Luna sa kamay ko, para tanggalin kay Justice 'yon.
Para akong napaso.
Lalong-lalo na no'ng umiyak si Rebel at Law. They all cried, and begged on their knees.
"It's our fault, Ate... please don't..." Halos hindi magkaintindihang pagmamakaawa nila sa akin no'n. Do'n ako parang hinampas sa puso ko.
Takot pa rin sila... dala pa rin nila 'yong alaala ng ginawa ko sa kanila. Even holding my hand was too much for them, because they thought I would bring them with me to drown again. Tears continued to fall while the triplets were begging me not to hurt them.
"Kasalanan namin, Ate... sorry... h'wag mo na kami sasaktan..." they cried while Luna was trying to comfort them.
Kita ko 'yong bigat ng emosyon sa mga mata ni Luna. She held the triplets' hand to guide them inside our hut. And when she went out, she hugged me, and patted my back. Hindi nagsalita pero kita ko rin na nasasaktan s'ya dahil sa akin, dahil sa triplets.
"Mahal ka nila... Mira... mahal na mahal ka nila... pero bigyan mo sila ng oras..." Luna whispered after a long moment of silence, while the liquid from my eyes kept cascading down my cheeks.
Ang sakit. Ang sakit na makita na gano'n katindi 'yong epekto no'ng nagawa ko no'n.
Simula no'n... I became a little distant with the triplets because I was afraid to hurt them. Nasaktan ko si Hope... hindi imposible na magawa ko ulit ang bagay na 'yon. Kahit hindi ko na nakikita sa kanila 'yong mga batang nagmamakaawa sa akin no'n... nanatili pa rin 'yong sakit at takot sa puso ko.
Natatakot din ako lapitan si Gabby no'n. She was trying to speak, and walk on her own. But I was afraid that I would hurt her again. She was growing alone, and I was to blame why she was not feeling the love from the triplets, and Momo.
Bumabalik na naman 'yong mga panaginip na nakakatakot dahil sa mga nangyayari.
I would wake up again at night with the stares of terror, with the whispers of curses. Iiyak ako nang tahimik at walang makakaalam, dahil natatakot akong magising si Dada at Momo. Pagkatapos baka magising si Gabby, at ang triplets.
Gigising ako sa umaga na nagpapanggap na okay ang lahat.
Lumipas ang panahon na palaging gano'n. Momo was taking care of Gabby, and Dada would work. Ang triplets naman malayo ang loob sa amin ni Gabby. Sila-sila ang palaging magkakasama at palaging humahanap ng pwedeng maiitulong kay Dada.
Gabby was growing up... and finally... Momo was living again with a smile on her face.
Nakikipaglaro na s'ya kay Gabby, tinuturuan n'ya na 'to, ipinapakita n'ya na na mahal na mahal n'ya 'to. Pero hindi gano'n kadali ayusin ang lahat sa pag-itan n'ya at ng triplets. But we tried so hard to be fine.
Pumapasok na rin kami ng triplets sa school kung saan nag-aaral din si Luna.
Because of school, the triplets and I started to become close again. Palagi kaming magkakasama kapag walang klase, pati na rin si Luna. We were starting to become okay... finally... after a long time of being so broken.
Nakakatawa na ulit kami ng triplets kasama ang isa't isa. We were slowly healing... and as days passed by... mas tumatatag ang pagmamahal ko sa triplets. But their relationship with Gabby was still... a little indifferent.
The triplets matured too early with our situation. They couldn't play with Gabby because they would rather study to get free things and other things that was needed in school. They didn't want to burden Dada and Momo.
They would rather work, and find something where they could earn so they could share the burden of our family, than spend time with Gabby.
They would rather do all the household chores, and discover ways for us to become more stable than before.
They thought they were doing it for the family, but they didn't know they were drifting apart from our youngest family member.
Hanggang ngayon masasaktan pa rin 'yong puso ko kung paano palaging tahimik si Gabby sa isang tabi dahil walang pumapansin sa kanya. Kung paanong si Momo lang ang palaging kasama n'ya.
Isang beses... nasira ni Gabby ang project ng triplets. The triplets were furious, and they blamed Gabby. I thought Gabby would cry or be afraid of them... but instead... she smiled when the triplets shouted their frustrations at her.
I didn't know why she reacted like that... why would she even smile?
Then when I discovered why... it broke my heart.
Para kasing unang beses n'yang nakuha ang pansin ng triplets nang buong-buo. Unang beses n'yang naramdaman na may kapatid s'ya... dahil madalas kahit katabi ko si Gabby, hindi n'ya rin ako napapansin.
It hurt me because of my invisible presence and self, Gabby wasn't aware that I was there with her. Watching her draw on the sand, watching her talk to herself, play by herself, and try to understand things by herself.
