The Battle of Darkness

“YOU’RE not alone, You are not sad, You are not broken, But why does it feel like you need to disappear for a moment and never come back? For fifteen years, I’ve been so happy with my life. I mean, I never needed someone to make me happy. But that was all before when we transfer next to a town where we are planning to make a life again . . . Everything here in Riverhills. “Prudence, get your things out of the truck. Uulan na at baka maabutan pa ang tito mo ng ulan sa daan,” wika ni mommy habang tumutulong sa pagdidiskarga ng mga gamit namin papasok sa bago naming bahay. I was there standing in front of the house. Iniisip ko kung ano kaya ang magiging buhay ko rito. Anyways, I have to help her. “Prudence?” she called again. “I’m coming, Mom,” walang gana kong sagot kasabay ang paglalakad papunta sa truck. “Bakit ka malungkot diyan? Ayaw mo sa bago ninyong bahay?” Tito Hinubis asked while carrying a box of . . . I don’t know. “Huh, wala po. Ako, malungkot? Bakit n’yo naman po ‘yon nasabi?” tugon ko ng may halong hilaw na tawa. “I may not know you that well, pero I can say that you’re sad. What is it?” Pagkatapos kong makakuha ng box na dadalhin sa loob ng bahay, sinabayan ako ni tito papasok. “Dito po ba kayo magpapasko sa bahay?” Pag-iiba ko sa usapan kahit na malabong malusutan ko ang tanong ni tito. Tito and I were not that close as he said earlier. That’s because we’re living in a different world. I mean not literally. May mga bagay na mayro’n ako na wala siya at may mga bagay din na mayro’n siya na wala ako. We have different life with different unique things we possessed. “Hey, you’re not answering my question.” See? Told ya. “Hindi ako sigurado pero we’ll see and update you kapag dito kami sa bago ninyong bahay magpapasko,” he said with a smile. Tito is charming as ever even though he’s in twentys. “Now, answer my question.” He opened the door and let me in first. Sabay namin na inilagay sa harap ng furnace ang mga boxes. Then we both feel to make a sit for a conversation. Good thing those was the last two boxes left. “Prudence and Nubis, kukuha lang ako ng meryenda natin sa kusina, huh,” wika ni mommy. “Let me help you, sister.” Tatayo pa sana si tito pero . . . “‘Wag na, Kuya. I’m fine. Mag-usap na lang muna kayo ni Prudence. Kaya ko naman mag-isa,” tugon ni mommy. That was too deep to hear from her. Hindi ako sigurado kung may double meaning ba ‘yong pagkakasabi ni mommy no’n pero, para sa akin may kakaibang kahulugan ang mga salitang iyon. Hindi na pinilit ni tito ang sarili niya since gusto naman niyang mag-usap muna kami. I’m sure there are lot of words, meaningful one, ang lalabas sa bibig ni tito. At ang totoo pa ro’n ay walang tapon sa bawat advices na ibinibigay niya sa akin simula no’ng iniwan kami ni Daddy for his mission on some other town. Hindi niya nabanggit sa akin kung saan pero I’m sure there’s nothing to think deep about it. He chose to leave us over his stupid mission. “I’m not sure why I agreed to mommy about,” I rolled my eyes as I raises my both arms in the air, “all of these ideas.” And drop it indisposed. “Maybe because you have to.” “Hindi ko po maintindihan kung bakit, bakit kailangan ko pang mag-aral sa isang totoong paaralan? I mean, I got you and kaya ko namang mag-aral ng mga spell books and witchery ng mag-isa. Hindi ko na kailangan pang pumasok sa iisang school for magic, eh, I’m fifteen years old and turning sixteen next week. So, what’s with the sudden idea? Can you help me convince her to change her mind, tito?” Sinubukan ko ang puppy eyes kahit na sobrang cringe for me to act at it. “Alam mo naman na sinusubukan ng mommy mo ang best niya para makapagsimula kayong dalawa ng panibagong buhay. And if she thinks that living here in Riverhills will make her plan succeeds, well, I will fully support her.” “I just miss him so much.” I just leave a deep sighed before I putted my head on tito’s shoulder. “I know.” Dahan-dahan niyang hinimas ang aking ulo. It was a week ago since my father’s burial. Hindi man lang ako nagkaroon ng chance to say sorry for what I said before he died. Now, it’s hunting me, and it feels like it’s going to follow me for the rest of my life. That’s what I’m truly worried of. “Handa na ang meryenda,” biglang bungad ni mommy mula sa pinto. She smiled and yet the sadness that is hiding in the back of her makeups is still visible to my eyes. It’s not my eyes were the one who sees it, it was my heart that saw through her. She’s, my mother. “Mag-iingat ka sa daan, huh,” bilin ni mommy kay tito habang nakatayo ako sa gilid nilang dalawa. Watching them seems giving me motivation to give Mommy a chance to execute her plans for the both of us. “Give your mom a chance to show her best. Ipakita mo at iparamdam ang suporta na kailangan niya.” “I will, sister.” Niyakap niya si Mommy. Hindi naman mahigpit ang yakapan nila pero nakikita at nararamdaman ko na sobrang mahal nila ang isa’t isa. Mas lalo ko tuloy na mi-miss si Daddy. Pinutol nila ang kanilang yakapan at kasunod na humarap sa akin si tito. “Mag-ingat kayo ng mama mo rito, huh. Ang bilin ko sa ‘yo na ‘wag kang makikipagkaibigan sa kahit kanino kung alam mong hindi sila worth it para sa trust and facts about you. Okay?” “Yes, tito. I will. Don’t you worry po that much.” “Don’t tell me not to worry. Mortals ang mga kasama n’yo rito sa neighborhood and I’m sure they aren’t ready for things that is truly beyond from their understanding.” “Pero take note po, you and mom are both mortals who understood our nature.” “Kahit na, Prudence. Mas mabuti ‘yong nag-iingat tayo para hindi na ulit mangyari ang nangyari sa Daddy mo.” Right at this moment, the vibes suddenly feel heavy. The feelings of yesterday brought back at the present. “Kuya, maabutan ka na ng ulan. Sige na,” Mommy said while she tapped on tito’s shoulder. “Okay, sister–Prudence, ang bilin ko, huh. ‘Wag na ‘wag mong kalilimutan.” “Yes, tito.” Tumango na lang ako para makaalis na siya. I’m sure hindi siya titigil sa pagpapaalala niya sa akin. I think he’s acting as my father since Daddy died. I can feel their presents and the love and support they are giving to me, and I appreciate a lot. Somehow, it makes me feels pain free. Pumasok na siya sa truck at bumusina ng dalawang beses bago tinahak ang daan paalis sa bayan. Stay safe, tito. Thank you so much!