Prologue
The whole hacienda was full of sorrow. What was once a happy and vibrant community had turned solemn as people gathered with long faces and tears. I could the heaviness around me pressing down my chest and I knew everyone felt the same way, too. His people mourned for him with utmost respect and affection.
Lolo Jaime lived a good life and he died a good death. I thank God that he did not suffer because he didn't deserve it. He was in good health until the very last day of his life. The night before he passed away, he was laughing, playing, and telling stories to his great-grandchildren, he danced Mom to the song they danced to on her 18th birthday, he drank with Uncle Tristan, Dad, and Kuya Coco, he'd pulled on my favorite magic trick even though I already knew the secret to it. I remembered the last thing he said before going to bed that night. It was as though he knew what was about to happen.
He told us how lucky he was for having a family like us. He told us to love one another and to always reach out whenever one of us needs help.
'If only Becca was here to see how happy our family is.' I heard him say before he kissed everyone good night.
Now, he was with Lola Becca and I knew he was happy with her now. Alam ko kung gaano niya kamahal si Lola Becca, he stayed faithful to her to their hacienda until his very last breath.
I wiped away my tears. I shouldn't be sad. Dapat maging masaya ako dahil natupad na ni Lolo Jaime ang hiling niya, ang makasama ang tanging babaeng minahal niya. I could easily imagine him running back to his wife's arms. After so many years, magkasama na ulit sila ngayon. He'd gone home to be with her.
His children stood in front of his grave and threw flowers on the casket as it was being lowered into the ground. Sa tabi ng puntod ni Lola Becca inilibing si Lolo, just like how he'd always wanted. Mom was in Dad's arms, crying and sobbing while Uncle Tristan was in quiet tears with Aunt Andi's arms wrapped around his waist. Ate Anais, Kuya Yvo, and Ate Monique openly cried as they threw the flowers on his casket and I was the last on to throw flower at him. The first sounds of dirt pounding on his casket made the people cry even harder.
Memories of him began to play back in my mind. I remembered how he used to take me horseback riding with Ate Anais, how he'd spoil us with ice creams and cakes, how he'd take us around the farm to feed his animals. Lolo was not only a wonderful father and grandpa, he was a wonderful person as well. He was loved by many because of his good heart. He never once turned down anyone who asked for his help.
After Lolo was buried, Uncle Tristan and Mom invited everyone back to the hacienda for a post-funeral reception. They welcomed everyone, from the hacienda's farmers to the elite peers of Lolo Jaime, just as he would if he was still alive. To Lolo, no one was above anyone. He treated everyone equally.
"Mom, are you okay?" I asked when we got back to the hacienda. The reception was held at the garden and everyone was being served food. Mom just stood there, her arms folded across her chest, watching everyone as if she was in a trance.
She shook her head as if shaking her mind out of the trance she was in. Her eyes began to water again. "I'm fine. It's just that... masyadong mabilis ang nangyari. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na wala na si Dad."
We all knew that Mom had always been a Daddy's girl. Lolo's death hit her hard the most. Ramdam ko ang lungkot niya nitong mga nakaraang araw.
"I'm sure Lolo Jaime's happy now with Lola Becca." I tried to smile to uplift her mood.
"Hon..." Dad came up to us and wrapped his arms around her waist from her back. He kissed her on the side of her head. "Hindi ka pa kumakain simula kaninang umaga. Why don't we sit and have lunch with the others?"
"I'm still not hungry." Mom sighed.
"Hon, you have to eat something. Baka magkasakit ka sa ginagawa mo." Dad said, concern in his voice.
"Mommy, I brought you food." Toffie said, bringing a plate to Mom.
"See, pati ang bunso natin nag-aalala sa'yo." Dad gently said.
Mom finally let out a smile as she took the plate from Toffie. She bent her head down to give our brother a kiss. "Thank you, baby."
"Let's sit down so you can eat." Aya ni Dad.
