Lasapin ang Nektar ni Maria

Chapter six - Forgotten memories

6 - Forgotten memories

(First scene)

"I hate you! You stole my first kiss." A nine-year-old girl, who held back her tears when she said that.

"It's not my fault, you're the one who provoked me to kiss you." A twelve-year-old boy replied, while his cheeks turning red.

Anger flashed across the girl's face when she heard what the boy said.

She quickly approached the boy and punched him in the face.

***

(Second scene)

"Maria, stop crying. It's a good thing that the school principal was persuaded by my plea, or else you might be-"

"Mah, he stole my first kiss." She complained to her mother between sobs. She slowly took off her glasses before rubbing her eyes.

"Nakausap ko s'ya-"

"The boy you punched." Her mother's answer to her questioning face.

"Nag sorry s'ya and he even said that you started it." Her mother said while fixing her hair that was blocking her face.

"Mah, s'ya po ang nauna." She said again, seeking her mother's sympathy.

She frowned when she saw her mother staring at her intently. That meant she had to stop and they were done talking.

***

(Third scene)

"Mah!"

"Maria, you need to do this." Mom fixed my hair, even gently ran her palm over the dress I was wearing, as if that would remove the crease from my sitting for so long.

"But mom, I'm just a teenager, I'm only sixteen years old. I haven't even finished school yet..and then this-"

There was a pleading tone in my voice when I told my mother that, who was trying to avoid my gaze. Perhaps her parents' decision was against her will.

My mother's parents made all the decisions. I can't imagine having to follow everything they want.They've done everything they can to manipulate mom's life, but why me too?

They decided to arrange me to marry a man because of business. Just like my mother, they will marry me to a man I don't know and, more importantly, to a man I don't love.

"Mah.." Tears kept falling down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry! Anak wala akong magawa."

I cried even more when I saw my mother crying too.

***

(Fourth scene)

At a long table with ten seats, the elders were happily chatting. There were smiles in their eyes as they spoke.

I felt the opposite, my chest filled with bitterness. I bowed my head while holding back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes.

I secretly glanced at the people talking, grandpa was smiling while talking to another old man who was about his age. Next to the old man was another old woman who is the same age as grandma.

"Please forgive my grandson for not coming here. He is currently abroad studying." The old man said it clearly. Which made me happy. That just shows that he's not interested in marriage either.

My mind kept whispering that I wanted to get away, escape, run. Run away from everything..but what about mom?

I can't bear the thought that mom might be responsible for everything if I do what I want and if I go away, where will I go? I'm only sixteen years old. Will I be able to handle it?

I was even more discouraged by the thoughts I was having. Is this really my fate?

"Ysabelle."

I heard Grandpa calling me.

"P-Po.." There was a lump in my throat when I said that.

"From now on, you will live there with them."

My eyes widened at what my grandfather said. I quickly looked at my mother as if asking for help.

"Papa, Ysabelle is only sixteen Why does she have to go with them?"

There was a hint of opposition to grandfather's decision in mom's voice.

"Mariana, My decision is final." Grandpa said, It's complete and it doesn't seem like it should be disobeyed.

I saw that Mama's shoulders seemed to slump at Grandpa's words. That was proof that Mama couldn't do anything more.

I couldn't do anything but bow down, I felt my mother's palms touch my clasped hands resting on my thighs.

***

(Fifth scene)

"Apo, come here "I bought you a new dress, you'll definitely look even more beautiful when you wear it."I approached and smiled shyly at the grandmother of the man I was going to marry.

I swallowed hard and winced when I saw the many paper bags lined up on top of the long sofa.

.....

Just like Grandpa said, I went to live with the family of the man I was going to marry. Like my mother, I also became obedient to my grandfather's orders, even though I didn't want to.

At first, there wasn't a night that I didn't cry. I felt like I was something that had just been given away.

I'm still going to school, but as the adults agreed while I was still underage, we won't get married yet.

But I will be living with my future husband's family.

I agreed to my grandfather's order. But in my mind, I already had a plan.

I have been living with my future husband's family for almost a year, but during all this time I have not even seen the man I will marry.

Today is the day he arrives and just like I planned, I'm sure he'll reject me when he sees my appearance.

I'm wearing a maroon long-sleeved polo shirt, which I paired with a long black skirt that almost reached my ankles. I secretly smiled when I saw my reflection in the mirror. Thick glasses that I matched with my eyebrows that were already quite thick because I hadn't shaved them in a long time. But my smile turned into a frown because my lips were still completely red even though I didn't apply any red lipstick.

I just tied my long hair up without combing it.

"Yes, I'm coming out." I answered when I heard my name being called from outside the door.

I took a deep breath before finally leaving the room.

***

(Sixth scene)

I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest from the sheer nervousness. At the same time, my hands were sweating.

