His Serenity: A School Love Story (Fallen Angels Series 2)

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. Characters, some places, events, and incidents are a product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any events, places or persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental and are pure inventions. Copyrights: All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or part in any form. Any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an informational retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author. HIS SERENITY © Josiah Dela Cruz 2019 ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------- FOREWORD To those who have been crying in silence, Hearing their hearts break in the process You have come so far now. We break. We cry. We feel alone. And yet, we manage to stand For the world to see, How all those heartaches Filled our hearts with pure love... This is for us. PROLOGUE I always love the deep blue ocean, its saltwater, and the cool breeze lightly blowing my hair in all different directions. I find contentment and relaxation resting on the white fine sand with my toes hiding with them; staring into the never-ending water below the stretching blue skies above. Waves crashed against the shore. I smiled. Ilang beses na akong nakaligo sa tahimik na dagat simula pa noong bata ako. Hindi na kinailangan ng swimming lessons para matutong lumangoy. I learned by practice. At ang tanging nakakaalam lang noon ay si Mamita. She is my grandmother. Not biologically but she's kind and caring to me like Grammy and Grampy. Siya na rin ang nagpalaki at nag-alaga sa akin habang lumalaki ako rito sa isla. I closed my eyes and smiled a little. Kahit gaano mo kagusto ang isang bagay o lugar, may pagkakataon din na gugustuhin mong maranasan ang iba pang bagay. That's what I was always wishing since that day I received the laptop Grammy gave to me as my 13th birthday. May computer sa bahay pero iba pa rin kapag sariling gamit mo na ang ginagamit mo. Dad was doubtful about it at first, but since Grammy insisted, wala rin siyang nagawa. Kaya naman hindi ko lang ipinapakita sa kanya na ginagamit ko at baka kunin niya. I used that laptop to search for things about the real world. What it is to be thirteen if I were living outside this island. What it is to be free. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo. Masaya ako rito. Pero ang sabi ni Mamita, normal daw sa isang tulad ko ang maging curious sa bagay-bagay lalo at kailanman ay hindi ko nilisan ang islang ito - sa loob ng labintatlong taon. And now I'm fourteen and I'm still about to know what the real-life in the outside world is. Ang sabi rin ni Mamita, tiyak daw na gugustuhin ko pa rin ang tahimik na lugar na ito kaysa ano pa man. Sa panahon daw ngayon, madalang na ang ganitong klaseng lugar. Payapa. Malinis. Malayo sa maingay at magulong sibilisasyon. I nodded with her in agreement, but my mind was wandering, thinking about life in the cities I've seen on the internet. How cute most of the school uniforms are, their school activities, the cars. Their night out life. The huge malls. And many more. Kung bakit mas pinili ni daddy ang manirahan sa lugar na ito ay hindi ko alam. Mamita would say the same things about how peaceful this place is. Si daddy ay hindi ko matanong ng maayos. I don't actually remember him answering me whenever I tried making a casual talk, like a usual family in the movies and TV series I've watched. He's always formal and serious. He would only smile whenever Mamita says something funny and it's out of customary respect. His smile was forced. Genuine but forced. He's strict. Minsan ay tinanong ko kung maaari akong sumama sa pag-alis niya sa isla na may kinalaman sa family business pero hindi niya ako sinagot. Sinubukan kong magpumilit sa kagustuhang sumama pero nagalit siya. "Don't be stubborn, Serenity. Stay