"Señorita Valerie." A man with a deep voice suddenly came up to us just as we were about to take a seat. My head turned to see who it was as the voice was unfamiliar. A tall, well-built man stood in front of us. "I offer my deepest condolences and sympathy for the loss of your father."
"I appreciate that." Mom answered and her eyes narrowed at him. "I'm sorry, I don't think I've ever seen you before. What's your name?"
"Vito. Vito Gaviria." He extended his hands to Mom.
Mom politely took it and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Vito. Ito nga pala ang asawa ko, si Axel. Ang bunso namin, si Christoff at ang pangalawang anak namin, si Bryce. That woman over there with the little girl, siya ang panganay namin na si Anais at apo namin na si Pixie."
Ate was busy feeding her daughter. Pixie was an extremely picky-eater, the total opposite of Cookie, her brother, who'd eat everything you shove in his mouth.
"May apo ka na?" His brows shot up in genuine surprise. "You don't look like a grandmother. You look like you're just in your early 30s."
"Well, thank you." Mom replied, forcing a smile. Mom does get that a lot. People would tell us na parang kapatid lang namin siya ni Ate. Mom had always taken good care of her beauty. Kung anu-anong cream ang pinapahid niya sa mukha and she regularly sees her dermatologist. She said she wanted to give Dad something to look at para hindi siya ma-tempt na tumingin sa ibang babae. Dad would always tell her that he wouldn't dare look at any other woman. That she'd always be the most beautiful woman for him.
Tumikhim si Dad, obviously uncomfortable with the man's compliment. He possessively wrapped an arm around Mom's waist. He gets really territorial when it comes to Mom, it's crazy. But then I couldn't blame him. There had been a few younger men who'd tried to make a move and flirt with Mom.
"I'm very pleased to meet you." Vito shook Dad's hand when he noticed the tension in the air.
"Pleased to meet you, too." Dad said in an even tone.
"Nakakalungkot nga lang na wala na si señor Jaime nang magkakilala tayo. Madalas kayong mabanggit ni señor kapag nag-uusap kami. You, your brother, his grandchildren." He smiled brightly when our eyes met. I didn't know why but the moment he looked at me, I felt nothing but disdain. I instantly hated him even though we hadn't spoken a word to each other. His aura reeked of pride and arrogance.
"That's Dad." Mom said with a slight smile.
"How long have you known Dad?" My dad asked.
"We'd known each other for a short span of time. We had a very short but deep friendship." Vito sighed and shook his head. "His passing is a deep loss to everyone who have ever known him."
I didn't know Lolo had a friend as young as him. Vito looked like he was in his 20's or early 30's at most and Lolo was like a gazillion years old. But then, Lolo gets along with everyone, no matter what status or age you are.
"Teka, ipakikilala lang kita sa brother ko at sa ibang mga bisita." Said Mom before turning her head to Dad. "I'll be back in a bit, hon."
"Sure..." Dad answered, giving her a kiss on the forehead again. "We'll wait for you."
Vito glanced at me once more and I discreetly cocked a brow at him. There was just something about him that I didn't like. Mom being the good hostess she was introduced him to the others and Uncle Tristan.
Dad let out a deep, tired exhale as soon as Mom left. "I'm worried about your Mom."
"She'll get around. Siya ang pinakamalapit kay Lolo. I can't imagine how hard it is for her."
"I know and I wish I could take away her pain." Dad said wearily as she watched Mom. "It breaks my heart to hear her cry every night and I can't even do anything about it."
"Dad, everything's going to be alright. Magiging okay din si Mom." I assured him.
"I hope so." Dad nodded his head. "For now, all we can do is be there for her. Your Mom's in a very vulnerable and fragile state. You'll help me make her feel better again, won't you?" He looked at the two of us.
"Yes!" Toffie answered.
"Good job, son." Tinaas ni Dad ang isang kamay for a high-five and Toffie high-fived him. Then Dad looked at me. "Bryce...?"
"Of course." I answered.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co