From where I was standing, I could see the man's back. He was hugging his grandmother.

Grandma smiled while she darted her eyes at me and I heard she introduced me to her grandson and after that..

It's like a slow motion scene when her grandson turned his eyes at me.

"Success!" I secretly said this in my mind when I saw the man's frown.

I couldn't help but notice grandma's grimace when she saw my outfit. She was probably wondering why I didn't wear even one of the dresses she bought for me.

"Apo, meet maria ysabelle your future wife."

My eyes widened as the man pulled me close and kissed the corner of my lips. I swallowed hard as he did so.

"You're naughty my grandson, look at Maria, her cheeks are red."

Because of what grandma said, my cheeks became even hotter with embarrassment.

"Grandma, she has nothing to be ashamed of, because she will be my wife."

I hadn't even recovered from his furtive kiss on the side of my lips when he quickly wrapped his arm around my waist.

I secretly patted my forehead with my palm. I blew out a breath. I feel like I failed in my plan.

***

(Seventh scene)

"Happy birthday, anak." Mom whispered to me.

This is the day they have been waiting for. Today is my eighteenth birthday. It's also the day I'm about to get married.

Over the past few months, preparations have been in full swing for my upcoming birthday, as this is the day where we will announce our engagement.

And in the past few months, I can't deny that something has changed. That includes my feelings. Who wouldn't fall in love with someone like him? Despite my outward appearance, she made me feel like a woman worth loving.

I slowly descended the stairs, trying to calm my chest. I tightly gripped the edge of my white dress.Despite the fear I felt, a sweet smile spontaneously crossed my lips as my eyes focused on the only person waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

My heart beat faster as a smile slowly spread across his lips. His eyes reflected his admiration for me. I won't deny that he has made a place in my heart. In the days that have passed since we were together, I have completely fallen in love with him.

There were so many guests that day but for the two of us, we had our own world. No words came from our lips, but our eyes were full of joy, admiration and love.

***

(Eighth scene)

A week before our wedding, his grandfather had a heart attack. The joy we should have felt turned into grief.

"You need to rest. I'll take care of grandma."I smiled shyly at the man I love.

"Thank you, My ysay. I don't know what I would do without you by my side. Besides grandma, you're the only one I can hold on to." I closed my eyes as his lips gently touched mine. It was just a brief kiss, but the result was a whirlwind of emotions.

Like I said, I gave him a break. But there were some guests I didn't know.

"What are you doing here?" I quickly approached grandma when I saw her yelling at the woman I hadn't seen before.

"Mom, please forgive me. I'm here to correct all my mistakes." The woman said, crying.

"Correct your mistake? My son has been dead for a long time, so there's no point in you apologizing."

The incident attracted attention and caused a lot of whispers around.

"Mom."

The woman approached the man I love and hugged him.

"When did you come back?" There was a hint of excitement in his voice.

"It's been a week, my son, and I miss you."

The two hugged again.

"Please don't cause trouble again, respect the loss of my husband."Grandma said again, turning her back on the two of them.

I was about to turn around and join grandma when I felt someone grab my hand.

"Mom, Meet Maria my Fiancee." The woman's eyes widened before a forced smile appeared.

"Uhm, by the way son, have you talked to your sister?"

"Baby, let me just talk to mom." I just nodded in response to him.

Then they left, so I went to grandma.

But I couldn't help but glance at them as they talked. It seemed like they were discussing something important.

***

(Ninth scene)

"Ysabelle! Where are you?"He screamed despite the difficulty breathing due to the smoke.

"Baby! Please, if you can hear me, I'm here."

From that scream I woke up, I heard someone calling my name. I held my head and felt a pain there. Then I tried to stand up but I immediately fell down.

"What happened? Where am I?"I asked myself while enduring the pain in my head and my entire body.

"Baby, where are you? I'm here baby!"

I heard that scream again. I want to scream and respond to that but I don't have the strength to do so.

Until...

A loud explosion was heard all around. And what followed was a complete darkness around me.

***

(Tenth scene)

"Anak, mabuti at nagising ka na." Pag aalala ang makikita sa mukha ng lalake ng Sabihin iyon.

"Sino po kayo? Nasaan ako?"

"Anak, Ako ito, ang iyong ama. "

Wika ng lalake sunod ay pinahid nito ang luhang tumulo sa pisngi.

"Ano pong nangyari? Bakit.. bakit po masakit ang ulo ko?" Sabay hawak sa ulong may balot na tela.

"Nahulog ka mula sa punong iyong inakyat."

"Po?" Bakas ang pagtataka sa boses n'ya ng sabihin iyon.

Grabe! Namang pagbagsak ko sa puno nito, sobrang sakit ng ulo ko at buong katawan. Gaano kataas kaya yong puno?

Tanong n'ya sa isip pero nakahiyaan n'yang itanong sa ama.