Chapter XXVII: Rubbuat (Departure)
The morning sun shines gently over Caluipat, its warmth seeping through the bamboo blinds of Mercy's small home. Mercy, wearing her old faded red duster with sunflowers printed on it, steps out into her garden with a broom in one hand and determination in her eyes.
The garden is not grand, but it is hers. The soil is uneven, the grass grows a little too wildly at the edges, and weeds keep trying to take over—but Mercy treats it as her own little kingdom.
"Ah, weeds again," she mutters, crouching down and tugging the stubborn greens out with quick, strong pulls. "You think you can win against me? No, no, I am the queen here."
She piles the weeds neatly at one corner, then moves to the old Burnays, the giant earthen jars—that are sitting upside down. Their wide, flat bottoms serve as makeshift pedestals. With practiced hands, she arranges flowerpots on top of them, adjusting their balance until they stand straight.
"Much better," she says proudly, patting the soil around a plant as if congratulating it for surviving another week in her care.
Next, she picks up a small pail filled with rice water, saved from that morning's breakfast. She pours it carefully into the pots, letting the milky liquid seep into the roots. The plants glisten under the sunlight, as if they too are grateful for this nourishment.
Satisfied, Mercy straightens her back, wiping her sweaty forehead with the edge of her duster. Her eyes wander to the small seating area made of bricks and cobblestones. Two large cobblestones sit unevenly on the ground—the very ones Rico proudly brought home years ago from Calle Crisostomo.
She frowns at the crooked angle. "Ay, Rico!" she calls.
From inside the house, Rico's voice responds, muffled. "What is it now, Mercy?"
"These cobblestones—you put them like you were drunk that day. Fix them properly! They're supposed to be a seat, not a trap for my back."
Rico comes out, scratching his head, carrying a screwdriver even though the task requires no screwdriver at all. "Awan ti problema, Mercy. (No problem, Mercy). Sit there and you'll be fine."
Mercy narrows her eyes. "Fine? If I sit there, my hips will tilt like a broken chair. Fix it or I'll throw these stones back to Calle Crisostomo myself."
Rico laughs, sets the screwdriver aside, and kneels to adjust the stones. "You're scarier than the priest during confession."
"Good," Mercy says, hands on her hips, before turning back inside the store.
The store is quiet in the late morning, only the buzzing of flies and the distant sound of tricycles passing by. On the wall, Mercy notices a photo of Mark smiling brightly, sandwiched between Meric and Ben. The family portrait warms her heart.
Before she can sink too deeply into her thoughts, the shrill ring of the old Nokia phone interrupts the silence. She hurries to answer.
"Hello?"
"Mang, it's me," Meric's voice comes through, warm and familiar.
"Ah, Mayyang!" Mercy beams, her voice softening. "How are you now, Mayyang?"
"I'm fine, Mang. We're all fine here."
"And Mark? How's my beloved apo?" Mercy asks eagerly.
"He's fine too, Mang. Very active, as always."
Mercy chuckles. "Good. Make sure he doesn't grow lazy like—" she pauses, eyeing Rico outside, who is still fiddling with the cobblestone. "—like some people I know."
Meric laughs softly but then lowers her voice. "Mang, adda bagak. (Mang, I have something to tell you.)"
Mercy straightens. "Anya didiay? (What is it?) What is it about?"
There's a pause. "It's Ben... he's going abroad."
The words hang in the air. Mercy grips the Nokia tighter, her chest tightening.
Her mind flashes back decades ago when Rico in his younger years, full of dreams, insisting he wanted to pursue nautical engineering in Maynilaan. He talked endlessly about ships, oceans, and foreign lands. But nothing came of it. His laziness, his spoiled nature, and his inability to commit dragged him down. Instead of becoming an engineer or captain on ships, he ended up stuck with his tricycle, patching up bikes, and leaning on Mercy far too much.
Mercy sighs at the memory, her lips pursed. "If only Rico had tried harder..." she whispers in her mind.
"Mang? Mamang? Are you still there?" Meric's voice snaps her back to reality.
"Wen, wen, (Yes, yes,)" Mercy answers quickly, trying to sound steady. "I'm here. Abroad, you said? Hm. That's... that's something."
Meanwhile, at Bayubay Sur, Meric, Ben, and Mark make their way to the Globe store at Hermosa. The store is inside the Colegio Building—the very building where Maxi once studied, which makes Meric smile at the familiarity.