She was so alone... and it hurt me so much.
If I weren't invisible... if things didn't happen because of me... would Gabby have a different childhood?
Momo and Dada filled Gabby with love, love that she couldn't see in me, and love that she couldn't get from the triplets.
Mas lalo rin nagagalit ang triplets kay Gabby no'n... because Gabby would play pranks, and would ruin things for their school activities, and for their little help to Dada and Momo. It was only Gabby's way... to ask for... love and attention.
Mapapagalitan si Gabby ni Momo at Dada. Magso-sorry, at yayakapin ang triplets. Umaasang mararamdaman n'ya ang kalinga ng mga kapatid... pero hirap ang triplets na gawin 'yon kay Gabby.
Sobrang sakit sa puso makita 'yon.
Si Gabby... na iiyak kasi hindi pinapansin ng triplets.
Si Gabby... na magsolong lumalaki.
Si Gabby... na bata pa lang pero sobrang dami nang naranasan na hindi n'ya dapat maranasan.
When Momo and Dada decided to put Gabby in school, although, a little young for her age. I was happy. I thought I could take care of her... I thought she could finally feel like she was still a child. That she would finally experience ordinary things that children with ages like her could experience.
But... I was wrong.
Gabby was out casted by the people in her grade, because she was always trying to befriend people, and answering the teacher with right answers.
Kami ni Luna 'yong nando'n palagi para kay Gabby kapag break or lunch. Pero hindi naman namin s'ya mabantayan sa mismong klase n'ya. She was saying that everything was okay, when it wasn't... I could always see longing and hurt in her eyes.
It was my fault... if only... we weren't in this situation.
"Nandito si Luna para sa 'yo Gabby! Aawayin natin 'yang mga 'yan!" Luna was determined to make those who were making Gabby feel like she didn't belong suffer.
"Okay lang po, Ate Luna... nandyan naman si Dada at Momo para sa akin lagi." Wala akong magagawa kung hindi yakapin si Gabby. If it weren't for Dada and Momo... Gabby would have felt like no one loved her.
"Mahal na mahal ka ni Ate, Gabby... sorry sa lahat..." mahinang bulong ko sa kanya.
"Sana mahal din ako nina... Kuya... kagaya mo, Ate..."
It was so innocent; her voice was nothing but innocent. Pero palagi naming mararamdaman ang sakit at matinding panghihina sa simpleng hiling ni Gabby.
At least... with Luna and I, Gabby was able to feel that she belonged, when other students wouldn't really treat her right.
And one day, the triplets were a little concerned with what was happening with Gabby.
"Totoo ba, Ate? Na pinagkakaisahan si Gabby?" Isang beses lumapit sa akin si Law at tinanong 'yon.
Magkasama kami ni Luna at papunta na sana kami kay Gabby para sunduin 'to. Hindi ko alam kung saan nalaman ni Law ang balitang 'yon. I looked at him with sad eyes, but nodded in the end.
"Matagal na Paeng, ayaw lang ni Gabby na pinag-aalala kayo, lalo na sina Tita Princess." Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Luna, pero hindi n'ya ako pinansin, at tinitigan nito si Law.
"Kuya ka na ngayon Paeng?" she rattled sarcastically. "You didn't even care about Gabby, right? Ang tagal ko nang sinasabi na kapatid n'yo 'yon, na bata pa 'yon, na alalahanin n'yo naman 'yon," dire-diretsong sabi ni Luna.
"Luna... please..." Justice pleaded when he came with Rebel.
"Ano, Kael? Akala mo laging kayo ang kakampihan ko? Alam kong nasasaktan kayo, alam kong may mga sugat din sa puso n'yo. Pero 'yong kapatid n'yo ba sa tingin n'yo... wala?" Luna gritted her teeth while spatting those words to Justice.
"Luna naman! H'wag ka naman magsalita ng ganyan. Ang hirap lang din sa amin ng lahat..." Rebel sighed, and looked at Luna with pain in his eyes.
"Naiintindihan ko naman Eon, alam ko naman 'yon. I saw the three of you suffer on your own. No one saw your wounds, but I was there with you. Pero... sino ba 'yong nando'n para kay Gabby? Ako 'yong nasasaktan sa turing n'yo sa kapatid n'yo..." Luna bit her lower lip to stop her pooling tears.
"Mahal na mahal kayo no'n..." Luna didn't even care when I was trying to stop her from saying those to the triplets. Alam ko kasing hirap pa rin ang triplets, pero sumusubok naman sila...
"Mahal na mahal kayo ni Gabby. Palaging nagtatanong 'yon sa akin... palaging sinasabi sa akin na... sana raw... ako na lang s'ya..." Luna wiped her tears that escaped from her eyes.
