Chapter 26: Chapter 26

It was dark when we returned to the house that Ayah washed them all with shampoo and bath soap. They were just enjoying their innocence of what was going on with their parents. The electricity was installed and household equipment was plugged in. We arranged the house decors similar to the one when I first enter this house. Ayah only looked at me with disbelief.

“Marco, you’re still reliving the past.”

“Yes Ayah, I loved that way, I mean the decors and curtains...remember here on this room when I planted a seed on you?”

“Yes Marco, I remember it all...that I love you.”

“Where are the children?”

“They’re with Bryan.... in the cottage at the garden.”

“Can we do it again here, love?”

“Marco, you have five kids now.”

“Doesn’t matter...can we add more?”

“Let’s put the children to sleep first...”

“Okay...yes!”

Again, the desire for Ayah made stronger when the environment called for my body to respond to her. Bryan and Ayah put the children on their beds while I imagined her in advance. I reminisced the time when we were together in the past; differentiate it, which one was better than the other.

We brought the comforter, pillows, and bed sheet to the cottage. The moonbeam lights the darkness of the night. It gave our souls to collide with each other.

“Marco...you gave me the best...for a long time.”

“I love you, Ayah Isabel....”

“I love you too Marco, until death.”

We slept in the cottage that no other souls saw our union. Some of the Tuyom residents were approaching us for a possible job abroad which I collected their CVs with a contact number.

Two weeks had passed that we received the marriage document, left the house to our caretaker, and went our way as I thought at that moment.

It was in the year 1993 of June when I visited my parent’s house in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

Along the way going to Bacolod City, we stopped by my parent’s house in Hinigaran. My brothers and sisters thanked me for all the support I extended for them by sending money every month. And, my mother and father were very proud of my present status.

“Marco, stay with us for a month, so that we talked together with your mother,” Father suggested.

“Yes father, mother...I love to stay with you.”

“Come children, come to grandpa...,.” my father said.

“No, come to grandma....come....children...,.” mother said while hugging them all.

“Mommy, we’ll stay here in grandma’s house?” Anne said to Ayah.

“Yes Anne, we’ll stay for vacation.”

My parents, sisters, and brothers were really liked us to stay which I thought to be the best option for me and for my family. I needed answers for some of my inner thoughts for a long time; and the interaction of my children with their grandparents and relatives. The family connection I used financially while away was not the answer for the values I want to portray with them. Nevertheless, I showed them all that I care and love them.

In the process of surviving my life after high school, I realized now, that those days were just challenges for me to tackle, which I considered as negative aspects but in the end, it’s just a way of molding me into the future. The decisions I made in the past were just a part of living here in this world. I had no right to hate my parents for not giving me the chance to finish my course. It was within me how to roll my life forward and not because of them or anybody else.

The remorse state of my feelings for them was just a process for me to grow beyond my understanding and maturity. Even though their incapability affected my ambition, still, their hearts were connected with mine.

The enjoyment of my children and my parents was a part of welding their innermost desires to be close to each other. It’s just as natural as the river flows to the ocean and a wonderful thing that I contributed to my parents without noticing it. Really beautiful!

“Marco, you’re such a wild boar...ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...you’ve got five beautiful kids...you really multiplied our clan...Ha-ha-ha-ha...,” father said.

“Yes really amazing to be with them, Marco!” Mother exclaimed.

I suggested a family celebration for our family that everybody was excited about especially, my married brothers and sisters. They wanted to intermingle with my family too, and for a long time that I never visited them. All my relatives were given each assignment for the occasion. As I expected, they were expecting this from me. I telephoned Edward to attend for this occasion.

“Hello friend Edward, how are you?”

“I’m fine Marco...just opening for another branch here in Bacolod. Where are you?”

“I’m here in Hinigaran, visiting my family and have celebrations for them. Can you attend now?”

“Yes of course my friend...my son Larry’s with me.”

“When you’re in Hinigaran, asked for our house in Rizal Street...just along the road.”

“Okay, I’m coming!”

“Kindly purchased me some fresh fruits, gifts and other things that you would like to give me...You’re rich now, isn’t it?”

“You son of your father....yes I will...just for you my friend!”

“That’s the boy....thank you...waiting for you here!”

“Okay, I’m coming!”

Bryan and I did the marketing of all items that were going to be used, including my presents to all of them. I bought special gifts for my parents. Ayah and the kids were left in the house to help with the preparation. It’s a whole day's preparation that each had the time to participate in.

When everything was prepared, I viewed our house like a fiesta celebration in the public plaza. It did matter to me, to give them the best for this celebration. For each table, I assigned one family and its relatives while Mama and Papa were positioned in front of us. I assigned an emcee to the program which one of my brothers prepared.

The emcee introduced the main purpose of the occasion, then, went around each table to introduce the relatives. It was a joyous time for me and my family. I really believed in their honesty in every aspect of their speeches and such a warming knowledge for me to know them better for the rest of our lives.

The children were called to dance in the front that Anne and Kent were the first ones wiggled, jumped, and moved their bodies to the tune. Other children followed them and howling ensued. While they were dancing, the emcee interviewed Anne and Kent. My children answered in the English language fluently. The crowd clapped their hands with delight on their face, including Ayah and me.

