Annika
"May good news ako!"
I looked at Kuya.
"Buntis na ba si Ate Traea?"
"That's quite news but no, release ka na today Baby!"
I smiled at Kuya. Akala ko naman. Haii sa wakas! Andami kong lalabahan kasi di ako nakalaba last week. Siguradong andumi na ng bahay.
"But, you will go home with me."
"Pero Kuya."
"Sa bahay ka uuwi Annika. Rest for 3 more days."
"Kuya."
"Annika, you will go home with me o hindi ka marerelease dito ka sa ospital ng tatlo pang araw. You choose."
Well, kesa mas mapagastos pa ang kapatid ko pumayag na lang akong iuwi nya ako sa bahay namin.
"Asaan nga pala si Ate Traea?"
"Naku may hearing."
"Hearing?"
"Hindi lang halata pero lawyer ang Ate Traea mo. Pero wag kang mag-alala, pupunta sya sa bahay."
I smiled. Mukhang kakaiba talaga ang mga magiging sister-in-law ko ah.
I was happy that on our way home, Kuya's non-stop on telling me what Ate Traea is. I am so happy talaga for Kuya kasi deserve naman nyang sumaya. Kahit na may mga nagawa syang wrong choices sa buhay, sya pa rin ang pinakamabait na Kuya ko.
Pagtungtong ko sa bahay, ramdam ko ang lamig ng paligid.
"Dad's here"
"Kuya! Baka magkachest pain na naman si Daddy! Hindi na ako tutuloy, uuwi na ako sa amin. Baka magkasakit sya, Kuya uwi na ako."
"Annika, It's Kuya Jacob's birthday today."
I kept quiet. Kuya Jacob's birthday is sacred to this family. Mommy religiously celebrates this kahit na ano pa man ang circumstance.
"Mommy's still in the cemetery. Galing na din si Daddy pero umuwi sya agad nung sinabi kong iuuwi kita dito."
"Kuya."
"Hindi nila alam na galing kang ospital, nobody should know because that'll be a mess bunso."
I agree. If my family will know how hard is my life now, I don't know anymore if I can still see my husband alive.
"Oonga pala,nakausap ko si Mrs. Alviar, you need to make a special project to make up with the reporting. "
"Kuya?"
"Mrs. Alviar is my senior when I was in college. I was also her husband's attending doctor. So yeah, technically, magkakilala kami. I went to your school and talk to your professors and gave them the medical certificate. Okay na, except that special project with Mrs. Alviar."
"Thank you talaga Kuya."
"No worries bunso, basta ikaw. Anything that would make you happy."
"I love you Kuya"
Kuya kissed my head.
"Annika," Dad called me
I cryingly hugged my Dad. It has been so long. He looked older than before.
"Sorry, Daddy! Sorry. Sorry, Daddy. I love you, Daddy. Sorry."
"It's okay my princess, it's okay. I love you dearly."
"Daddy I missed you so much. I love you, Daddy, sorry sorry."
I was crying and crying that Daddy started laughing.
"Darling, don't cry. You already looked malnourished, you might lose all the water in your body."
"Daddy naman eh."
"But you are still pretty my darling. I missed you so much too. I just wish you won't be this thin."
I hugged my Dad. I felt so sorry, I missed him so much.
I was happy all day with Daddy and Kuya. We even cooked Mom's favorite penne pasta. I was anxious as time goes by dahil pauwi na si Mommy. I even readied myself to be thrown out.
Mom came home in the afternoon with Matti and his family and Akim.
Hiyang hiya ako makita ang Mommy ko. My Mom had always been beautiful, and she is still beautiful.
"Why do you look like that?! Are you not eating?!" Mommy shouted
"She was on a diet, Mommy. I already told her to stop it." Kuya Luke said
"You don't look sexy, you look like a thin crust pizza."
Akim and Matti laughed. And I was so relieved. Just like the old times.
"Will you be staying Annika?"
"Can I Mommy?"
"Oh, I am not throwing you out so you may."
I hugged Mommy.
"Thank you, Mommy. I love you so much. I am so sorry."
Mom just patted my back and I cried and whine like a lost child who just saw her Mommy. I missed my Mommy. I miss her warmth, I miss her comfort. I miss my Mommy so much.
Kuya Luke introduced Ate Traea to everybody. Mommy was the happiest with Kuya bringing a girlfriend. Halos hindi mawala wala ang mga ngiti sa labi nya.
"Hi"
"Ate Traea"
"Kinakabahan ako sa Mommy nyo."
"Bakit Ate?"
"Ang ganda ganda ng Mommy nyo. Parang dyosa. Sabi ni Kuya mo 60 plus na daw Mommy nyo, eh parang mas matanda pa ako tingnan. May Gosh!"
"Ate talaga!"
"Swerte nyo sa genes ha! For sure, kapag tumanda tanda ka, di ka papangit. Look at your parents, both young and beautiful."
"Ikaw din naman Ate."
"Naku ha! Magbook na nga ako sa derma. Baka mukha na akong Lola yung Kuya mo mukha pa ring matinee idol."
I smiled.
"Kuya's so lucky to have you."
"Naks! Kinilig ako dun. Hahaha. Kung magkakaanak ako, gusto ko kamukha mo. Tingnan mo yung mga anak ni Mara, lahat kamukha mo."
I laughed. Kuya called Ate Traea to join them. I saw how my parents laugh with Ate Traea and Ate Mara.
I hope I can still make my parents this happy with all the decisions I made.
I texted Gino that I will be staying here for 3 days. I got no reply. Everyone flew again after 3 days and I was left here in the Philippines alone. Yes, alone. Because my husband is unreachable.
