Flash Backs of Trauma

12 years ago...

Everything was crushed to ruins. Inikot ni Ismael sa kapaligaran ng hacienda Dela Torre. Many are wounded, most are dead. Hindi niya kilala kung sino ang trabahador nila at mga tauhan ng Dela Torre but he knows this is all a traumatic night.

"Senyor, nakita na po ang katawan ni Senyor Hernan," turan ng isa sa mga tauhan niya. Napalingon siya sa katawang buhat-buhat ng ibang tauhan.

It was definitely Hernan. Lifeless. Nilapitan niya ito. Check his pulse as if trying the last hope na may buhay pa ito. Napayukyok siya as if offering a silent prayer.

"Ayusin ang buong paligid, siguraduhing wala na ang mga kaaway!"

Mariing utos ni Hernan. Nagsisunod naman ang mga tauhan. He looked at Hernan again...

***

Katok sa pinto ang pumukaw sa pagmumuni ni Ismael. Pagkuwa'y sumilip ang ulo ng anak niyang si Zeek.

"You called me?" ani 'to.

"Son, come here," tawag niya. "You're mom's birthday is next week. Aalis ka ba to China?" he asked.

Zeek's mom was burried in China. He goes there every year. He's just surprised na for the first time tila interesado ang tatay niya sa pagdalaw niya sa ina. Napakunot noo siya.

"I do that every year," alangang sagot niya.

"Sasama ako. Is that ok?" turan ng ama niya.

Hindi napigil ni Zeek, he's eyebrows raised.

"May I ask why?"

It has never happened in 9 years na nalaman niyang may tatay siya. Ang buong akala niya walang pakialam ang ama niya sa pagkamatay ng ina niya. All of a sudden he was asking to come with him.

Tumayo si Ismael. Head towards the bar area and pour himself a rum. Zeek waited for his father's answer. Humarap ito sa kaniya holding the glass not yet drinking it.

"I just want to make this closure once and for all. It has been 9 years. I need to say my proper goodbyes for your mom." He drank the alcohol.

"Proper goodbyes? Are you marrying Tita Mina?" diretsong tanong ni Zeek.

"Goodbyes isn't always starting anew, son. At times, it's just letting go of the past," matalinhagang turan ni Ismael.

"But there must be a reason for all this drama," pamimilit ni Zeek sa inaakto ng ama.

"Leave it be, Zeekcarias. I have no intention to marry Mina. She just needs us to take care of her. Wag mo lagyan ng malisya yun."

Hindi nakasagot si Zeek. Mariin ang paliwanag ng ama. And it has always been like this. He always insists na wala itong balak pakasalan ang Tita Mina niya and that she will always be important to him.

Zeek doesn't really know his Tita Mina's back story. But he has no bad feeling for the blind lady. All he knows is that one day nakilala niya ito nang dumating siya sa mansyon ng Callejos. And that she was vulnerable. But Mina have taken good care of him. Naging maalaga ito sa kaniya. He have no idea of her tita Mina's past. Dahil kahit ito hindi na rin maalala ang nakaraan.

Napabuntong hininga na lang si Zeek. Alam niyang walang sasabihin sa kaniya ang ama kahit anong piga ang gawin niya. He just shrug it off and let it be.

"I'll go on Sunday. And I'm bringing my assistant," turan ni Zeek.

"Oh by the way, you seemed fond of your new assistant?" turan ni Ismael. Tila nagkainterest naman ito kay Yumie.

Tumaas lang ulit ang kilay ni Zeek. Sinusukat kung ano ang kahulugan ng interest ng ama. He seemed wanted to protect Yumie.

Ismael mischievously smiled. Nahuli niya and reaction ni Zeek.

"Don't get me wrong. I just felt that Yumie might be the most extended assistant you can have." Tumalikod ito and poured another rum on glass. "Do you want a drink?" tanong nito sa anak.

Zeek just looked at his father. Then declined his offer. "I need to go. I still have work."

Kumampay lang si Ismael as a sign that he can leave. Zeek walked out the door. Ismael was left with deeper thoughts...

****

She just looked exactly liked her mom. Yumie was in her high school uniform chatting with her friends palabas ng campus na pinapasukan nito. Ismael just stared at her from afar. Sa di kalayuan tanaw niya si Rigor na tila nag-aantay sa dalaga. He knows it's not yet time na magpakita siya kay Yumie. Besides, alam niyang darating ang panahong ito ang mismong lalapit at hahanap sa kaniya.

Gayunpaman, he needs to stay away from her for the meantime. Masyado pang kumplikado. Kahit papano sigurado siyang hindi pababayaan ng nanay-nanayan nito si Yumie.

"Tayo na. Bumalik tayong Hacienda," utos ni Ismael sa tauhan.

****

He drifted back to reality, hawak ang litrato ni Rumina. Kung nakinig lamang sa kaniya si Hernan noon, hindi sana mangyayari ito. Ngunit mas nanaig ang di pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ng kanilang mga angkan noon kaya't hindi niya naipilit kay Hernan na paniwalaan siya.

Sinisisi niya ang sarili sa mga naganap. Alam niya sa sariling kahit papano'y nagkulang siya. Ngunit hindi tamang habang buhay niyang dalhin ang hinanakit na iyon. Kailangan niyang bumawi. At alam niyang, ngayon na ang tamang panahon.

Kinuha niya ang cellphone. Started dialing a number. It took awhile bago may sumagot.

"Mina, he will be visiting you this weekend..."