Home

I watched as the city buildings were replaced by trees and sugarcanes, the traffic lessened and the vehicles, too. It is the start of the month of June, almost the end of summer and we were summoned in our ancestral house in La Granja by our dear mother. I want to believe that it is because she wants us to learn how it is like to live in the province than to think that this is a punishment because of our sins and my sister's punishment because of her ill behavior back in Manila.

After all, Manila is a better place for us. Mama knows that, but she wanted us home now. Papa was left in our house in Manila since he has businesses to take care of. My elder brother, Creed Odyssey went home with us to manage the sugar mills and the sugarcane plantation.

The trees and mountains became more evident and bigger as we travel to the rural part. I have been here before but that was years ago, I was still a kid back then. Now I'm fifteen and in grade nine. The houses became smaller and smaller but the wide land ahead of us was amusing. So people here has lands, too, huh.

"May drive thru ba rito, kuya? Let's pull over and order some food first, I'm hungry now," my elder sister, Seraphine ordered our driver.

We're using our big and newest SUV that papa always use when he has meetings somewhere in the city. I was at the very back, trying to understand that this is just for a few months. And another thing, I want to see how it goes in province. People says it's nice in the province than in the city, so let me prove their words.

"Naku, wala na po yata, miss Sera. Nadaanan na po natin, nasa syudad po 'yon at malapit na po tayo sa barangay," our driver answered a bit hesitantly.

Seraphine groaned in frustration and sighed deeply. She grimaced and rolled her eyes, not minding the serene view outside of our precious SUV. Meanwhile, Creed is silently sleeping in his seat.

"We bought snacks, ate. Nasa bag ni kuya, tignan mo na lang," I said quietly.

Umirap siya at umiling lang.

"Ayoko ng mga binili ni kuya, gusto ko ng steak! Kahit sundae or lasagna na lang."

Is she serious? We're traveling to La Granja now, there's no way people in the village sell those. Not that they can't but I know the foods she mentioned are only sell in the city or malls.

Besides, we're traveling.

"How I hate province! Bakit ba naisipan ni mama na pauwiin tayo rito e bulok naman itong lugar na 'to!"

I saw our driver's disagreement with her statement but Mang Dante chose to be silent. I looked at my sister coldly and sighed in defeat. She's starting her rant, wait till we arrived and mama begin her litany, too. Ugh, I just want to turn deaf temporarily.

I was thankful when we were near the ancestral mansion. We have big areas of land in the whole province and some are on the other places. Habang ang mansion ay nasa La Granja, sa isang napaka-pribadong parte ng lupain namin at malayo sa ibang kabahayan. Malayo dahil napapalibutan kami ng aming lupain, ng gubat at ng hacienda.

Walang ibang nakakapasok at nakakalapit sa mansion o sa hacienda man lang dahil mahigpit naman ang seguridad. Kaya kahit nandito si mama at malayo sa 'min ay hindi naman kami nag-aalala. Besides, mama is a very brave woman.

The road to our mansion was a little rough and rocky, I saw the hills, the unending horizon of sugarcane plantation and the forest, the factory's tower and the city below our levitated state. The high and golden gate replenish my mood and I immediately resurfaced in my seat from leaning languidly. The gate made of metal, or bronze or even copper looks old and rustic.

There's a Veni, vidi, vici engraved in the very face of the old gate. That reminds me of our ancestors and great grandfathers' history, the conquest of the country. For some, it is the reason why they see us as merciless, cruel and unjust people. Because we have the blood of a cruel Spaniard conqueror during his time.

"Nandito na tayo?" Creed uttered in haze. "At last, dumating din. I'm tired."

"Nothing much changed," si Seraphine na mukhang bored pa rin.

Bumukas ang gate at sumalubong sa'min ang dalawang lalaking nakaitim. Malaki ang katawan, matangkad at matipuno. Kasing edad o mas matanda kay kuya pero mas bata ng kaunti kay papa. May kasama silang maid na naka-uniporme ng brown at puti.

We entered the state and the wide land welcomed us. Malawak ang bakuran ng mansion na pwede pang pagpatayuan ulit ng dalawa o tatlo pang bahay. Malinis, maayos na naka-trim ang damuhan at matigas ang lupa. Hindi sakop ng paningin ko ang kabuuan ng bakuran at bahay kahit luminga man.

