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English to Tagalog: Ana's Story General field: Art/Literary Detailed field: Poetry & Literature
Source text - English Ang buhay ay puno ng pagsubok na kailangan mong malampasan. At pangarap na gusto mong makamtan.
Ang mabuhay dito sa mundong ibabaw ay hindi ganun kadali.
Madami kang mga pagsubok na pagdadaanan. Bago mo ganap makamtan ang buhay na maganda.
Gusto kong ibahagi ang kwento ni anna. Siya ay nakatira sa isang maliit na probinsiya ng compostela sa siyudad ng davao.
Siya ay may dalawang kapatid, ang panganay ay si kris. Na lumaki sa poder ng kanyang lola. Dahil, ibinigay ito ng ina niya noong sanggol pa lang ito. At ang bunso na si ahron na may sakit sa puso. Narito ang kanyang kwento.
"Banana cue, banana cue-- " ( sigaw ni anna. Habang, naglalako ng paninda niyang kakanin....)
"Bili na kayo ng banana cue. Masarap ito, bumili na kayo mga suki"
Ang sabi ni anna.
"Anna, anna." (Isang lalaki ang tumawag sa kanya.)
"O Ginoo fredie!bibili po ba kayo ng banana cue??
Nakangiting tanong ni anna. Sa kapitbahay na matandang lalaki.
"Sigurado ka bang iyong banana cue ay masarap??"
Tanong naman nito kay anna.
"Opo naman ginoo fredie. Magtitinda ba ako, kung hindi po masarap yung nilalako ko." Sagot naman ni anna.
"Ohmm.." nakatingin kay anna na parang naninigurado...
" okey, magkano ba iyan???" Tanong ni ginoo fredie..
"Limang piso po ang isang" Magalang na sagot ni anna.
"Sige,ilang piraso na lang ba iyan? At bibilhin ko na lahat iyan."
Sabi ni fredie.
"talaga po, ginoo fredie???ang bait niyo po." . Ang tuwa tuwang si anna.
Binilang niya kung ilang piraso ang natira niyang banana cue at nagsalita ulit.
"Tatlumpu pitong piraso po kuya fredie at limang piso ang isa.bali,isangdaan at walongput lima po ang iyong mababayaran" ang sabi ni anna kay ginoo fredie.
"anna, pinakyaw ata ang paninda mo ah." sabi sa kanya ni aling belin"
"oo nga po,aling belin.ang bait ni ginoo fredie.At binili lahat itong paninda ko." sagot ni anna kay aling belin na nKa ngiti.
"sige anna,babalik na ako ng talyer.at pagmemeryendahin ko pa ang mga trabahante ko." pagpapaalam ni ginoo fredie.
"Sige po,ginoo fredie.at marami pong salamat" sagot naman ni anna kay mang fredie.
"ang bait mo talagang bata anna.at ang sipag pa". Sabi ng kapitbahay ni anna na si aling felly. Na noo'y nakikinig sa kanila.
"ewan ko ba diyan kay mareng fe,! Ang swerte swerte niya na nagkaroon siya ng anak na katulad mo.pero kung saktan kanya grabe!!!! Hindi katulad sa mga anak ko ang tatamad.!! "Dugtong nito na nakatingin sa anak na binata.
Mmmmmmm.....aalis na po ako aling belin,aling felly. Marami pa po kasi akong gagawin.. " paalam ni anna sa mga ito.
habang pauwi si anna.tinawag suya ng kangang kababatang si jason. Na hangos na hangos na lumapit sa kanya.
" ohw,jason bakit?? Tanong ni anna sa kababata.
" mabuti na lang at nakitA." hinihingal na sabi nito.
"Kanina pa nagbunganga. Galit na naman." sabi ng kababata.
"Hah??? Bakit?? " Tanong niya dito
" hindi ko alam e, mas mabuti pa. Umuwi ka na." sabi ni jason.
"sige jason. Salamat" at pumaripas na ng uwi si anna.
pagdating niya sa bahay ay nakita niya agad ang kanyang amain.
"magandang gabi po tiyo oscar" bati niya sa kanyang amain.
Tinitigan lang siya nito at nagsalita.
" fe, andito na si anna." tawag nito sa kanyang ina. At lumabas na ito ng bahay.
Paglingon ni anna,ay nakita niya ang kanyang ina. Sa may pintuan ng kusina nila.na masamang nakatingin sa kanya.
" magandang po in--------" hindi na niya natapos ang kanyang sinabi. Dahil binato na nito ang hawak na damit sa kanya.
" anong ginawa mo diyan?? Sabi nito na naka-turo sa damit na hawak niya.
"tingnan mo iyan??? Bakit may mantsa?? " Galit na tanong nito..
hindi makasagot si anna. Natatakot siya sa kanyang ina.. Hindi niya alam ang sasabihin dito.
"Ano??" hasik ni fe kay anna.
"E,kasi inay,hindi ko po alam na mahahaluan po iyan ng kulay ng isa niyong damit." natatakot na sabi ni anna.
Lumapit ang ina ni anna sa kanya.
" hindi mo alam"!!! Bulag kaba??" Sabi kay anna na kinukurot niya.
Napaigtad si anna.
"aray ko po inay,,ang sakit po. Sorry na po,ta.a na po inay.." pagmamakaawa ni anna sa ina.
"masakit pala, sige ito pa. " patuloy sa pagpalo kay anna.
" hindi mo kasi iniisip ang trabaho mo!! Hindi mo ba alam mahal ang bili ko diyan sa damit kong iyan..
Tapos mamantsahan mo lang!!! Naku anna, kahit kailan wala ka talagang ginawa sa akin!!" sabi nito na patuloy pa din sinasaktan si anna.
"patawarin niyo na pa ako inay" .. pagsusumamo ni anna kay fe.
"anong patawarin!!! Aktong hahampasin si anna ng sinturon ng ina niya. Ay may tumawag kay fe.mula sa labas ng bahay nila.
"fe?,fe? Tawag ng tiyahin ni anna sa ina nito.
" bakit,anong kailangan mo ate daisy?? Tanong ni fe sa kapatid.
"ano na naman iyan fe?? Hanggang labas naririnig ko iyang boses mo?? Ano bang kasalanan nitong si anna??? Tanong ni daisy kay fe.
Iyang si anna. Tingnan mo kung anong ginawa sa damit ko!!!minantsahan niya. A attend pa naman ako ng binyag bukas. Ano susuotin ko?? e,sinira na ni anna ang damit ko." galit na sabi ni fe.
Lumapit si daisy kay anna at tinanong.
" totoo ba iyon ann??"
"hindi ko naman iyon sinasadya na mahaluan ng kulay ang damit ni inay tiya." sagot ni anna sa tiyahin.habang umiiyak.
"nagpapaawa ka pa sa tiyahin mo" sabi ni fe na akmang hahampasin si anna ng pigilan ni daisy ito.
"tama na fe. Hindi naman iyon sinasadya ni anna.". Pagtanggol ni daisy kay anna.
"ate daisy,huwag niyo kampihan si anna.kaya,lumaki yan na pasaway kasi marami ang nagtatanggol." galit na sabi ni fe.
"hindi ko kinakampihan si anna,fe.ang akin lang hindi naman iyon sinasadya". Pagpaliwag ni daisy sa kapatid.
"o siya sige.punta nalang tayo sa bahay at pahihiramin kita ng damit.. Kunsabagay magkasing katawan lang naman tayo.halika nA." ang yaya ni daisy sa kapatid.
"pasalamat ka papahiramin ako ng damit ng tiyahin mo. Dahil kung hindi.naku!! Di ko alam ano ang magagawa ko sa iyo.." nanggagalaiting sabi ni fe.
At lumabas na ang dalawa sa bahay.napaupong umiiyak si annah at humahagolhol..yakap niya ang damit na siyang dahilan kung bakit siya napagalitan .nang biglang pumasok si oscar.
"ohw, magdadramahan na lang ba tayo ngayon??? sabi ni oscar, na ngayon'y nasa harapan na niya..
"oh ano di ka pa ba magluluto???aba'y anong oras na. Mag aalas 7 na. Magluto ka na doon!!" utos nito sa kanya.
"opo tiyo magluluto na po" sagot ni anna. tumayo At pumanhik na sa kusina para magluto.
habang nagluluto,hindi mapigilan ni anna ang pag agos ng mga luha sa kanyang mga mata.
nakita siya ni ahron at nilapitan ito.
"ate?" sambit ni ahron na nasa likuran niya.
Agad na pinahid ni anna ang luha na dumaloy sa kanyang mata.
"ohw,ahron bakit ka andito??,di ba dapat nasa kwarto ka lang. Gutom ka na ba??" sabi ni anna kay ahron.
Mas lumapit pa ito sa kanya at tinitigan siya. At nagsalita.
"Okay ka lang ate?? Tanong ni ahron habang hawak ang kanyang kamay.
nangilid ang mga luha ni anna na kanyang pinipigilan.
"oo.okay lang ako. Sanay na ako kay inay. " sabi ni anna kay ahron.
pinunasan ni ahron ang luha sa mga mata ni anna. At niyakap niya ito.Gumaan ang pakiramdam ni anna sa ginawa ng kapatid.
"sige na,baka makita pa tayo ni tiyo oscar. At sabihing nagdadrama tayo." at tiningnan ang kanyang niluto.
"mas mabuti pa sabihin mo kay tiyo na kunti na lang at maluluto na.." ang sabi ni anna kay ahron.
Tumango lang ito at lumabas na ng kusina para puntahan ang kanilang amain.
kinabukasan,habang namalengke si anna. Nakita siya ng kaibigang si jason. Lumapit ito sa kanya. Nagulat ito sa pasang nakita sa braso nito.
" anna, na paano iyan??? Gulat na tanong ni jason.