here," he said in a frustrated tone. Sumakay siya sa naghihintay na helicopter. Si Mamita ay hinila ako palayo roon. I didn't wait for the helicopter to take off. Tumakbo ako pabalik sa mansyon at paakyat sa kwarto ko. I hated it when dad acts cold towards me. As if I am not his daughter. But I want to understand him. I want him to know he has a daughter who would never get mad at him. Because I love him. Hinawi ko ang mint green na kurtina. Palihim kong sinilip mula roon ang paglipad ng helicopter. "Take care, dad," bulong ko sa sarili. There's a reason why he's like that. And that reason proves to me I am his real daughter. My mom. And I have her eyes. Hindi man nila aminin, alam kong si mommy ang dahilan kung bakit ganoon si daddy. The only thing is, I didn't know where she is. Sa tuwing nagtatanong ako ay natatahimik ang lahat. I often saw him staring at my mom's huge frame on their bedroom. With a glass of alcohol on his hand, he would murmur how much he misses her. He would repeat 'I hate yous' to her but just hearing his broken sobs, I know, how much he loves her. He loves her so much that it pained him. Loves her so much it's killing him every day. Pero patuloy na lumalaban si daddy para sa akin. Because he loves me too. Iyon ang sinasabi ko sa sarili sa tuwing nasasaktan ako sa pambabalewala niya. My dad loves me so much, as much as he loves my mom. "Serena!" somebody's voice joined the wind calling me. Ngumiti ako sa dagat bago hinarap ang tumawag. Rowan is swinging himself on the hammock between the two tall palm trees on the sides. Kumaway siya at ngumiti sa akin. Ang brown niyang buhok ay tinatangay ng malakas na hangin. His red cap is on the sand. Nakapatong doon ang cellphone niya upang hindi tangayin ng hangin. A seagull from somewhere screeched. Pinanood ko ang paglipad noon bago lumapit kay Rowan. "You're lost again. Nandito pa 'ko," aniya. Muli ay tipid akong ngumiti at pinagsalikop ang mahabang buhok. "Hindi ka pa ba uuwi? Kanina ka pa rito. Hindi ka ba hinahanap sa inyo?" "You know my mom knows I'm here. Takot ka lang yatang makita ako rito ng daddy mo." Lumapit ako sa puting bench na malapit sa puno at naupo roon. Pinag-ekis ko ang mga binti ko at idinuyan iyon, ang mga kamay ay nakalapat sa upuan. "He was really mad when he first saw you here. At nang maulit pa ay nagtangka siyang bibilhin ang rest house ninyo sa malapit na isla para hindi ka na makapunta pa rito." "Don't worry! Mamita is always on our aid. She'll help us with your dad," masaya niyang sinabi. Malaki ang ngiti sa akin. His brown eyes mirroring the color of his curly hair. I glanced on his bowrider on the shore tied on the nearby huge rock. Natatabingan iyon ng ilang puno upang hindi makita ni daddy mula sa malayo. The first time they went here with the driver of the boat - whom he said was their guard - I was sleeping on the hammock. Naglilibot-libot lang sila at napadpad dito dahil naubusan ng baterya. That's the first time we met and the first time dad saw him. Nagalit din siya sa akin at sinabing huwag akong makipag-usap sa kung kanino lang. I thought he'd ban me from staying in this part of the island pero hindi naman niya ginawa. He helped Rowan and the driver to get back to their island. The next day, bumalik ulit sina Rowan pero sinabi ko sa kanya na magagalit si daddy. "I just want to make friends," that's what he said. I was thrilled with the thought of having a friend, but the thought of dad getting mad at me worried me so much. So I dismissed Rowan's friendship. Mag-iisang buwan ang lumipas nang muli siyang bumalik. