Mountains To Cross

Prologue

Prologue

"Mom?" Napahinto si Mommy sa at agad na tumingin sa akin. I don't see tears on her cheeks but I know that she cried again. Maybe because it's also that time of the year. Mom forced herself to smile at me.

"Akala ko tulog ka na." Sabi ko agad, "Si Daddy?"

"Dad is sleeping." She whispered.

"Mom,"

Nasa veranda kami ng bahay ngayon. It's 2:00 in the morning. Malamig at tahimik ang paligid. Madilim ngunit puno naman ng poste ng ilaw ang bahay namin. Napatingin ako sa frame na hawak ni Mommy.

A beautiful lady smiled so purely at us. Kilala ko si Tita Sierra. Bata pa lang ako ay palagi na siyang kinukwento ni Mommy sa akin. She's mommy's best friend. Namatay siya dahil sa isang sakit na kahit kailan ay hindi ko talaga matandaan ang pangalan. It's long but it made her ceasefire so fast. Tita Sierra died in Switzerland with her husband, Tito Hav, na ngayon ay may sarili na ring pamilya.

Based on those stories, I know that she is loved. My mommy will never forget about her in special occasion, ganoon rin ang mga kaibigan nila... at si Tito Havriel. She died but she never really left.

My name, Risela, came from her second name — Riselle. I shocked everyone when I was born. Lalaki kasi ang ineexpect na anak ng mga magulang ko and there, they figured out that it's not a boy but a beautiful bouncing baby girl.

Today is the 25th death anniversary of Tita. Lumipas na ang panahon at marami nang nagbago pero tuloy pa rin ang pagmamahal nila para sa kanya. I thought about it so hard. But maybe it's because she never stopped loving her friends too.

I was called as the favorite child because I am very alike with her. Pero hindi naman totoo iyon. Kahit kailan, hindi ko naman naisip na pareho kami. We just have similar names but we are not really the same. Iyon lang ang tingin ng iba.

"Tulog ka na, Risel," My mom smiled, "Maaga pa tayo bukas sa sementeryo. Handa na ba damit mo?"

I nodded at her before kissing her cheek, "Love you, mommy. I'm sure Tita Sierra is always guiding us."

Sobrang aga nang umalis kami sa bahay. Nasa likod kami ng sasakyan ni Red habang nasa unahan si Mom and Dad at nagtatawanan.

"Doon ka nga!" Tulak ko sa kapatid ko na nakadantay na naman sa akin dahil patulog na, "Kulit mo."

"OA?" Red rolled his eyes at me, "Ganda ka?"

"Talaga. Tanong mo yung idol mong football player from Benilde. Minessage ako kagabi." I stucked my tounge out for him. Umirap muli ang kapatid ko kaya natawa ako.

"Sino naman yan?" I heard Dad, "Noong nakaraan, yung captain ball ng UP. Tapos yung swimmer na taga-FEU. May balak ka ba lumibot sa university circle?"

Red laughed.

"Daddy, it's not like I am entertaining them. Sila naman lagi yung nagmemessage sa akin. Naaamaze lang ako na ganoon. Which means, maganda talaga ako." I said.

"Thanks to my genes." Riley Miguel Lopez, my father, said. We all laughed, "Ganyan din ako noong college. Heartthrob. Swerte ng mommy niyo, siya sinagot ko."

Ngumiwi ako kay Dad.

Not after I heard their story when I was sixteen. No, I won't believe this man.

I am so grateful Mommy and Daddy fought for each other. I am so happy with my family. Kapag nagkakamali ako o si Red, they will never make me feel like I'm a failure. Masinsinan palagi ang usapan sa bahay para maintindihan namin ang isa't isa. Hindi kami natutulog hanggat merong magkaaway sa amin, it's Mom's golden rule at home.