Mountains To Cross

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"Mom." Tawag ko sa nanay ko na nasa sala at may pinapanood sa laptop niya. Nilingon niya ako, "Why are you still awake?"

Daddy went out of the country for a business in China. Next week pa ang uwi niya, isang linggo bago magpasko. At ngayong linggo naman ay midterm exams na namin kaya marami nang ginagawa. Tain is busy for both of his academics and next year's swimming competition.

"Just staring at some pics." She gave me a smile, "Come here."

Lumapit ako sa kanya at umupo sa tabi niya. She showed me the high definition pictures of their wedding. Mommy loves looking at these pictures. Parang every week niya yata 'tong tinitignan.

"Tito Santi, mine!" Sabi ko, medyo kinikilig, "Ang pogi, grabe!"

Mommy laughed.

"Dapat talaga nabuhay ako noon pa eh," I said, chuckling, "Lahat silang magkakaibigan gwapo. Grabe ka, Mom. Napili ka pa?"

"Hinabol ako ng Tatay mo, for your information." She chuckled.

"Ganda yan?" I joked.

I wonder what it feels like to meet my parents or the Titos and Titas when they were young? What kind of youth did they have? Pareho lang kaya sa amin o iba dahil magkaiba kami ng panahon?

It honestly makes me sad that we have to grow old someday. Siguro nga bata at immature pa ako para mag-isip ng ganito pero nakakatakot kasi? What happens after we graduate? A lot of people are lucky to know what they want to do. But life is always so uncertain. I am with my family all my life kaya natatakot ako palagi, lalo na kapag iniisip kong I have to leave this home someday.

"Noon, Mom, I really want to grow up fast." Sabi ko sa kanya, "Pero ngayon, I want to be a kid again na lang."

"That's why I told you na huwag magmadali." She said, "The world still have a lot to offer you. And you are still young. Mapupuntahan mo rin at mararanasan mo rin lahat ng gusto mong maranasan sa mga susunod pang taon. Just because naranasan na nila, dapat ikaw rin. Do everything at your own pace, Risela."

"Mommy... I have a question..." Sabi ko.

"Ano yun?"

"Is there a chance for you to... reconcile with Lola?" Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya pero agad siyang bumawi. My mother smiled at me before hugging my shoulder and answering.

"What made you curious?" She asked.

"Wala lang," Iyon naman ang totoo.

I am close with both of my grandparents. Kahit galit si Mom at Dad sa Lolo at Lola ko sa side ni Mommy, hindi nila ipinagkait sa akin na makilala sila. My mother refuses to tell me the whole story. Ang alam ko lang, they are hard on her and to my Tito Anzel. Hindi ko close ang ibang tiyahin at tiyuhin sa side ni Mommy bukod kay Tito Anzel.

Lolo is in jail. But my grandmother, she's always spoiling me and Red. Palaging ibinibigay ang mga gusto namin.

"I'm happy that your Mommy Lola loves you and Red." She smiled, "But you know, anak, we are not required to reconcile with the people who gave us so much pain and trauma. Kahit sino pa sila."

Siguro nga, marami pa akong hindi naiintindihan.

"Mommy Lola!" Sigaw ko nang makita siyang naghihintay sa gate ng Ateneo. I immediately went to her and kissed her. Pumasok kami sa sasakyan pagkatapos at nandoon na ang kapatid ko. From time to time, she will fetch us from school at magbobonding kami sa bahay nila.