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay mag-isa na siya. Siya ang nagmaneho ng bangka. That was five years ago and he was only eleven. "From now on, I'll visit here in secret," deklara niya nang tanungin ko kung bakit siya bumalik at mag-isa. "You can't do that!" "I can! I just did it!" He was persistent to start a friendship with me. Sinabi ko sa kanyang dapat ay magpaalam siya sa kanila kung pupunta rito. Kinuwento ko ang tungkol sa kanya kay Mamita. She was against it at first but after realizing how much I wanted to have friends, she agreed. Kaya naman ang pagbisita rito ni Rowan ay kay daddy lang lihim. The second time he sees him, Rowan said he's only practicing his driving skills and didn't mean to stay on the island for long. Mas naging maingat na kami pagkatapos noon. Rowan became a really good friend to me. I don't want to lose him. Dahil din sa mga kwento niya ay mas lalo akong naging interesado sa totoong mundo. "Really dad?" masayang tanong ko na hindi na napigilan ang sarili. Matalim ang naging tingin niya sa akin kaya't agad akong natahimik pero hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti sa labi ko. He's taking me to Grammy and Grampy's house today! This means I'm finally going to go out on this island! "We'll go back the next day," paliwanag niya. I nodded eagerly. Dad wants Mamita to come with us but she said she's too old and weak she'd rather stay here than tire herself. Dad was worried about her so we waited for another two days before we left. Bago ang pag-alis namin ay dalawang tao ang dumating. It's not Uncle Matt and friend, Sierra. I remember the pretty girl with a wavy hair named Miracle. Minsan ko na siyang nakitang pumunta rito at madalas din siyang ikwento ni Mamita. She said I should call the girl aunty. "Hi, Princess!" the guy greeted me. Kumaway siya nang makalapit ngunit napangiwi nang sikuhin ni Aunt Miracle. Nilingon nila si daddy na nakatayo sa aking gilid. His expression told me he was offended with the name the guy used to me. The guy shrugged apologetically but didn't say anything. He took a step near me. I narrowed my eyes to avoid debris of sand from getting in my eyes. Hinawakan niya ang buhok ko at marahan iyong ginulo. "Ang laki mo na!" Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya. "You don't remember me, do you?" Tumitig lang ako. Hindi sumagot. I don't want to offend him by saying no. "Call me Uncle Rex or Tito Rex." "Uncle Rex," I told him. He and Aunt Miracle smiled. "We have to go. Please take care of Mamita. We'll be here in two days," si daddy. "No need to hurry. Take your time. I'm sure Serenity wants to visit some places too. Right, Princess?" Muli ay tipid akong ngumiti. I badly wanted to nod in eagerness but I know dad is watching me. "We're only visiting her grandparents' house. It's not a field trip, Rex." Dad walked to the waiting helicopter the two just arrived with. Kumaway ako sa kanila bilang pagpapaalam bago sumunod kay daddy. Tahimik ako buong byahe kahit medyo kinakabahan dahil ito ang unang beses na makasasakay ako ng helicopter. And to think na unang beses ding makaaalis ako ng isla. Nakapagpaalam ako kay Rowan noong isang araw kaya hindi na siya pumunta pa kahapon. He told me to just relax and enjoyed the view from the air kaya iyon ang ginagawa ko ngayon. Inayos ko ang headphone na nakasuot sa akin at sinulyapan si daddy na malayo ang tingin. Sa helipad ng isang hotel bumaba ang helicopter. Sobrang mangha ako sa taas noon kumpara sa ibang mga buildings. Tuwang-tuwa rin ako sa elevator na nasakyan namin. Medyo nahilo pero nag-enjoy. Rowan told me so much about anything kaya alam ko naman ang tawag doon. Itinago ko na lang sa sarili ang pagkamangha para hindi mapansin ni daddy. Outside the building which I soon learned a hotel, a sleek black car was waiting outside. Ibinigay ng valet kay dad ang susi. Marahan akong tumango sa lalaki nang pagbuksan niya ako pintuan sa backseat. Buong byahe ay tahimik ako. Maya't maya ang pag-awang ng mga labi sa bawat magagandang tanawing nakikita. I even saw a well-known coffee shop and some restaurants and commercial sites. Marami ring magagandang sasakyan. Malalaki ang mall buildings at maraming tao. Kuminang ang mga mata ko nang