Chapter 15: Return to the Ruined Home
868 Words
The humid air of the Philippines wrapped around Amira the moment she stepped out of the airport. Unlike the cool, fragrant breeze of the palace, here, the scent of earth, rain, and burning wood filled her lungs. She hadn’t been back in years, and the weight of nostalgia washed over her. But the excitement quickly faded as she remembered the devastation caused by the typhoon.
After gathering her luggage, she walked outside, where a driver stood waiting for her, holding a sign with her name. He was tall and wore a crisp uniform that indicated he was employed by the royal family. "Miss Amira?" A middle-aged man in a barong Tagalog approached her with a polite nod. "Ako po si Marco, inutusan po ako ng Prince Jacob para samahan kayo na makarating ng maayos sa Nueva Ecija."
“Maraming Salamat, Marco,” Amira replied, her heart racing as she climbed into the back seat of the luxury vehicle. It felt surreal to be driven by a royal driver, but she was grateful for the convenience, especially given the state of her family's home.
As they drove through the vibrant streets of Manila, memories flooded back—her childhood, laughter with her brothers, and the warm embrace of her mother. However, the excitement quickly faded as she remembered the devastation caused by the typhoon. The sprawling urban landscape was now interspersed with signs of recovery, but the scars of the storm lingered.
After a couple of hours, they finally arrived in Nueva Ecija. The driver maneuvered through the dirt roads, and Amira's heart sank at the sight of her family's farm. What had once been a vibrant and lush landscape was now flooded and bare, their hut barely standing—just a few wooden posts clinging to the ground.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
"Ate Amira!" It was her younger brothers, Luis and Andres, running toward her with wide smiles. They were still young, but the worry in their eyes reflected the hardships they had faced.
"Ang tagal mong nawala, Ate Amira!" Luis shouted, leaping into her arms.
"Oo, Luis! Miss na kita!" Amira exclaimed, squeezing him tightly.
Andres joined in, and Amira knelt to embrace them both.
"Sama-sama tayo ngayon, mga kapatid. Magiging okay tayo," she assured them, though uncertainty lingered in her heart.
"Anong nangyari, Ate? Ang hirap dito!" Andres asked, glancing around at the devastation.
"Magiging maayos din ang lahat, babalik tayo sa dati." Amira said, trying to sound hopeful.
As they spoke, Teresa, Amira’s stepmother, emerged from the shadows of the half-destroyed hut, her face etched with worry but lighting up at the sight of her stepdaughter.
"Amira! Salamat, dumating ka!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop Amira in a tight embrace.
"Oo, Mama," Amira replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "Pasensya na po kung ngayon lang ako nakabalik. Mabuti at pinayagan ako ng mga amo ko"
"Ang hirap, anak," Teresa said, her voice breaking. "Tatay mo… nawala na siya. Namatay siya sa pagkatrabaho sa bukirin nang tinamaan ng kidlat."
The weight of Teresa's words hung heavy in the air. Amira's heart shattered as she processed the news.
"Mama, walang wala na ba tayo?” Amira asked, looking at the ruined farm and feeling a sense of despair wash over her.
"Hindi, anak. Magtutulungan tayo. Kaya pa natin 'to," Teresa reassured her, though her eyes reflected a deep sorrow.
"Nasaan po ang tatay?" Amira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sa likod ng bahay ibinurol ang Tatay mo. Magsama-sama tayong pumunta doon." Teresa said, her voice filled with pain.
With heavy hearts, they walked to the back of the house, where Amira's father's coffin lay under a makeshift canopy. The sight of it brought a fresh wave of grief crashing down on her. Tears streamed down her face as she approached, trembling at the reality of his absence.
"Patawarin mo ako, Tatay. Hindi ako nakabalik agad" she whispered, kneeling beside the coffin. "Nandito na ako." She touched the smooth wood, feeling the weight of all the unspoken words and regrets between them.
Luis and Andres stood close, their small hands clutching each other as they watched their sister mourn. “Ate, ang sakit-sakit ‘di ba?” Luis said, his voice quivering.
“Oo, Luis. Hindi na natin mababago pa ang tadhana pero nandito pa tayo, sama-sama,” Amira replied, wiping her tears. She turned to her brothers, trying to find strength in their presence. “Kailangan nating maging matatag. Hindi tayo nag-iisa.”
Amira looked back at her father's coffin, memories flooding her mind. The warmth of his laughter, the lessons he had taught her, and the love he had shown. "I will take care of them, I promise," she whispered to the heavens.
As dusk fell, Amira sat with her brothers by the remnants of their home, watching the sun dip below the horizon. "Kaya natin 'to, mga kapatid," she whispered, her heart filled with hope. "Basta’t sama-sama tayo."
Together, they began to clear the rubble, hands working tirelessly to reclaim what was left of their home. Each small victory felt monumental as they found items buried beneath the debris—pieces of their old life, reminders of resilience.
- Writer
