Celestina's Revenge

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. The rhythmic sound of the river, gently lapping at the shore, blended with the whispers of the wind through the trees. The air smelled of fresh grass and earth—nature’s scent, familiar and comforting. Celestina Solangon sat at the edge of the riverbank, her legs drawn up close to her chest, a stone in her hand. She paused before tossing it into the water, watching as the ripples spread across the surface. The ripples were small at first, but they quickly grew wider and farther, much like her dreams. At this moment, she felt as if those dreams were about to reach out far beyond the quiet life she had known in this small village. This would be her last evening by the river, her last evening in the peaceful province of Samar, where she had spent her whole life. Tomorrow, she would leave for Mandaluyong City, where a new chapter of her life awaited—one full of uncertainties, challenges, and opportunities. It was a future that she had dreamed of for so long, but tonight, with the setting sun and the soft sounds of her family laughing in the distance, it felt both exhilarating and terrifying. She let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest. Tomorrow, everything would change. Her family had always been her anchor. Though their life had been simple, it was rich with love, laughter, and the closeness that came from working together in their small, tight-knit community. Her parents, Nilda and Rene, were farmers. They had given everything they could to provide for her and her two younger siblings. It wasn’t an easy life, but they had managed. They had always believed in hard work, and Celestina had always admired that about them. She had learned the value of perseverance and sacrifice from them. But there were also dreams—dreams that stretched far beyond the fields and the quiet rivers of their village. Dreams of something more, something bigger. As much as she loved her family and her home, she knew that she couldn’t be content to live the same life forever. She had to try. She had to leave. She had to see what the world beyond her small town could offer. But leaving wasn’t easy. As much as she longed for the future, a part of her wanted to stay. She wanted to remain in this peaceful place, where the days were slow and the world felt safe. Where she could always find comfort in the familiar faces of her parents and siblings. Tomorrow, though, she would step into the unknown. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned her head, and there was Marco, her younger brother, holding a basket with their picnic supplies. He looked hesitant, his brows furrowed with concern. “Ate,” he began softly, his voice betraying the worry that was evident on his face. “Why do you want to leave? It’s nice here. You could go to the university here.” Celestina’s heart tightened at his words. She knew this wasn’t easy for him. Marco was just a few years younger, but they had always been close. He had always looked up to her, and the thought of her leaving their family, leaving him, was difficult for both of them. She could see the sadness in his eyes, the uncertainty in his voice. She smiled at him gently, her heart full of love. “Marco, I love our home. But… if I stay here, I won’t be able to give us the life I want. I need to see if there’s more out there for me. I need to try, not just for me, but for all of us.” She held his gaze, searching his eyes for understanding. He sat down beside her, placing the basket on the ground and pulling his knees close to his chest. “But Ate, what if you don’t come back? What if you get lost in the city and forget about us?” Celestina’s smile softened as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “I won’t forget you, Marco. You’re my brother. I’ll always come back.” She tried to reassure him, even though a small part of her wasn’t entirely sure. The city was so big, and the future so uncertain. But she needed him to believe in her. She needed him to understand that this was something she had to do, even if it meant leaving everything behind. Marco’s eyes searched her face, as if looking for some hint of doubt or hesitation, but there was none. She was determined. He could see it in her eyes. Slowly, his worried expression shifted, and he nodded. “Promise me you’ll come back, Ate. Promise me.” Celestina squeezed his shoulder, her voice steady. “I promise, Marco. I’ll come back. And when I do, I’ll have so many stories to tell you. I’ll make sure that when I come back, it’ll be worth it.” She had no idea what the future would hold, but she knew she had to take that first step into it. She couldn’t stay in the comfort of her home forever. There was more to life—more to discover, more to become. And maybe, just maybe, she could change her family’s life. Maybe she could bring something better to them. Marco smiled softly, the weight of worry still heavy in his eyes but tempered by the hope in his heart. “I’ll wait for you, Ate. I promise.” Celestina pulled him into a hug, her arms tight around him as she held him close. She wanted to hold onto this moment forever. The love, the comfort, the security of her family. But she knew that leaving was part of growing up. Part of chasing her dreams. “Thank you, Marco. I love you,” she whispered, feeling the warmth of the moment settle into her heart. Just then, they heard the sounds of their parents laughing as they made their way toward the riverbank. Their father, Rene, was carrying the cooler, and their mother, Nilda, was holding a blanket and a basket of food. The familiar sight of them, so full of life and joy, made Celestina’s heart ache with both love and sadness. She could see how much they had sacrificed for her and her siblings. They had worked hard their whole lives, never asking for anything in return, except for their children to be happy. “Ate, Marco! We’re here!” Nilda called out, her voice full of warmth and affection. Celestina stood up to greet them, feeling the familiar pull of family around her. She helped them spread the blanket and set up the picnic. Her parents joked and laughed as they unpacked the food, and even Marco seemed to lighten up, his earlier concerns forgotten for the moment. As they sat down to eat, Celestina couldn’t help but feel the deep sense of gratitude for the family she was about to leave behind. They had given her everything—love, support, and the strength to follow her dreams. It was only when they were all settled, enjoying the meal together, that Celestina realized how much she would miss this—miss them. The quiet, peaceful days by the river, the sounds of her mother’s laughter, the warmth of her father’s reassuring presence. These were the things that had shaped her, the things that would always remain in her heart, no matter where she went. She looked around at her family, committing each face to memory. Tomorrow, she would leave. She would step into a world that was bigger, louder, and more complicated than she could ever imagine. But she knew that she would always carry a part of them with her. And no matter what happened, no matter how far she went, she would come back to them. “I’ll come back stronger,” she whispered to herself, more a promise than a thought. “I’ll come back for all of us.” The sunset deepened into dusk, and the stars began to appear in the sky. Celestina sat back on the blanket, her family around her, and for the first time in a long while, she felt peace. Tomorrow would be the beginning of something new, but tonight was for family. Tonight was for the memories that would guide her forward. Tomorrow, she would leave.