makita ang isang school bus na nagbababa ng ilang estudyante. "When will I study in normal school, dad?" Sa sobrang galak ay naitanong ko. Imbis na bawiin ay nilingon ko si daddy na seryosong nagmamaneho. Nagsalubong ang kilay niya sa akin sa rearview mirror. Tutorials are good. Pero hassle din kung minsan dahil kakailanganin pang bumyahe ng ilang tutors sa iba't ibang subjects na galing pa sa Manila. After my twelfth birthday, I do online tutorials. Kaya lang iba pa rin talaga ang totoong school. I never asked dad about it. Ngayon lang talaga. "Our home is on the island, Serenity. There's no school near our place." I blinked and immediately became attentive. Hindi ko inaasahang sasagutin niya ako. Alam kong kanina pa rin niya ako pinapanood habang naaaliw sa paligid. But as long as I'm quiet, hindi siya magagalit. "There's a school near us, dad!" I informed him. "Ro-Mamita said there's a small school on the neighboring island." "We don't know the people there." Ngumuso ako. Paano namin makikilala kung ayaw naman niyang makipagkilala? "What about in Grammy and Grampy's house? Makati is big. I can choose from whatever school near their place." Naging mabagal ang patakbo niya. Pinanood ko ang pagkuyom ng kanyang kamao sa manibela. I bit my lip. "I will not leave you, dad. I can stay with Grampy's house for the weekdays and go back to the island for the weekend. Or the helicopter could fetch me-" "That's too much work, Serenity. You'll continue your online study," he said with finality. Natahimik ako at tumango na lang. Sa isang kilalang village naroon ang bahay nina Grammy. Malaki iyon kaysa sa inaasahan ko. Nang huminto ang sasakyan sa harapan ay napansin ang mabiga na paghinga ni daddy. Titig na titig siya sa malaki at nakasaradong pintuang kahoy. "Dad?" I called him. I feel excited to be and just wanted to run for the door pero nag-aalala ako sa kanya. Hindi siya sumagot. He closed and opened his eyes before quickly getting off the car. Nang sumunod ako ay bumukas ang malaking pintuan. Sandaling nawala ang pag-aalala ko kay daddy. Namuo ang ngiti sa aking labi nang makita sina Grammy at Grampy na naghihintay sa amin. Si daddy ang unang lumapit. Sumunod ako sa pag-akyat sa hagdan. I waited for him to kiss Grammy and nod to Grampy before I stepped from his back. "Serenity dear!" Grammy wrapped me around her arms. Malaki ang ngiti niya at tila mangiti-ngiti pa. "I'm glad to see you here!" Sinulyapan niya si daddy na punong-puno ng pagpapasalamat ang mga mata. And I know it's because of them kaya pumayag si daddy na dalhin ako rito. Pumapasyal naman sila ni Grampy sa isla kahit noon pa man. Kaya lang ay madali na silang mapagod ngayon kapag nasa byahe kaya naging madalang pagbisita. They are both happy to see me visit their home now. Pinipigilan ko lang sarili na sabihin kung gaano rin ako kasaya dahil nanonood si daddy. We stayed in the mansion for four days. I have my own room Grammy fixed for me with my favorite color, mint green and a touch of light blue. Daddy stayed in the room on the right. Halos magkulong siya roon at bababa lang kung tawagin nina Grammy o para sa pagkain. Nang sumunod na araw ay tinanghali ako ng gising. Nasa hapag-kainan kami nang mapansin kong hindi pa rin bumababa si daddy. "Dad must be hungry now, Grammy," sabi ko, para sana tawagin ulit nila si daddy para kumain. Grammy smiled. "He's out early, iha. Mamaya lang ay narito na iyon." "Eat your food now." Tipid na ngumiti sa akin si Grampy, katulad ng dati ay titig na titig. Ngumiti rin ako sa kanya, lalo na nang makita ang sariling mga mata sa kanya. I did not ask anyone, but I know they are the parents of my mom because of those eyes. Hindi pa man kami natatapos ay dumating si daddy. Medyo basa ang itim na long sleeves polo dahil umaambon pala sa labas. Agad na nag-utos si Grammy ng towel sa kasambahay. Sinulyapan ko sina Grammy na ngayon ko lang napansin na