Made In New York (Monterèal Series #1 Book 1 )

Prolouge

Panimula

"Her cardiovascular disease increases the chance of higher risk for worsening of her palpitations and hard time breathing," the doctor said. Here we go again, the endless do's and don'ts of a patient like me. Inherited ang sakit ko at sa aming apat na magkakapatid, ako ang nakamana sa sakit ni mommy. Unfortunately, this illness is the cause of her death.

I can't help but to laugh at serious moments like this, they all look constipated, "Is there a guaranteed chance na mabawasan ang kanyang mga palpitations? or if she can recover?" said my brother, Maxon, the eldest among us.

Nalukot ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya, I know the doctor will put the blame on me. Tinignan niya akong mataman, "If only, Ms.Villamoral lessens her continuous activity like teaching, then it would probably help her a lot."

Gusto kong sabunutan ang doctor na 'to! Now na! Gawin ko na kayang panot to?! I have limited time on earth, why not spend the rest of it sa mga bagay na gustong-gusto kong gawin? I would rather die of passion than boredom, they say. My whole life, I have never been that free. 

"You heard him Sapph, stop teaching in isolated areas, masyado kang napapagod sa pagbiyahe " untag nanaman saakin ni Kuya Philip, anothe brother,  na nagpairap saakin. He's our second- second the motion palagi kay Kuya Maxon.

"And stop rolling your eyes at us," pahabol ni Kuya Aeron nang makita niyang umirap ako. He's the youngest amongst my brothers.

Being the only girl and the youngest in the family, pretty much over pa sa over ang pagkaprotective ng mga kuya ko saakin, isama pa si daddy. Ever since mom died, they all turned their attention to me, afraid that if they made wrong single move, I might die. I am like a fragile vase. Mom died because of the disease I inherited from her, it's possible that it'll kill me too.

Tumayo na kami hudyat na paalis na, my favourite moment of the day actually, "Well, thank you doc for attending on our stubborn sister," nakipagkamay si Kuya Maxon kay Doc. Tumango rin sila Dad at ang dalawa ko pang kapatid.

When we got out of the hospital, sumakay kaming apat sa Chevy Trailblazer ni Kuya Aeron, he's driving for today. Kuya Maxon's Hilux is still getting it's upgrade, Dad's at home and Kuya Philip's somewhere down the auto shop because of his stupidity in driving.

Nasa front seat si Kuya Maxon, the protective brother he is. If Kuya Philip's driving, hindi kami sumasama, I love him but pag siya ang nagdadrive, mapapaaga ang kamatayan ko.

"We are going somewhere, so buckle up" sabi ni Kuya Aeron.

After 15 minutes or so, we reached the "Hands of Heaven Memorial Cemetery" and I know what my kuyas' have been up to—Our monthly visitation to our mother na nasa mga kamay na ni God. This place is bitter-sweet, malulungkot ka dahil maalala mo na wala na siya pero sasaya ka dahil maalala mo lahat ng masasayang pangyayari.

Naglakad kami patungo sa kanyang puntod at umupo sa may damuhan. We didn't bring any candles nor flowers with us.

"Sorry, mom." Hinawakan ko ang kanyang lapida, I could still vividly remember how Dad cried for his love, he promised to love her till he's reunited with him up above the clouds. I want a man like my dad too. Someone who would die for his love.

Elizabeth A. Villamoral

Born: March 18, 1972

Died: November 16, 2003

"Hey mom, naging pasaway nanaman ang ating prinsesa," paninimula ni Kuya Philip at tumingin sa akin ng masama.

Hinampas ko siya sa braso," Shut up kuya, I'm being a good girl! " pagdepensa ko sa bintang niya.