Under the Starlight

3

Weekend and I have no plans of going anywhere else but home. Kaya when Mom asked me to go with her sa wet market ay sumama na lang ako.

I was bored. 

Mica rarely goes to our house na lang kasi sa school na niya ako tinuturuan kung minsan. I joined the Glee club of the school and I was one of the soprano singers kaya lang wala naman kaming kinakantahan na event or competition. 

Puro practice pa lang. 

And it kills me kasi I want to know everything! I want to enhance my skills even more. 

It was actually my first time sa wet market and everything around me was so new. Hindi ko alam kung saan titingin. 

Fresh meats and fishes. I even saw a group of tilapia na catching their breaths while they're on the tiled table. Mommy was supposed to buy it for us pero I asked not kasi kawawa naman yung mga fishes. 

"Anak, kahit hindi tayo ang bumili niya. Mabibili rin sila ng ibang tao." Mom said to me. 

I pouted my lips, "At least we aren't the cause of their death. I pity them kasi I'm sure na may family sila na naghahanap sa kanila and yet they're here in the market waiting to be bought by people and have them as their food."  Nilingon ko pa ang pinanggalingan namin ni Mommy. 

I can feel sadness around me kaya while walking I have to close my eyes pa para lang hindi ko makita yung head din ng pigs na nakahang as if  they died horribly. But yeah, they really died horribly.

"That's their purpose, Liv. They were created para makain natin," sabi ni Mommy ng pigilan ko ulit siyang bumili ng pork meat. She's buying two of the pork's leg. It was painful siguro nung tinatanggal sa katawan ng pig yung legs niya. 

"Can we just buy vegetables instead? I can't eat them now, I think I will blame myself kapag binili natin po sila." I reasoned out to her. 

Mommy shook her head, "Why don't you wait me at the parking lot instead? Here's the key of the car wait for me inside. Mabilis lang ito, anak." Mommy handed the keys to me. 

I know my way out naman kaya mabilis akong nakalabas ng wet market. Hindi ko na ata makakain ang mga paborito kong pagkain knowing that those animals suffered too much before I can eat them. 

I already saw our car when I noticed an old woman, slowly crossing the road at hindi niya ata nakita na may paparating na tricycle or maybe because she's walking too slow kaya kahit na notice niya ay hindi siya makagalaw sa shock. 

Without thinking too much, I ran toward her. I embraced her and gently pull her to the side. 

"Mandadamay ka pa sa kabagalan mo tanda!"  sigaw ng driver. 

The old woman and I are both lying at the cement. The basket that she was carrying scattered all over the place. 

I rose up and looked at the man. "Ikaw yung sobrang fast mag-drive! You could have killed her because of your recklessness! Imbécil!" I shouted. 

Hindi agad sumagot yung lalaki at umalis na lang kaagad sa scene. 

The people around us didn't help us at all. I gently pull the old lady para makatayo siya. Her eyes were filled of unshed tears. 

"Are you okay po?" I asked her. 

Her white hair were all over her face. Agad kong inayos iyon and check her body if she has wound or bruises. 

Marahang tumango ako sa kanya. Para akong naka breathe ng maayos pagkakita sa kanya, "Glad that you're okay. Come on po. You have to seat po." Inalalayan ko siya at binuksan ko ang back seat ng car. 

Pinaupo ko siya doon tapos ay binalikan ko ang mga pinamili niya nagkalat sa tabi. Nilagay ko iyon sa basket niya tsaka inabot sa kanya. 

I remembered na may binili kaming grocery ni Mommy kanina before kami magpunta sa wet market. I opened the trunk and took out one sealed water bottle. I handed it to her, "Drink muna po kayo ng water." I offered to her. 

Pero her hands were trembling kaya ako na ang nag-open at inabot sa kanya iyon. She drank it at naubos niya kaagad. Maybe because she was so shock kaya naubos niya ang laman ng water bottle. 

Dinampot ko rin ang wet wipes na nasa compartment at pinunasan ang kamay niya.  "May masakit po ba sa inyo?" tanong ko pa sa kanya. 

Hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita kaya medyo nag-worry na ako for her. Maybe she was hit somewhere else na hindi ko na notice? 

"Do you want me to bring you to the hospital po?" tanong ko ulit sa kanya. 

She look at me this time tsaka umiling, "Maraming salamat sa pagligtas, ineng. Kung hindi dahil sa'yo ay baka patay na ako," dahan-dahan niyang sabi sa akin. 