" wala ito jason." Tipid na sagot ni anna.
"anna,anna" ang sabi nito.
Napatingin si anna sa kinaroroonan ng boses. Ng mapagsino ay huminto siya.
"ohw joel, bakit??? Bakit mo ako tinawag??? Sabi ni anna sa kaklaseng lalaki.
"e kasi. Gusto ko sana magpatulong sayo. Tungkol sa project natin sa science. Nahihirapan kasi ako." ang sabi ni joel.
"mmm.hindi kita pwedeng matulungan ngayon joel.busy kasi ako ngayon joel e.kaarawan kasi ni inay.pasensya kana joel." ang sabi ni anna sa kaklase.
Nakita ni anna ang pagkadismaya sa mukha nito at nakonsensya siya.
"kung gusto mo. Bukas pagka galing eskwela ay dadaan ako sa bahay niyo. Para gawin ang project mo. Di ba sa huwebes pa iyon kailangan." Sabi ni anna.
"talaga anna,tutulungan mo ako? " tanong nito kay anna..
Nakangiti namang sumagot si anna." oo joel,tutulungan kita.".
Hinawakan nito ang kamay ni anna at nagpasalamat kay anna;...." salamat anna.pakisabi na rin sa inay mo na maligayang kaarawan" ngumiti si joel at nagpaalam ng umalis.
Lingid sa kaalam nila anna ay kanina pa sila pinagmamasdan ng kanyang amain at nagsumbong sa kanyang ina. Isinumbong nito na may kausap siyang lalaki.
Nang malapit na sila anna sa kanilang bahay ay nakita niya ang kanyang inay sa may poso, na tila may inaabangan.daling dali lumapit si anna sa ina para batiin ito. Ngunit nagulat si anna ng sampalin siya nito.maski si betty ay nagulat din. Hindi alam ni anna bakit galit ito.
"inay bakit??" nagtatakang tano g ni anna.
"anong bakit??? Halika nga rito malandi ka!!!" sabay hablot nito sa buhok ni anna. At ikinalad patungo sa kanilang bahay.
"aling fe, tama na po. Nasasaktan po si anna. Maawa po kayo ni anna." awat ni betty sa ina ni anna.
"hoy,betty.huwag kang makialam dito ahh. Mas mabuti pang umuwi ka sa inyo" galit na sabi ni fe kay betty.
"pero aling fe,walanaman kasalanan si anna. Para saktan niyo.bumili lang kami ng cake para sa kaarawan niyo. Ito oh" pangatwiran ni betty. Sabay pakita sa bitbit niyang cake.
Tumingin ito sa cake na bitbit na hawak ni betty.
"ahh.so,itong cake pala ang ginawa mong rason para makipagkita ka sa lalaki mo sa palengke "sabi ni fe.sabay dampot sa cake at tinapon sa labas.
"inay,hindi naman po ako nakipag landi" umiiyak na sabi ni anna.
" oo nga po aling fe" sabat naman ni betty.
"isa pa betty,at masasaktan din kita." sabi ni fe kay betty.
Ayaw ni anna madamay ang kanyang matalik na kaibigan.kaya pinauwi niya ito."umuwi kana sa inyo betty"
"pero anna paano k------" hindi na naituloy ni betty ang sasabihin. Ng kaladkarin na siya ni fe palabas ng bahay nito.
"ang sama mo talaga aling fe. Wala naman talagang kasalanan si anna. Bakit niyo siya sinasaktan!!. Mabait naman si ann" umiiyak na sabi betty.
"aba---" akmang susugurin ni fe si betty ay niyapos siya ni anna para pigilan ito.
"tama na po inay,. Please betty umalis kana", pakiusap ni anna sa kaibigan para di na ito madamay.
Tinanggal ni fe ang kamay ni anna. Mula sa pagkayapos sa kanya. At humarap sa kanya at tinulak.
"anong tama na!! Ang dapat sayo gapusin at ikulong na bahay. Para magtanda ka!!" sabi nito na galit pa din.
Kumuha ito ng tali sa loob ng bahay at tinawag si oscar.
"oscar,oscar!!" agad din namang lumapit si oscar.
"bkit ba fe, nanunuod ako ng basketballsa tv. Iniisturbo mo ako." maktol ni oscar.
" maya na nga yang tv oscar. Tulungan mo muna akong gapusin itong si anna para magtanda!!" singhal ni fe kay oscar.
Walang nagawa si oscar kundi sumunod sa sinabi ni fe.
Akmang gagapusin na si anna ay nagpumiglas ito at naitulak ang kanyang ina. Nagalit lalo si fe at susugurin si anna.
Natihilan ito ng magsalita si anna.
"tama na inay!!! Bakit po ba kayo galit na galit sa akin? Ano po ba ang naging kasalanan ko sa inyo, bakit ganito niyo ako tratuhin?? " Puno ng pagdaramdam na sabi ni anna sa ina.
"sana naman, kahit minsan madamdaman ko din na anak niyo ako.kahit, kahit minsan lang." humahagohol na sabi ni anna sa ina.
Tumawa ito ng sarkastikoat nagsalita.
""gusto mong malaman??? Sige, dahil gusto mong malaman sasabihin ko sayo anna!!" sabi ni fe na nakapamaywang pa.
"ikaw ang dahilan anna kung bakit ako naghihirap ngayon!! Kung hindi sana ako nabuntis ng iyong ama. Mayaman na sana ako ngayon. Nasa ibang bansa na sana ako. Sa madaling salita anna malas ka sa buhay ko! Nang ipinanganak kita nagkadaletsi letsi na ang buhay ko." pagtatapat ni fe kay anna.
Parang sinakloban ng langit at lupa si anna.hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ng kanyang ina. Parang dinurog ang kanyang puso sa sinabi nito.nanibugho siya sa kanyang nalaman.
Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang kanyang nararamdaman na sakit.unti unti itong npaluhod sa kanyang kinatayuan.at dumaloy ang kanyang luha sa kanyang mga mata. Hanggang sa humahagolhol ito sa pag iyak.
Masakit pala malaman ang katotohanan.masakit pa sa mga pasa at sugat sa tuwing binubogbog siya.at higit sa lahat, para sa kanya ang babaw lang na dahilan iyon para hindi mahalin ng ina.buong buhay niyang initindi ito.pero sa huli galit pa din ang nasa ang nangingibabaw dito.
"pero kayo ang may gusto na buuin ako.wala akong kasalanan inay. Kasalanan ko lang ang umaasang mahalin niyo ako bilang anak inay. Na kahit kailan di ko pa naramdaman sa inyo". Sumbat ni anna sa ina.
"aba!! Lalapitan sana ni fe si anna. Nang biglang dumating ang tiyahin ni anna na si cora.
"tama na iyan fe" awat ni cora. "sobra na ang pananakit mo kay anna, fe. Maawa ka naman." sabi ni cora sa kapatid.
"huwag kang makialam dito cora. Dinidisiplina ko lang iyang si anna" ang sagot naman ni fe kay cora.
Tumingin si cora kay fe at nAgsalita.
"anong hindi makialam. Pamangkin ko si anna. Kaya, may pwede akong makialam. Sobra na e,hindi na makatarungan iyang ginagawa mo kay anna."
"oo, pamangkin mo nga si anna.pero alam nating lahat na ako pa rin ang mas may karapatan, kung ano ang dapat kong gawin kay anna. Dahil ako--- pa rin ang ina." galit na sabi ni fe sa kapatid .
"e,ano ang tama fe, ang saktan mo si anna? Sabi ni cora sa kapatid.
"oo, dahil wala na siyang ginawang maganda sa akin'" galit na sabi ni fe.
"bakit fe, naging mabuti ka din bang ina kay, anna?? Tanong ni cora kay fe na nakatingin sa mga mata.
"diba alam din natin lahat.na kahit kailan di ka naging mabuting ina sa anak mo" dugtong na sabi ni cora sa kapatid.
Umiwas ng tingin si fe. At maya maya ay galit na pumasok sa bahay.
Tumingin si anna sa kanyang tiyahin. Akto naman na nakatingin ito sa kanya. Kita niya sa mga mata nito na naaawa ito sa kanya. Lumapit ang tiyahin ni anna sa kanya at niyakap ng mahigpit.
"okay ka lang ba anna?? Tanong ni cora kay anna.na umiyak na din.
Umiling si anna sinabing.....
" kasalanan ko bang isinilang ako sa mundo, tiya?" puno ng sakit na tanong ni anna sa tiyahin.
"sssshhhhhh---" humiwalay ito sa pagkayakap at ikinulong ang mukha ni anna sa palad nito.at tinitigan si anna sa mga mata.
"huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo anna.wala kang kasalanan. Tabdaan mo iyan". Sabi ni cora sa pamangkin. AT niyakap ulit ito.
NANg gabi iyon. Nagdesisyon si anna na ipagpatuloy pa din ang buhay sa piling ng ina niya.kahit masakit, pipilitin niyang kalimutan ang masasakit na sinabi nito. Hindi lang para sa kanya,kundi para na rin sa kapatid niya. Ang pagtuonan ng pansin ay yung bukas para sa kanilang magkapatid. Kailangan niyang makatapos ng pag-aaral para gumanda ang buhay nila.
Nang makatapos si anna ng high school,ay hindi muna ito nag kolehiyo. Dahil walang magpapaaral sa kanya. Kailangan muna niya magtrabaho at mag ipon para makaoag aral ng kolehiyo.
Nag-aaply siya bilang isang tindera sa isang groserihan sa kanilang bayan. Agad din naman siyang tinanggap ng kanyang inaplyan. Hindi kalakihan ang sahod pero sapat na oara makapag ipon. Para sa susunod na pasukan.
