Sunshine's Own Eclipse

Kabanata 1

Whistle and blows of the wind, birds chirping around this place. My Lolo Emilio's house. It's still 4 in the morning the sun is not up yet I am. Still thinking what will I do now that I just graduated. My parents wants me to manage some of our restaurants but then my Lolo wanted me to have and manage the hacienda.

Being one of the grandchildren of the most prominent business tycoons in the country is a blessing and a nightmare. Everyone expect me to be great at business too. But did they ever think na kung anong gusto ko. I am cage behind them, my family's shadow. I am not even allowed to go and explore the world.

" Sol, Iha ang aga mo namang nagising na bata ka. Hindi pa lumabas ang haring araw ay nauna kapa sa kanya." Mamang Nina, one of our oldest maiden in the house. Hindi na nakapag asawa dahil inilaan ang buhay sa pagaalaga sa pamilya namin.

"Mamang how can the sun still shine even though some of people doesn't appreciate his importance. How can he still shine after the rain. Kasi ako po ay pagod nang bumangon at magpanggap na may natitira pang liwanag sa akin." nginitian lang ako nito at binigay ang mainit na tsokolate sa akin.

"Dahil yun ang silbi niya sa mundo. Ang magbigay liwanag sa kabila nang kadiliman at ano mang pagsubok na kaharapin nang mundo. Ang ipalaala sa mga tao na may panibagong araw nanaman upang bumangon. Ang araw ay hindi kailanman mapapagod sa pagbibigay niya nang liwanag niya kahit ang iba ay ayaw sa kanya. Kaya rin ito lumulubog sa dapit hapon upang magpahinga. Kaya walang masama sa pagbibigay nang liwanag para sa ibang tao Solana. "

Hinawakan niya ang bakanteng kamay ko na hindi naka hawak sa hot chocolate. Marahan niya iyong pinisil. Seems like saying that everything's alright.

"Pero wag mo ring kalimutang magpahinga. Kung ano mang pinagdaraanan mo ngayon ay isipin mo nalang na yun ay pagsubok lang at kailangan mo paring magbigay liwanag hindi lang para sa iba kundi para rin sayong sarili. Wag mong kalimutan yan, iha. "

dahil sa mga sinabi ni Mamang ay nabuhayan ako nang loob na piliin kung ano mang gusto ko at yun ay ang magphinga mula sa mga opinion nang ibang tao sa akin.

"How about you Mamang? Hindi ka po ba nagsisisi na hindi ka po nakapag-asawa't anak?" She smiled while looking at the rising sun at umiling.

"Sa hacienda na ito ako namulat Solana. Kasabay nang pagpapaunlad nang Lolo Emilio mo sa haciendang ito ay ang pagtatrabaho ko din dito. Si Emilio ang tinuturing kong araw para sakin dahil sa panahong iyon ay walang kahit na sino man ang kayang tanggapin ako. Pero isang umaga ang bumago nang buhay ko at sa umagang iyon ay nandoon ang Lolo Emilio mo. Mabait na tao ang iyong Lolo, Solana. Kaya kung ang bumabagabag saiyo ay tungkol sa Lolo mo. Tiyak kong maiintindahan ka non." She gave me soft smile.

Niyakap ko si Mamang. Laking pasasalamat ko na hindi niya kami iniwan. May mumunting luha sa mga mata ko pero tiyak kong hindi iyon dahil malungkot ako.

"Thank you Mamang. Our family will not have all of this without you. You are indeed our family's sunshine. Kahit po hindi niyo kami kadugo ay inalagaan at inaruga niyo kami."

After my talk with Mamang. I realized something. My Lolo is a great man but I wonder if will he really give me what I want.

" I want to live in Manila. Independently and start from the bottom."

" Anong kalokohan ang sinasabi mo Solana?" wearing a vintage and classic coat of Louis Vuitton paired with a casual dress in the inside which is the sophisticated my mother Maria Alora Spinx-Marques exaggeratedly reacted to what I've said.

All eyes are on me after I've said that. My Lolo's menacing and deep brown eyes look at me. Nasa hapag kaming lahat at dahil sa nasabi ko ay nahinto sila sa pagkain. Kahit sa kantandaan na neto ay naroon parin ang authority sa mukha niyon. He's looking at me like I just said something taboo. It made me feel so nervous that my breathing is faster and I feel like I am at lost of air.

Bakas sa mukha ni Daddy na nag-aalala siya sa akin dahil papaling-paling ang mukha niya sa akin at kay Lolo Emilio. Ang apat na pinsang lalaki ko rin ay ganun katulad nang reaction ni Daddy. I know how scary Lolo is but because of their reaction ay mas lalo akong kinabahan.

" I want to be independent. I want to see the world out there. I want to experience how difficult and challenging it is to live out there. i want freedom from this prison."

" You don't stand a chance out there, Solana. We are here we can provide you everything. Even a man for you to marry. A man that is worthy of you our sunshine." said by the most caring person I know. Chiseled jaw with his pointy noise and eyes that he got with Lolo Emilio. Menacing and deep. The first grandchild born of the Marques. Leon Joseph Marques.

