Chapter 11: Confrontation

“Why are you still up, Tala? You cannot stay this late with your condition,” malumanay na saway ng Grandma Liza ni Tala sa kanya.

She was at the balcony of her grandparent’s house in Tagaytay, silently sketching the night sky while she’s seating on one of the chairs in there. She had grown accustomed drawing the same sky for the past few days since she had arrived there. It’s calming and it’s making her forget of her troubles for a while.

She turned and gently smiled at her grandmother who was already walking towards her, sa kamay nito ang knitted shawl na ibinigay nito nang tuluyang makalapit sa kanya.

“It’s cold. I don’t want you to get sick. A pregnant woman cannot get sick. Maaapektuhan ang baby,” sabi pa ng lola niya habang inaayos ang shawl sa mga balikat niya. Nang masigurong maayos na iyon, pinakatitigan siya nito, umupo sa katapat na upuan sa harap niya at marahang inabot ang pisngi niya.

The gesture warmed her heart. She had never felt so welcomed in any place in a whi