Akala ni anna, madaki siyang makakaipon sa kanyang matrikula. Hindi pala, dahil kinukuha ng kanyang ina at amain ang kanyang sahod.at titirhan lang siya ng kunting pera.
Nang minsan, hindi binigay ni anna ang kanyang sahod ay pinagtutulungan siyang saktan ng kanyang ina at amain. At ng mga oras na iyon y naisip ni anna. Na,dapat ng matigil ang pananakit sa kanya.kailangan na niyang lumaban.
Aktong sasampalin siya ng ina ay sinangga niya ito. Nagulat ang ina niya at maski ang amain niya.
"tama na inay.hindi na ako papayag na saktan niyo pa ako!! " matapang na sabi ni anna.
"wow,lumalaban kana ngayon ahh--" sabi ni fe kay anna na naka pamaywang pa at pumalakpak.
"bravo anna,bravo. Natakot ako anna,kasi lumalaban kana" tumawa ito na nakaloloko.
"anong pinagmamalaki mo??? Iyang trabaho mo??? Iyang kakarampot mong sahud??" Sabi ni fe sa malakas nitong boses.
"hoy anna!!kulang pa iyang sahod mo para mabayaran mo ako. Utang mo sa akin iyang buhay mo" dugtong pa ni fe.
"kulang?? Bayad na ako sa inyo inay," sabi ni anna na ngayon ay lumalaban.
"sa lahat ng pananakit niyo sa akin. Mula pa noon,nagtiis ako. Pero tama na. Dahil kahit kailan di na talaga kayo magbabago!! Kung para sa inyo ako walang kwentang anak. Mas lalo kayong walang kwentang ina." sumbat ni anna sa ina.
Isang malakas na sampal ang pinakawalan nito kay anna. Peri hindi nagoatinag si anna at nagsalita ulit ito
" bakit?? Hindi ba totoo inay?? Kung kayo di niyo ako ginusto inanak. Ako?? Ginusto ko rin ba, na kayo ang naging ina ko??? Sana hindi niyo na lang ako isinilang sa mundo. Para hindi ko pagdanasan ang lahat ng ito." puno pa rin ng panunumbat na sabi ni anna.
Nanginginig sa galit si fe para kay anna.
"wala kang utang na loob" sabi ni fe sabay hablot sa buhok ni anna at ninudnod sa simento.
"suwail kang bata ka!! Mana ka a iyong ama!!" sabi nito na pinaghahampas si anna.
Inaawat ito ni oscar dahil parang papatayin na ni fe si anna.
"o anna,saan na iyong tapang mo kanina??? " Dugtong pa nito.
Hindi umimik si anna.
"tandaan mo anna, hindi mo ako kaya.tandaan mo iyan!! Galit pa ring sabi ni fe.
"iyan ang napapala sa anak na lumalaban sa magulang" ang sabi ng kanyang amain na si oscar . Na naninigarilyo sa harap niya.
"tayo na nga oscar baka mapatay ko pa iyan e" sabi ni fe at saka tumalikod.
Awang awa si anna sa kanyang sarili. Hindi niya alam kung bakit kailangan pagdaanan ang ganung sitwasyon. Pinangako ni anna sa sarili na hinding hindi sya tutulad sa kanyang ina. Mamahalin at aalagaan niya ang kanyang mga anak. Kung sakaling magkaroon na siya ng sariling pamilya. Hindi niya iparanas sa mga ito ang hirap at sakit. Tulad ng kanyang naranasan..
Nang gabing iyon ay inimpake na ni anna ang lahat ng kanyang gamit. Aalis na siya sa bahay na iyon. Matapos makapag ligpit ng gamit niya ay gumawa siya ng sulat para sa kapatid niya. Ayaw niya itong gisingin sa pagtulog. Baka, magbago pa ang isip niya, kung sakaling pigilan siya nito. Masakit para sa kanya ang pag iwan ito. Pero,iyon ang dapat niyang gawin para makawala sa mala- impyernong buhay niya, sa piling ng kanyang amain at sariling ina.
Bitbit ang bag. Hindi alam ni anna kung saan siya pupunta. Umalis si anna na dala ang hinanakit sa kanyang mga magulang. At pag asa sa para sa kanilang magkapatid. Lulan ng bus hindi alam ni anna kung saan iyon pupunta o tutungo.
Ilang oras pa ang lumipas. Nakita na lang niya ang sarili na nasa piyer. Piyer papuntang maynila. Sumakay siya sa barko. At doon sa lugar na iyon, hahanapin ang kanyang swerte at bagong buhay.
Mausok, maingay,magulo ganyan kung ilarawan ni anna ang maynila. Malayo sa lugar kung saan siya nanggaling. Namangha siya sa mga malalaking gusaling kanyang nakikita. Sa dami ng sasakyan. Kinakabahan man ay kailangan niyang paglabanan. Kailangan niyang maki sabay sa mga taong kanyang makakasalamuha.
Binaybay ni anna ang kahabaan ng kalsada. At ng mapagod ay naghanap siya ng masilungan. May nakita siyang karenderya at doon sumilong. Doon lang niya napansin na gutom na pala siya. Nang may nakita siyang tirang pagkain mula sa kustomer ay hiningi niya iyon sa may ari ng karenderya. Tinitigan muna siya ng may ari ng karenderya at binigay din sa kanya ang pagkain.
Dali daling kinuha ni anna ang pagkain. Maya maya ay nagsalita ang may ari ng karenderya.
"bago ka lang dito sa maynila??" tanong nito kay anna.
Uminum muna ng tubig si anna at nagsalita.
"opo galing pa po ako ng probinsiya.
"naglayas ka ba ineng??" tanong nito ulit.
Natigilan si anna sa pagsubo ng pagkain. " oo nga pala. Ano pala ang sasabihin niya sa mga taong magtatanong sa kanya. Kung bakit siya umalis sa kanila. Napansin ng babae na malalim ang iniisip ni anna. At nagsalita ulit ito.
" saan ka dito titira?? May kamag-anak ka ba dito sa maynila?"
Bumaba ang tingin ni anna at umiling.
"ano??" gulat na sabi ng may ari ng karenderya.
"alam mo bang delikado dito sa maynila.maraming manloloko dito" dugtong pa nito.
Hindi umimik si anna.
Maya maya ay nagsalita si anna.
"lumayas po ako sa amin" pagtatapat ni anna.
Tumingin si anna sa babae at ipinakita ang pasa sa kanyang braso.
"sinasaktan po ako ng aking amain at sariling ina" kwento ni anna sa babae.Na ngayon ay tumutulo na ang luha.
NA habag naman ang may ari ng karenderya sa kwento ni anna. Nagsalita ito.
"kung gusto mo, magtrabaho ka muna dito sa karenderya. Para may matutuluyan ka dito sa maynila" alok nito kay anna.
"talaga po??" tuwang tanong ni anna.
Tumango ang babae
Napayakap si anna sa babae.
"teka, ano pala pangalan mo??" humiwalay sa pagayakap kay anna. Kanina pa tayo nag uusap pero hindi pa natin alam ang pangalan ng isa't isa." sabi ng babae.
"ako po pala si anna" pakilala ni anna.
"ako naman si ester. Tiya ester na lang ang itawag mo sa akin." nakangiting sabi nito.
"marami pong salamat ti-ya ester" mangiyak iyak na sabi ni anna.
"sige na,ayusin mo na iyang gamit mo. At ipasok na natin saloob. Baka nakawin pa diyan." sabi ni ester kay anna. At pumasok na sila sa kwarto ng karenderya.
Mabait si ester.kung titingnan mo lang nga ay parang mataray. Pero pag nakilala muna ay maalalahanin at mapag-alaga. Malayo sa ina ni anna na walang pakialam sa anak.
Dalaga pa si ester sa edad na tatlumpung siyam. Graduate ito ng kulinarya,kaya naisipan nitong magkarenderya.
Noong una medyo nakiki bagay pa si anna sa mga kasamahan niya sa karenderya. Ngunit di kalaunan ay nakasundo din niya ang mga ito. Naging malapit si anna kay ester. Parang mag-ina nga kung sila ay titingnan.
Isang beses,habang naghihintay si ng kustomer. Nakita niya ang isang laaki na ka edad ni ahron.aalala niya ang kanyang kapatid.. Gumuhit sa mukha ni anna ang kalungkutan.
Napansin ni ester na malungkot si anna. Lumapit ito sa direksiyon ni anna.
"ang lalim ng iniisip mo anna ah,." ang sabi ni ester.
Napaangat ng tingin si anna at nagsalita.
"mm. Naalala ko lang si ahron.kumusta na kaya siya. kumakain ba iyon ng maayos..limang buwan na ako dito sa maynila. At limang buwan na din akong walang balita sa kapatid ko." malungkot na sabi ni anna.
"miss na miss muna ba si ahron??" tanong ni ester kay anna.
"oo,sobra ,sobra tiya ester. Walang araw na hindi ko siya iniisip" sabi ni anna habang umiiyak. " umalis ako ng bahay ng hindi ako nagpaalam sa kanya ng maayos. Pero sana maintindihan niya ako. Kasama ko si ahron sa lahat ng pangarap ko". Dugtong na sabi ni anna.
niyakap ni ester si anna na parang nagpapatahan ng bata.
"ssssshhh...tama na iyan. Alam ko naiintindihan ka ni ahron" sabi ni ester kay anna.
Pumagitna ang sandaling katahimikan kina ester at anna.Maya maya ay nagsalita si ester.
"di ba gusto mong ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral anna.? Sige, pag-aaralin kita. Ako na ang bahala sa lahat ng gastusin mo sa paaralan" sabi ni ester kay anna.
"talaga po tiya ester?? Gulat na tanong ni anna.
Napalitan na ng saya ang lungkot sa mukha nito.