Ang ibang pinsan ko ay tumango dahil sa sinabi ni Kuya Leo. He seemed so serious and so is our other cousins. This is not thier usuall facade. They are all playful and cares so much to the point na kahit isang manliligaw ay walang nakalapit sa akin.

"Princess, Leo is right you can't be out there. We can't let a precious and vurnerable girl like you to start from the bottom and be independent. You can depend on us. Ano pa at nandito kami kung hindi namin magagawang protektahan ka."

Micheal Jay Marques. He sounded so soft. He's always like that naman. He got Tita Mina's small face shape. He's the most habulin nang babae sa mga pinsan ko beacuse of that. He got a soft face features but when you look at his eyes he is also so intimidating that he got from Lolo.

Napatingin ang lahat kay Lolo nang mag-umpisa ulit itong kumain. "Continue your food. We will talk it out after the dinner." sinabi niya iyon na nasa pagkain lang ang tingin.

My nervousness tripled when everyone has finished their food. I look at Lolo Emilio when he picked up his table napkin and swipe his mouth with it. Looking at everyone after. I know that I am not the only one whose nervous at this point. My cousin look at Lolo and me.

"Let me hear you again Solana Evangeline." Damn. That freaking name making my heart beat so fast. Can I take back myk' words? Lolo's voice is deep and serious that I can feel my feet colder every seconds that past by.

" I-- I want to live independently Lolo. I am most thankful that you provided me everything but I know there's something I need to find for myself. I can't be just the proud and heiress of your businesses. I wanna build my own empire but I want it built with my own sweat. All my life I have been caged here. I have been always obeying you. I just want a chance. A chance to find me and know who I am and what am I really capable of. " Tuloy² at mabilis na sabi ko kay Lolo, avoiding his eyes the whole time.

I am afraid that if I'd be intimidated with how deep his brown eyes are. I am afraid that I'll take back my words.

"You really are my grandchild, Solana Evangeline. I have been waiting for the time that you will stand up and fight for what you want, apo." He chuckled while saying that and I just gave him a confused look.

" When you were a kid. You never asked for anything. You willingly accept any toys. Kalaunan ay hanggang sa magdalaga ay ganun parin. You were not like you're cousins. They asked for cars and cars and cars but you never asked for anything not even foods. But nonetheless I am proud of you, apo. You're in the right age to be independent but can you really do it? Being independent means not getting everything. Independency is not easy as said. You will live separately from all of us here. No maids, no chef, no launderer. You have to work hard to make a living and food. Can you really do it? Isn't this all bluffing? I can give you freedom without being independent apo."

I smiled and nodded. I am sure that this is what I want. I want to see myself outside this mansion living on my own. Ayaw ko nang umasa sa pera na meron ang angkang ito. I don't want to be labeled as the hieress. I can't feel it. I am not belong there.

"All of your cousins acted like that because they know how hard it is. I made it a rule. I exempted you because you were not spoiled like them. You are always the only exemptions of my rules sunshine." umiwas nang tingin ang mga pinsan ko. That explains why they are so out of character when I said that.

" I know you can do better than these big mongrels but I am really worried. I may not be able to hold back if I saw you suffering Solana."

What Lolo Emilio's words made my heart warm. Mamang is right. Mabuting tao si Lolo. Natabunan lang siguro iyon sa paningin ko dahil sa pakiramdam na kinukulong lang nila ako.

"We never cage you, apo. You may not know it now but all of those strict times are all worth it. You finished with flying colours and made as all proud. " He came near me and hugged me. " Never feel like we caged you for our sake it's for you, apo. I know you will keep us all proud. Go and soar high our sunshine."

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko at naiyak sa bisig ni Lolo. I never felt that they love me this much. I am selfish and self-centered but they still let me. I am spoiled as my cousins much even worse that them.

"Thank you Lolo, I love you po" he kissed my forehead " I love you too, apo."

Lumapit samin ang mga pinsan ko at inasar ako.

" Marunong ka palang umiyak, Sol?" Kuya Leon. He hugged me after Lolo Emilio let me go.

" Tama si Grandpa, Sunshine we love you and the creeps when he let us go independent is unimaginable. We literally start from scratch. Ang pinakawawa ay si Adrien. He was the most spoiled of us four. Lolo let him do anything he wants but when he graduated. He worked as a farmer not in our land but under another haciendero. That was so scary and still sending me the creeps. He cried. We all cried because we don't know how to live out there without this family and connection but still ee hang in there and made it out and be back on our own feet. Hahaha but I know Grandpa helped us secretly when we realized how to make our way on top again."

Kuya Leon is the most playful Marques but he always know what to do and say.

"And you helped us when you where at the top. You didn't realize it but you are Lolo Emilio's younger version."

