Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 26

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The province was actually big and twice bigger than Sugriva. Its people were more accommodating, lalo na sa mga bagong salta lang dito. It was quite hard to travel alone using my own pick up truck, good thing I had the Google map to lead me to the said place. Mabuti nga't nakaabot din ako nang mga ala-una ng hapon.

It was also a good thing that most people knew my mother. I was already in the downtown of El Camarico, only to find out that my Mom's land was located near the entrance of the province. Sinalubong kaagad ako ng isang luma nang tarangkahang gawa sa bakal puno na ng baga. It was hard to open the huge padlock on it as it was already extremely coated with rust.

From here, I saw the sandy laneway and tall, green grasses. Outlining the field were broken wooden fences.  Wala na akong ibang makita maliban sa mga puno at sa daanan. Naisip ko tuloy kung literal na lupa lang talaga ni Mommy 'to kasi kung walang bahay, naku, patay talaga ako! I'd need to check-in to some hotels today so I could sleep comfortably at night! Wala naman akong nakikitang problema sa pagkain dahil maraming karendirya sa sentro. The province screamed simplicity. Ang presko-presko rin kaya mukhang mas nagugustuhan ko ang hometown ni Mommy kaysa kay Daddy.

"Excuse me, Miss? You probably need a hand?" a friendly tone got my attention.

Nilingon ko ang isang babaing morena, kulay kape ang wavy na buhok. She looked young and really gorgeous. Matangos ang kanyang ilong at manipis ang labi. Medyo matangkad nang kaunti sa akin. Tanging jeans, shirt, at boots lang ang kanyang suot. She looked like a famous model.

"Uhm, hindi na po kasi mabuksan ang padlock. 'Tsaka hindi na rin makadiretso ang susi." Nakangiwi kong saad.

Umangat ang isang kilay nya at bumaba ang tingin sa kamay kong may bahid na rin nung kulay ng baga.

"Wait, I'd get my husband to help us." She smiled and took her phone from her handbag.

"Hurry, I'm helping someone here. Si Duncan na ang pasunduin mo kina Kash... okay, dalian mo, ah? I love you too, take care!"

I unconsciously twitched my lips when I caught her soft smile as she put back the phone inside her bag.

"Wait lang, ah? On the way na naman ang asawa ko. Kaanu-ano mo ang may-ari ng lupaing 'to?" aniya at sumilip sa railings.

"Mommy ko po."

Namilog ang mata nya at tumango-tango.

"I'm Blaise! What's your name?" She sounded even more excited.

"Syntia po, nice to meet you!" I politely offered my hand for a handshake. Mabilis nya namang tinanggap iyon at pinisil-pisil pa.

"I'm sorry, I'm just excited. Relative kasi ng Uncle ko ang Mommy mo. Tamayo ang middle name, right?"

Wow! I never met relatives from my mother's side except for Tita Carra. Marami kayang kamag-anak si Mommy rito? I hope they were as friendly as this woman.

"So, uhm, we're like relatives, too?"

Natatawa naman syang umiling. "Yung asawa ni Uncle ang kadugo ko. Uncle is like my second father. Ipapakilala kita sa kanila kapag nakapagpahinga ka na. Your surrounding needs a serious cleaning."

"Kaya nga po. It is my first time in this province. I didn't know that this is my Mom's homeland." I glanced at the tall grasses worriedly.

"Buti naman at nakarating ka sa tamang lugar. Is that your car?" She pointed on my red Chevrolet.
 
Tumango naman ako.

"Nice taste! Seems like you drove alone all the way here. Your Mom must have given you a very vivid instructions on how to get here."

"Uhh, no. Nagtanung-tanong din ako at gumamit na lang ng GPS. My mother had already passed away, several years ago." Nakangiti kong sagot.