"oo. Pero-- tutulungan mo pa din ako dito sa karenderya tuwing sabado at linggo." pahayag ni ester.
"opo tiya, dodoblehin ko pa po ang sipag ko. Asahan niyo di ko kayo bibiguin sa oportunidad na ibinigay niyo sa akin". Galak na sabi ni anna.
" alam ko iyon.sayang din kong hindi ka maka pagtapis ng pag-aaral matalino ka pa naman" sabi ni ester.
Ang swerte ni anna na makilala niya si ester. Itinuring siya nito na parang anak.at sa unang pagkakataon naramdaman ni anna. kung paano magakaroon ng isang ina,sa katauhan ni ester. Hindi man niya kadugo pero pinahalagahan siya nito. naging masayahin na ito.Binago ni ester ang takbo ng buhay ni anna.
Mabilis lumipas ang panahon.at nasa kolehiyo na si anna. Sa wakas ay makapag-aral na din siya. Narsing ang kursong kinuha niya. Simula pagkabata iyan na talaga ang kursong gusto niya. Sa pagpasok ni anna sa paaralan.dala niya ang pangarap para sa kanilang magkapatid .at sa mga taong umaasa sa kakayahan niya.
Hindi binigo ni anna si ester nakakuha siya ng matatas na marka mula sa eskwela.
"wow ang talino mo talaga anna. " sabi ni ester kay anna. " ang lalaki ng grado mo" dugtong nito.
"di ba sabi ko naman sa inyo hindi ko kayo bibiguin" nakangiting sabi ni anna na nakaakbay kay ester.
"o sige, dahil matatas ang grades mo ipagluluto kita ng masarap"masayang sabi ni ester sabay kindat kay anna.
" ayan ang gusto sayo iya.alam mo talaga ang gusto ko" birong sabi ni anna.
At nagtawanan na sila anna at ester.
Isang araw habang gumagawa ng takdang aralin si anna. Nakita niyang naglalaro ng computer si kristine. Ang katiwala ni ester sa karenderya. Lumapit siya dito at tiningnan kung anong ginagawa nito. Nagulat si anna ng magsalita ito
"gusto mo ding mag facebook,anna?" tanong nito kay anna. Napansin pala siya nito na lumapit.
"faceb---ook??hindi tiningnan lang kita" sabi ni anna kay kristine. Nang tumalikod na si anna ay nagsalita ulit si kristine.
" gusto mo i search natin iyong kaibigan mo. Malay mo may facebook siya.
"talaga kristine. Pwede mo iyon gawin??" tanong ni anna kay kristine.
"oo,sandali ano ba pangalan ng kaibigan mo??" Tanong ni kristine kay anna.
Sa tulong ni kristine at sa bagong teknolohiya nakita ulit ni anna si betty. Sa pamamagitan ng facebook. Gumawa siya ng account sa facebook at nag-iwan ng message sa kaibigan.
Ilang araw din bago sumagot si betty sa message ni anna.nag kumustahan ang magkaibigan na parehong namiss ang isa't isa. Sa kaibigan din niya nalaman na tumigil sa pag-aaral ang kapatid niya. Dahil hindi na ito pinaaral ng kanyang ina. Naawa siya sa kanyang kapatid.umiiyak siya sa kalagayan nito sa piling ng kanyang ina.Kinuha ni anna ang numero ng cellphone ni betty para makausap ito. At para makausap din ang kanyang kapatid.
Habang dina-dial ang numero ng kaibigan. Hindi maiwasan na kabahan siya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin ni ahron sa kanya. Nang may sumagot na sa kabilang linya. Nautal si anna at hindi makapagsalita. Pamilyar sa kanya ang boses na iyon. Nagsalita ulit ang nasa kabilang linya.
" hello--?? " ulit nito.
"ahroo-nn.." ang sabi ni anna.
ate ikaw ba iyan?? Ang sabi naman ni ahron sa kabilang linya.
"oo. Ahron ako ito. Kumusta ka na?? " Ang sabi ni anna na tumutulo ang luha.
Hindi sumagot si ahron.
"AHROn galit kaba sa akin?? Tanong ni anna sa kapatid.
"bakit mo ako iniwan ate!! Hindi mo ba alam na labis akong nasaktan ng iwan mo ako" sabi ni ahron kay anna na umiiyak.
"im sorry ahron. Pero sana maintindihan mo ako na dapat ko iyong gawin. Masakit din sa akin na iwan ka.. "paliwanag ni anna sa kapatid.
"ito ako ngayon nag aaral sa isa unibersidad. Alam mo ba narsing iyong kurso." pagku kwento ni anna sa kapatid.
"naintindihan kita ate kung bakit ka umalis.. Masaya ako para sa iyo ate. Nakikita ko sayo na masaya ka na".sabi ni ahron na umiiyak pa din.
"salamat ahron. Huwag kang mag - alala okay ako dito sa manila. si tiya ester ang tumulong sa akin dito. Sa kanya ko naramdaman na magkaroon ng isang ina." sabi ni anna sa kapatid.
Mahaba haba din ang naging usapan nila ni ahron at anna. Parang nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib si anna. Dahil sa naintindihan siya ng kapatid. Ibinilin niya dito na huwag sabihin sa kanilang ina ng nag-uusap na sila. Nangako din siya na magpapadala siya ng kunting pera dito. Naapos ang kanilang pag-uusapan ni ahron sa cellphone na may ngiti sa mga labi.
Lumipas ang mga panahon. At nasa ikatlong taon na sa kolehiyo si anna. Isang araw, habang nasa karenderya siya. Biglang hinimatay si ester at isinugod nila sa hospital. Noon lang niya nalaman na may sakit pala itong cancer. At may taning na ang buhay. Araw na lang ang bibilangin para makasama ito. Habang nasa hospital inaalagaan ni anna si ester. Doon na din siya natutulog. At pagkagaling eskwela ay doon din siya didiretso.
"anna"tawag ni ester sa kanya sa mahinang boses.
Agad din naman lumapit si anna kay ester.
"bakit tiya" ang sagot naman ni ANNA.
"wala lang gusto ko lang pagmasdan ang iyong magandang mukha". Sabi ni ester na nakangiti.
Hinawakan ni anna ang kamay ni ester at nagsalita.
"ang daya mo naman tiya. Bakit di mo sinabi sa akin na may sakit ka." ang sabi ni anna na umiiyak.
" ayaw ko makasira sa pag-aaral mo. Ayaw ko dumagdag sa iisipin mo. Ayaw kita mag- alala. Kaya minabuti ko huwag sabihin sayo." ang sabi ni ester.
"tiya,hindi ka naman magiging pabigat sa akin . Alam mo iyan." ang sabi ni anna.
" anna, nagpapasalamat ako sa diyos at nakilala kita. Hindi man kita kadugo, hindi iyon dahilan para mahalin kita na parang isang tunay na anak." ang sabi ni ester na nangilid na ang mga luha nito.
Hindi na napigilan ni anna ang kanyang emosyon. Napahagulhol na ito ng iyak. Mayaya maya ay nagsalita ulit si ester.
"pwede ba akong humiling sayo,anna??" sabi ni ester na nanghihina.
"ano po iyon tiya ester?? "ang sagot naman ni anna.
Hinawakan ni ester ang noo ni anna. At pinahiran ang mga luhang dumaloy sa mga mata nito.
"kung sakali man ako ay mawala. Gusto ko ipagpatuloy mo ang iyong pag-aaral. Gusto kong makatapos ka sa iyong pag-aaral. May naipon akong pera sa bangko. Ibibigay ko iyon sayo. At sana alagaan mo rin ang karenderya ko. Kung saan doon kita nakilala." ang nanghihingalong sabi ni ester.
Niyakap ng mahigpit ni anna si ester. Kahit na nanghihingalo na ito ay siya pa rin ang iniisip. Napahagulhol ng iyak si anna.
"oo tiya. Tutuparin ko ang hiling mo. Maraming ,maraming salamat sa lahat ng kabutihan na ipinakita niyo sa akin. Sa pagpapahalaga, na sa inyo ko lang naramdaman. Sa pagmamahal na katulad ng isang ina". humahagulhol na sabi ni anna.
"huwag kang magtanim ng sama ng loob sa iyong ina. Kahit ano pa man ang ginawa niya sayo, siya pa din ang iyong ina." ang payo ni ester kay anna.
" tandaan mo masaya mabuhay sa mundo na walang galit at poot sa iyong puso." dugtong nito na pilit na ngumiti.
Hindi na nagsalita pa si anna. At niyakap uli si ester. Ilang araw ang lumipad binawian na ng buhay si ester. Parang gumuho ang mundo ni anna sa pagkawala ni ester. wala na ang kanyang tiya ester. Ang taong nagbukas sa kanya ng pagkakataon at pag-asa. Parang pinipiga ang puso ni anna sa tuwing maiisip na di niya ito makakasama kailanman. Inalala niya ang mga sandaling na kasama niya ito.
Hindi din siya nakakalimutan kumustahin ng kanyang kapatid na si ahron at kaibigang si betty. Maya't maya tumutawag ito. Kung okay lang ba sya. Pinaparamdam din ng mga ito na kahit malayo, may karamay siya.
Nang mailibing si ester. Pinangako ni anna na tutuparin niya ang mga sinabi nito. Magsisikap siya para makatapos. Gamit ang perang ibinigay nito. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pangarap. Ipinagpatuloy din niya ang karenderyang iniwan ni ester.
At wakas makaka graduate na si anna kolehiyo. Dala ang pinakamataas na parangal sa kanyang. Nang sabitan na si anna ng medalya. Nagulat siya ng makita ang kapatid at si betty,para sabitan siya ng meddalya. Hindi napigilan ni anna ang pagtulo ng mga luha niya. At sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi niya ang kanyang pinagdaanan bago siya maka graduate. Buong puso siyang nagpapasalamat sa kay ester na siyang susi sa kanyang tagumpay. At sa mga taong naniniwala sa kanya.