Umiling ako sa kanya, "Please don't say that po. You are safe now. If you want we can still bring you the hospital. We'll just wait for my mommy po." I said to her. 

She shook her head once again at hinawakan ako sa balikat, "Salamat na lang, hija. Wala namang tumama sa akin. Natakot lang siguro ako kaya hindi ako nakagalaw pero mabilis akong kumilos." sabi niya pa sa akin. 

Tumayo na siya at nakaalalay pa ako sa kanya, "Magta-tricycle na lang ako pauwi." 

My eyes widened, "We can give you a ride home po. Nasa loob lang po ng market si Mommy pero ihahatid po namin kayo," 

I have to stop her kasi I wnat to make sure na she'll reach home safely. Wala lang naman ang kaunting out of way kung makatutulong naman kami in return. 

She tapped my hand, "Ayos lang. Malaki na ang utang na loob ko sa iyo." Kinuha niya ang basket at naglabas ng isang apple doon at binigay sa akin. "Munting bayad muna sa pagtulong mo." 

Tinignan ko ang apple na hawak ko, isang piraso lang iyon na prutas na binili niya at iniaabot pa sa akin. I gently put it back inside her basket, "You don't have to pay me po. It was my decision that I helped you." 

She smiled at me bago pumara ng motorcycle, "Kapag nagkita tayo ulit na dalawa ay ililibre kita. Hindi ka lang maganda, napakabuti mo pang bata." 

The only thing that I did was to watch her leave habang nakasakay sa motorcycle. Mom came after and I told her what I did.

"You really have a soft heart, Liv. I'm so glad na ikaw ang anak ko, kayo ng kuya mo ang anak ko. You are both a God sent to me." she said to me. 

I hope na safe na nakauwi si Lola sa kanila. I'm sure na wala siyang bruise or what kaya positive ako na wala siyang natamong sugat.  

"Malungkot ka ata ngayon."

I look up at Chari and Mica. We were in canteen para mag-eat na ng lunch namin. They bought their food for today while I have my baon. I can share my food to them since it was marami naman kaya lang we ate it na kanina during recess. 

I shook my head immediately to the two of them. I have never mentioned to anyone else that I was set for an arranged marriage. Baka kasi mag-iba yung tingin nila sa akin. 

They know me for having such a huge dreams in life. I want to travel the world, explore culture, taste different foods. Everything that I have missed during the years that I was imprisoned at home and hospital because of my illness. 

"No...I was thinking lang," I fake a laughed to them pa para they won't notice na I was bothered by something. 

Chari put the tray in front of me. She ordered a lot for today kahit nag-eat na siya kanina. "Huwag niyo kong i-judge, hindi kayo judge na dalawa. Kay Seb ang kalahati niyan." She spoke as if she read what we were thinking. 

I met Mica's eyes and so we laughed together. I really like the two of them kasi because of them ay nakapag-adjust na ako sa Philippines. It was hard at first but with their help...I managed to survive everything. 

"Kailan kayo gagawa ng project sa T.L.E? Sayang at hindi tayo magkakagrupo. Kung bakit naman kasi hiniwalay ako ni Ms. Ponti sa inyong dalawa. Tuloy si Sebastian ang partner ko," Chari said to us. 

"Ayaw mo bang partner si Seb?" tanong naman ni Mica dito. 

"Hindi naman sa ganun. Ang bebe kasi niya, clingy!" she said loudly. 

We were laughing together dahil sa iba't ibang topic namin hanggang dumating si Kuya Seb from his quick training. He has to compete kasi for the intercity level. 

Tumabi kaagad ito kay Chari and he even draped his arm around her. "Ang salaula naman, Seb!" Chari hit Kuya Seb's arm before moving a little bit away from him. 

I know that Kuya Seb likes...no he loves Chari. Si Chari lang ata ang blind doon. Also, my kuya, Kuya Leon, he also likes Micaela. Everyone around me were so in love to their special someone. 

I could also have my own love story kaya lang I'm still not ready to face it. I have a long way to go and love life will surely became a hindrance for me. 

Lucky na lang ako kasi Sancho agreed na we are not compatible for each other. Maybe if my parents saw that we are hopeless scenario, they won't push or initiate us anymore. I know that my parents will value my happiness more than anything else. They witness how hard I fought for my brain tumor when I was still young. 

"Sama kayo sa akin mamaya? Punta tayong Estrella! May dagat doon. Tambay tayo." imbita sa amin ni Chari pagkatapos ng class namin. 

I have never heard about the dagat dito sa Estrella. All I ever thought was puro trees and mountain lang ang province na ito. Tapos may dagat pala. 

