The Ruins of Winter

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"Thank you, Manang." Juan Luis said.

Habang tumatagal, lalong bumibilis ang oras. Apparently someone brought that video of our fight in social media. At imbes na ako ang makasalo ng mga batikos ay si JL ang nakakakuha dahil siya lang naman ang may social media account. From that point of view, it really looked like I am hurting Laurie unprovoked. Navideohan lang ang parte kung saan nakabawi na ako sa pananakit niya sa akin.

Days and nights are just the same to me now. Ang kaibahan lang, alam kong lumipas na ang oras kapag umuwi na si Juan Luis galing sa trabaho. When he's finally home, it's probably 10:00 in the evening already, which means that I have to sleep. I truly can't wait to sleep everyday. Gumigising lang ako para pagurin ang sarili at para makatulog ng dire-diretso sa gabi, dahil kapag hindi ako napagod ay magiging mababaw ang tulog ko at hindi ako makakatulog ng maayos.

Kaunting kanin lang ang inilagay ko sa pinggan. JL stopped putting rice in his and looked at me, "You should eat more."

Umiling ako. Wala akong gana. Sa totoo lang, damang dama ko na ang pagpayat. Even if the food tastes good, I just don't feel like eating a lot. Kaya kaunti lang ang kinukuha ko ay para hindi masayang ang pagkain. Kapag nagtira ako, sayang naman. I remember telling Isaiah to finish everything on his plate because there's a lot of children in the world who doesn't have anything to eat.

Sinusunod iyon palagi ng anak ko. Kaya dapat ay gawin ko rin. This won't satiate their hunger but it's a statement that you are grateful for what you have on the table right now. Those are the morals that I continuously taught Isaiah, and I should live by that. I will live by that.

Napalingon kami sa labas nang may pumasok na sasakyan. It's a surprise visit from Tito Elian. Pero hindi si Tita Given ang kasama niya sa araw na ito. He's with his friends— Tito Santi and Tito Joaquin. Mula sa kotse ay bumaba ang isang maliit na bata at agad na binuhat ni Tito Joaquin. My lips parted.

Tumayo si Juan Luis upang pagbuksan sila ng pinto.

"Good afternoon. Nanggugulo lang." Tito Santi said, showing the cake that he was holding.

"What's with the beard Juan Luis?" Tito Joaquin pointed out, "Bless kay Tito."

The little girl did what she was told. JL smiled and greeted her.

"Kain muna po kayo," Juan Luis told them, "We are having lunch right now."

"Tamang tama!" Tito Elian said, "Gutom na kami. Hi, Erys!"

"Good afternoon po..." bati ko.

Umupo sila sa harap ng hapag at nagsimulang kumain. I looked at the little girl who is seated across from me. Tingin ko ay apo ito ni Tito Joaquin sa anak ni Tita Zarnaih. I heard how their daughter is adopted and Tito has a first wife. She looked so lovely in her pink dress and pigtails. She's intently looking at the food like a hungry adult.

"Do you want the meat?" tanong ko sa kanya. The little girl nodded at me.

Ngumiti ako at kinuha ang meat para ilagay sa sariling pinggan, I'd slice it first and then put it on her small plate.

"Ay nako, Yana is even bothering Tita Erys." Tito Joaquin chuckled.

"Hindi po..." sabi ko, "Okay lang."

It's really okay. I watched how she ate all the meat I gave to her without minding the adults around her. Nang matapos niya ang lahat ng iyon ay nagtatakbo siya papunta sa sala at naghanap ng mapapanood ng cartoon. I chuckled. I stood up and went to her to help her out.