Nang matapos ang graduation ay pumunta sila sa karenderya. May maliit kasing salo salong hinanda sila kristine sa kanya.
Nang mapag isa ay lumapit si ahron sa kanya.
" ate congratulation sa wakas gradute ka na" ang sabi ni ahron.
"salamat ahron, " ang sabi ni anna sa kapatid.
"e ate dahil graduate kana. Ano ang susunod mong plano??" tanong ulit ni ahron.
"mag take ako ng board exam sa susunod na buwan para ganap na talaga akong nurse". Sagot naman ni anna sa tanong ni ahron.
"tapos??" sabi nito.
"anong tapos??" naguguluhang sabi ni anna.
"wala ka bang balak umuwi sa atin ate???" tanong ni ahron sa kanya.
Hindi sumagot si anna. Hindi niya pa kasi alam kung paano harapin ang kanyang ina.
nagsalita ulit si ahron.
"mahina na si inay ate. Nahihirapan ng bumungon. Matagal na niyang alam na nag-uusap tayo. Di ko lang sinabi dahil ayaw ni inay. Nahihiya kasi siya sayo." umiiyak si ahron na sinabi.
Maski si anna ay umiyak din. Pero mas pinili niyang huwag kumibo. Inakbayan na lang niya ang kanyang kapatid na umiiyak.
Nang makatapos makapag board exam ay umuwi si anna sa kanilang probinsya.
Habang papasakay ng tricycle ay bumalik lahat sa alaala niya ang pait ng kahapon dito. Minamasdan niya ang buong paligid. Ang laki na ng pinagbago ng kanilang probinsiya. May iilang malalaking tindahan na rin ang kanyang nakikita. Dumami na rin ang taong nakatira sa bayan na iyon. Habang papalapit si anna sa bahay nila. Ay papalakas ng palakas ang kabog ng kanyang dibdib. Nang makababa ng tricycle ay may nakita siyang nagsisibak ng kahoy sa bahay nila.
Mabagal ang paghakbang ni anna. Hanggang sa nakatayo na siya sa harap ng lalaking nagsisibak ng kahoy. Napahinto ito sa ginawa at inangat ang mukha. Nagulat ito ng makita siya.
" ikaw na ba iyan anna??" ang sabi ng lalaki na iyon pala ay kanyang amain.
Malaki ang pinayat nito.malayo sa katawan nito dati. Hindi alam ang gagawin. Gayun man ngumiti pa rin si anna ng pilit.
Tumayo ang kanyang amain at tinulungan siyang bitbitin ang kanyang gamit. Nagulat si anna inasal nito. Pero wala nagawa at hinayaan na lang niyang tulungan siya.
Malaki ang pinagbago ng bahay. Sira sira na ang bobong nito. Habang pinag masdan buong kabahayan . ay nagsalita ang amain ni anna na nasa kanyang likuran.
"anna, hinihintay ka ng inay mo sa kwarto".
Agad din naman tinungo ni anna ang kwarto ng kanyang ina. Nang makita niya ang kanyang ina ay naawa siya dito. Nakaratay ito sa higaan at nakatingin sa kanya. Agad niya nakita ang namumuong luha nito.
"anna, ikaw na ba iyan?"
Hindi makasagot si anna sa ina. At biglang tumulo ang luha na kanyang pinipigilan. Naawa siya sa ina.
"anna, patawarin mo sana ako sa lahat ng ginawa ko sayo" ang sabi ng ina ni anna.
"alam ko,hindi ko na maibabalik pa ang nakaraan para maging isang ina para sayo. Pero sana bigyan mo ako ng makakataon na patawarin ako. Nagsisisi ako sa lahat ng kasalanan ko sayo." ang nagsusumamong sabi ni fe kay anna.
Unang beses pa niyang nakita ang ina na inayakan siya nito. Lumapit si anna sa inna. Nag-isip muna ito nang- sasabihin bago ito nagsalita.
"iniisip ko,kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman ngayon." tumingin ito sa ina at nagsalita ulit.
"matagal ko na kayo napatawad." ang umiiyak na sabi ni anna.
"salamat anna. Salamat anak ko." sabi ng kanyang ina..
Humahagulhol ng iyak si anna. Unang beses siyang tawagin na 'anak' ng kanyang ina. Niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit. sa ganoong sitwasyon sila nakita ni ahron. Na galing palengke para bumili ng gamot ng kanyang ina. Nakisali na rin ito sa yakapan.
At simula noon naging masaya na ang buhay ni anna. Isang taon ang nalipas namatay rin ang kanyang ina. Nasa amerika na nagtatrabaho si anna bilang nurse. At si ahron naman ay kanyang pinapaaral.. Habang ang amain niya binigyan niya ng negosyo sa probinsiya. At ang karenderya naman ng tiya ester niya ay nagkakaroon na ng branch sa ibang lugar.
Maraming natutunan si anna sa kanyang karanasan sa buhay. Isa na doon ay ang pagiging matatag. Para sa kahit ano man dagok ng buhay ay iyong malalampasan at makakayanan.
Translation - Tagalog The Story of Anna
Life is filled with challenges you have to overcome.
And life is full of dreams you want to make come true.
Life is a struggle, at least for many.
You have to undergo many trials,
Before you can attain a beautiful life.
This is the story of Anna.
Anna lives in the small province of Compostela in Davao City. She has two siblings; the eldest is called Kris who grew up under the care of her grandmother, because he was given to her by her mother to look after when he was still a baby. And the youngest is called Ahron who is afflicted with heart disease.
“Banana kyu, Banana kyu , " shouted Anna pushing an old rickety cart. She was peddling her wares along the street not far from where she lived. “Buy my banana cue. It’s delicious ˗ please buy it my dear customers!”
"Anna, Anna,” called an old man behind her.
“Oh Mr. Freddie! Are you going to buy some of my banana kyu?” she asked smiling at the old man who was a neighbour who lived nearby.
“Are you sure your banana kyu is tasty?” he asked her.
“Of course, Mr. Freddie. Do you think I’d sell my delicacies if they weren’t tasty!” she answered.
“Hmmm…,” he looked at Anna trying to make up his mind.
“Okay, how much are they?” he asked.
“Five pesos each,” said Anna politely.
“Alright, how many pieces do you have left? I’ll buy them all,” said Mr. Freddie.
“Oh Lord, Mr. Freddie? You’re so kind,” said a very pleased Anna. She counted how many pieces of her banana kyu she had left and said, “thirty seven pieces, Kuya Freddie , and at five pesos each ˗ that’ll be one hundred eighty five pesos to pay,” she said to Mr. Freddie after doing some quick mental arithmetic.
“It looks like you’ve sold everything Anna,” said Mrs Belin who was standing nearby.
”Oh yes, Mrs Belin. Mr. Freddie is so kind ˗ he bought everything,” Anna replied smiling at Mrs Belin and casting an appreciative glance at Mr. Freddie.
“Well bye, Anna. I’d better be getting back to my shop so I can give these snacks to my workers for their afternoon break,” said Mr. Freddie taking his leave.
“That’s fine, Mr. Freddie, and thanks a lot,” said Anna.
“You’re such a good girl Anna, and hard working too,” said Mrs. Felly, another neighbour, who was standing nearby listening to them. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Mareng Fe though! She’s so lucky to have such a daughter like you, yet she’s always abusing you, and so hard too! You’re so unlike my own children who are very lazy!” she said looking accusingly at her son who was standing next to her.
“Hmm… I’d better go now, Mrs Belin, Mrs Felly. I still have many chores to do,” said Anna bidding them goodbye.
While Anna was on her way home she heard someone calling her. She turned and saw it was her childhood friend Jason who was running towards her. He was gasping for breath.
“What is it Jason?” she asked her friend.
“It’s good that I saw you,” he said still panting.
Your mother’s in a fury again. She’s really mad this time.”
“Huh? Why?” she asked him.
“I don’t know. You’d better go home and find out,” he said.
“Alright, thanks Jason.” Anna rushed home as quickly as she could pushing the old cart in front of her.
Arriving home she locked up the cart outside, and went inside. “Good evening, Uncle Oscar,” she greeted her stepfather, who was the first person she saw.
He only stared at her blankly and said calling to Anna’s mother, “Fe, Anna is here,” and then he left the house.
As Anna turned, she saw her mother standing at the kitchen door glaring angrily at her. She was holding a dress. “Good ev…,” Anna wasn’t able to finish what she was going to say, because her mother threw the dress at her.
“What did you do to that?” she said pointing at the dress that Anna was now holding. “Look at that? Why is there a stain there?” she asked angrily as she closed in on Anna.
Anna wasn’t able to answer. She was afraid of her mother. She wasn’t sure what to say.
“Well then?!” Fe yelled at Anna as she cowered over her their faces nearly touching.
“Er, I didn’t know it’d get stained by the colours of the other clothes,” she said trembling.
“You didn’t know! Are you stupid?” She shouted while pinching Anna hard.
Anna squirmed. “Ouch mom. That hurts. I’m really sorry. That’s enough, mom,” pleaded Anna to her mother.
“Painful huh? Here’s more!” She slapped Anna about the head and shoulders with the flat of her hand, while Anna couched down and tried to protect herself by holding her skimpy arms around her head.
“It’s because you’re not minding your job! Do you know how much I paid for that dress!? And what do you do? Ruin it! Oh my God Anna, ever since you were born you’ve never done anything right by me!” She let out this tirade of abuse, punctuating each accusation with a painful blow.
“Please forgive me, mom,” Anna begged her mother.