parehas ding nakaitim. Matapos pag-usapan ang tungkol sa panahon ay tahimik muli kaming kumain. Sinaluhan na kami ni daddy. For some reason, kahit busog na ay hindi pa ako tumayo. I cleared my throat and glanced at everyone. Nang masigurong nakatingin sila sa akin ay tuwid akong umupo. "I was only thinking po. Since I'm out of the island for only days, maybe, I can see my mom now?" Nilingon ko si daddy. Alam kong nasa kanya pa rin ang desisyon. Sinabi ko ito sa harapan nina Grampy para kahit papaano ay hindi siya magalit sa akin. So I waited for his answer. But he lazily continued eating his food. Grammy had to call him to get his attention back to us. "You already know the answer, Serenity." "But dad—" "No. I said no." "But I want to—" He stood up and looked down on me. "It's not because you want, okay? Not all the things you want to have will be put in your hands! You can't see your mom. Not now!" Grampy called his name but he continued walking upstairs. Grammy tried to talk to me in a gentle way but I shool my head. I excused myself and went upstairs too. Sa kwarto ay umiyak ako. Simply because I don't cry in front of anyone, no matter how close they are to me. Simply because I want to smile again with them after I overcome this one. Dahil sa nangyari, akala ko ay babalik na kaagad kami sa isla. But we stayed the next day. Nang hapong iyon ay maraming tao sa backyard. Tingin ko ay may salo-salo. Hinanap ko si daddy pero wala. "Uncle Matt!" sigaw ko nang makita siya. Kumaway siya at inilagay sa malapit na mesa ang basong hawak. Tumakbo ako sa kanya. He laughed as he held me up and wrapped me around his arm. "You're big and heavy now!" aniya nang ibaba ako. Bumungisngis ako. "I missed you! Why are you here?" Nilingon ko ang iba pa na pamilyar sa akin dahil minsang bumibisita sa isla kasama siya. Pero si Uncle Matt ang pi pakamalapit sa akin. I love his golden hair and blue eyes, parang dagat. Isa siya sa nakakaalam na natuto akong lumangoy na mag-isa at ang natatanging taong nakasaksi ng muntikan ko nang pagkalunod. I instantly likes him dahil hindi niya ako isinumbong kay daddy. "Serenity," people greeted and called me. There's something in their eyes and I smiled back at them. Isa sa kanila si Uncle Steve kasama ang anak niyang si Seyer. I didn't know he has a son actually. Kapag pumupunta sa isla ay wala silang kasamang ibang bata. Nakakatampo na hindi man lang nila ako hinayaang magkaroon ng kalaro. And Rowan is my secret. "You said you have a wife, where is she?" tanong ko kay Uncle Matt habang nakaupo kami sa damuhan sa gilid ng backyard. I was sitting on his coat on the grass. Nagtaas siya ng isang kilay. "Dad also has a wife, my mom. Uncle Steve has a wife because he has a son. What about your wife? Why all your wives are missing?" Sandali siyang natahimik ngunit nanatiling nakangiti. Matapos tumitig sa kawalan ay bumaling sa akin. "What about your Uncle Rex? He's with your Aunt Miracle on the island right now?" "But they're not married! They are not husband and wife!" Malakas siyang tumawa bago nagkibit balikat. "Where's my mom, uncle?" Instantly, the smile was gone. Sinadya kong gawing seryoso ang tanong ko para seryoso rin niya ako. Tumitig siya sa mga mata ko, bumuntong hininga at sa huli ay umiling. "You should be asking your dad." "He wouldn't even want to talk to me." "How can you say that?" I shrugged my shoulders. He playfully pushed me. Surprised, I fell on my side. Tinulak ko rin siya pabalik. Hindi ko na rin pinilit ang magtanong. I actually have a feeling of what the real answer is. Marahil ay natatakot din akong malaman ang tunay na sagot. My mom is just somewhere else. Nagkaroon siguro sila ng hindi pagkakaunawaan ni daddy kaya lumayo. Someday, when dad is fine, he'll let me meet her. We'll see each other again. But that day didn't come. Dad never became 'fine' with it. I was fifteen and when Grammy told me about mom. I