Elegantly Imperfect

Kabanata 6

Two days later.

Isang tawag ang bumulabog sa natutulog na si Elena. She groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She wants to sleep a little longer. Ang hirap talaga ‘pag buntis. Kinuha niya ang phone sa side table at sinagot ang tawag.

“Hello?” she said in a hoarse voice and yawned.

[Thank God, you answered.]

“Mom?” nagtatakang ani ni Elena. Narinig niya ang pagaralgal ng boses nito at pinipigilang hikbi.

“What happened, Mom?” Gising na gising na ang diwa niya. Ano ba ang nangyari at umiiyak ang mama niya?

[Y-your brother and sister-in-law... the- they died on a plane crash kani-kanina lang. Someone called us and we turned on the t.v. Hindi kami naniwala ng Daddy pero doon nakasakay ang kuya mo.]

Elena immediately sits up as she gently touches her belly. Her lips trembled while processing the news her mother told her.

“W-what? Nakita na b-ba ang katawan ni kuya?” she asked with a crack voice.

[Yes.Please come home, daughter.] Her mother couldn’t stopped sobbing. Bakit ba ito nangyayari sa kanya?! Una ang paghihiwalay nila ni Raphael, ngayon naman ay ang Kuya niya. Water started to brim on her eyes.

“I will, Mom. Wait for me,” ani niya bago ibinaba ang phone. Natulala siya ng ilang sandali. Paano na si Kieran? Makakaya kaya nito ang balita?

“Barbie!” tawag niya sa kasambahay.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto niya at pumasok si Barbie.

“Ma’am, bakit po?” tanong nito.

“Can you help me pack my things? Kailangan kong puntahan ang magulang ko. Can you take care of this house while I’m gone?”

Namumula ang mukha ni Elena. Gusto man tanungin ni Barbie kung bakit ay hindi na lang siya mag-uusisa. Hindi niya buhay ang buhay ng amo niya. Better na ‘wag s’yang makiaalam.

“S-sige po. Ilang araw po ba kayo doon, Ma’am?” Kinuha ni Barbie ang maleta nito at in-arrage ang mga damit at necessities para sa pag-alis nito.

“I don’t know how long. I might stay there for years since matagal na akong hindi umuuwi. But don’t worry, I’ll call you.” Kumuha si Elena ng wipes at pinunasan ng mukha na basa ng luha.

“Magiging okay lang po ba kayo, Ma'am? Baka po mapano kayo?” sabay tingin ni Barbie sa tiyan nito.

“I’m going to be okay, Barbie. Someone will pick me up on the airport. Huwag kang magpapasok ng kahit na sino, okay? And if may urgent matter don’t hesitate to call me. Ipapadala ko sa’yo every month ang sahod mo using e-wallet.You know it naman, right?” Tinaliaan ni Elena ang buhok bago dahan-dahang tumayo.

“Yes, Ma’am. Huwag po kayo mag-alala. Aalagaan ko po ang bahay na ‘to.” Nag-promise sign pa si Barbie sa amo. Sobrang bait ni Ma’am Elena kaya ayaw n’yang talikuran ito. Besides mataas din ang sahod niya at swerte siya sa amo.

“Okay. I might leave later. Take care.”

-----

Turkey, Istanbul Airport 7:43 P.M

Mula sa ‘di kalayuan ay natanawa agad ni Elena ang ama na kumakaway sa kanya. Gustuhin man n’yang takbuhin ito ngunit hindi maaari. Nang makalapit siya sa kinaroroonan ng ama ay lumaki ang mata nito nang makita ang tiyan niya. Oo nga pala. Hindi nito alam ang nangyari. Maybe, she will tell them the truth.

“Oh my! You’re pregnant?!” bulalas ni Emir, ang ama niya. Napatakip pa ito sa bibig.

Elena smiled. “Yes, Papa.”

“God! Where is your husband, Raphael?” Agad nawala ang ngiti ni Elena nang mabanggit ang pangalan ng dating asawa.

“We will talk later, Papa. For now, I want to go home. Is Keiran with you?”

Tumango si Emir at kinuha ang maleta ng dalaga para ilagay sa trunk ng kotse. “Yes. That kid was so confused and kept calling his mama and papa.” When the kid saw the pictures of his parents, he kept calling them as if they would hear him.

“İnanamıyorum.” (I can’t believe it.) Huminga ng malalim si Elena. Hindi niya alam kung tamang timing ba ito para malaman ng magulang ang totoo pero alam n’yang hindi nito maiiwasan magtanong.

-----

“Kızım.” (My daughter.) Bumungad sa tapat ng bahay nila si Eleina, ang ina ni Elena. The woman is still pretty despite her age. Dito nakuha ni Elena ang pangalan at features nito.

Elena hugged her mother. She really missed her warmth. Nilibot niya ang dating bahay. Binago na ang pintura na dati ay kulay asul ngayon ay kulay dilaw. This is the house she saw in movies when she’s a kid. It's bright, lovely, and stunning. This imposing and grand piece of building set prettily in the vicinity of a fairly trimmed garden, combines rustic charm with breathtaking sophistication. The architects have emphasized the beauty of this home by using a muted exterior color and a variety of materials, ranging from metals to glass.

“Sonunda evde olmana sevindim,” (I’m glad you are finally home,) ani ni Eleina sa anak. “Come inside, I’m sure you’re hungry—” naputol ang sasabihin nito nang tumama ang mata nito sa malaking tiyan ni Elena.

Her mother gasped in surprise. “You are pregnant?!”

Elena giggled. “Yes, Mama.”

Her mother knitted her brow. “Why did you come alone? Where is your husband?”

“I want to tell you something regarding Raphael. Is Keiran inside?” Nagtatakang napatingin si Eleina kay Emir na nagkibit-balikat lang. Bakit mag-isa lang ang anak lalo na at buntis? Did they quarrel?

A kid ran towards Elena when he saw her inside. Bago pa makayakap ang bata ay napigilan ito ni Emir.

“Hala!” (Aunt!) sigaw nito at nag-pout. Natawa na lamang si Elena. Nakikita niya naman na mukhang hindi masyadong naapektuhan si Keiran sa pagkawala ng parents nito. Nakakalungkot na sa pagbabalik niya sa Turkey ay walang kuya ang sasalubong sa kanya at sister-in-law na makakausap niya tuwing gabi. How about Keiran? The little kid will grow up without parents, pero hindi naman nila ito pababayaan.

“Don’t you see that your Auntie Elena is pregnant? She is carrying a baby inside her womb so you should be careful,” pangaral ni Emir sa apo. The kid, Keiran, swung his head at his Aunt’s tummy and saw that it was big.

“There’s a baby?” Turo nito.

“Yes. And she or he will play with you.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Dinala ni Emir ang apo sa labas para mag-usap ang mag-ina.

“Did they recover their body?” tanong niya sa ina na pinagtimplahan siya ng gatas.

“Yes. They will send their bodies tomorrow at our house.” Nagsimula itong umiyak. “I just can’t imagine that this will happen to them? They looked so happy going out for a break then…”

“Shh. Mom, I know this is sudden even though I didn't expect this to happen. But we shall accept it. I’m so shocked when you told me the news.”

“I know. It’s just so hard.” Pumikit si Elena pra hindi tuluyang tumulo ang luha niya.

“Thar kid, I hope he grows up well even though his parents are not here anymore.”

“Mom, we are his family. We will take care and love him.”

Ngumiti ang mama niya. “Of course. Look at you, you will surely be a great mother. I’m sure Rapahel is happy knowing that you both will have a baby.”

Elena smiled bitterly. “Mama, actually, we separated.”