“Why should I forgive you?” She was about to escalate the physical abuse with the help of a belt that lay near at hand, when someone from outside the house called to her.
”Fe? Fe?” they heard Anna’s aunt shouting.
“What is it Ate Daisy ?” Fe asked her elder sister who came into the kitchen.
”What’s happening Fe? I could hear your voice all the way outside. What’s Anna done now?” Daisy asked Fe.
“That Anna! You what she’s done to my dress! It’s ruined ˗ there such a stain on it now. I’m attending a christening tomorrow. What am I going to wear now that she’s spoiled my dress!” snapped Fe furiously. She was talking heatedly in this manner to her sister, but had left off beating her daughter.
Daisy approached Anna, who was now crouched in a corner, and bending down to her asked her in a serious but subdued voice, “Is it true, Anna?”
“I didn’t mean to stain mom’s clothes, auntie,” Anna whimpered to her aunt.
“Huh! Now you want your aunt to pity you,” said Fe, who raised her hand to slap Anna again, but was prevented from doing so by Daisy.
“Enough, Fe. She didn’t do it on purpose,” said Daisy defending Anna.
“Ate Daisy, don’t side with Anna. That’s the reason she’s grown up spoiled in the first place, because everyone feels sorry for her!”
“I’m not siding with Anna, Fe. What I mean is that she didn’t do it on purpose,” Daisy explained to her younger sister.
“By the way, let’s go to my house, and you can borrow one of my dresses. After all we’re the same size. Come on,” said Daisy trying to calm down her younger sister.
”You’re lucky, your aunt will lend me a dress. Because if not, Lord gracious!! I just don’t know what I could have done with you. . .” Fe said, obviously vexed.
The two stepped out of the house. Unable to hold her tears anymore, Anna, who was then slumpped right beside the door, weeped profusedly.
“Oh, are we going to cry the whole day now???” Oscar said, lightly derisive to show his impatience of the sight of a girl uncontrollably breaking down while now standing in front of them.
“Oh, are you not supposed to be cooking now?? Hey, are you not aware of the time? It’s almost around 7. Get to the kitchen now!!” he pressed.
“Yes, Uncle I will cook now,” Anna sheepishly replied. She then strode to the kitchen to do her usual cooking chore.
While slicing the tomatoes, she could not stop the tears on rolling down her face. Ahron, who caught a glimpse of her sobbing, creeped up behind her and softly asked ”Ate?”
She hurriedly wiped off the tears soaking her cheek.
”Ah, Ahron, why are you here? You are supposed not to leave your room, right? Are you starving?” Anna said to Ahron with a sense of concern.
Her tactic of trying to draw away the attention from herself fell short as he moved to her closer. Staring at her in examining way, he spoke.
”Are you fine, , Ate??” Ahron queried while sqeezing her right hand.
Her tears welled up which she tried to hold off from rolling down her cheek.
“Don’t worry about me. I am used to how mother treats me,” Anna told Ahron, putting some brave face.
Ahron wiped off the tears on her cheek and eyes. Then, he hugged her tightly, a gesture that brought her relief.
”Ok, I am fine now. Auncle Oscar might see us too melodramatic,” she told her brother as she was trying to focus on her cooking.
”Better get to Auncle now and tell him the food will be on the table a minute from now,” she told her brother as she gently shook off from her grasp.
He nodded perfunctorily and headed off to their stepfather.
A day later, Ann ran into Jason while on errands in the flea market. He came up to him and was shocked to see the large bruise tattoed on her arm.
"Anna, what caused that??? Jason asked in disbelief.
" This one – this is nothing,” she evasively replied.
"Anna, Anna,” a voice hollered from nowhere.
Anna traced the source of the voice, and when she recognized it she stopped.
"Oh, Joel, what’s up??? Why did you call me???” Anna said to her classmate.
"Ah… I am just wondering if you can give me a hand on our science project. I find it a bit too hard,” Joel said.
"Hmm, I can’t be of help now because I have a lot of things to do. It’s Mama’s birthday. Sorry, Joel,” she confided reluctantly to him.
Anna caught a sight of his dejection and she felt bad about turning him down.
"If it is fine with you, I could drop around your house to help you finish the project. Anyway, its submission is still on Thursday,” Anna said atonedly.
"Really, Anna, you will help me?” he wanted assurance.
Anna sweetly answered, ”Yes, Joel, you can count on me.”
He grabbed Anna’s hand then pressed it appreciatively, ”Thanks, Anna. Just tell your mother, happy birthday,” he smiled then left.
Her stepfather who had sneakily come closer was watching and eavesdropping on them. He then told her mother about what he saw and heard.
When she was close to their house, she saw her mother right at the poso 4 who looked like she waiting for somebody. Anna rushed to greet her. She was stunned when the latter slapped her. Even Betty, a friend who was with her, was also startled. Anna was clueless as to why she was fuming.
"Why, Mama 5 ??" Anna who was still dazed then asked.
"You don’t know why??? Come here you flirt!!!” she yelled while grabbing Anna’s hair. She then dragged her to their house.
"Mrs. Fe, that’s enough. You are hurting Anna. Have pity on her,” Betty begged her mother to stop as she went after the two to the house.
"You, Betty. This is none of your business. You better be off to your house now,” Fe irately hollered at Betty.
"But Mrs. Fe, Anna did nothing wrong to deserve a beating. We bought a cake for your birthday celebration. Look it is here,” Betty reassuringly said as she showed what was her on her hands.
The mother glanced at it.
"Ohh, so this cake is your excuse to meet up with your lover in the market,” Fe dismissingly said. She then grabbed the cake and threw it outside the
_________________
4 A communal well quite common in the countryside whose water is drawn up by a pump.
house.
"Mama, I am not having an affair,” she sobbingly said.
"That’s true, Mrs. Fe, " Betty cut in.
"One more, Betty, and you will get some of this,” Fe snarled at Betty while showing her fist.
Anna did not want her best friend to get caught into her trouble so she begged to leave, saying ”Betty, please go home.”
"But Anna how about y-----“ she was cut short as Fe dragged her to the door.
"You are one evil mother, Mrs. Fe. Anna really did not do anything wrong so why are you punishing her!! Anna is good to you,” Betty tearfully exclaimed.
"What ah---" Fe was about to pounce on Betty when Anna clinched her from behind to hold her down.
"Mama, that’s enough. Please, Betty, leave,” she begged her friend to spare her from getting hurt.
Fe shoke off Anna’s hold of her, then turned around to push her down.
"I am not done with you yet!! You deserve to be tied down here in the house so that you will learn your lesson!!” she angrily said.
She took a rope and called Oscar.
"Oscar, Oscar!!" Oscar immediately came.
"What’s it, Fe? I am busy watching basketball on TV?” Oscar visibly annoyed for being disturbed.
"There’s enough time for TV, Oscar. Give me a hand here. I am going to tie this rope on Anna for her to learn her lesson,” Fe growled at Oscar.
Oscar grudgingly obeyed.
Anna was about to be tied when she trashed wildly throwing off her mother. Fe became more furious and was about to jump at Anna.
Anna let loose of her bitterness.
"Enough Mama!!! Why are you that mad at me? What I have done wrong to you that you treat like some dirty rug??” she snapped at her mother with tone of uncontrollable resentment.
"How I wish you could make me feel I am your daughter. Even if it is seldom only. . . .” she sobbed.
She just snickered and replied ”So you want to know the truth??? Ok, because you asked for it I will tell it to you!!!” Fe said in akimbo posture.
"You are the reason I am badly off now!! If your father did not knock me up I could have been rich now. Maybe living in another country. In other words, you bring me bad luck! Since you were born, my life has been in total miseries," Fe confessed to her Anna.
Her heart sunk, and words escaped her to make out of what mother said. She was crushed, seething with resentment.
The pain was too unspeakable that she slowly bent then slumped down on her knees. Tears gushed from her eyes, and she weeped profusedly.
To her some secret truth indeed hurts. The pain was more unbearable than all the bruises inflected to her. It was not that the secret of her birth had caused her mother’s good forture; it was actually the hollowness of such reason not to show her the love she deservedly longed for. But the pain was gradually subdued by the searing anger in her.
"But it was your decision that led to your getting pregnant. I am not to be blamed. My only fault is to expect to be loved and taken care of as your daughter, Mother, which I have never felt even once,” she accusingly told her mother.
"So that’s it!!!” she was about to pounce on her again when Cora, Anna’s aunt, appeared.
"Enough, Fe,” she tried to hold her back.
"Anna’s beating has gone out of control, Fe. Show pity,” she told her sister.
"Don’t stick your finger in our business here, Cora. I am just disciplining Anna,” Fe retorted.
She stared at Fe then started talking.
"Why should it not be my business? Anna is my niece. So it is my concern. I have seen too much and how you have been treating Anna is nothing short but unreasonable.”
"Ok, while it’s true Anna is your niece, everybody knows though that I am still her mother and have have all the right to decide how to raise her,” Fe irately answered.
"So, is that right, Fe, that you always vent your rage against Anna?” Cora asked her sister.
"That’s just right because she has done me nothing good,” Fe heatedly said.
"Why Fe, have you been a good mother to Anna??” Cora question Fe as she examined and probed her sister’s eyes.
"We are all aware that you have failed to be a good mother to your daughter,” she added.
Fe’s eyes skirted away, and a second later skulkingly walked into the house.
Anna looked at her auntie while the latter’s eyes prowled towards her direction. Anna could sense in her aunt’s eyes that she pitied her. Before she could say anything Cora walked up to her and hugged her affectionately.
"Are you fine, Anna??” Cora asked Anna who were now both overwhelmed by tears.
Anna shook her head and said. . . .
"Is it my sin to be born, Auntie?” she bitterly asked her aunt.