Law looked at Luna with watering orbs. Justice and Rebel were frozen on their spot. I saw how torment and regret crossed their gray irises.
"Ang sakit marinig no'n!" Luna shouted at the triplets. "Alam n'yo kung bakit?" Napatungo ang triplets sa mga sinabi nito sa kanila.
"Kasi ako raw... pinapansin n'yo kahit wala akong ginagawa... pero s'ya kailangan n'ya pang gumawa ng masama para lang makuha 'yong buong atensyon n'yo!" Luna screamed and cried to them.
Hinawakan ni Law ang kamay ni Luna.
Pero marahas na winakli ni Luna ang kamay ni Law nang hawakan s'ya nito. Umalis si Luna at mabilis na naglakad patungo sa building kung nasaan si Gabby. Naiwan ako sa harap ng mga kapatid ko. They looked like they were stabbed in their hearts.
I closed my eyes and gathered my strength. "You are all still healing..." I whispered to them, they raised their heads to look at me. They looked so weak. "Please... continue to heal with Dada and Momo's love..."
"Ate..." Rebel murmured.
"But... please also know that Gabby is also tirelessly waiting for the three of you..." I whispered to them, and ran to catch up to Luna and be with Gabby, leaving the triplets staring in the air.
Ayoko naman pilitin ang triplets na maging okay kaagad ang lahat sa kanila. Nandito lang ako, nandito lang si Gabby naghihintay sa kanila.
Nang masundo si Gabby, kaagad kaming dumiretso kasama si Luna sa may likod ng gym. Doon kasi may hagdan na semento kung saan pwede kaming umupo, at kumain ng lunch. Gabby was always excited to eat with us.
I saw that they were doing group works earlier, and she was alone. Kahit kapag PE, solo lang s'ya sa isang tabi, at hindi nakikipaglaro sa mga bata. I saw her once... she was pushed by another classmate in PE.
The teacher scolded the kid that did it, I went to the field, never minding if I cut a class. I just didn't want Gabby hurt. Dinala ko sa clinic si Gabby no'n. She was smiling while I was cleaning her hands.
"I can see you, Ate..." she murmured at me, while I was carefully wiping her dirty hands with a warm wet towel. Ngumiti ako sa kanya, madalas kasi hindi n'ya talaga ako nakikita kahit pinagtatanggol ko s'ya, at kasama n'ya ako.
I hated myself... for being invisible. Because although I was giving my hundred percent best and love to Gabby... she could only see fifty percent. It always killed me inside.
"Mira!" Nawala ako sa iniisip ko no'ng tawagin ako ni Luna at bigyan no'ng hinanda n'yang baon na niluto ni Tita Elena. Gabby excitedly ate Tita Elena's dish, and Luna was laughing with her cute expressions.
"May nang-aaway sa 'yo ngayon, Gabby?" tanong ko sa kanya. She shook her head, and smiled. I sighed heavily, and Luna and I glanced at each other while Gabby was eating. Ang sakit na hindi n'ya man lang masabi 'yon.
I knew she was being teased by her other classmates when the teacher wasn't present. Gusto ko nang sabihin kina Momo at Dada... alam kong gagawa sila ng paraan, alam kong maayos pa. Pero paano kung hindi pa rin tumigil? Paano kung tingnan lang ng iba na away bata?
But I wanted to lessen Gabby's pain.
Kinausap ko si Momo at Dada tungkol do'n. They were furious about it. And the next day, they were at the school.
I thought it would get better... but... it only got worse.
Mali. Sobrang mali no'ng ginawa ko.
Pakiramdam ko kasalanan ko na naman kung bakit mas naging malala ang trato kay Gabby.
"Gabby!" Luna shouted when Gabby pushed a student who was teasing her. Kaagad kaming tumakbo ni Luna papasok sa klasrum nila. I held Gabby, and Luna was asking the other kids about what happened.
"Baliw! Mama mong baliw! Ate mong baliw!" The student that Gabby pushed started laughing and saying those words. My heartbeat doubled, and my eyes stung because of what I have heard.
"No!" Gabby protested, and was trying to grab the kid again. Kaagad kong hinila at kinarga si Gabby palabas sa room na 'yon, at narinig ko ang hikbi nito sa akin, hanggang makarating kami sa palagi naming tinatambayan.
"Gabby... it's wrong to push people," sambit ko nang mahinahon sa kanya, at saka pinunasan ang luha n'ya.
"But... it's not wrong to say those words?" Gabby asked confunsingly. Napaiwas ako ng tingin, at nagpigil ng iyak.
"What are they saying? Hindi totoo ang sinasabi nila, Gabby..." Pinangunutan ko s'ya ng noo, 'tapos sabay kaming napatingin kay Luna na mukhang galit na galit kahit kakadating lang. Padabog s'yang tumabi ng upo sa akin.