Masyadong malaki at malawak ang buong lupain na kinatatayuan ng mansion. The pine trees lined up near the gate, surrounding the mansion and the wide garden full of flowers in full bloom. The rocks are purely white and brown and are piled elegantly near the garden. There are benches, too for the strollers.

Huli kong tinignan ay ang malaki at magarang mansion kahit medyo may kalumaan na. Ang alam ko kada tatlong dalawang taon ang renovation nitong mansion. Kulang ang isang linggo para libutin ang kabuuan ng buong lugar lalo na kung mahilig ka tumambay.

The two huge pillars in the entrance were painted in white and cream, and engraved with complicated designs. The huge double doors are already open, the servants stood in line in the corner waiting to be ordered as we entered the hall of the mansion. The grand staircase with two figures in the landing was the first thing I noticed before the marbled floor and the antiques in the corners.

Sa laki ay talagang mamamangha ka, palagi akong namamangha kapag umuuwi rito. Tinignan ko ang high ceiling na may mukhang ipininta, at ang malaking chandelier sa gitna ng dalawang maliliit, ilang pulgada ang layo sa hallway ng ikalawang palapag ng bahay.

The furnitures didn't change but the arrangements did. The brown hardwoods are astonishing as ever and very elegant. I couldn't see the paintings in the hallway.

"My children," Mama's sweet voice echoed.

Napatingin ako sa hagdan at nakitang pababa siya kasama ang mayordoma, galing siguro sa study o library dahil hindi ko naman siya nakitang lumabas ng kanilang kwarto.

She's wearing a white dress paired with her flat sandals and impeccable braided hair and face so timeless. She walks so graceful and elegant as she descends from the staircase. Beautiful even in her forties. I smiled and walked to welcome her, same with my siblings who kissed her cheeks.

"Mama."

"How is the trip? Oh, Sandra, I miss you, hija."

Niyakap niya ako bago sina kuya at ate, wala masyadong nagbago sa kaniyang mukha maliban sa tingin ko'y pumayat siya.

"Tiring. I want to rest," si kuya at ngumiti.

"Okay, I'll just call you guys on lunch and then we'll talk." Mama turned to Seraphine with the same sweet yet menacing smile. "You, too, Sera. You look frantically bored."

I can hear my sister's groan at that. Umakyat kami sa kaniya-kaniyang kwarto para magpahinga. Hindi naman ako talagang napagod pero nakatulog ako dahil sa lambot ng kama. Malinis pa rin ang kwarto at walang inalis o dinagdag sa gamit. Tulad ng gusto ko.

This mansion is our great grandparents' house or more so. Hindi ko na gaanong alam ang simula nitong mansion at ng hacienda pero ang alam ko nagsimula itong mas lumago kay Jacinto Sandoval Javier. My great grandfather who was the son of a Spaniard conqueror and a pilipino general's daughter. The rest is history and is a little blurry to me now.

Tinawag kami sa tanghalian at bumaba sa kusina, sa malawak na twelve seater dining table para kaming kuting kasama si mama. Kahit nakangiti ay nakakatakot siya, si papa ay mabait at maalaga sa'min. Halos hindi kami mapagalitan, palaging panangga laban kay mama lalo na ni Seraphine kapag may kabulastugan siyang ginagawa.

"Kamusta ang papa niyo? Nami-miss ko na siya, pero matagal pa yata ang uwi niya rito."

"He's fine, ma. He's just busy with the business," Creed answered.

"Oh yes, the business. How is it naman?"

"Ayos lang din, wala naman gaanong problema. Kaya ni papa 'yon at tito."

"Hmm, and your studies, hijo?"

"Ayos naman po."

Mama turned to me, and I bet the last glance's for my sister, Seraphine. Always reserve the best and the worst for last, huh.

"You grew taller, anak. Kamusta ka naman? Rinig ko sa papa mo marami na ring nanliligaw sa 'yo roon."

"Ayos lang po, at wala akong manliligaw."

It's true, papa is just joking. She chuckled and wiped her lips with the table napkin.

"Bata ka pa, Sandra. Ayos lang din namang magka-crush basta h'wag sumobra roon."

