Right Here Waiting For You- Delgado Series #1

Prologue

PROLOGUE

I closed my eyes as I slowly play the piano. Embracing the sweet dark sound of the melody. Mabagal ang pagtugtog ngunit hindi maipagkakaila na maganda sa tenga ang instrumentong ito.

As I began singing, I couldn't help but reminisce the sad times throughout my life. Mga bagay na ipinilit sa akin, at mga bagay na ipinagkait sa akin.

I learned how to play piano because I was forced to do so. Hindi ko mahal ang musika ngunit isa ito sa mga naging karamay ko sa tuwing ako'y naiipit.

It was... never my passion.

The lone tear that fell made me open my eyes. I saw myself in the mirror since the piano is placed in front of the mirror. Sadness, is what I see on the reflection. Nagpunas ako ng luha, kasabay no'n ay ang pagpasok ng malapit kong pinsan. Martha.

"Couz!" Agad siyang tumakbo at umupo sa tabi ko.

In her usual outfit: black leather mini skirt, white lingerie for her top, messy bun, and an over-do make up.

Tuwing nakikita ko siya rito, I always wonder how she's unbothered whenever the elders sees her wearing these kind of clothes. Hindi imposibleng hindi siya napapagalitan lalo na't ang angkan namin ay konserbatibo at tradisyunal.

Ipinagbabawal sa amin ang magsuot ng maikling palda, mag spaghetti strap, mag-swimsuit; lahat maliban sa mga long sleeves, not too short sleeves, skirts that are below the knees, and jeans that doesn't hug the legs that much. Hindi rin pwede sa amin ang makapal na make up at malalaking alahas.

"Martha..." Mahinahon kong saad habang nakaharap sa isa't isa.

I closed the piano's keyboard at ibinaling ang buong atensyon sa pinsan na masayang nakatingin sa akin.

"What is it?" I asked.

She clicked her tongue. "Well, couz... you see... On my way here, I saw a newly open club near the village,"

I tilted my head at agad akong umiling bago pa man niya dugtungan ang sasabihin niya.

"I can't go with you, Martha. Mama will be very mad at me."

She pouted and stomped on the floor. Alam kong inaasahan na niya ang sasabihin ko dahil hindi naman ako lumalabas ng bahay maliban na lang kung kailangan, gusto ni Mama, at kung ma bantay.

"Well, she won't, of course! Unless you tell her, right?" She said and blinked at the same time.

"Hindi pwede, she has her ways to find out what we're doing even if I don't tell her. She's Mama, after all."

Hinampas niya ako at inirapan. She crossed her arms at mistulang nagtatampo. Pero hindi ko pa rin kayang paunlakan ang hinihiling niya sa akin dahil ayaw kong magalit si Mama sa akin. I knew how cruel she could be. Nagbaba ako ng tingin at nagpakawala ng buntong hininga.

"Even if I tell you that Marco will be there?" May panunudyo sa tinig niya.

Nang dahil do'n ay agad akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya na naabutan kong malapad ang ngiti. I bit my lower lip as I was thinking if I should go or not.

No. I shouldn't. May ibang araw o panahon pa naman para makita ko siya but not now... not now that Mama is here. I don't want to risk myself being punished just because I wanted to see Marco.

I knew even if I won't go, mom will still eventually find out who Marco is. Even I'm turning eighteen, I have no control or freedom to handle my life.

But my Mama and our clan's tradition just couldn't let me be. Na para bang kahit malapit na akong mag-eighteen ay masyado pa rin akong bata para sa kanila.