I gave a short speech to Papa, Mama, brother, and sisters; including all the relatives who were present at that time. Some prepared comedy skit, solo singing, dance solo, the drama which everybody enjoyed so much.

Different foods were served for the excitement of everyone especially the “Lechon.” Bryan video recorded the occasions’ from Tuyom up to Hinigaran. The emcee called me up to the stage to distribute the gifts.

“The first gifts are for Papa and Mama,” I announced in the microphone. “The next...to all my brothers and sisters...please come on stage.”

I distributed all the gifts that everyone was happy and contented with.

“Listen, I have a business in Manila and Dubai, and planning to open up another four stores in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Those of you who are interested to work for me, I’m glad to help you....just submit your resume to Papa and Mama. Another gift for Papa and Mama...I will renovate this house and a van for them!”

Papa and Mama stood up, went to the stage beside me, and embraced each other.

“Thank you, son...thanks to the Lord,” Papa said to me.

“Marco, thank you so much....your Papa wanted a van...one of his dream a long time ago....” Mama said.

“Also, for your information, my new business partner Mr. Edward Ramirez and son, Mr. Larry Ramirez...please give them a round of applause!”

Edward and Larry came up to the stage and hugged me.

“By the way....Mr. Edward give some gifts to us...especially the fresh fruits!” I announced. “Okay...let’s enjoy this celebration....let’s dance!”

Another long table was placed for the beverages and liquor that give enjoyment to male participants. Also, appetizers and desserts were placed at the other end.

“I am thanking the Barangay Captain and his men in attending this occasion.....and for some guests too!”

The celebration was successful in that we stayed for a week to process some papers and planned for my parent’s house renovation. Some relatives instantly submitted their resumes to Papa. Some of my brothers asked for some extra money for their families.

I materialized everything that I promised to my parents, brothers, sisters, and relatives. Those helped that I extended to them really came from my heart. It gave me the fullest satisfaction deep within and released the guilt inside of me. I had responsibilities for them.

I roamed around the town of Hinigaran with Edward who dedicated his love for me. He was there for me, when I’m down and out; even when I’m happy and contented. He knew me more than any friends I had in the past. The trust that I had for him cannot be ruined for the passing of time.

We stopped in front of Hinigaran Elementary School where I spent my early studies, which molded my way of thinking until I reached high school studies. I recalled all my teachers who contributed to molding my character and the whole of my being.

For the first year of high school, my parents enrolled me in a private school thinking that I could develop myself to the teaching of the Catholic School. I truly accepted Jesus Christ as my savior but I cannot comprehend our way of life in this world. Was it because of my true faith or a natural way of human sacrifice? We were brought up by our parents to believe that God created the world, that mankind has the right to decide what’s best for him and God was the center of human endeavors.

Because of my young disposition of what real life meant to me, I questioned myself why other people behaved the way they wanted it to be without thinking that God was testing their faith to the fullest? The anticipation of spiritual changes deep within me contributed to my self-esteem decreasing slowly while I started to find the true meaning of life. It was a matter of choice to be initiated by the way my beliefs molded me as a human being.

My growing years were created in this place where I contemplated my life to have meaning, for people who believed in me....who believed that life was a continuing process of wants and likes. It was the core of my being to proceed and succeed, but not to fall and failed.

I was ready to explore what God has given to me; I had to condition the path, I had to tread what I had decided with my life and I had the right to select what I want in life.

I transferred to Hinigaran National High School – a public high school – who also resumed the completion of my educational understanding, the learning of my new life, and the initial training for college level.

We entered the Hinigaran Catholic Church who witnessed my devotion to the Christian belief. I found this place as a refuge of my heart and soul. The serenity that I received through my faith in the Almighty carried on with my feelings to survive in this world. Believing in God was not a responsibility but an obligation to explore the deepness of your faith.

Once, I dreamed to be married on this church as the union of my soul to God....to continued procreating the world, that the Almighty had given to mankind.

XXX

I called up Governor Benjamin Gustilo for my visit to the children in Bacolod, that he welcomed me with open arms. For what I had done for the past months, I personally visit my son Marco Gustilo Fernando Junior and my daughter, Shaira Rose Gustilo Fernando.

“Mr. Gustilo, good day to you!” I greeted the father of Danielle.

“Yes, Marco, how are you and my daughter Danielle?”

“We’re fine and good Mr. Gustilo...our businesses are great and moving.”

“Here too, the children are doing fine for their studies especially Marco Junior...he’s growing faster than I expected. Your daughter too...a beautiful child...I’m happy for them.”

“Thank you Mr. Gustilo...I trusted you about the children and their welfare.”

“They’re in school right now Marco.”

“Okay, I’ll visit them there.”

“Okay, Marco.”

“Thank you Mr. Gustilo.”

I came back to the shopping center where I left Edward, Larry, Bryan, Donna, and my family.

“Edward, come with me.”

“Where?”

“We’ll visit my son and daughter at the school.”

“What’s the name of the school?”

“Of course, the Catholic School where I graduated!”

We headed to Lacson Street going Colegio de San Agustin and parked at the back of the school. We asked the security guard to visit my children inside that he gave us temporary IDs. I observed the school campus; still the same but there were some new small constructed buildings at the side of the San Agustin Coliseum where my graduation was held.

XXX