Her invitation was so enchanting but I'm so tired and I want to rest. I'm using too much of my brain and my neuro reminded me na to limit everything na pwedeng mag-force sa brain ko na gumana mabuti. 

Pero hindi ko ginagawa. I know that I'm smart kaya ginagawa ko ang best ko sa class. I do critical thinking that will benefit naman din sa akin soon. I love Mathematics and I solve every math problems mentally na bawal sa akin. 

"Ayos lang sa akin pero kailangan kong bumalik sa bahay kaagad. Magdedeliver pa kasi ako sa San Rafael ng Binalot ni Nanay." sabi naman ni Mica. 

Chari pouted her lips at tinignan ako, "Next time?" patanong na sabi ko. "I promise that I'll bring a lot of snacks for us when we decided to go there! I have never been in beaches." 

And that was a truth. Dahil sa brain tumor ko ay nalimit ang pagkilos ko dahil na rin sa sensitive ang location nito sa utak. 

I was operated at America dahil doon may advance na knowledge when it comes to my condition. At dahil sa sakit ko ay hindi ko nagawa ang normal na ginagawa ng mga bata. If not in the house, I would be in the hospital. That was my routine for several years until I was operated. But it just didn't end there...I have to watch my condition for years now. I can't strain myself and if any chances that I get dizzy...I have to back to the hospital.

"Okay. Pero next time ah!" Chari said to us. 

I nodded immediately. "You are with Kuya Seb naman. You can go there and have some time together," I said while smiling. 

I really like their relationship together. They look so good whenever they were at each other's side. 

Chari rolled her eyes, "Jusko naman. Buong buhay ko kasama ko na si Seb. Kabisado ko na kahit katawan niya kaya kailangan naman namin maghiwalay kahit minsan," she said. 

Kuya Seb gently push her on her back, "Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo, Charlotte. Tingin mo ba na gusto rin kitang kasama?" 

"In denial ka pa. Tara na nga!" Chari held Kuya Seb's collar before they left us. 

We can still hear them dahil sa big mouth ni Chari. I looked at Micaela, she's looking at the two who left us din. 

"Sabay ka na sa akin?" I offered to her. 

She politely declined me, "Salamat, Liv. Malapit na lang din naman ang bahay namin dito kaya maglalakad na lang ako. Gusto ko rin kasi mag-isip muna." 

Tumango ako sa kanya. I understand her naman kaya hinayaan ko na rin siyang umalis after our quick convo. Ako lang uuwing mag-isa kasi Kuya Leon has his own means of going home. He has his motor with him. 

"O nandyan ka na pala, anak," Mom said after she saw me that day. 

I kissed her cheek bago ko binaba yung bag ko. I'm so tired! I want to sleep early tonight. 

"You seem so tired. Anyway...Sancho was here."

Naglipat agad ang tingin ko kay Mommy pagkasabi niya nun. He's here?! Why? We just met two weeks ago sa Manila tapos he's here naman? 

"Why daw po?" I asked. 

"He's looking for you. Nasa bahay lang ng lola niya pero pupunta rin siya ulit dito later kasama yung Grandma niya kaya we are so busy preparing meal for us. Why don't you take a bath and make yourself pretty for him?" nakangiting tanong ni Mommy sa akin. 

I pouted my lips, "I'm already pretty, mommy." I whispered before leaving her out. 

I tried to walk a little bit faster pero ayaw makisama ng foot ko. Gusto lang ata na mag-rest na kaagad. I still have an assignments that I need to work tapos nandito siya?

For what?

Since I have to follow my parents ay nagshower na rin ako kaagad. I choose a simple pink sleeveless dress. I let my hair fall at my back, I didn't apply any make up at all since I don't want to impress him. 

I grabbed my white sole flat shoes before spraying my favorite perfume. 

"Ma'am Olivia, nandito na po ang bisita ninyo." she announced. 

I breathe out for one last time bago ako lumabas ng room. I just want this day to be done quickly. 

Hinanda ko na ang fake na smile ko habang papalabas ng room.  Only that I stop midway when I saw the familiar old man sitting at the sofa with my "fiancee".

They both look at me and immediately the old woman smile at me tapos ay tinap niya sa braso si Sancho na nakatingin sa akin. 

Inalalayan naman siya ni Sancho na tumayo para makalapit sa akin. 

"Ikaw iyong nagligtas sa akin!" masaya niyang sabi habang nakaturo sa akin. 

