Dream

CHAPTER 2

The sun is high above the school courtyard, warm and golden , lighting up everything with a soft glow . Children's voices filled the air , laughing, shouting, calling each other's names , Everyone seemed happy, enjoying the short break between classes.

Everyone, except ivy.

She sat under the big mango tree at the edge of the school yard, her knees drawn close to her chest, her eyes staring quietly into the thick branches above her .

Her classmates noticed her silence.

"Hoy ivy , bakit kaba laging nakatingin sa punong Yan?" Jack asked , raising an eyebrow as he walked closer.

"Oo nga , Yvonne said, holding a sandwich.

"Parang may tiniting nan ka dyang magandang ibon? Meron ba?

Ivy didn't answer right away . Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came before she could say a word, the bell rang loudly across the school ground, and their teacher's voice followed.

"Mga anak , Hali na kayo tapos na ang snack time . Pasok na , their teacher called, her voice both kind and firm .

The students quickly ran back to the classroom. Ivy picked up her sandwich and followed them , but just before she stepped inside, she turned her head one last time towards the Mango tree.

The day passed slowly ivy couldn't concentrate. Her mind kept going back to the tree and feeling that she wasn't alone earlier. Even when she sat at her desk, she felt eyes on her .

When the school ended , the girls walked home together as they always did.

"Ivy , kanina pa kita gustong tanungin , Yvonne said as they walked "Bakit parang iba ka Ngayon ? Tahimik ka lang buong araw.

"Okay lang ako, ivy replied forcing a small smile.

"Sigurado ka ? , maria asked , her brow furrowed in concern . "Kung may problema ka , pwede mo naman sabihin sa amin.

Ivy hesitated she wanted to tell them , about the eyes she felt earlier, but instead, she just nodded.

After they arrived at home , The smell of dinner drifted through the air . Their mother stood over the stove , her face looked tired but she smiled when she saw the girls enter.

"Nandito na pala kayo , Hali na kayo at kakain na , she set the table with worn plates and utensils.

"Sila kuya po? Ivy asked

"Mamaya na daw kasi gumagawa pa ng assignment.

The three girls help their mother to place the food on the table. It was a simple dinner, adobo , rice and boiled vegetables, they began to eat in silence.

Then the door burst open.

Their father had arrived — drunk again.

He stumbled in , his clothes messy , and the smell of the alcohol filled the room instantly, The girls froze .

The man walked over the table and slammed his hands down.

"Asan Pera mo?! Ibigay mo Sakin , Russel! Kurt! Bilhan nyo ko ng alak!! , Ikaw ! Anong ginagawa mo buong araw , ha?! He shouted.

Their mother stood up carefully," Kumain ka muna, kain na Tayo."

"Wla akong pakialam! Asan yung Pera?!

"Ibinayad ko ng utang sa tindahan , baka kasi di na tayo pautangin pag diko binayaran yun mahal.

His face twisted in anger , he raised his hand and slap , and beat her hard .

"Kuya ! Tulong ! Sinasaktan na naman ni papa si mama ! , maria screamed as she ran to the room of their kuya.

Russel and Kurt ,her to older brother , rushed out.

"Pa , tama na! Russel shouting, grabbing their fathers arm.

Kurt stepped in between him and their mother. Pa! Tama na! Ano kaba!

The house became a storm of shouting and crashing dishes, ivy , Yvonne, and Maria Hubbled in the corner, crying quietly. The small space felt smaller , like the walls were closing in .

Their mother sobbed, protected by her son's ,while the drunk man shouted nonsense, finally collapsing into a chair . Russel stood beside him , fists clenched, jaw tight. Kurt helped their mother back to her seat, and whispering a words to calm down .

That night, the house was quiet, but wasn't peaceful. In the small kitchen, their mother sat with her hands resting on the table, staring blankly at a cup of Lukewarm salabat . Her shoulders slumped, her eyes distant , Russel stood near doorway , arm crossed tightly over his chest .

"Ma , he said after a long silence , his voice low but firm . "Hiwalayan mo na si papa.

Their mother didn't look at him , her eyes stayed on the cup in front of her.

"Anak , Hindi mo naiintindihan , bata pa kayo , she replied softly, almost a whisper , "Hindi ganon kadaling gawin yon.

"Bata? , ma , ilang beses na to nang yari , araw-araw na lang halos tapos sasabihin mo bata pa kami? Oo nga bata pa kami pero alam na namin kung ano ang tama at mali.

His voice rose slightly, but it wasn't anger , it was pain . " Ma hindi nato tama , hindi kana ligtas ," Hindi kami ligtas.

She finally looked at him , her eyes tired and heavy with years of suffering, " Anong gusto mong gawin ko Russel? Umalis? Saan Tayo pupunta? Wla tayong sapat na pera , Russel naman.

"Mas mabuti nang wlang pera ma," He answered his jaw tightening "kaysa araw-araw tayong takot sa loob ng bahay nato , kaya naman siguro natin mabuhay ng wla sya.

Her eyes welled up with tears , but she quickly wiped them away . "Hindi mo kasi naiintindihan anak , Hindi ganon kadali yon . Kung aalis tayo mahahanap at mahahanap parin nya tayo.

Ma, naman .... Gagawa ako ng paraan ma , wla kabang tiwala sakin? samin? Russel said.

Their mother turned away , her hands trembling slightly as she reach for the cup again," Anak, Russel matulog kana .

Russel stared at her for a moment, jaw clenched then with out another word, he turned around and go outside.