Hermione Beatriz Buena Matthias
Nakapatong sa railings ang mga kamay ko at dinadama ang simoy ng hangin na humahampas sa mukha ko. Nakatayo ngayon ako sa balcony at pinagmamasdan ang mga ibon na lumilipad sa langit. Bigla na lamang nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko nang isang pamilyar na kanta ang tumunog sa phonograph. That particular song brought back memories of my parents.
━━━
/ FLASHBACK /
"Darling are you not going to sleep yet?" tanong sa kaniya ng mommy niya. Iniabot sa kaniya nito ang isang baso ng gatas.
"I can't sleep mommy, eh. Can you tell me again the story why stars exist at the night sky?" Ngumiti sa kaniya ang mommy niya atsaka nito kinurot ang kaniyang pisngi. Mrs. Buena stood up and faced the old phonograph, playing her favorite song. It sounded like a lullaby.
♬ When you feeling lost in the night
When you feel your world just ain't right
Call on me, I will be waiting
Count on me, I will be there ♬
Umupo ulit ang kaniyang mommy sa tabi niya. She caressed Mine's face. "Once, there was a little girl like you, asking what are those things that shine in the night sky."
♬ Anytimes the times get too tough
Anytime your best ain't enough ♬
"And then that little girl's mother told her that when a person dies, they become a star." Mine looked a little scared but she trusted what her mom was trying to tell her. "So, when I'm gone, just look at the sky. You will see me there. I will become a star."
"I know mommy, you won't leave me. So stop telling me you'll become star. Okay? Or else I'll be mad at you." Little Mine acted angry.
♬ I'll be the one to make it better
I'll be there to protect you
See you through
I'll be there and there is nothing,
I won't do ♬
Mrs. Buena chuckled at her but felt worried. Not all times ay nandiyan siya para sa kaniyang anak. "Okay, okay, sweetie. I won't become a star, please don't be mad." she said while smiling.
/ END OF FLASHBACK /
━━━
"Miss Hermione, handa na po ang pagkain. Pinapatawag na rin po kayo ni Don Alfred." Napaharap ako sa nagsalita atsaka mabilis na pinunasan ang mga luha ko. Kinuha ko ang eye glasses ko atsaka iyon ulit sinuot nang maayos.
♬ I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero, your strength, anything
you need ♬
"Sige po. Susunod na po ako." I said and tried to show a smile. Good thing he didn't say anything and just smiled at me and walked away. Naglakad na ulit ako papasok sa kwarto ko atsaka hinarap 'yung phonograph.
♬ I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time, promise you
For you I will ♬
This song really reminds me of my mom, kaya lagi akong naiiyak kapag naririnig ko 'to. I decided to turn off the thing by lifting the stylus. I unplugged it afterwards. Tinignan ko muna sa salamin ang mukha ko at baka mahalata ni Lolo na umiyak ako. Baka anong isipin niyang dahilan at nag-e-emote ako.
Nang masiguro kong okay na ako ay bumaba na ako. Naabutan ko si Lolo na may kausap sa telepono kaya tahimik lang akong umupo sa harapan niya. "... Make sure to finish them on time. I'm hanging up." he said and handed his phone to Butler John.
"Let's eat." aya niya sa akin atsaka ngumiti. He was putting his lap towel when he remembered something. "Where is Secretary Lim? Has he arrived?"
"He called and he said he will be here in five minutes, Sir." sagot naman ng aming butler. Tahimik lang akong umabot ng pagkain na nakahapag sa mesa. Naramdaman kong nakatingin sa direksyon ko si Lolo that's why I turned my gaze to him.
"You look gloomy, apo. What's the matter?" Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagsalok ng kanin. I chuckled awkwardly while doing so.
"Wala naman po, Lolo. I'm fineeee!" I tried to stretch the last word para magmukhang masaya ako. Mabuti na lang at hindi na siya nagsalita no'n at tumango lang. Pero pakiramdam ko nararamdaman niyang may kakaiba sa akin ngayong araw.
Napatingin kami sa direksyon ng nagmamadaling lumapit sa amin na lalaki. Huminto siya nang makita si Lolo atsaka yumuko. "Sir. I'm so sorry po talaga. Traffic po kase kaya hindi ako kaagad nakarating." paliwanag nito. I waited for Lolo's response as I was eating my food.
"It's okay. I don't blame you. You came all the way here from Manila. What do I expect?" mahinahon na bigkas ni Lolo. Parang gumaan din ang pakiramdam ko matapos marinig no'n. Mas kinakabahan pa ata ako sa sekretarya niya.
