Dahlia's Lover

CHAPTER 09

Green Umbrella

"I'm really very sorry sa nalaman po ninyo... but I will make sure na hindi mangyayari ang demolition dito sa orphanage."

I'm desperate. Kasalukuyan akong nasa orphanage at kausap ko si Mother Zara. Ako ang nag-kusa na dalhin ang sarili ko dito, and besides, I want to talked to her too. Marami akong gustong sabihin sa kaniya.

She smiled at me, with assurance and understanding. Mother Zara touched my left arm and caressed it.

"Maupo ka muna. Kumain ka na ba?" akmang aalis siya nang pigilan ko siya.

"Tapos na po ako kumain... salamat po. N-Nandito lang po ako para... makipag-usap." pahina nang pahina ang aking tinig. My gaze is on my foot, I'm embarassed. Naubos na ang kahihiyan na mayroon ako magmula nang malaman ko na i-d-demolish ang orphanage na matagal ko'ng pinaghirapan na itaguyod.

At first, nag-aalanganin pa ako na magpunta dito Knowing the situation, I don't want to come not ready. I want to at least, be able to think about the things that I want to say. Ayoko muna na magmadali. But, weeks already passed. Kung hindi ako magiging matapang na humarap, sino ang gagawa?

I don't want to be burden. With the sisters, and kids. Especially to Mother Zara.

Bumuntong-hininga ito. "Ganoon ba..." Mother Zara sits beside me. "Sige, magsalita ka."

The cold wind is blowing my long hair. Since we're outside, I can saw the leaves that falling from the trees. Ang mga puno ng mangga, lansones, mangosteen at caimito ay malalago. The kids were playing outside. Since this orphanage has a big playground, they were all there. Happily playing with each other.

This place is so beautiful. Why did he decide to demolish it?

I looked at Mother Zara. Sympathetically lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Wala man lang akong mabasang hinanakit at galit sa kaniyang mga mata. Reason to make me feel even more guilty.

"Gusto ko po na mag-sorry... sa nangyari. Sa nalaman po ninyo. Pasensya na po at kailangan niyo pa'ng marinig iyon mula sa asawa ko... But... b-but, honestly, he's just forced... Alam ko po na hindi niya talaga gustong i-demolished itong orphanage..." i paused. "Hinding-hindi niya po maiisip na i-demolished ito... he's never gonna do that. At kahit kailan ay hindi po mangyayari ang demolition dito..."

I knew him. Alam ko na hindi rin iyon gustong mangyari ni Arthur. I know him very well. He build this orphanage, he owns this. Walang rason para i-demolish niya ito. He loves this place so much. Alam ko na naguguluhan lang siya.

I sighed. "Mag-uusap po kami mamaya. A-Alam ko po na... masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari at ang nalaman niyo po ay galing sa kaniya. P-Pero... p-pero hindi po iyon totoo. Arthur's not behind all of that. Mahal na mahal niya po ang Smiley Face Orphanage. K-Kung mayroon man siyang lugar na pinaka-paborito niya... i-iyon ay ang... a-ang orphanage na ito, M-Mother."

I sniffs. Nararamdaman ko ang pagbadya ng aking mga luha at kusang pumatak sa aking pisngi. Mother Zara hold my hand, and reached for my cheek. She caressed my face as she wiped my tear.

"Salamat, hija."

My crying suddenly stopped. Hindi ako nakapagsalita at hinintay ang sasabihin niya.