Louis Adrien Marques, the spoiled brat Marques. As if I am looking as Tito Demi's younger version. Moreno tone, pointed nose and perfect sculpted jaw. Tinapik niya ang balikat ni Kuya Leon matapos niyang sabihin iyon.

"Kuya Leon will also help you, sunshine. We are here, Lolo and your dad. You're the sunshine of the family after all no one can survive seeing you suffer. Hahaha masyado kaming narupok pagdating sa ka isa-isang prinsesa namin." Tygir Collin Marques the younger brother and an absolute carbon copy of Kuya Leon. Aakalin mong kambal silang dalawa dahil magkapareho talaga ang mukha nila. He's the youngest grandson na sinundan ko.

Two generation of Marques after they had a Marques girl. 3 lalaki ang anak ni Lolo Emilio at inakala nilang puro lalaki din ang magiging apo kaya ganito nila akong tratuhin na minasama ko naman.

"I am sorry for thinking that you all caged me here. I realized na mali si Lolo mali kayo when you said that I am not spoiled and Kuya Adrien's the most spoiled Marques because it's me. You all spoiled me with everything and I never saw it till now. I love you Kuyas'" They hugged me after I said it.

"Remember this Solana Marques. You will meet a lot of people and my stumble and fall for someone but I'll tell you. No one will ever be deserving of your shine. All beasts are only after one thing, flesh. Remember that Solana. No one will ever deserve the sunshine of the Marques. No one will be, apo."

Bulong ni Lolo nang siya ang huling yumakap sa akin. I am indeed lucky to be the sunshine inside this big walls and by these people.

One week ang palugit sakin ni Lolo Emilio para maghanap nang bagong matitirhan. He also specifically said that all of my gadgets will be confiscated. It only means na hindi ko ito madadala sa pag alis ko. He even confiscated my cards. Buti nalang at nakapag ipon ako nang konti.

The sun is shining out and it's so mainit. Kailan ko pang maghanap nang matitirhan. Some of the place are disgusting and gross pero yung mga matitino naman ay mahal ang rent.

"Madam hindi po ba pwedeng 5K per month since hindi naman po ganun ka laki yung lugar. I came from an apartment across and they have a 4K room there that is way bigger than this." rinig kong sabi nang isang lalaking matangkad probably 6 footer guy. Naka football cap ito at nakikipag usap sa isang katandaang babae na makikita mong mataray ito dahil ang taas nang kilay na halata namang drawing lang.

"Edi dun ka sa kabila mangupa kung ganun laang din naman." Medyo natawa ako dahil hindi naman totoong 4K ang upa sa kabila.

It's way higher than 5K pesos dahil maganda ang location at malinis ang lugar na yon compare sa apartment nato. Some debris are about to fall off and the buildings color is faded and scratch from some area.

" What are you laughing, Miss?" medyo tumingala ako nang dahil sa pagtwag neto sakin. He's voice is deep bagay sa kanya dahil sa laki ba naman nang taong ito. He is even taller than Kuya Leon who's already 6 foot.

"Nothing" At bumaling sa ginang na kanina ay kausap nito .

"May I see your rooms po?" ngumiti ito pero ang kilay ay nasa ganun paring lugar nang mukha nito.

"Kay gandang bata, magalang pa hindi katulad nang isa jan."

Sinamaan ako nang tingin nung lalaki. He got a deep gray eyes. Matangos ang ilong. If Kuya Adrien has the softest features of face. This one's different he looked like a demi god with his perfected face ratio. He got a nice lips mukhang mas malambot pa ito dahil sakin.

"Are you done staring?" natauhan ako nang magsalita nanaman siya.

"I'm sorry."

"Tsk."

Sumunod na ako dun sa ginang at tiningnan ang room na tinutukoy netong nasa 10K daw ang halaga per month. The place is in decent shape. May sala at dining na may kasama nang kitchen. I can also see two rooms. This place is nice. And it's cheap for a 10K rent.

"Libre nang kuryente and tubig dahil malaki namang ang kwartong ito. Kailangan mo lang mag down payment nang kalahati para sa ngayong buwan. " I smiled and nodded. I take out my wallet nang may nagsalita nanaman sa likod ko.

Sumunod pala siya samin papasok. Hindi ko siya namalayan dahil busy ako sa pagtingin sa buong lugar.

"But I got her first and I don't mind having a roommate" He smirked.

"But I am willing to pay for the whole apartment."

"Magandang ideya iyang sinabi mo iho. Since dalawa naman iyong kwarto. Makakatipid kapa ineng at para matapos na sa kakakulit sakin nitong batang ito."

I am used to having boys around the house but I am not used to having strangers inside my house!

"But--"

Inabot na nung lalaki ang 5K pesos at agad namang umalis ang Landlady na may ngiti sa labi.

"You!"

" I have made you a favor."

Nakakainis man ay wala na akong magagawa. I have already found a place to live in. Kakalimutan ko nalang na may asungot sa magiging bahay ko. Little did I know hindi lang ang bahay ko ang aasungiton niya kung hindi mayayanig din boung pagkatao ko.