"Sssshhhhhh---" she freed herself from the embrace of Anna and cupped Anna’s face in her palms, then stared Anna in the eyes.
"Don’t blame yourself because you have done no wrong,” Cora said to her niece then pressed her again to herself with her arms.
Anna made up her mind that night not to leave her mother, to move on though in anguish. Though the words of her mother tormented her, she would try her best to put them behind. She would do it not just for herself, but for her brother. She would rather look forward in the future for their sake. They had to finish their studies to have a brighter future.
When Anna graduated from high school, she decided not to pursue college because of lack of financial support. She had to work first to save money to support her studies later.
She applied for a job as a store attendant at a grocery in their town. She was immediately hired. Though what she was earning was not much, she could save some for her college next school year.
She thought she could save adequate enough, but her mother and stepfather took a large part of her earnings, leaving her a measely sum.
When she refused to turn in her earnings, she was mugged by her mother and stepfather. At that time it dawned on her that she should put an end to their abuse. She had to fight back.
Anna was now alert, catching sight of the slap that had rattled her a countless of time, which she fended. Her mother and father froze momentarily.
"Enough is enough, Mother. I am not going to allow myself to be ill-treated by you!!” she daringly said.
"Amazing, so you’re fighting back now hah---” Fe said to Anna wow. She removed her hands from waist and started clapping.
"Bravo, Anna,bravo. I am trembling in fear, Anna, because you can now put up a fight,” she sarcastically laughed.
"What are you boasting for??? Your work??? Your mealy wage??” Fe said with her booming voice which the neighbors could hear.
"Hey, Anna!! Your wage is not enough for you to repay my sacrfice. You owe me your life,” she added.
"Not enough?? I am completely paid, Mother,” Anna said who had now learned how to stand for herself.
"With all the torture I have gone through since I was little until now, I am paid. But there’s an end to everything. I thought before you might have some change of heart if I would try harder being a good daughter to you. But I don’t think your likes can still change!! If you think I am good for nothing, well, you as a mother are worse than being good for nothing," she reproachfully told her mother.
A thunderously slap whacked Anna in her face. But Anna who remained steady boldly spoke once more.
"Why?? Is it not true, Mother? If you have not learned how to love me as your daughter, do you think I have learned to love you as my mother?? How I wish I was not born in this world to spare myself from all these troubles,” Anna blurted out seething with bitterness.
Fe was shaking in rage for Anna.
"You ingrate," Fe said grabbing the hair of Anna to pull down his face to the floor.
"You rebellious daughter!! You are a chip off the old block of your father!!” she told Anna slapping her indiscriminately and violently.
Oscar tried to hold back Fe because he feared she might end up killing her daughter.
"Now Anna, where is your courage??? " she added.
Anna fell quiet.
"Remember, Anna, you can’t handle my fury yet. Get that to your thick head!!” Fe said angrily.
"That’s what a child would get for fighing her parents,” said her stepfather Oscar who was drawing out some cigarette smoke in front of her.
"Let us go Oscar before I loose control and accidentally kill her,” Fe said then turned around.
Anna was overwhelmed with self-pity because it did not make sense to her why she had to suffer that way. She vowed not to be like her mother. She would love and take care of her children. And if ever she would have her own family, she would not let them go through similar woes and anguish.
That night she packed up all her things to leave home. After she packed her belongings, she scrawled out a letter for her brother to bid farewell because she didn’t want to wake him up. If she personnaly talked to her to say good bye, he might be able to convince her to change her mind. So she thought. It was painful to her but it was the only way she could escape from hell-like life she shared with her mother and stepfather.
Clutching her bag, she had no idea where she was heading. She left home with a grudge againts her parents and with a hope to bring a better life for herself and her brother. Boarding a bus, she was clueless as to where she was going.
Hours passed absorbed in her thought, she was stumped to find herself standing in a ship dock. She boarded a ferry bound for Manila. Right there she told herself she would look for her luck and would start all over again.
Smoggy, noisy, and chaotic were how Anna would describe Manila. Quite different from the place where she came from. Nonetheless, she was enthralled by towering buildings, and the sheer number of vehicles that prowled the streets. Though intimidated, she had to be resolute. She had to go along well with people she would meet. She charted the seemingly endless stretch of a road. When she got tired, she looked for a cover to give her respite from the mercilessly ray of the sun. Eventually, she saw a typical diner so she went there for some shield. It was then she felt the pang of hunger. When she saw a leftover from a costumer, she begged for it from the owner of the store. The owner stared at her first then handed it to her.
She grabbed the food unabashedly. Shortly soon the owner of the diner started speaking to her.
"You look like you’re not from here??” she asked Anna.
Ann washed down the food she ate with a quick gulp of water before she uttered a word.
"Yes, I came from the province.”
"Did you run away from home, poor girl??" she asked again.
Anna stopped short from putting the food into her mouth. The woman was absorbed looking at her when she mulled over what she would be telling people who inquire about why she left home. The woman noticed she was lost in her thoughts. The former resumed her interrogation.
" From where are you here?? Do you have relatives here in Manila?"
She gloomily stared down and shook her head.
"What??" the store owner said in astonishment.
"Don’t you know it is dangerous here in Manila because swindlers and doubledealers are all over the place,” she persisted.
Anna did not say anything.
Shortly, she began to speak.
"I ran away from home,” she confessed.
She gazed at the woman and showed her the bruise on her arm.
"My stepfather and my mother beat me up,” she recounted, tears rolling down on her cheek.
The store onwer was touched with Anna’ s story. She started speaking.
"If you like, you can work here in the cafeteria so that you have a place to stay here in Manila,” she offered Anna.
"Really??" Anna asked excitedly.
The woman nodded.
Anna hugged the woman gratefully.
"By the way, what’s your name??" as she removed herself in Anna’s embrace.
“We have been talking for a while and yet we don’t know each other’s name,” the woman said.
"By the way, I am Anna,” she said.
"I am Ester. Just call me Auntie Esther," she delightfully replied.
"Thank you very much, Aunt Esther,” she tearfully said.
"Ok, fix your things and bring them inside. They might get stolen there,” Esther told Ana who carried her bag into a room of the food store.
Esther was kind though she looked a bit catty. When you know here better, she was thoughtful and caring. Quite different from Anna’s mother who was insensible to her daugher.
Esther was still single who was about 30 years old. She was a culinary graduate and had decided to put up a small restaurant.
At first Anna was still adjusting with her relationship with the other crew of the cafeteria. Afterward, she seemed to go along well with them. Anna was drawn close to Esther. They treated each other like mother and daughter.
One day, while waiting for customers to serve, she saw a man on the same age of Ahron. She remembered her brother. Sadness descended in her face.
Esther spotted her absorbed in her thoughts so she walked up to her.
"Looks like you’re thinking of something intensely,” Esther queried.
She leveled up her gaze and said.
"Hhmm. I remember Ahron. Wondering how he is. Is he eating well? I have been here in Manila for five months already. And for five months I haven’t heard anything about my brother,” she forlornly said.
"You badly miss Ahron??" Esther inquired.
"Too much, Aunt Esther. Never a day passed I have not thought of him,” Anna said sobbingly. "I left home wihout saying good bye. But I hope he understands. Ahron is with me as I pursue my dream for a better life, "Anna added.
Esther embraced Anna, soothing the latter like a mother to her crying baby.
"Ssssshhh... That’s ok. I’m quite sure Ahron understands,” Esther told Anna.
A quick silence ensued between the two. Then, Esther continued.
"Don’t you like to continue your studies? Ok, I will send you to school. I will shoulder all your school expenses,” Esther told Anna.
"Really, Aunt Esther??” Anna asked in disbelief.
Her sorrow was replaced by joy.
"Yes. But—you still have to help me here in the store on Saturdays and Sundays,” she made clear to Esther.
"Yes, Auntie. I will work doubly harder. You can expect you will not feel disappointed for the opportunity you have given men,” he cheerfully said.
"I know that. It’s a lost if a smart girl like would not finish her studies,” Esther said.
Anna was fortunate to have met Esther. She treated the former like her own daughter. For the first time she felt how it was like to have a mother in the person of Esther. They were not related in any way but she was loved like one. Anna became cheerful. Esther ended changed Anna’s life.
Time flies fleetingly. Anna might have realized that when she eventually made to it college. She took nursing, her childhood dream profession. Now the dream she shared with her brother and those who believed in her ability was coming true as she began her studies.
Anna did not disappoint Esther as she obtained outstanding grades in the school.
"Wow, you are really smart, Anna,” Esther told Anna.
“Your grades are remarkable,” she added.
"Didn’t you remember I would never disappoint you,” Anna said, flashing a smile with her arm wrapped around Esther.
"Ok, because your grades are excellent, I will cook you something delicious,” Esther joyfully said while winking an eye.
"That endears you to me because you know what I really enjoy eating,” Anna teasingly said. And they laughed.
One day while Anna was working on a homework, she saw Kristine playing on computer. Kristine was entrusted by Anna with regard to the operation of the cafeteria. She came to her to see what she was busy about. Anna was surprised on what she said next.
"Don’t you like to try social networking through Facebook, Anna?” she asked Anna whom she sensed sneaking from behind.
"Faceb---ook?? No, I am just watching you, " Anna told Kristine. When she walked away, Kristine continued.
"Do you like me to search your friend? You might not know it but she could be keeping a Facebook account?”
"Really Kristine? You can do that??" Anna asked Kristine.
"Ok wait, what’s the name of your friend??” Kristine asked Anna.
Through Kristine’s help and that of new communication technology, Anna traced the whereabouts of Betty. Anna signed up for Facebook account and left a message to a friend.