"Miracle! Makakasakal yata ako ng bata!" sigaw ni Luna.
"Luna..." I calmly glanced at her for her not to scare Gabby who was crying silently.
"I don't want to be in school anymore..." Gabby sobbed, and stammered.
"Why? Ate's here... she's going to protect you." Hinaplos ko ang buhok ni Gabby at niyakap.
"Ate, sabi nila baliw raw kayo ni Momo..." Mas lalong umiyak si Gabby. At naradaman ko ang paghigpit ng yakap ni Gabby sa akin. 'Tapos naramdaman ko rin na niyakap kami ni Luna. Huminga ako nang malalim.
Ni minsan hindi pumatol si Gabby sa mga ginagawa ng mga kaklase n'ya. Unang beses lang 'yong kanina. At mukhang dahil na naman sa akin...
"Sabi no'ng parent no'ng isa kong kaklase... nasa ospital ka raw ng mga baliw no'ng bata ka pa. 'Tapos si Momo raw... dahil daw sa akin kaya s'ya nabaliw..."
I pressed my lips together, and cried without letting go of Gabby from the hug. Luna was bawling with Gabby, and was trying to talk to her to calm her down, when she herself was also breaking down.
"Ate... bakit gano'n sila?" inosenteng tanong ni Gabby. "Why are they hurting me? I didn't do anything bad to them... my heart hurts because they are saying bad things to Momo... and to you..."
Mas lalo akong naiyak sa narinig kay Gabby. When would it stop raining for us? When would it stop hurting for us?
"I'm Gabby... I'm not a bad child..." Gabby was heaving up and down trying to catch her breath while crying.
"Why would Momo not want me...? I'm not bad..."
Pinahid ko ang mga luhang pumapatak sa mukha ni Gabby.
"Why is Momo crazy because of me? I'm not bad..."
Hindi ko man lang magawang tingnan at magawang makapagsalita sa mga tinatanong ni Gabby. Pakiramdam ko sobrang bigat ng puso ko.
"Is that why... Kuya Law, Kuya Justice, Kuya Rebel hate me? Because... I made Momo crazy?"
Lumakas ang pag-iyak ko sa sinabi ni Gabby, nanginig ang buong katawan ko, at napabitaw ako sa pagkakayakap sa kapatid, at tinakpan ang sariling mukha ko sa matinding pag-iyak. Luna was howling painfully with Gabby's words.
"Mahal ka no'ng mga Kuya mo, Gabby... promise ko sa 'yo, mahal na mahal ka no'ng mga 'yon..." Luna tried to comfort the crying Gabby.
The three of us cried there without saying anything. Sobrang sakit at bigat lang sa amin no'ng naging epekto. Sana hindi ko na lang sinabi kay Momo at Dada... sana hindi 'to nangyayari ngayon...
Maybe if I let it pass... maybe if... Hindi ko na alam ang iisipin ko. Sobrang sakit lang.
Someone from the parents of those kids knew Momo's situation from before, and also mine. Mukhang galing din sila sa islang pinanggalingan namin noon. Kaya naman biglang nagkaroon ng lebel na baliw kami ni Momo at 'yon ang pinagkakalat at pinagsasasabi nila kay Gabby at buong school.
The stigma of what happened to us... was hurting Gabby. And it was killing me inside.
I was starting to have nightmares again. And it only doubled... when someone called me Silhouette from the parents of the kids in school.
I suddenly broke down crying, and almost threw a fit because of it. Kung hindi dahil kay Law at Luna hindi ako magiging maayos. Justice and Rebel took care of Gabby, while I was breaking down, and for the first time... Gabby saw me...
Gabby saw the monster in me...
But instead she hugged me and wiped my tears away.
Why? Because she still loves me... anyway...
'Yon lang sapat na... wala na akong hihilingin pa.
"Do you want to go to another island?" Luna asked me one weekend morning, while we were sitting on the sand, looking at the vast and sparkling ocean.
"To escape again?" I asked back.
"Wala naman masamang lumayo sa bagay na tanging sakit lang ang binibigay sa 'yo... I talked to Mama and Papa. They are okay with it... we are family, you know?" Luna smiled brightly at me. "Ayaw rin nila sa mga tao rito. Mga taong walang ginawa kung hindi manghusga sa naranasan n'yo ni Tita Princess..."
"Nadadamay na naman kayo nina Tita Elena..." mahinang bulong ko, at pinalad ng hangin ang buhok.
"Syempre ipagtatanggol kayo ni Mama at Papa. Humihina nga ang kita nina Tito Nate at Papa dahil sa mga kumakalat na balita sa inyo. Ano? Alis na lang tayo? Isang sabi n'yo lang, handa kaming pamilya." I looked at Luna, her eyes screamed nothing but concern.
