🏝️

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

PARANG NATULALA si Denryl sa nasisilayan. A woman just casually hugging his boyfriend.

Maraming ideya ang pumapasok sa kaniyang isipan kung sino itong babae. Maybe she is his ex? Maybe she's an obsessed ex of his? Maybe she's his current girlfriend without her knowledge that she's been cheated? And worst of the ideas.

Agad na pinutol ng babae ang lakap nilang dalawa ni Laurentius at side-profile lang ng babae ang kita ni Denryl. The woman is vaguely familiar with him.

"Sweetheart, why didn't you tell us that you already came back in the city? Your dad and I are worried that your secretary said that you extended your vacation," parang sermon na sabi no'ng babae. "I have missed you, sweetheart."

"Mom, I am fine. You saw me now, happy?" parang urat na saad ni Laurentius sa babae.

M-Mom? That's his mother?

"Oo, kaya please sumama ka sa amin ng dad mo for dinner tomorrow night. Your brother has been here for weeks already. We should have a family dinner together, after years of Luziano being away," mahabang salaysay pa nito.

"Mom, you kicked and disowned kuya dahil lang sa sekswalidad niya."

"Nah-uh. Your father did, not me. Tanggap ko kung ano man ang nakakatandang kapatid mo dahil anak ko siya. Sa aking puke siya lumabas, eh," sabi pa ng babae.

"That's too vulgar, Mom, may kasama tayo sa kusina."

Nang napunta kay Denryl ang mga tingin nila, kaya agad naman siyang napa-iwas ng tingin sa kanilang direksyon. Hinarap niya ang niluluto, dahil nahihiya siyang harapin ang mag-ina. Akala niya babae ito ni Laurentius, it was just his loving mother pala. A woman he once called a mother on a certain important day of his life . . .

🏝️🏝️

I did it! Graduate na rin ako sa wakas, masayang isip doon ni Denryl habang nakatayo malapit sa upoan kasama ang ibang mga kaklaseng ga-graduate din sa araw na iyon.

He's in his department's toga with a genuine smile plastered on his face. He cannot contain his happiness since he's achieving another milestone in his life; graduating. After this, he'll move out from that hellish house he calls home with the abusive inhabitants. He'll move in with Jeimson.

All his batchmates are obviously in the same state as him. Ready to take on the world with a diploma.

They marched, sang and did things graduates would do on such occasion. Then, the time where taking their diplomas has arrived.

Nakita niyang masayang kinukuhanan ng litrato ang mga schoolmate niya kasama ang magulang nila. Nakita rin niya ang isang close na kaibigan sa section niya na nakangiting kumuha ng litrato kasama ang ina nito. Saglit niya itong tinitigan at napabuntong na lang sa sarili.

Ang mga magulang ay naghihintay na tawagin at pumunta sa stage ang kanilang anak upang daluhan ang mga ito. Kung tatanongin mo, si Jeimson lang ang nandoon para kay Denryl upang daluhan ang graduation niya. Ni-isang foster family ni Denryl ay hindi na-isipang dumalo kahit sinabihan na n'ya ang mga ito bago pa ang araw ng graduation niya.

He can sense na nasa unahan lang niya si Laurentius. Magka-same sila ng row arrangement ng upoan kanina dahil puros unang letra ang kanilang apilyedo.

"Denryl Hyacinth B. Alcanzare, magna cum laude. Graduate in Master in Science in Office Administration," anunsyo ng speaker, kaya siya na ang pumanhik papuntang stage upang kunin ang diploma niya at ibang awards.

Nakikamay siya sa mga guest of honors doon at ibang importante'ng personahe ng unibersidad. Nang matapos doon, bababa na sana siya nang tawagin siya ng photographer. He has no guardian nor parents to take a photo with, so what's his purpose to stay on the stage upang magpakuha ng litrato?

Pinigilan ni Denryl na huwag umiyak doon sa kabila na parang sinampal siya ng reyalidad na wala siyang pamilyang pagsasalohan ang importante'ng okasyon sa buhay niya. Wala siyang ibang karamay na ka-dugo or ka-pamilya sa malaking hakbang ng buhay niyang ito. Patay na parehas ang mga magulang niya, kaya mag-isa na lang siya.