Inside, Ben confidently approaches a salesman. "We're looking for a good touch-screen phone. Something reliable."
The salesman nods, already pulling out models from the glass display.
While his parents talk business, Mark wanders off to the Samsung section, where demo units sit waiting for curious hands. He taps the screens eagerly, playing a racing game with wide-eyed excitement.
"Vroooom! Vroooom!" he mimics, pretending the whole phone is his personal toy.
Just as Ben and Meric finalize the purchase, receiving a coupon and counting bills, a loud alarm suddenly blares across the store.
All heads turn. The guard rushes forward. The salesman drops his pen.
Mark freezes, holding a demo phone. "Uh-oh..."
"Mark!" Meric yells, rushing over. "What did you do?!"
"I just pressed a button!" Mark defends himself, eyes wide with innocence.
Ben pinches the bridge of his nose, half embarrassed, half trying not to laugh. "Ballolong ko (My son), you almost made them think you were stealing the whole store."
The guard chuckles once he realizes it was just a child's curious fingers. "It's alright, ma'am, sir. Kids will be kids."
Back at Bayubay Sur, the family opens their purchase—a brand-new Lenovo phone, complete with a freebie tablet. The sleek devices gleam under the light, making Mark gasp in awe.
"Wow! Two gadgets!" he exclaims, bouncing.
Mark then tilts his head, asking, "Daddy, why did you buy these?"
Ben places a hand on his son's shoulder. "Because, balong, when you and Mama miss me too much, at least you'll have something to ease the missing. You can call me, see me, or even just play games when you feel lonely."
Mark hugs his father tightly. "I don't want to miss you, Daddy."
Ben smiles sadly. "I don't want to be missed either. But this is for us."
Back in Caluipat, Sundays remain sacred for Mercy and Rico. They wake before dawn to attend 6 a.m. mass at Hermosa Cathedral. Afterward, they walk to Plaza Jose food court for steaming bowls of arroz caldo.
"Rico, can you pass me the kalamunding?" Mercy asks, referring to the calamansi.
Rico laughs, handing it over. "You sound like Nanang Tory when you say that. Maybe she's whispering through you."
Mercy rolls her eyes but smiles faintly.
They stroll through Plaza Maestro afterward, though the stalls are still closed. Memories of the old Tower Café and the Seminario Conciliar linger in Mercy's mind as they walk. Eventually, they reach Calle Crisostomo, where the cobblestones echo with nostalgia. Rico nudges her shoulder. "See? I told you cobblestones are romantic."
"Romantic? Fix the ones in our garden first before you call yourself romantic," she teases.
Later, they shop for groceries at the market, their arms heavy with bags by noon. After lunch, Mercy heads to Anacleto Mansion for the Ina Poonbato devotees' prayer service, her rosary swinging lightly in her hand. Yet, despite her busy day, her thoughts always drift back to Mark, her precious apo.
Less than a month later, the inevitable call arrives. Ben receives it first, his face turning pale and resolute.
"It's the go signal," he tells Meric quietly.
The air in the apartment grows heavy. Meric grips his arm. "So soon?"
Ben nods. "So soon."
Preparations begin. Suitcases are packed, documents double-checked. Before heading to the terminal, they first visit Caluipat.
There, Ben's mother, Dalen, bursts into tears the moment she sees her son. She clings to him like she's never going to let go, crying dramatically. "Ay Anak ko! (Oh my son!) Don't go! My heart will break!"
Even Rico tries to console her, though he looks awkward doing so. Mercy, however, holds her head high. Her pride swells—not for Rico's missed chances, but for Ben's courage.
"You'll make your family proud," she says firmly, gripping Ben's hand. "Unlike others I know, you are showing what it means to be a real provider." She glances at Rico briefly, her words sharp as needles.
At the Partas Terminal in Hermosa, the final goodbye is heavy. Mark waves frantically, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Goodbye, Daddy! Call us soon!" he shouts.
Ben waves back from the bus window, his heart breaking yet filled with determination. "I'll call, anak! Always."
The bus pulls away, leaving Meric and Mark standing with Mercy, their hearts heavy with both sadness and hope.
That night, Mercy lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She thinks about Ben's decision—not as a loss, but as proof of his love.
"He is a real husband," she whispers to herself. "Hardworking, providing. The kind of man I wish my daughter always deserved."
And with that, she closes her eyes, holding onto the hope that across seas and borders, family love will never break.
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