"Gusto ko ring tumakas... nasasaktan si Gabby. Apektado si Momo. Nahihirapan ang triplets. Mabigat na naman kay Dada ang lahat..." bulong ko sa hangin.
"Kasalanan ko lahat..." mahinang dugtong ko.
"Wala kang kasalanan..." Luna told me softly, I smiled sadly while stretching my hands to the sky.
"One day..." Itinaas din ni Luna ang isang kamay n'ya. "One day... all of you will be okay again..."
"I hope so..." I whispered with all the hopes in my heart.
We decided to move again. Momo and Dada didn't want to run away, but because of the stigma with our mental health, the enemies were suddenly on our tracks again. They had no choice but to move again.
The Melendez also moved with us. Kasama namin sila ulit, at kahit papaano masaya kami dahil do'n.
We settled again in another island. We tried to adjust there but moved again in another. And finally settled in a remote island. Unlike in our past places, this one was smaller, and only few people were here.
Inintindi ulit namin ang pagpasok sa school, at sina Momo at Dada kasama sina Tita Elena at Tito Tobias sa mga hanap-buhay at titirhan namin. We have a hut near the sea agin. It was like the past ones.
Akala namin magiging maayos na ulit. The triplets were helping Dada with our livelihood, and they were always busy in school. Kami ni Luna ang palaging magkasama, at syempre si Gabby.
Gabby was traumatized with what she experienced in that school. Kaya sobrang ilap nito sa tao. Ayaw n'yang makisama sa mga kaklase dahil natatakot s'yang mangyari 'yong nangyari noon. She was distant and aloof with everyone.
It was painful to watch. It was only Luna and I that she would talk to at school.
She was being labelled as weird because she didn't want to get along with people in her class. Kahit mga kaedad n'ya ayaw n'ya rin. Dahil do'n nilalayuan na rin s'ya. Kapag may activities, solo s'ya, kapag may laro... solo s'ya.
"Bakit ayaw mo makipagkaibigan sa iba, Gabby?" Luna asked Gabby when the three of us were having lunch at the gazebo at the back of the elementary building. Tahimik at walang gano'ng tao sa parte na 'to.
"I'd rather be invisible in their eyes... instead of them hurting Momo and Ate... again." Natigilan ako sa narinig sa kapatid.
She was so young to carry that burden. She was so young to experience this pain. She was so... young.
"Hindi na mauulit 'yon... ipagtatanggol ka ni Ate saka nina Law," sambit ko sa kanya. She smiled sadly at me. The triplets and her were civilized, but there was still that gap between them. Ang hirap na gano'n sila sa isa't isa.
"Okay lang, Ate..."
It pained me so much that she had to go through it. She was a child, but she didn't even experience what it was like to be a child. Simula pagkapanganak n'ya... hanggang dito... ang hirap naman, ang sakit naman.
Sobrang tumatak sa kanya 'yong pinagdaanan n'ya.
I saw her one time when it was PE. Some of her classmates were trying to drag her with them, but...
"No, please no! I'm Gabby... I'm not a bad person!" Kaagad akong tumakbo ro'n at mabilis silang inawat. The ones who were trying to drag Gabby said sorry. They just wanted to include her, but Gabby felt like they were going to hurt her.
I could only hug her when she cried, so afraid of people. Ang bigat sa damdamin at puso.
Luna and I tried so hard to make it okay for her, but she was scarred deeply.
She would play in the playground alone, because most kids would bully her. They'd give her looks. Mga tingin na ayaw nila sa kanya, na wirdo s'ya, na hindi s'ya kasali sa kanila.
She would do activities on her own. Madalas ayaw s'yang isali ng iba, minsan hindi s'ya tinatrato ng tama at kabilang s'ya.
She would be afraid when someone tries to drag or pull her. Pakiramdam n'ya kasi sasaktan s'ya ng mga 'to kagaya ng palagi n'yang natatanggap.
Nakakaawa si Gabby. Paano ba magiging okay ang lahat sa kanya? Paano ba magiging maayos ulit ang lahat?
How do you even fix the broken pieces?
Hindi ko na alam...
Isang beses nakaupo kami ni Luna sa buhanginan habang tinatanaw ang dagat ng tahimik. Momo and Gabby were at the city to buy things for our family. Nagpaiwan ako, at sinamahan naman ako ni Luna.
Magkakasama si Dada, Momo, Gabby, Tita Elena at Tito Tobias ngayon sa bayan.
The triplets were busy doing their projects.
"When is it going to be better...?" mahinahong sambit ko. "Ang tagal ko nang naghihintay na maging maayos ulit kami... pero nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa..."
"Malapit na Mira... sana h'wag kang sumuko... ang layo na nang narating mo," Luna told me tenderly.