He stood there, biting his lip upang pigilan ang mga luhang aagos anumang oras. He doesn't want his graduation to be sad. For fuck's sake, it is supposed to be a day of celebration.

"Smile ka, Sir," utos ng isa sa hired photographer doon sa kaniya. Kahit pilit, sinubukan niyang ngumiti sa harap ng kamera.

Kita ng ibang kaklase niya ang lungkot na dala ng mga mata niya. Alam nilang ulila na si Denryl, sa friendly ba naman nito at sobrang open sa mga kakilala. If they were to put themselves in his position, hindi nila alam kung kakayanin ba nilang labanin ang luhang nagbabadyang tutulo sa mga mata nila. Denryl is very strong and brave for standing there.

Isang click ng camera, okay na sana sa kaniya iyon at bababa na sana siya sa stage, ngunit may isang babae'ng nakapula na dress ang biglang hinawakan ang beywang niya habang nakangiti ito ng malaki sa mga photographer.

"Smile to the camera, Darling," bulong nito at nakatingin lang sa camera.

Na-estatwa panandalian si Denryl at hindi agad nakangiti sa ika-dalawang kuha ng mga photographer. Natauhan naman siya nang makita ang flash ng camera, kaya agad siyang humarap doon at ngumiti.

Kung sino man itong estranghera, hulog siya ng langit. Ilang pitik ng mga photographers ay agad siyang nagpasalamat sa babae habang yumuko ng ka-onti bago bumaba na sa stage dahil may iba pang magpapakuha ng litrato.

Nang makatayo na siya sa upoan niya, tinitigan niya ng mariin ang babae kanina. Sobra nitong elegante sa suot nitong pulang nightgown. Sa kung ano mang edad nito, sobrang ganda pa rin nito at mukhang bata. Doon niya napansin na nakatayo ito sa tabi ni Laurentius.

Are they related to each other? Is that his mother? Oh my . . .

For some reasons, Laurentius sent his own mom to escort or muse Denryl while taking a photo on stage. Nang makita nito siya kanina na parang loner kasi kahit ni-guardian ay wala siyang kasama sa stage, may kung anong kumirot sa dibdib nito. Ang nagawa nitong solusyon sa sitwasyon, ang kaniyang ina muna ang ginawang parent kuno sa litrato ni Denryl.

But he still hates Denryl and his boyfriend. He doesn't care.

But why would he do that? If he doesn't care, why did his mind itched when he saw how miserable Denryl's situation is? Bakit kailangan may gawin ito upang medyo gumaan ang sitwasyon ni Denryl?

And that fateful day, Denryl continuesly thanked the mother of Laurentius. It was a simple act, but it brought smile and gratitude from Denryl. Kahit estranghera ang nasa larawan, it still serves that someone was on his graduation day. Someone stood as his mother.

He may never felt a love of a mother. Heck, he never felt to have a mother figure. Hindi siya lumaki na may ina at ama sa kaniyang tabi. Despite that, he stood on his own kahit ulila na siya. The house he calls home, doesn't feels home for him. Hindi nga niya naramdamang parte siya sa bahay na iyon. But he's still grateful that they toke him under their roof.

The lady in red dress brought emotions and longing that he thought he already buried six-feet deep. He was used to being a foster and alone. The woman pulls a lot of strings in his heart by the simple act she did for him. Even though the woman is a stranger, he dedicates his diploma to his biological parents and that woman in red dress.

And that woman was Kreishna Altarejos---Laurentius' mother.

🏝️🏝️

"Oh. Is that your new cook? I can smell, masarap ang luto niya. Abot kasi hanggang elevator ang bango ng luto niya. What's for dinner? Can I also eat with you?" narinig niyang pahayag ng babae sa anak.

"Mom, you can't be here. And correction, he's not a personal cook or somebody who works for me."

"And why is that?"

"Can't I just eat peacefully with him?"