When I tried to look at his direction, my eyes caught his features. He looks so young to be my Lolo's secretary. He's handsome and his skin tone was almost the same as mine. He's tall and wears glasses. Like me. When our eyes met, I tried to look away but he smiled at me that's why I didn't have the chance to do so.
"By the way, hija. This is Secretary Lim. He's the same age as you. You will be working with him in the future." Lolo Alfred introduced. He smiled at me again before checking something on his tablet.
"This is your schedule for the entire week, Sir. In Friday, you'll have a meeting with the Collins. Ten-thirty AM, launching of new products. At 11:15 AM, you scheduled a company meeting with the consecutives, after the meeting, lunch break. At 1PM, you will-" I saw Lolo raise his hand to stop him from talking. I bite the food using the fork and then I saw him looking at me.
"Sorry Lim to interrupt. But, Bea. Isn't it your enrollment day on Friday?" I chewed my food and swallowed it. I took my glass and sipped water from it before answering.
"Yes po, Lo. Anyways you don't have to go with me. I'll be with Faye and Mimi po." I wipped my mouth using the towel. "Sorry po, but I'm full already. Can I go upstairs now?" I tried to be polite as much as possible. I don't want him thinking that I'm rude to him. He's precious for me, tho. He's the only family I have. My parents died a long time ago and eversince Lolo took care of me.
I kissed his cheeks before I decided to walk upstairs. Nang ma-bore ako sa loob ay napagdesisyunan ko ng lumabas para magpahangin sa labas. I went on the playground where I used to play with my childhood friends before. Kamusta na kaya sila? Ano na kayang itsura nila ngayon. Kamusta na kaya siya?
Napaupo ako sa lumang swing atsaka ito mahinang tinulak gamit ang aking mga paa. I am enjoying the moment with my earphones on and listening to a Taylor Swift track called 'Never Grow Up.'
♬ Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone ♬
━━━
/ FLASHBACK /
"Mommy, look oh!" bigkas ni Mine, habang tinuturo ang papalubog na ngayong araw. Napatingin si Mrs. Jane kung saan nakatutok ang daliri ni Mine. Ang sunset, ang araw na unti-unti ng nilalamon ng dagat, ang magkahalong dilaw at kahel na kulay ng kalangitan. Napakaganda ng senaryong iyon. "It's beautiful, darling. Just like you."
"Papa, come here!" tawag naman ni Mine sa kanyang papa. Kaagad na lumapit ito atsaka sinamahan sila upang pagmasdan ang napakagandang tanawin, ang sunset.
"Happy anniversary, darling." bigkas ni Mrs. Jane. Napangiti si Mr. Joseph sa kanya. "Happy anniversary. I love you."
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss daddy, mommy! Daddy, kiss mommy!" sigaw ni Mine habang kinikilig. "Who told you that, sweetie?" tanong ni Mrs. Jane. Napahawak si Mine sa kanyang labi atsaka nanlaki ang mga mata.
"Lola Fely told me, and she said it's what couples do. And I know you and daddy are couples!" bahagyang natawa si Mr. Joseph sa kakulitan ni Mine.
"Mommy, ano na? Kiss daw, oh!" pabirong bigkas ni Mr. Joseph. Mrs. Jane chuckled at him. "Ikaw talaga, sige na nga." bigkas nito. Lumapit si Mrs. Jane kay Mr. Joseph and they pressed their lips together. "Happy anniversarry, Mommy, Daddy! I love you both!"
"We love you too, darling."
/ END OF FLASHBACK /
━━━
♬ Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up
Oh I don't wanna grow up
Wish I'd never grow up ♬
Tears started falling again on my face. Ang dali ko talagang maiyak kapag pamilya ko ang naalala ko. Hindi ko alam pero sobra ko silang na-miss ngayong araw. Napaka-nostalgic kase ng lugar na ito para sa akin. It brought certain memories of my childhood friends and my parents.
Kung may isang wish lang ako na gusto kong matupad ngayon? Iyon ay ang ibalik sa akin ang parents ko. Alam kong naging masaya naman ang ilang taon kahit wala na sila, pero iba pa rin talaga kapag nandiyan sila. If only that accident didn't happen, they're probably still here.
Three days after, naghanda na kami sa pagbalik namin sa Manila. I took my bag with me. Lolo was already inside the van, ako na lang ata ang hinihintay. I was about to go when Butler John approached me. "Ako na po ang bahala, Miss Hermione." He said politely. I smiled while handling him my bag.
I once again stared at our mansion's front. Mamimiss ko 'tong summer vacation namin here. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi kasama ang mga kaibigan ko pero okay lang. Atleast I had my alone time. "You miss them, am I right, Miss?"
