Savior of The Moon

Kabanata 23

"This is Chrysanthemum, flower that Symbolizes a peaceful life," ani Diana at pinakita ang kulay Lila na bulaklak. Ynarra's eyes observe the flower. Each of its edges are pointy and the color fades as it reach the end.

A flower that Symbolizes life...like hers. A dark past, a dark beginning...but she found light by the help of the La Suantes. They help her reach the edge of her suffering. Just like the pointy edges of this flower.

Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ng dalaga. Ito ang unang beses niyang iba't ibang klaseng bulaklak. Diana said that she should familiarize herself with different kind of flowers before starting to work. They continue discussing about flowers until Diana had to leave for a meeting.

"Yna, pa-deliver muna nito." Yna gazes at Lilith. "Hindi ko kasi maiwan ang tindahan at nag-day off pa yung supposedly magde-deliver dapat. Malapit lang naman."

Walang reklamo niyang kinuha ang palumpon ng bulaklak at nakinig sa sinabi niyong address, tinuro na rin nito ang daan. Binuksan na din ni Lilith ang map sa cellphone ng dalaga para masigurong hindi ito maliligaw.

The meeting place is not so far. Nag-simulang mag-pedal ang dalaga sa bisikleta. Sinalubong siya ng hangin sa bawat apak niya sa pedal. Leaves from the hallway of greeny trees fell down as she step on the pedal. A smile slightly curved into her lips that immediately turn down.

Natigil siya sa pagbi-bisikleta nang makita ang pigura ng isang pamilyar na babae sa 'di kalayuan. It has been a long time, but she could remember every corner of their faces. Halos matumba si Ynarra nang ikiniling ng babae ang ulo nito sa kaniyang direksyon.

Tila natuyo ang kaniyang lalamunan kaya't siya'y napalunok. The women, who made her knees so weak, started walking towards her. Her face is filled with void expression while hers is full of fear.

Ynarra wanted to runaway, but it seems like her foot are glued to the ground. Habang palapit nang palapit ang itinuring niyang Ate ay siyang palakas ng kabog ng kaniyang dibdin. She should run! They found her! She should hide!

They...they can't hurt her again!

"Yna!" The woman called her nang akma siyang aalis. She was fast enough to hold Ynarra's arm. Her gripped isn't strong but it was enough to hold Ynarra back. "Look, hindi ako nandito para saktan ka..." Yariela, her sister, sighed.

Yariela bit her lower lip and look around. "Wag tayo dito," aniyang nagbigay ng takot sa sistema ng dalaga. She noticed Ynarra's suspicion. Kumawala muli ang malalim na buntong hininga sa kaniyang labi at taimtim na tinitigan ang kapatid.

"Katulad ng sabi ko, hindi ako nandito para saktan ka. Kung ayaw mong makita ka ni Kuya..." She trailed off. "Sumama ka sa 'kin. Ako hindi kita sasaktan pero sila Kuya...wala siyang puso. Sila Mama. Alam mo 'yan." Matigas nitong saad.

Ynarra's system is filled with dread but her memories of Yariela giving her foods back then has flashed into her mind. Her sister would give her foods, it's leftovers, but unlike the foods her Aunt gave her... Yariela gave her foods that is decent-looking to eat. Even if Yariela hurts her, but not enough to make her bleed.

And sometimes, she would give her bandaids for her bruises the she get from her own family.

There is a distrust in her system, but she think that...maybe Yariela is different from them. Galing na din dito na hindi siya nito sasaktan. She will hold onto that, she will give her the benefit of the doubt.

Yariela bringed her to a quiet and isolated place. An abandon playground which is  surrounded by the trees. Hinila siya ng kaniyang Ate sa isang bench at doon sila umupo.

Ynarra put her hands on her thigh while Yariela place both of her elbow on her parted legs.

"Nagtataka ka siguro kung ba't gusto kitang makausap," panimulang litanya ni Yariela. She clicked her tongue to continue, "pinapahanap ka nila Papa." Ynarra frozed. She wasn't surprised, she knew they will look for her but why? Why do they want to find her? She run away, she won't be a burden for them anymore.

Just...why do they keep ruining her life when it's already ruined? When she's already wrecked?

"Pero wag ka mag-alala. Hindi ko sasabihing nandito ka, kaya mag-ingat ka. Kasama ko si Kuya, hinahanap ka din. Mas mabuting magtago ka." Yariela stand up and set her hands inside her pants pocket. "Gagawin ko lahat para hindi ka nila makita..."

"Bakit..." Ynarra's soft voice escaped her mouth. Her throat waves when she felt her throat became dry. "Bakit mo–"

"Kasi nagi-guilty ako, okay?" A loud sighed came out from Yariela's mouth. "Aware ako kung gaano ka-sahol ang pamilya ko. Ni hindi nga 'ko maka-kain ng maayos isipin lang ang ginagawa nila. Ang hirap nilang ipaglaban kasi alam kong mali sila pero ang hirap mo din ipagtanggol dahil pamilya ko sila. Hindi ko kayang suwayin."

"Pamilya mo din naman po ako." Ynarra's voice broke as she muttered those bittersweet words. Awang ang labing tumingin sa kaniya ang tinuring na Ate at sa isa pang pagkakataon ay nagpakawala ito ng malalim na hininga bago ginulo ang maikling buhok.

"Basta! Wag kang pagala-gala. Mag tago ka lang kung saan ka ngayon. Baka next week makumbinsi ko si Kuyang lumipat ng lugar."
Sumulyap ito sa kaniyang relo at mahinang napamura. "Shit, umalis ka na! Bilis! Baka pumunta dito si Kuya, anong oras na..."

Marami pa siyang gustong itanong kay Yariela ngunit napanguhan ng panic ang kaniyang loob. "Sige na, alis na! Magtago ka ha, wag kang papahuli!" Ynarra looked back at her sister for the last time before she step on the pedal of the bicycle. Agad humampas ang lamig ng hangin sa kaniya.

She's pedalling fast just like how her heart beats so rapidly. By fear and relief. Fear of being found and relieved by her sister's words.

Maybe, Yariela is really different. A slight of hope ignites inside her. A hope of maybes. That maybe, her sister really did cared for her.