"Is he a close friend of yours?"

Parang hinihigit ang hininga ni Denryl kung ano ang isasagot ni Laurentius sa ina. He's anticipating, dahil ayaw niyang masira ang relasyon ng mag-ina dahil lang sa kaniya. If Laurentius has to choose between him and his mother, hindi niya hahayaang siya ang pipiliin nito over his mother.

"I'm his old college friend po." Hinarap niya sila at namagitna sa usapan ng mag-ina. Ngumiti siya ng malaki sa babae.

Tinignan niya ang gawi ni Laurentius at nakita niyang nagtataka ito sa sinabi niya. His brows are drawn together and he can hear his gears running in his head. Is he really gonna out to his mother this way? What if his mother won't accept them right away?

"Y-yeah. He's my old friend from college." Laurentius sounded like he's reluctant and forced to say that. Is he against lying to his mother?

"Oh . . ."

Ngumiti ulit doon si Denryl at agad na hinarap ang niluluto. He shut off the stove and immediately spill the contents of the pot to a more presentable bowl. Luto na lahat ng mga ulam na ihahain niya, and the rice is also steaming on the dinner table.

"You look very familiar," parang salita ng ina ni Laurentius sa kaniya. Binalingan naman nito ang anak sa tabi. "He looks familiar, sweetheart. Have you introduced him to me before?"

"Mom, we need some privacy and has to catch up. Can you politely leave? I promise, I'll go to that dinner tomorrow for you."

"Law, she can stay," agad na putol doon ni Denryl.

Nagkatagpo ang mata nila at parang nagsasabi ang mga mata ni Laurentius na pa-alisin na ang ina nito dahil gusto niyang silang dalawa lang ang kumain ng dinner doon, but Denryl is the opposite. He wants the woman to stay.

"See, your old friend wants me to stay. Let's eat before the food that your friend prepared gets cold," sabi ng ina nito sa anak at pumunta sa isang upoan doon. She immediately toke a seat and make herself comfortable. "They smell so good, by the way," komento pa nito sa luto ni Denryl.

Nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya si Laurentius. Denryl just gestured to him to take a seat and just go with it. Kahit napipilitan sa presensya ng ina, umupo na lang si Laurentius sa nakatalagang upoan doon. Tumabi ito sa ina nito. Umupo naman si Denryl sa harapan ng mag-ina.

"Let's dig in!" Laurentius' mother exclaimed.

Denryl said his silent prayers before digging in for his own food. Unang sumandok ng kanin ang ina ni Laurentius, kaya naghintay siya sa turn niya. Nakita niyang sinandokan ng kanin si Laurentius ng ina nito. Agad nagtagpo ang mga mata nilang dalawa, at parang nahihiwatig ang mata ni Laurentius na nahihiya ito sa ginagawa ng ina. Ngumiti lang siya sa kasintahan.

"Mom, I can do that to my own accord," saway ni Laurentius with an embarrassed tone.

"Just let me do it. I really missed you kaya I want to serve you tonight. Just sit prettily and eat, okay?" sabi lang nito.

"I look like a damn child because you put food yourself onto my plate," ungot pa roon ni Laurentius.

"What's wrong with that?" anito. "I am your mother, so it is my right to serve you as long as I can stand. What's so embarrassing about it?" She got a point. A mother's instinct always kicks in when it comes to their off spring. "I am your mother, you listen to me," dagdag pa nito.

OMG! Meghan Trainor?! IS THAT YOU?!

Laurentius just scoffed and surrendered. His mother is a strong willed woman that sometimes, his father couldn't disagree with her.

Nakangiti lang doon na nakamasid si Denryl sa kanila. They have a very strong mother-and-son bond to the point that Denryl kind of envied that. He had never experienced being fed by his mother with a huge amount of food. All his life, he had to work hard at a foster home to fiend for himself. Everything he earned up until today is by his sweat and hard work. How unfair has life been for him?

I'm the middle of their supper, Denryl cleared his throat upang mahuli ang atensyon nila.

"Do you need some water, dearie?" agad na tanong ng ina ni Laurentius. So thoughtful of her.

