A Love To Remember

Chapter 8: Same old

Chiara

"Tita, don't forget to smile, okay? Ayaw ni Sabel na makitang malungkot ang Mommy niya, be strong for her." I said, encouraging Tita Lea to smile as I gave her a thumbs up.

Kanina pa siya iyak ng iyak, of course, who am I to blame her? Anak niya ang nawala at alam ko kung gaano kasakit mawalan ng mahal sa buhay.

"Hindi talaga ako nagkamali sa'yo, Chiara. You really do have a good heart." wika niya and of course, I was really flattered by that.

Kung alam niya lang kung ano ang mga nakasulat na vandalisms sa girl's comfort room doon sa paaralan ko, hindi niya iisipin na mabuti ang kalooban ko.

She's just seeing the side that I never show to other people, not even to my own family. It's the side that I want her to see. Guess who's wearing her halo all the time? Me.

But don't get me wrong-- kahit na may masamang budhi ako, lahat ng mga pinapakita at sinasabi ko kay Tita Lea, totoo lahat iyon.

Bumuntong hininga ako at sumulyap sa lapida ni Sabel. She was born on August 14, 2000. What a coincidence! Same year, month and date! I was also born on August 14, 2000.

"You know what, Tita? Sabel and I are birthday twinnies, mag-kapareho po kami ng birthday!" pagkwento ko kay Tita Lea.

Tita glance at me with amusement, "Talaga?" 'di makapaniwalang tanong nito kaya kaagad naman akong tumango.

"Yes po, in fact, we're in the same age." I said happily and again, the thought of me wishing that I want to be Sabel if she's alive crossed my mind.

Oh c'mon, Chiara! Get over it, will you? You'll never be Sabel-- that's impossible.

"Tuwing kaarawan niya, sinisigurado ko talaga na wala akong ginagawa. All my schedules are cleared up during that day. I always go here so that we can spend her special day together." kwento ni Tita Lea as she knelt down and caressed Sabel's gravestone using her palms.

"Hi baby, Mom's sorry because ngayon lang ulit siya nakadalaw. I'm always busy with my commitments lalo't na we're taping for our upcoming movie this year," mapait na ngiti ang nakapinta sa labi ni Tita habang kinakausap niya si Sabel, one thing's for sure, never ruin a mother and a daughter's moment.

"I miss you baby.. I really do. Kung sana inalagaan lang kita ng mabuti noon? Things could've been way better. Hindi sana ako mag-isa, hindi sana ako malungkot." tahimik lang ako habang nakikinig sa mga sinasabi niya.

Ano ba ang nangyari kay Sabel? Bakit siya namatay?

"Pero alam mo, there's this person that definitely reminds me of you. She's beautiful, just like you." ani nito, uhm, is she referring to me? Huwag feeler, Chia.

You can't blame me, okay?

"Naalala mo pa ba iyong babaeng kine-kwento ko sa'yo noon? Well, she's here with me! Kinulit niya ako na ipakilala raw kita sa kanya kaya sinama ko siya rito.." dagdag pa niya, okay... She's obviously talking about me.

Tita Lea faced me and motioned me to come nearer, I hesitantly nodded my head as I sat at the bermuda grass right beside her.

"You can talk to her.." bulong ni Tita sa'kin, at ano naman ang sasabihin ko?

Of course, I must greet her first and the rest will be history! Stupid Chiara!

"Hi Sabel!" bati ko rito, from my peripheral vision, I can see Tita Lea smiling.

"I really don't know what to say," paninimula ko, "Wait, I have something to say pala. Well, can you please tell your Mom not to cry again? Kasi 'di ba, magiging malungkot ka kapag umiiyak siya kaya dapat, huwag na siyang umiyak." I said while starring at Tita Lea, mukhang nagulat naman siya dahil sa sinabi ko pero agad ding nakabawi.