Napatingin naman ako sa kanya at masayang ngumiti, not minding the shadow beside her. "I'm so glad to see you po. How are you po?" 

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at marahan iyong tinapik-tapik. "Ikaw pala ang magiging asawa ng apo ko."

Para namang nalusaw ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya. I didn't know if I have right to enjoy everything at this moment kasi wala naman talaga sa plan ko na pakasalan si Sancho. I looked at him na nakatingin naman sa akin. 

"Siya yung kinukwento ko sa iyo na dalagang nagligtas sa akin. Santino. Napakaliit nga naman talaga ng mundo at siya pala ang magiging kabiyak mo." nakangiti pang sabi nito. 

Mommy came out of the dining area and saw us. "Sancho, you're here." Mom exclaimed. 

Lumingon si Sancho dito at yumukod dito, "Thank you for inviting us for dinner, Tita." sagot ni Sancho. 

He has this low and deep voice, probably fit for his age. I actually don't know anything about him yet. I have no plans of asking it to him anyway. We don't need to know about each other anymore. 

"Liv?" Mom called me. 

Lumingon din si Lola kay Mommy at nakangiting humarap dito. 

"Oh! Kayo po si Mrs. Ramirez?" tanong ni Mommy kay Lola. 

"Esmeralda Ramirez, Nanay ng ama ni Santino." pakilala ni Lola kay Mommy. 

So that's her name. I took a glance to Sancho na nakatingin sa akin ngayon. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay tsaka inirapan. What he's looking at? Wala namang reason para tignan-tignan niya ako. 

"Nice to meet you po, Ma'am Ramirez," magalang na sabi ni Mommy kay Lola. 

"Call me Abuela. That's what my Grandson calls me..." Lumingon sa akin si Lola at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Anak mo pala siya?" turo sa akin. 

Ngumiti si Mommy kahit nagtataka yung mga eyes niya. "Yes po. My youngest po, Olivia Samantha. We call her Liv para mas maiksi po sa pangalan niya." sabi ni Mommy. 

Lola's eyes twinkled sa sinabi ni Mommy. "Your daughter was my life savior. Do you know that?"

Nalilitong tumingin sa akin si Mommy tsaka kay Lola, "A...ano pong ibig niyong sabihin?" tanong ni Mommy dito. 

"Noong weekend sa palengke. Tinulungan ako ng anak mo na hindi mabangga ng paparating na tricycle," ani ni Lola kay Mommy. 

Mom gasped tsaka tumingin sa akin, "She was the one that you were telling me, Liv?" tanong ni Mommy sa akin. 

I slowly nodded my head, "Yes po, Mommy."

Malaki ang naging smile ni Mommy at humarap kay Lola, "She told me that. We were actually looking for that person kasi worried siya. I didn't know na it was you po...and you are actually related to Sancho." 

I think amaze na amaze si Mommy sa idea na iyon. Kahit ako rin naman ay hindi ko expected na relatives silang dalawa. They don't look like each other at all. 

"Maliit talaga ang mundo. Hindi ko akalain na ang taong nagligtas sa buhay ko ay ang taong pakakasalan ng akong apo. Masaya ako na malaman iyon." sabi ni Lola. 

I turned to Sancho who's quietly watching us. Automatic na nag-raise yung brow ko pagkakita sa kanya na nakatingin sa akin. He likes looking at me huh?

"Bakit hindi po natin ituloy ang kwentuhan sa dining area? Naghanda po ako ng pagkain natin. My son and husband will arrive shortly. They just bought a drink outside." sabi ni Mommy. 

Tumango-tango si Lola at humawak kay Mommy kaya kami ni Sancho ang nahuling maglakad. 

"We didn't talk about this." mahinang sabi ko sa kanya. 

"Talk about what?" he asked. 

We both stop walking and looked at each other. Now that I'm closer to him napansin ko ang suot niyang clothe. He's wearing a royal blue polo shirt and a jeans that fit his long legs, he's also wearing a leather shoes that looks the same with Kuya Leon. A branded silver watch on his left arm---money screams onto him. 

"This...you coming and visiting here," I replied to him while placing both of my arms in front of my chest. 

He didn't smile or what, nakatingin lang siyang mabuti sa akin. "But we decided na ipapakita natin na we are trying to work on this relationship. Right?" 

I rolled my eyes, yeah, we planned that. Hindi ko lang alam na ngayon niya gagawin ito. 

"Point taken." I simply replied. 

He pat my head this time, "Thank you for saving Abuela anyway. I owe you one." He said before leaving me. 

And now...why does my heart beat faster than usual?