"I-I just want to bring up something po," panimula roon niya sa kanila. All eyes was on him now because he seems serious on what he's about to bring up. "I don't know if you still remembered po, Mrs. Altarejos, but we've met po as Laurentius and I graduated in college. Noong time na iyon, it was a very important day kasi nga we have a master's degree and was ready to start our adulthood. Pero ang importante'ng parte ng buhay ko po ay kulang dahil ulila na ako noong sanggol pa lang ako. Wala rin akong mga contact sa mga relatives namin, kaya naging isang foster child ako sa isang abusive foster home."

Kreishna listened intently to his story, the food was temporary forgotten. The man is stranger to her, but she's willing to listen.

"Kaya ayon po, wala akong kasama sa graduation day ko ni-isang kadugo po. Most of my classmates po has their parents or guardians on the stage. Mabibilang lang po sa daliri kaming walang kasama, ngunit pursigido pa rin kaming g-um-raduate. I was about to lose hope at that time, ngunit a beautiful lady in red dress came to the rescue. She stood beside me as a representative parent as the photographer took a photo of myself with my diploma and awards. That was the best feeling, to feel a mother beside you in your important part of your life. That's the first time to have a mother figure with me on that certain moment," mahabang salaysay ni Denryl doon. He was tearing up, but he's stopping himself from crying his eyes out. "And that woman was you po, Mrs. Altarejos. I have never forgotten you ever since that day. It is that memorable po for me. It may seem small to some, but it was a really a big moment for me. And for that, thank you po ulit."

Napangiti si Kreishna Altarejos sa narinig galing sa lalaking kaharap nito. Now that Denryl foretold that moment, she remembers him vividly now. He's that poor guy who took a graduation photo all by himself sa stage. His son Laurentius asks her to represent as his mother for the photos. After that, Denryl kept expressing his gratitude to her.

Laurentius also felt a little pride inside him. When he saw Denryl was alone, alam niya sa sariling dapat may gawin siya. He may hate Denryl at that time, but seeing him without a parent or guardian pulled a string in his heart. His empathy led him to asked his mother a favor to that stood with Denryl on stage.

"Oh, that was you," Kreishna said in a soothing and cooing manner. "It's been a long time since that happened. I'm glad you're doing great in life now. What work do you do now? Are you in a right place?"

Denryl grinned at her. "Thank you po for your concerns. I am doing well in life now. I am a secretary to the CEO of Millers Trade Company. And I think my heart is in the right place po," sambit ni Denryl kay Kreishna Altarejos, and he shifted his gaze to her son.

Laurentius is his safe place now. His heart belongs to him. And he knows he can trust him.

tite ni Laurentius :D

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH

• • • • • • • • • •

Gosh! Sorry at delayed ang update. Nagsusulat din kasi ako ng chapter one ng Sweetest Lust, eh. Ang heavy ng scenes doon, hindi ko kinaya. HUHUHUHUHU.

Anygays, I salute to those single parent out there! My sister and I are raised by our mother alone, kaya I know the struggle of a single parent. Sadly, iyong sobrang rebellious kong kapatid ay nandoon sa father's side ko. Mas gusto niya roon kasi free siyang maging pariwara at gumala sa kung saan niya gusto room. I also blocked her in FB kasi nanghihingi ako ng pera sa kanilang Papa dahil nga ang raming bayarin sa college, ang dami pang tanong na gan'to, ganyan, kaya blinocked ko. Shuta siya. Blinocked din ako ni Papa at Tita na kapatid ni Papa bago pa makasakay ng barko si Papa. No'ng last, last month, ready na nga ako s-um-urrender mag-aral at mabuhay, eh. Hays.

Anygays, ang daldal ko na. Sobrang frustrated lang kasi talaga ako sa father's side family ko, eh. Mga sipsip pa naman iyon sila kay Papa kasi nga seaman.

Ayon na nga. Next chapter is a turning event of this story. Sana subaybayan n'yo pa rin! As always, love y'all! Ingats kayo lagi! Muahx!