"I will always be forever sorry to Gabby to all the things she had to go through because of me..." malumanay kong bulong sa hangin.
"Hindi mo kasalanan, at siguradong hindi ka sinisisi ng kapatid mo." Nilingon ko si Luna at ngumiti s'ya sa akin.
"Hey." Sabay kaming lumingon ni Luna no'ng lumabas ang triplets sa bahay. They sat beside Luna and I. Natahimik kami at nanatiling nakatingin sa dalampasigan. Ang alon, tinatangay ng hangin... ang paghihirap kaya namin kailangan tatangayin papalayo sa puso namin?
"Is... Gabby doing okay at school?" nag-aalinlangan na tanong ni Rebel.
"Bakit hindi si Gabby ang tanungin mo, Eon?" Luna asked back. Napatingin ang triplets kay Luna.
"We are trying..." Justice told Luna softly.
"Hindi ko makita," diretsong sambit ni Luna, kaya naman hinawakan ko ang balikat n'ya. Baka mag-away lang sila ng triplets.
"Luna, nag-usap na tayo tungkol dito. Sinusubukan namin, sobrang awkward lang talaga kasi hindi kami sanay kay Gabby..." Law looked at Luna in the eyes, Luna gulped but rolled her eyes at him.
"Sana bumawi naman kayo ro'n sa bunso n'yo. Nakakaawa eh. Ang bata-bata n'ya pa para maranasan lahat 'yon... kung may trauma kayo... 'yong bunso n'yo, kayo nagbibigay ng trauma ro'n..." Natahimik kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Luna.
"Kuya kayo hindi ba? Gampanan n'yo naman nang maayos." Law, Justice, and Rebel sighed simultaneously.
"Stop making Gabby beg for love. Give her everything she deserves..." Luna told the triplets with a whole heart, wiped her tears. Law looked at Luna with teary eyes, and he slowly smiled and nodded.
"I will... from now on... I will..." Law sounded so firm, and heartfelt.
Napalingon si Luna rito. "Talaga?" Law nodded at her.
"We realized how unfair we were... we'll try harder." Justice beamed at Luna. I smiled at the triplets.
"Simula ngayon, poprotektahan namin si Gabby, at gagawa na kami ng oras para sa kanya." Rebel smiled while gazing at the ocean.
"Are you all healing with your own wounds? Palagi akong hihingi ng tawad sa ginawa ko sa inyo noon..." The triplets looked at me with what I stated, and they smiled at me, before standing up and sitting near me to enclose me in their hug.
"You've been so strong, Ate. Thank you for everything... you don't have to say sorry," Justice whispered heartily.
"You can rest, and we'll protect and love Gabby with everything from now on..." Parang nawala 'yong isang bigat sa puso ko nang marinig ko si Rebel na sabihin 'yon. I hugged the three of them back.
"Mahal na mahal namin si Gabby, Ate... kaya lang nahihirapan kaming ipakita 'yon kasi nauunahan kami ng takot..." Law murmured honestly, and I tapped his back.
The triplets... naging sobrang tatag at lakas din nila sa lahat ng nangyari.
Humiwalay sila sa akin sa pagkakayakap, at hinarap kami ni Luna.
"Ano'ng meron at mukhang nalinawan na kayo ha?" Luna asked trying to ligthten the mood, but she failed horribly because she was the one who shedded tears first. The triplets laughed at her, but you could see peace and at the same time full of emotions in their gray eyes.
"We just remembered something..." Justice smiled at Luna, and tousled her hair.
"Ano?" sabay na tanong namin ni Luna.
"How much we love Gabby... and that her name was Fate Gaebryelle Light because of us..." Natigilan kami ni Luna at halos hindi alam ang sasabihin kay Law nang banggitin n'ya 'yon.
Law smiled at Luna, and our hearts were suddenly filled with solemnity, assurance, and love.
I almost forgot how much the triplets love Gabby. When they were the ones who gave the meaning of her name.
Simula nang araw na 'yon ginawa ng triplets ang sinabi nila. Napapangiti ako kapag ko naalala 'yong mga effort nila kay Gabby.
Wala silang pakialam kahit ma-late sa practice maihatid lang si Gabby sa klase nito.
Wala silang pakialam kahit natatawag na silang clingy ni Gabby kasi palagi silang nakapaligid dito.
Wala silang pakialam kahit sawang-sawa na si Gabby sa kakornihan at kalokohan nila, mapangiti lang 'to.
Luna and I were so happy that the overwhelmed, afraid, and hurt Gabby slowly became happy and contented with the triplets' love for her.
"Pateh!" Natatawa kami ni Luna no'ng bigla na lang s'yang akbayan no'ng tatlong abo, para higitin at dalhin sa table namin. Sinalubong talaga nila si Gabby.
