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[av_heading heading=’MY LIFE AS ART’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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XXXIII. PARENTS
IT MAY BE very difficult to understand, but our parents had to go through exactly the same stages of life that we must go through. They all came from a woman’s womb, had to wear diapers, cry for milk, learn to crawl, suffer the pain of growing teeth, potty train, be with others, go to school, cope with the bullying of others, face anxieties and pimples, and plot a course for themselves. So if you want to know what being older is like, if you want to know what the future is like, look at your parents.
*
Ever since she was a child, Dulce only wanted to give honor to her parents.
I remember, she told Matt, how proud they were of me every time I got some award in school.
So, I understand their pain. I failed them big time.
About two months after indulging in the three wild nights of the Bakunawa Festival (a.k.a. Nights of the Bakunawa), Dulce began having obvious morning sickness.
So, one morning, her father, haggard-looking, wrinkled-at-forty-two Tay Omong drags Dulce by the hair from her room.
*
She was not fully awake yet, did not even know what was happening.
She could only guess her parents finally figured out she was pregnant.
Her mother, Nay Siyay, was sitting in the corner crying, as if for someone already dead.
What went through your mind, Dulce?
You are better schooled than all of us in this barrio, so why did you act so stupidly?
Her father had no qualms raising his voice for all the neighbors to hear.
Tay, I’m sorry.
*
Tay Omong becomes incensed, more rabidly furious, I’m sorry? I’m sorry?!
Tay Omong lunged at Dulce, his knuckles ready to hit her.
She ran away to protect herself.
You destroyed everything we planned for you.
How can a mere ‘I’m sorry’ fix that?
We are poor, Dulce, but we were honorable people. Until now!
Tay Omong chased her again.
*
Dulce ran to her mother Nay Siyay, so emaciated, forty, but looking like sixty, crying in a corner.
How can you shame us this way? Getting pregnant without even knowing who the father is, her father continued.
Nay, help me!
Nay Siyay pushed her away.
*
Nay Siyay could hardly speak, her heart breaking, I have no face to show to people anymore, Dulce. I was ready to do everything for you.
I did everything for you!
We scrimped on food and medicine to have some money for your allowance while you studied in the city.
And now, this? How can you be so ungrateful?
Nay, I’m sorry.
*
Tay Omong pounced on Dulce once more.
He caught her by the hair.
The father raving mad, Get out of my house! Get lost.
He dragged her to the door, pushed her out.
Tay, I said, I’m sorry.
Please don’t do this me. Tay…
Tay Omong was shaking in anger, we don’t need you anymore.
Get out before I kill you.
Don’t ever show me your face again. Or God help you…
*
Nay Siyay let out a scream and fainted.
Dulce saw her mother, Nay!
She tried to run to Nay Siyay.
But was promptly stopped in her tracks by Tay Omong, who pushed her out once more.
Look at what you’ve done to your mother!
Now, get out before I kill you. Get out of my house!
*
He rushed to Nay Siyay, screamed a blood-curdling “Siyayyyyy!”
In tears, Dulce walked away from home.
She touched her abdomen, trying to feel her unborn child.
She cried some more.
The neighbors saw her, but turned their faces in pity and shame. (To be continued)/PN
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