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Ilang taon na po ang nakalipas. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang lumaki ako nang wala po sila sa tabi ko." I said and sighed. Sinipa ko ang mga bato na nasa lupa habang naglalakad kami papalapit sa van. He remained silent while following me.
"Pero, anyways po. Mamimiss ko talaga ang katahimikan dito. Sa Maynila, nando'n ang mga kaibigan ko. Sila lang ang nagpapaingay ng mundo ko." I imagined my friends while smiling. Natawa naman siya sa kinuwento ko.
"I see. You're really grateful to have them, Miss."
"Oo naman po. Aside from Lolo, sila lang din ang pinagkukuhanan ko ng lakas. Salamat po pala sa pag-aalaga niyo sa amin at sa mansion. Summer's over na nga talaga and we're finally going back to Manila." He smiled at me. He looked like he's fluttered.
"Miss Hermione, bago po kayo umalis, may gusto nga po pala akong ibigay sa inyo." He took out a small blue box tied with a purple ribbon from his pocket and presented it to me. I hesitantly took it from his hand. A present?
"Ano po ito?"
"Don't open it yet, Miss. Buksan niyo po iyan habang nagbabiyahe kayo. I know you will be happy once you found out what's inside." He briefly explained. Napatango lang ako sa kaniya.
"Salamat po, Butler John. May request po sana ako once na makabalik po ulit dito," sabi ko. Mukhang na-curious siya kung ano man ang susunod kong sasabihin. "Sana po mawala na ang po's at opo's sa'kin. You're older than me po that's why it's uncomfortable for me."
He laughed at me. "Okay, Miss Hermione. I hope I'll see you soon."
Nagising ako nang maramdaman kong huminto ang sasakyan. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision. Akala ko kasi we arrived already. Nang makita ko ang lalaki na nasa tabi ng van namin, narealize kong na-stuck lang pala kami sa traffic.
He was using our car window as a mirror. Chinecheck pa niya if may dumi siya sa mukha o wala. I was surprised when he suddenly made face. I tried to stop my laugh because Lolo was sleeping. Since that stranger was being hilarious, I let it all out once in for all, making Lolo wake up and Secretary Lim distracted.
"Hermione," Lolo warned in a low, stern voice. I covered my mouth using my hands to stop myself. Mabuti na lang at umandar na ang mga sasakyan at nakaalis na ang lalaking katabi ng sasakyan namin. He really made my day.
A few moments later, I heard Lolo talked again that's why I removed my earphones. "Should we stop by the near restaurant? Or eat at home?" he asked.
"I think we should stop by, Lolo. Gutom na ako, e." I replied. He just nodded and then continued reading some article on a newspaper. I am putting on the left earphone when I saw the blue box that Butler John gave me. I decided to open it.
An SD Card?
I inserted it on my phone and searched through its files when I saw a folder called "The Buena Videos." Out of curiosity, I tried watching the clips. I was surprised to see my past self with my parents. My younger self with my family.
Video 1
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I would like you all to meet, my daughter and his husband, Janine and Joseph Matthias." pagpapakilala ni Lolo Alfred atsaka naman umakyat sa stage sina Mr. & Mrs. Matthias.
"I am happy to announce to you, that soon, you will meet the future heir of the Buena Companies. My granddaughter, Hermione Beatriz Matthias." Naglakad ang batang si Mine at sinamahan ang kanyang mga magulang sa stage. Kumaway lang ang batang si Mine sa harap ng mga tao. Pagkatapos silang makuhanan ng litrato ay doon nagtapos ang video.
Video 2
"Yaya, come here! Let's swim!" sigaw ng batang Mine habang nakababad sa swimming pool. Ang may hawak ng camera ay ang tinatawag niyang Yaya.
"No, Ma'am. I have many things to do. Your lolo will be mad at me if he will see me." bigkas ng Yaya.
"But-" Natigilan si Mine. "Okay, I'll swim alone." Kumaway na siya sa tubig habang nakasuot ang kanyang salbabida.
"Join her." bigkas ng isang malalim na boses. Nagulo ang kinukuhanan niyang camera at tumutok ito sa lupa. "S-Sir?" nauutal na bigkas ng yaya. "Join her now. I know she misses her parents. I want to do it but I can't. Go ahead." bigkas ni Don Alfred.
"O-Okay sir." tipid na sagot niya. Binitawan na niya ang camera atsaka doon natapos ang video.
I still remember what happened that day in that video. Busy kasi si Mama kaya puro maids lang ang nag-aasikaso sa'kin. Alam ko naman na mahalaga ang kumpanya dahil ako rin ang magmamana no'n balang araw. Pero, I would rather be born into a poor family than be rich and always be left alone.