"Stop calling me Pateh!" maasar na sigaw ni Gabby, pero mag-aapir-apir lang ang mga abo. Babatukan naman ni Luna 'yong tatlo.
"Pili ka ng lunch, Pateh!" Rebel would say, and show her his dish. Pero hindi papatalo si Justice at ilalabas din ang ginawa n'ya para kay Gabby.
"Nako, baka may lason 'yan! Dito ka sa akin, Pateh! Made with love and care!" Justice would tell her, and we would laugh because of it.
"Tss. This is Pateh's favourite." At ayon. Panalo na naman ang Batas nang magningning ang mga mata ni Gabby sa lunch na dala nito. Ngiting tagumpay at proud naman si Law kasi s'ya ang panalo.
"Napaka-foul talaga nitong si Batas!" mag-aalma pa si Rebel, at matatawa kami sa kanila.
"Ito na lang sa 'yo, Luna!" biglang sasabihin ni Justice.
"Hoy, ikaw ang foul!" Law and Rebel would react, and we would laugh.
Our dark days... were slowly becoming better now... and I hope it would stay that way. No matter how scarred, how lost, and how dark it would rain... someday, it would be really over, because bright days would be ahead of us...
Hanggang sa lumipas ang mga panahon... may hirap at bigat pa rin. Pero nalampasan namin 'yon ng sama-sama. Lalong-lalo na hindi kami sinukuan at binitawan ni Momo at Dada. They were getting better, and happier each day.
Dada was helping Tito Tobias build his own shipping company and lines. We were slowly getting back on our feet. And we were still together. We continued running with life, and I was glad, I didn't give up...
Highschool na na ako. The triplets and Luna were also in highschool magkakaedad sila, and Gabby was in grade four—ang babata pa pero mga advance. Kumakain kaming lima ngayon sa canteen ng school.
"Hoy, Luna! May nanliligaw raw sa 'yong fourth year?!" sabi ni Rebel, natatawa ako habang iniimpis ang mga kalat n'ya sa pagkain.
"Sino'ng may sabi!?" Luna would shout at him.
"Si Pateh! May pabulaklak daw ay! Pitas lang naman sa kanto! Cheap!" Halos mabulunan si Luna sa pinagsasabi ni Rebel sa kanya, kaya naman nagkatawanan kami.
"Tss." Law would roll his eyes. "Maging captain muna s'ya ng basketball team."
"Captain na palaging late at absent?" Gabby laughed at Law.
"Burn, Batas!" Justice would tease and echoes of laughter would fill our table.
Natatawa ako sa mga pinaggagawa at pinag-uusapan nila. Puro walang kwenta pero masaya naman. Pagkatapos uuwi kami sa mga magulang namin na may ngiti sa mga labi at magkukwento ng mga nangyari sa school.
We were staring a new life. And that was all I could wish for...
But nightmares still visit me some nights, and I would still be caged, and break down, and hurt those people around me when someone would call me Silhouette.
Minsan lumilipat pa rin kami ng isla kasama sina Luna kapag nangyayari 'yon, at kapag nahahanap ng mga kalaban, pero kahit gano'n... nakakahinga na kami... sa wakas, nakakatawa at nakakangiti na kami.
We were getting there, we were healing, and we were still fighting together, and that was the most important thing.
When we settled down in a new island, we didn't stay in a hut like always, we were staying in a more modernized cemented house. 'Tapos nakilala namin 'yong kapitbahay namin. Our funny neighbour.
Gabby would always call her Tita Bakla, because of how funny she was and she would teach Gabby all of these sayings, and Luna would also join them. Tatawa-tawa kami ng triplets na palagi silang pinapanuod.
"Tita Bakla, nakita kita kahapon break na kayo no'ng manliligaw mo?" Gabby asked curiously.
May nilutong bananaque si Tita Bakla kaya nandito kami sa lilong sa gilid ng bahay namin magkakasama. Kumakain.
Tita Bakla's name was Tita Yolly. Babae talaga s'ya pero parang bakla magsalita, at mas gusto n'yang tinatawag no'n kasi masaya raw at bagay raw sa kanya. Natatawa nga ako, kasi no'ng unang dating namin dito talagang todo asikaso s'ya sa amin. She was so hospitable and kind to all of us.
Muntik na nga lang sila mag-away ni Momo no'n kasi tinawag ba naman n'ya si Dada na—"Papa P!"
Pero ngayon magkasundo na sila ni Momo, at ang tawag n'ya na ngayon kay Dada, Papa Nate—minsan nga Papa Pandesal, kapag topless si Dada galing trabaho. Ewan ko ba dyan kay Tita Bakla. Ang kulit lang, pero masaya kasama.