It would be days before Betty responded to Anna’s message. The friends, who badly missed each other, were very earger to know how was everything to one’s life. It was from her friend she learned that her brother dropped out of school because her mother discontinued supporting his studies. Her heart went for her brother, shedding tears for how miserable the life his brother had with her mother. She asked for Betty’s mobile phone number so she could reach her and her brother.
While dialling the number of her friend, she could not help getting nervous. She didn’t know what to expect on what would Ahron tell her. When somebody answered at the end of the line, she stammered, recognizing a familiar voice. The other party on the end of the line spoke again.
"Hello--?? " she repeated.
"Ahroo-nn.." Anna mumbled.
”Is this Ate?? Ahron said on the opposite line.
"Yes. Ahron, this is me. How are you?? " Anna said with tears rolling trickling.
Ahron did not answer.
"Ahron, are you mad with me??” Anna persisted.
"Why did you leave me, Ate!! Don’t you know I was badly hurt when you left me, " Ahron, who started to cry also, said to Anna.
"I’m sorry Ahron, but I hope you understand why I had to do it. It was also painful on my part to leave you. . .” Anna explained to her brother.
"I am here studying in a university. Don’t you know I am taking nursing,” Anna told to her brother.
"I understand, Ate, why you left. . . I am happy for you, Ate. I can see you are now joyful, " Ahron said who was still crying.
"Thanks, Ahron. Don’t worry, I am fine here in Manila.”
On the computer camera video, pointing to a woman beside her, she said ”She is Aunt Esther who is helping me. She has made me feel how it is like to have a real mother.”
The conversation between Anna and Ahron took a bit long. The guilt that had long tormented her vanished because her brother understood her now. She admonished her not to tell their mother that they were able to reconnect. She also promised she would send him some money. Their talk ended with smile beaming on their lips.
Days passed. Anna was in her third year in college. One day, while attending to her duties in the cafeteria, Esther fainted and was rushed to the hospital. It was only then she learned that her surrogate mother was suffering from cancer and her days to live were numbered. She had few days to live with her. While Esther was confined in the hospital, Anna looked over Esther. She slept in her room and from school she would immediately go there.
"Anna," Esther called her in weak voice.
Anna quickly approached her.
"Why, Auntie?" Anna replied.
"I don’t want to stare at anything except your beautiful face from here on,” Esther said with smile faintly painted in her face. Anna held her hand and spoke.
"You have cheated me, Auntie. You have concealed from me that you are badly ill,” Anna said with tears on her eyes.
" I don’t want to be a distraction to your studies. I don’t want to add to things that preoccupy you. I hate making you worry. So I made up my mind not to tell you,” Esther said.
"Auntie, you are not going to be a burden to me. You know that,” Anna said.
"Anna, I have been grateful to God you come to my life. We’re not being related in blood had not held me off from loving you like a daughter,” Esther said with tears welling up in her eyes.
Anna was overwhelmed by her emotion. She broke down weeping. Shortly, Esther resumed speaking.
"Can you do me favor, Anna??” Esther said who was already languishing.
"What’s it, Aunt Esther?? " Anna answered.
Esther touched Anna’s forehead, then she wiped off the tears that were drenching her face.
"If I passed away, I wanted you to continue your studies. I keep some money in the bank which I put under your name. You will inherit my estate. I hope you take care of my cafeteria where I made my name for myself,” Esther said who was already breathing her last.
Anna hugged Esther tightly, realizing how much the latter loved her that in her deathbed she still worried about her. Anna wept loudly.
"Yes, Auntie. I will fulfill your wishes. Words are not enough to express my gratitude for all the goodness you have shown me. For the care, that only from you I have felt – for the love that a mother should shows” she said disconsolately with tears trickling down her face.
"Don’t harbor a grudge against your mother. Whatever she has done to you, the fact does not change she remains your mother,” Esther reminded Anna.
"Remember life is bright in this world when you don’t leave some space in your heart for wrath and hatred,” she added trying hard to smile.
Anna did not speak a word and just hugged Esther once more. Some days later Esther passed away. Anna’s world seemed to have crumbled with Esther now gone. Esther, her Aunt and ’Mother,’the woman who restored in herself hope and faith about the beauty of life, had left her for good. Her heart was like being crushed everytime it hit her that she would never be around for her. Memories of their happy moments together kept coming back.
Her brother Ahron and friend Betty never missed the opportunity to check on her. They called constantly to find out how she was doing. She felt that though she was far away, she was never really alone.
After Esther’s funeral, Anna became more steadfast she would fulfill Esther’s dying requests. She was determined to finish her studies with the money she was endowed. She would pursue her dream, while running the business Esther left behind.
The day came Anna was graduating from the college with the highest recognition. When her turn to be given recognition came, she was ecstatic to see her brother and friend were there on the stage to hang on her the medal. She could not hold back the tears from falling. In her award acceptance speech, she recounted what she had to go through to realize her dream. She posthumously and wholeheartedly thanked Esther who bestowed her the key to succeed and to those people who never wavered in their faith in her.
After the ceremony, they proceeded to the cafeteria, because Kristine prepared a little banquet to celebrate her graduation.
When she was alone by herself, Ahron walked up to her.
"Ate, congratulation. Finally, you have graduated, " Ahron said.
"Thanks, Ahron,” Anna said to her brother.
"Ah, Ate, now that you are a graduate, what’s next for you??" Ahron asked.
"I will take the board exam next month so that I will be a licensed nurse,” Anna responded.
"Then??" the brother segued.
"What do you mean ’then’??" Anna asked somewhat perplexed.
"Don’t you entertain the thought of coming home, Ate???" Ahron asked her.
Words seemed hard to come by her. She had no idea how to deal with her mother yet.
Ahron spoke once more.
"Mother’s health is deteriorating, Ate. She can barely rise from the bed. She already knew already for a long time that we have a constant communication. She begged me not to let you know that she is aware of it, because she is ashamed of herself," Ahron sobbingly said.
Anna could not help but cried too. She opted to keep her thoughts to herself. She put her around her brother who was crying.
After taking the board exam, she made a trip back to her province.
While on her way to get a tricycle 5, the memories of the bitter past flooded back on her. Looking around, she observed the development the town had made. She caught sight of several grocery stores planking the road. A number of people had also settled there as evident by new row of houses. As she spotted a hazy outline of a house from a far which was getting familiar as they approached it, she felt her heart was pounding louder and louder. When she was dropped by the tricycle, she caught a sight of somebody chopping wood right outside their house.
She strode forward slowly as if she was taking her time until she found herself right behind the man chopping wood. Noticing somebody was behind him, he stopped what he was doing and lifted his eyes toward her. He was stunned to see her.
"Is that you, Anna??" the man said whom she recognized now her stepfather.
He looked to have lost a lot of weight, quite different from his former self. He was quite disconcerted as to what to do. Anna tried to smile.
5 A motor bike cub, a common form of local transportation.
Her stepfather rose and helped her with the bags she was carrying. She reluctantly let him bring them into the house.
The house had change a lot. Its roof was decrepit. While looking around, her stepfather spoke behind her shoulders.
"Anna, your mother is waiting for you in the room. "
She immediately headed to the room of her mother. When she saw her, she was crushed by the sight that greeted her. She was lying helplessly on the bed staring at her. The tears welling on her mother’s eyes did not escape her.
"Anna, is that you?"
Anna groped for words. Tears just rolled which she was trying hard to hold off. Pity gripped her.
"Anna, forgive me for what I have all done to you, " her mother said.
"I know, I could not bring back the past to be a good mother to you. But how I wish you would give me a chance to be forgiven. I have regretted all the wrongs I have done on you,” Fe tearfully implored Anna.
This was the first time she saw her mother crying for her. Anna drew closer. She gathered her thoughts first, then started to speak.
"I am trying to make sense how I should feel now,” she looked at her mother then continued.
". . . I have forgiven you a long time ago,” Anna said who started to cry too.
"Thanks, Anna. Thanks, my daughter,"her mother weakly said.
Anna wept. She was touched for hearing her mother calling ”daughter” for the very first time. She hugged her tightly. Ahron was greeted by this heartwarming sight when he entered the room from running errand for the medicines of her mother. He fell on his knees and embraced the family he did not expect to be reunited again.
Since then Anna’s life turned bright. A year later, her mother also died. She is now working as a nurse in U.S. and is also supporting Ahron’s studies. She has given her stepfather seeding money to put up a small business in the province. The cafeteria of her Aunt Esther has been into franchising as branches have been put up.
Anna indeed has learned a lot of lessons from what she was made to go through. One of these is how to be strong. She has fallen on her knees many times in her life, but she has never quit to rise up to continue her journey. In the end, she succeeded.
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PhD - University of the Philippines, Diliman
Experience
Years of experience: 23. Registered at ProZ.com: Jan 2016.
I am Dr. Rommel B. de la Cruz, a resident of 100 Apt. Unit C A.T. Reyes St., Mandaluyong, PHILIPPINES. I have written and published Tagalog and English short stories, poems, and essays. I have translated a drama script and business memos (English-Tagalog-English).
I have completed a PhD in English Studies major in Language (Applied Linguistics) at University of the Philippines Diliman as well as EdD in Management at Philippine Women’s University. Aside from being a professor, I also work as a researcher and a writer. I have written research papers, which I presented at international conferences. I am a regular contributor to a national broadsheet Manila Bulletin Sunday's column "Educator Speakers." In 2006, I was admitted in LaTrobe University in Victoria, Australia for PhD in Linguistics. I was also invited as a visiting professor to Thailand.
Currently, I am appointed as the University Researcher of Jose Rizal University. I am the Editor-in-Chief of Jose Rizal University Business Education and Law (BEL) Journal. As a Graduate School/College faculty, I am appointed as a reader, a critic, and an editor in thesis defense.
Attached is my resume.
Keywords: poems, short stories, novels, school textbooks, general textbooks, news, and research papers
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