1 Chapter 1 (2019)

(Mia)

"Mum? Ano ba talagang nangyari kay Lolo? You said he was lonely when he was married to Lola until he died." tanong ko kay Mom after mailibing si Lolo.. Yan kasi yung sinabi niya sakin eh. I was studying at New York and I've always wanted to know the story of my grandparents. I haven't seen him since I was born at the US and live there. We just got here kasi Grandpa died and of course it's vacation. My mother is my only Filipino tutor that's why alam ko kung paano mag tagalog. Mom was telling me everything and I was curious kasi pag ikakasal ka sa taong mahal mo, you are the happiest person ever. I wonder, Does Lolo loves Lola?

"Gusto mo talagang malaman?" Mom asked me while she was focusing on the road. Nasa sasakyan kasi kami ngayon. Pauwi na kami galing cemetery.

"Well of course!" I answered eagerly since I've always wanted to know.

"Minsan lang magmahal ang Lolo mo. At kung magmahal siya, hindi niya kayang bitawan lahat ng mga pinagdadaanan niya sa taong minahal niya."

"What do you mean Mom? You mean Lolo had loved someone before lola?" I don't understand at all.

"Yes. And that girl is very different. As what your lolo told us, that girl seems like a foriegn girl. Kasi para daw siyang galing sa modernong panahon. So I bet she's a half Filipino."

"Why aren't they together mom?"

"Coz she left him." Mom answered directly.

that girl left grandpa behind?

"Iniwan niya ang Lolo mo ng wala man lang paalam. Naglaho siya ng parang bula at hindi na kailanman nakita ng Lolo mo." Mom continued.

Bakit niya iniwan si Lolo? Kahit kailan ba hindi siya nagpaparamdam kay Lolo? kahit isang letter lang?

Nawala lahat ng curiosity ko when a big truck run over our car and Mom lose her control. My head was banged at the window harshly that I almost lost my consciousness

Oh shit. I feel the car was pushed towards the cliff and I was so nervous.

"MOM!!!" I shout at me and I found out that her head was bleeding but she is still conscious.

"JUMP OUT THE CAR MIA!!!" mom shout as the car continues to fall down the cliff.

"NO!!"

"JUST JUMP OFF THE CAR AND ROLL OVER. I PROMISE I WILL BE ALRIGHT!!!"

I can't leave my Mom but I am so nervous right now that I opened the door and jump out.

Is this it? Am I going to be dead now?

Nang tumalon ako biglang naging puti ang paligid. What happened? Patay na ba ako?

Tumingin ako sa ilalim and I saw the ground now and that makes me breath.

"Ouch!" I shout as my bottom with the ground.

Tumayo ako para hanapin yung Mom ko but when I look around, there is no cliff at all. Walang road. And I saw a small disco hall sa harapan ko. It seems old. Ano to? Where's Mom?

Inikot ko yung tingin ko at nahagilap ng tingin ko ang isang lalaki. Nakatayo siya sa harapan ng Banana tree.

Oh My! Is he peeing?

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!" Sumigaw ako kaya napansin ako nung taong umihi kaya sumigaw din siya.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!" Nagsigawan kaming dalawa.

"Sino ka?!" bigla siyang tumigil sa pagsisigaw at nagtanong. Tumahimik rin ako at napansin kong tapos na pala siyang umihi.

"You pervert!!! Why are you pissing at the banana tree?!"

"Binibini! Isa ka bang dayuhan? Naliligaw ka ba?" mahinahon niyang tanong sakin. Dayuhan? of course I am!

"Where's the car?!"

"Sasakyan ba?" tanong niya.

"where's the cliff? where's the Road?!" patuloy kong tanong.

"Walang bundok dito. Nandoon lang sa kabilang kanto?" sagot niya but I was so distracted...

"WHERE'S MY MOM?!" Sinigawan ko na naman siya ng sobrang Lakas.

"Binibini, paumanhin. Wala akong alam sa iyong mga sinasabi. At para sa isang binibini, Isa ba yang damit?" tinuro niya yung suot ko. I wore an above knee black sleeveless dress. What's wrong with it?

naglakad siya palapit sakin kaya umatras ako ng kunti. Nailawan yung mukha niya.

He looks familiar. I saw him somewhere. On the picture I think.

Oh My!!!

"Grandpa?"