"Ay updated sa chismax ang bata-batuta!" exclaimed Tita Bakla and we all chuckled.
"Broken hearted ka na naman, Tita!" laughed Luna.
"Huy, hindi s'ya kawalan!" Tita Bakla guffawed, and we all laughed with her. Inabutan ni Luna si Law ng tubig kasi muntik nang masamid katatawa.
"Weh?" Gabby teased. Grabe talaga 'tong batang 'to.
"Ganito kasi 'yan, pipol of the Tinagong Island!" She even gestured for us to come closer to her. Curious kami kaya naman lumapit din kami, iiling-iling si Law no'ng sabay s'yang isali ni Luna at Rebel.
"Kapag pinagpalit at iniwan ka ng mga lalaki, never say die! Tomorrow is another guy!"
"Potek, panalo!" halakhak ni Luna, habang natatawa kaming lahat sa pinagsasabi ni Tita Bakla. Jusko, kaya kung ano-ano natututunan ni Gabby at ni Luna dyan eh.
"Alam n'yo kung 'di kayo junakis ni Papa Nate, tatlong gray ashes, paniguradong irereto ko kayo sa angkan ko!" Palakpak nito, napailing-iling naman ang triplets.
"May mga jowabells na ba kayo?" she asked the three, and they furrowed their eye brows.
"Jowabells?" tanong ni Gabby ng inosente.
"Oo, 'nak! 'Yong mga labidabs gano'n!" explain pa nito. Kaya natatawang napailing ang triplets.
"Ay mahina 'tong mga batang 'to!" iiling-iling na sabi ni Tita Bakla.
"Bata pa sila," nakangiting sabi ko naman.
"Sows bata pero ang mga mata tamang spark-spark lang kay Erina, kavough!" Luna would blush because of the tease, but the triplets would never deny it.
Napapangisi na lang ako sa kanila. May the best man win.
Years passed by like that and we were growing up together getting stronger. Dada and Momo started to train us to become stronger. Para kahit pa may kalaban, makakaya naming ipagtanggol ang sarili namin. Minsan naawa ako kay Gabby at sa triplets. Ang bata pa nila para sa bagay na 'to.
Sumasali rin si Luna sa amin. She didn't need to, because I swore, I would be the one protecting her, but she wanted to learn too.
At times, the six of us would cry together in Momo and Dada's hand, but we became stronger because of them.
"Miracle," nakangiting sambit ko at inilagay ang kamay sa harap nilang lahat.
"Luna!" exclaimed Luna as she put her hand on top of mine.
"Law!" Law smirked as he put his hand on top of Luna's hand.
"Justice!" At kagaya ng ginawa namin, pinatong n'ya rin ang kamay n'ya.
"Rebel!" masayang sigaw nito, at nagtawanan kami kasi hinampas n'ya 'yong kamay n'ya kay Justice. Justice winced because the back of his palm became red.
"Gabby!"
"Mali, Pateh dapat!" sabay-sabay na alma no'ng tatlo, pero magpa-pout lang si Gabby sa kanila. Kaya magkakatawanan kami.
"To become stronger!" we cheered together. "And to finally go back to the pasaways!"
"Sa ngalan ng buwan! Paparusahan kita! Let's go, power rangers!" At syempre magkakahalakhakan kami sa mga pinagsasabi ni Luna.
"That's not power rangers, that's sailor moon!" asar na sabi ni Law.
"Ay wow, Batas, nanunuod ka no'n, ano? Ba't alam mo?" panloloko ni Luna. Kaya magkakatawanan kaming lahat.
"Si Gabby!" Law would protest.
"Hindi kaya!" pagsakay pa ni Gabby sa kalokohan. Kaya nauuwi kami lagi sa tawanan.
Our life... was tough. It was full of stroms, rains, and disasters... but with us staying strong and always being together... I learned that... storms could be weathered.
And ours... was finally able to cross the violent ocean, and see the sun with its grace and beauty.
"Silhoue..." Napalingon ako kay Akakios nang marinig ko ang boses n'ya matapos ang kwento naming magkakapatid.
He wiped my tears.
"Welcome... home, Silhoue..." And that was when I knew, I was really finally able to arrive in the right arms, and I was finally Miracle Silhouette Smith-Evans, with a whole heart.
"Welcome home... my solace..." Akakios whispered as he kissed my forehead gently and wholeheartedly.
I smiled at everyone. And yeah... we were finally back, finally home, and finally together. We would now face a new tomorrow, holding each other.
The Improbus Ille Imperium... was finally complete. Now what awaits... was their new faces...
Because when this training comes to an end... they would be part of the highest hierarchy known in this school.
They would walk on the path of bloodshed, with head held high, as they go to their thrones, with Crowns on their heads... because since the beginning... it was their rightful places.
***