Tinignan ko pa ang iba pang mga video ngunit nakakuha sa atensyon ko ang isang video na may thumbnail na mukha ko, nakasuot ng party hat at hinihipan ang mga kandila sa cake. I pressed the play button so I could watch it.
Video 13
"Happy birthday to you! Yeyyy!" kanta ng mga tao sa background, kabilang ang Lolo ni Mine at ang kanyang Mama't Papa. "Sweetie, make a wish." sabi ng kanyang Mama. Ipinikit ni Mine ang kanyang mga mata atsaka pinagdikit ang kanyang mga palad.
"Sana po mas marami pa pong time sina Mama kasama ako."
Napatingin si Joseph at Jane sa isa't isa. Napangiti naman si Jane. "Blow your candle now, apo." bigkas ni Don Alfred. Hinipan na ni Mine ang kandila atsaka naman nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa paligid nila. "Happy birthday, darling. I love you." bigkas ni Joseph atsaka hinalikan sa pisngi si Mine.
Hindi ko na nakayanan pang manood kaya pinatay ko na lang ang video. Tumulo na naman ang mga luha sa pisngi ko. Mabuti na lang talaga at hindi ganoon kalungkot ang childhood ko at nakilala ko ang mga kaibigan ko ngayon. We basically grew up together. We treated ourselves as sisters.
Kahit nakakalungkot man, I am thankful to Butler John for giving me this. Atleast, kahit man lang dito nakikita ko ang mga mukha ng parents ko na gumagalaw at para bang buhay pa rin. I am so happy right now and also sad at the same time.
Answer in Video Call?
Naramdaman kong magvibrate ang phone kaya naman kaagad kong inayos ang mukha ko. Tumatawag sina Mimi. Mukhang hindi na nila nakayanan at na-miss nila ako.
[Hello, Beaaaaaaa!] iyon ang bumungad sa akin nang sagutin ang tawag. Napakaingay talaga ni Mimi.
"Hello, Mimi & Faye. Ba't nga pala kayo napatawag?" bigkas ko habang pinapaypayan ang sarili. Baka kasi tumulo na naman ang mga luha ko, eh.
[Hala siya. Bawal na bang tawagin ang bespren namin?]
"Hindi naman. Natanong ko lang naman kasi pauwi na kami. Papunta lang kami sa isang restaurant then uwi na sa bahay." paliwanag ko. Tumango-tango sila at mukhang naintindihan naman nila ako.
[Ba't naman namumula 'yang mga mata mo? Umiyak ka ba?]
"Hindeee!" mabilis na tanggi ko atsaka bahagyang nag-ayos ng upo. Napansin siguro ni Lolo kung bakit ako nagsasalita mag-isa kaya nang mapatingin siya sa akin, nalaman niyang may kausap ako sa phone. Naka-earphones din kasi ako kaya 'di rinig ang mga boses nila. "Napuwing lang kaya ako."
[Paano ka napuwing eh nasa loob ka ng sasakyan?] Napakatalino talaga nitong si Mimi. Ano na ngayon ang idadahilan ko.
"Basta! Wala akong problema okay, huwag niyo na akong intindihin."
[Sa susunod, kung magsisinungaling ka lang, galingan mo na. Kung ano man 'yang hindi mo sinasabi sa'min, I know malalagpasan mo rin 'yan-Korek!] sinesermonan ako ni Mommy Faye at panay naman ang pagsang-ayon ni Mimi sa kaniya.
"Tsitsiria na naman 'yan, ha, Mikasha. Nananaba ka na, oh."
[Frenship over na! Ang sexy ko kaya!] sabi pa niya atsaka naman gumawa ng mga pose doon, trying to prove she's sexy 'raw.' [Nasaan ang sexy?] tanong naman ni Faye.
[It really hurts, ah! Right here in the chest!] Mimi acted hurt, hands on her chest as if words stabbed her heart. Bahagya akong natawa sa bangayan nilang dalawa. Hindi ko alam kung paano naging mag-pinsan ang dalawang 'to. Lagi na lang nagtatalo.
[Who told you you are sexy at meron kang dibdib?] Doon na ako totally natawa sa sinabi ni Faye. Alam ko namang binibiro lang niya si Mimi, eh. Ayun tuloy, mukhang nagtampo. [O sige, GTG na, Bea. Kailangan ko lang suyuin 'yung nakatoyo kong pinsan. Haha!] sabi pa niya. Tumango lang ako sa kaniya. I waved my hand bago niya tuluyang patayin ang tawag.
Mabuti na lang talaga at nandiyan silang dalawa. Summer is finally over, and I am looking forward being with them again. After all, sila ang kumukumpleto ng araw ko.