Watashi no Ai (My Love)

Jomaku (Prologue)

Dedicated to : Emeyeyrayter
Thank you very much for the tips and lessons. 
***
-2013-

"Good morning." Monica greeted me in sing-song manner as I walked to the nurses' station. Isa siya sa mga Pilipina na nagtatrabaho dito sa nursing home bilang nurse. She was busy reviewing the patients' charts as she chatted in between.

"Nagligalig ba ulit si Lola?" I asked. Nagkunot ang noo niya habang nakatingin sa akin. What? Did I say something wrong?

She grinned like a crazy cow. "Alam mo, ang weird mo. Wala sa itsura mo ang magsalita ng malalim na Tagalog." Monica chuckled. She might be referring to my mix.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Well, sorry. Nasanay lang ako," I replied with a hint of irritation on my tone.

Nagpuppy-eyes siya sa akin. "Sorry na be. Di bale at bibigyan kita ulit ng mga pocket books na galing Pinas. Kahit bilhan pa kita ng copy ng Florante at Laura."

"Mayroon na ako," I answered. "I suggest a copy of Makamisa. "

"Girl, hindi lang ako sure kung may published copy. 'Di pa nga natatapos ni Rizal 'yon e."  Huminga siya ng malalim. "Well, regarding kay Lola Rita, ganoon pa rin pero mas dumalas ngayon."

My heart raced on her words. "A-asan siya? " tanong ko.

"Nasa garden. Bet niyang magpaaraw," she answered. Biglang nagsidatingan 'yong mga kasalitan niya sa shift so she started speaking in English. I excused myself and walked to the garden.

I smiled to myself when I found my grandma sitting on the bench. On her side were few sheets of colored paper. She was busy with something while humming a song.

"Lola," I called to her. Agad naman siyang lumingon sa akin at ngitian ako. She waved her hand and gestured for me to side beside her. "Kumusta po kayo?"

"I'm good as always, strong through God's grace," she answered without shifting her attention on the paper she was folding. "Ikaw?"

I don't know how to tell her about the chaos going on into my life. Pinipigilan pa rin ako nila mommy na kumuha ng creative writing course. They were all pushing me to become a nurse or a doctor. "Okay naman po," I lied. "Sinusubukan ko pong simulan ang manuscript na ginagawa ko. Gusto ko po sanang i-submit iyon sa isang publishing company
sa Pilipinas. Kaso parang wala akong maisip na inspiration."

I really worked my ass off days and nights. I want to write something close to me but I can't find some great inspiration. Mom and Dad? Nada. Their's was some kinda we-fought-kissed-got-married love story.

I looked at grandma and a bulb of inspiration was lit above my head. Her love story with grandpa was really perfect. It can beat any fairy tales written by the Grimm brothers. Anyone can write songs and poems on how great their love was but it was too perfect.

"Iyong mga experiences mo?" she asked.

Umiling ako bilang pagsagot. My first relationship was a mess. Ang sarap talagang balatan ng buhay ang lalaking iyon. Siya na nga ang nanloko, siya pa ang malakas ang loob na magsabing ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit nagloko siya. He even called me a nun because I chose to do it after marriage. No offense sa mga madre.  The second one was took me as a rebound. The third one, he just left without a word.

"Lola naman e," I nagged. "Iyong sa inyo na lang ni Lolo." Something pushed me to say ask about this. "Or 'yong first love ninyo?"

She was done folding her paper. She took my hand ang placed a small paper crane on my palm. "My first love was like this paper crane." She looked at me, her  lips formed a gleeful curved but her eyes were like an abstract painting. It was filled with different shades of emotions.  "It was beautiful but it can't fly."