Between Dusk and Dawn (Love Lies in Ilocos Norte) COMPLETED

XXXVII

"I love you Mama."

I whispered as I hugged my knees. Kanina pa kami dito at nararamdaman ko na ang init ng araw.

I just can't put it all in my mind. It's been years yet the pain is still visible, at hindi ko alam kung kelan ito mawawala.

I harshly wiped my tears. I trailed my fingers on the engraved name of Mama.

"I'm sorry Mama." I whispered.

Napabaling ako sa gilid ko nang may tumayo doon, blocking the sun. It's Therence.

His jaw is clenched as he looks down at me.

He held out a hand at kinuha ko naman iyon. Tinulungan niya akong tumayo.

He pulled me and made me lean on his massive chest. Doon ako ulit umiyak.

Ang paghaplos niya sa buhok ko ay nagpapakalma sa akin. Preventing me from being hysterical.

"It's late, Rox. Aren't you hungry?" he carefully asked in a whisper.

I nodded. Kanina pa kami dito at nagugutom na rin ako. I turned to Mama.

"Mama we'll be going now. I'll come back, I promise Mama. Hindi na kita iiwan pa." I said to the grave.

"I love you Mama." ulit ko.

Somehow I wish na makarinig ako ng sagot, even though it's scary. Kahit ako lang ang nakakarinig.

"We'll come back Tita."

Napatingin ako kay Therence nang sinabi niya iyon. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

He looked at me and smiled a little too. Inilahad niya ang palad niya at inalalayan akong umalis na sa sementeryo.

Nang nakarating na kami sa gate ay lumingon ulit ako.

"Bye Ma." I whispered.

Hindi ko na makita kung nasaan siya dahil malalaking mga puntod ang nasa harapan. I sighed once more before going inside the car.

Umikot si Therence at pumasok sa driver's seat.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

"Kahit saan."

"Do you want to watch cinema?"

Ngumiti ako at tumango.

Nagsimula siyang magdrive papunta sa malapit na mall. Ilang saglit pa at nakaparking na kami at papasok na kami sa entrance ng mall.

Gaya sa Laoag at sa lahat ng lugar na napuntahan na naming magkasama, marami paring tumitingin sa kanya.

I nudged him at tumingin naman siya sa akin.

"Para kang artista." I whispered pero sapat na marinig niya.

"How?" he didn't even manage to whisper back.

"Pinagtitinginan ka nila." inginuso ko ang isang grupo ng mga babaeng nakatingin at nagbubungisngisan.

"Kung hindi lang nakakatakot ang itsura mo, dudumugin ka ng lahat."

"I'm scary?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.

He raised a brow and scoffed at me.

"Hmm. Parang kapag kakausapin ka, hindi ka sasagot, mapapahiya pa ang tao."

"I was the one who talked to you first, remember darling?"

Napaisip ako, "Ikaw ba?"

"Yeah. I badly wanted to talk to you while we were eating dinner sa bahay noon."