think it was almost a year since dad let me went to their house. I know why people in their house preferred to wear a black or white dress and shirt. There's a reason. In the last summer of my fourteen years, dad has thought of sending me to a real school. I was excited. Isang beses lang niya iyong nabanggit. Nang sumunod na taon ay nagpatuloy ako sa aking online schooling. Dad and I left the island a weeks earlier before the annual event the next summer. Iniwan niya ako sa mansyon para sa isang business out of the country. Grampy said daddy would have a surprise for me when he got back. There's a little hope inside me that wishes it was my mom. But I was wrong. Before daddy came, Grammy told me the real story. They even asked Uncle Matt to bring me to her and keep it a secret to daddy. My mom. Princess Stacey Yanes-Ruskin.  Born: August 18, 1985 Died: March 27, 2005 'You'll forever be missed', was the quote on the bottom. "You... You guys didn't tell me," I sobbed. I just can't believe it. For years, I wished to have a real mother. Kung anuman ang naging dahilan ni mommy sa pag-alis ay mapapatawad at matatanggap ko pa rin siya. But I didn't know na hindi na pala kami magkikita. "We have to go. Hindi ka dapat makita rito ng daddy mo," si Uncle Matt. I looked up at him and saw the forlorn in his eyes after looking at my mom's gravestone. On our way here, he told me how mom became like a sister to him. They met in a forest, he said. I didn't ask how because I was eager to be here. And now I don't have the strength to ask more about my mom's past life. I ran for the car first. Tahimik siyang sumunod at hindi pinansin ang padabog kong pagsara ng pinto. Sa mansyon ay sinalubong ako nina Grammy. I couldn't hide the tears rolling down my face. Kitang-kita ang pag-aalala sa mga mata nila. I forgot to give them the smile I usually plastered on my face. "Your dad's on his way here. You have to fix yourself quickly," si Grampy sa isang seryosong tono. I nodded and quickly went upstairs. Only after fifteen minutes, daddy came. And I was smiling again. "I'll be sending you the following weeks in the real school," dad announced while we all sat in the living room. Umalis na si Uncle Matt upang hindi magtaka si daddy. Iniwasan kong bumaling sa direksyon nina mimi para hindi ko na rin makita ang awa sa mga mata nila. I don't want to suddenly burst in tears here. I don't want to cause trouble to anyone. Alam kong magagalit si daddy kapag malaman niya. Still, I was surprised. He's sending me to the real school now. Pinanatili ko ang ngiti sa aking labi kahit unti-unti na iyong naglalaho. Maybe that's the reason why my grandparents told me about mom. They know I'd be set out in the real world now and I'd have more questions. "R-Really, dad? I'm e-excited! Thanks, dad!" He stared at me. With tight lips, I smiled bigger, takot na makita niya ang bakas sa mga luha ko. At ang nagbabadyang pagpatak nito. Now that I know about mom, I want to hug him tight. To comfort him. I want to tell him na kaya namin ito. Pero hindi ngayon. I need to control myself. "Uhm... should I start packing my things? Which school? In here, or near our island?" Or in my mom's school. I didn't voice that out loud. Hindi katulad ng naging tanong ko last year. I couldn't even get to open a topic about her now. Hindi ko na kakayanin pa ang pigilan ang emosyon kung marinig ko ang pangalan niya. He didn't answer. But this time, it was real. He's really sending me off to school. Ikinabigla ko nang malamang sa isang dorm ako titira na nasa loob din ng school. I won't be able to go home until next summer. Ayoko sana noon pero ayaw ko rin namang magdalawang-isip pa si daddy. I agreed without even knowing I would be trapped in one place again. And this time, it's the real world. It made me think if Mamita was right, should I wish to be home again, or stay locked up in that place they called school.