"Mama, wala naman po akong crush doon."

"How about Seyo Alonzo? Hinatid ka raw sa bahay?"

"Iyon lang naman 'yon."

Tumagal ang titig niya sa'kin kaya napasinghap ako, pero agad ding napatikhim nang magsalita si kuya.

"He gave her flowers. Expensive flowers but still cheap for me."

I almost glare at him.

"Talaga?"

"Tsk, kids. I want my baby girl for the best man. That boy couldn't even look at me."

"Tinatakot mo kasi, saka magkaibigan lang kami."

"What are the chocolates for, then?" He arched his brows.

Tumawa si mama. "May chocolates din? Aba, aba. Kapag nanligaw, dadaan muna 'yon sa kuya at papa mo, Sandra."

Uminit ang pisngi ko, hindi naman manliligaw si Seyo sa'kin dahil magkaibigan kami. I saw Sera smirked and drink her juice. Isa pa 'to, h'wag na h'wag na siyang dadagdag o malalagot siya kay mama. Talagang ilalaglag ko rin siya. Marami akong alam, tiyak grounded siya for months kapag nalaman ni mama.

And she knows it and she wouldn't try to trigger me, she smirked darkly and sipped on her juice. Wait until mama notices you.

"Hindi papasa sa'kin 'yon, ma. Drop him if ever he tries courting you, Sandra," si kuya at ngumisi sa'kin. "He's not for you."

"Who's for me then?"

He smiled. "None."

That's Creed Odyssey Javier for you, very protective and possessive. Of me! Sobrang strict din pero kapag si Sera ini-spoil niya. Palaging pinapayagan kahit paulit-ulit gumagawa ng kalukuhan.

"And who is for Sera? Her billionaire of a suitor?" Hindi ko napigilan.

Napasimangot si kuya at ramdam ko naman agad ang galit na titig sa'kin ni Seraphine. Naglaho ang ngiti ni mama at malamig na tinignan ang kapatid ko. I bit my lips in guilt, oh no.

"Hmm, anyway. Let's talk about you Seraphine, how's your studies?" Mama asked coldly.

My sister groaned in annoyance and she dropped her glass. Halos dakmain ako sa inis dahil biglang nabaling sa kaniya ang atensyon.

"Maayos po."

Liar. She failed all her exams because she just partied.

"How's your life?"

"Ah, maayos din po."

Tiklop na tiklop, ah. Pero kay papa lakas makareklamo.

"Kamusta ang boyfriend mo?"

"Wala na kami, mama."

"Bakit? Hindi man lang kayo inabot ng tatlong buwan? Ulit?"

Sera is very frustrated now, I find it funny and pleasurable. Oh really, now I understand why people say we have the blood of a merciless man. We enjoy and take pleasures on other's misery. That one is quite true.

"Hindi, pinalitan ko. Hindi ba at ayaw niyo naman do'n?"

"I didn't say that, though that's good. Pero sino naman ang ipinalit mo?"

"Gratie."

"Who's that?"

"Batch mate ng ate ni Seyo, mama," si kuya. "Pero hindi rin nagtagal, pinalitan ulit."

"Kuya?"

"It's true."

"Ang dami mo namang pamalit, Sera. Kung gano'n ano ang ginagawa mo sa hotel kasama ang anak ng mga Bonifacio? Date again? And you two were seen kissing outside of a hotel room? Do you know what trouble you caused us? Talagang nalaman pa namin mula sa investor ng papa mo."

Napasinghap si Sera at hindi alam paano magpaliwanag, napainom siya ng tubig.

"It's not what you think it is, mama. Umalis din ako ro'n, sabi niya kasi nando'n ang ate niya at susunduin namin."

"At hinalikan ka bigla? Sana sinuntok mo," si kuya ulit. "I taught you two martial arts, didn't I ?"

"Sinampal ko naman."

"A slap won't do, it's not enough. Kung nakita ko lang 'yon, hindi na 'yon napapakinabangan ngayon," seryusong anas ni kuya.

Napasinghap kami ni Seraphine at kahit hindi ako ang may problema sumakit din ang ulo sa pag-iisip ng isasagot.

"No boys for you this summer, Seraphine. You also can't go out with you friends."