"Andrea, what led you to imprison your own father? It's understandable for parents to discipline their children, especially when they've misbehaved. But there's a clear line between discipline and excessive abuse," Lola (grandmother) Meding, my father's mother, exclaimed with anger. I remained silent, aware that she would take my father's side.
"With all due respect, Mother, you're right that parents should discipline their children when necessary. However, discipline should never involve beating them severely. Our laws protect children from harm, especially through excessive abuse," Mrs. Rowena Garcia, the representative from the Social Welfare, explained while casting a disapproving gaze at our father, who seemed ashamed and avoided eye contact with me. "...aren't parents supposed to protect their children, even from harm inflicted by their own stepmother?"
"That's not true, ma'am. I've treated them as my own children. It's hurtful that despite my kindness towards them, this is how they repay me?" Aunt Alma interjected, tears streaming down her face.
"That child has a stubborn nature, ma'am. She's a habitual liar, which is why she's fabricating these stories," Grandma Meding stated to the Social Welfare representative, referring to me.
"My sister is not a liar! Aunt Alma and Dad are wicked! I witnessed him beating up my sister! Aunt Alma constantly targets my sister even when she's done nothing wrong," Oteph cried out upon hearing Grandma Meding's words.
Mrs. Garcia, looked at Grandma with disappointment written all over her face.
"Why don't you tell the truth, Andrea? Your father resorted to hurting you because you attempted to harm me. You pointed a knife at my throat simply because I scolded you for coming home late, something you frequently do. I was only concerned for your well-being, as I promised your father that I would treat you and your sibling as my own children. But regardless of my efforts, you refuse to accept me." She burst into tears again, a display I knew was insincere. Aunt Alma was truly wicked.
"You always hurt me! Both you and Dad! You're the liar!" Oteph retorted angrily. I knew my brother was furious and wanted to defend me against them. I refrained from saying anything further, as I had already provided my statement to the Social Welfare earlier. Additionally, I had visited the hospital to have my swollen mouth and bruised hip examined.
The police officers investigating the incident continued to listen attentively, considering every perspective, especially ours as siblings. It felt as though Oteph and I had no allies except for the compassionate female social worker who had been assigned to us.
"Well, children are typically not adept at lying, ma'am, especially when there is physical evidence of the beatings and wounds inflicted upon them. You have no chance because the law holds those who harm and abuse children accountable. If your child files a case against you, rest assured you won't stand a chance, particularly if there are witnesses to corroborate the boy's account of the abuse," one police officer explained from his seat in the cramped police office.
"That's me!" I recognized a familiar face entering the police station and locking eyes with me.
"Grandma Rosa..." I whispered softly upon seeing our loving and caring neighbor.
"I will testify about how that wicked woman mistreated these two children. I will also share the details of Andrea's beatings by his father," Grandma Rosa bravely spoke out to the police and the Social Welfare representative. Tears welled up in my eyes again. For the first time, I felt as though someone was standing up for us siblings.
"Don't believe her, officers. She's our neighbor who enjoys making up stories, even if they're completely false," Tita Alma angrily retorted.
"And who are you, ma'am?" The second police officer questioned, investigating the situation.
Grandma Rosa approached the officer. "I am Rosalina Perez."
"How old are you, Grandma?" The police officer inquired, carefully noting down every detail she provided.
"I am sixty-four years old."
"How are you related to the children?" the police officer asked Grandma Rosa, noting down the information she provided.
"They are my neighbors. Our houses are next to each other, and I have known them since before Andrea was born to her late mother." Grandma Rosa valiantly replied to the police officers.
I observed the police officers nodding in agreement with what they heard from our neighbor. I could also see the furious glares directed at her from Grandma Meding and Aunt Alma. As for my father, he appeared like a defeated animal, unable to even meet our eyes.
"So, Grandma, does this mean you are willing to testify against Rudy and Alma?" the police officer asked her.
"Oh, yes, I will testify against them because I can no longer bear witness to their cruelty towards these two children. I have such deep pity for them. Even if you ask our other neighbors, they will undoubtedly share the same concerns regarding how Andrea and Oteph are treated. Especially Rudy, who claims to be a good parent but uses his own hands to harm his own children!" Grandma Rosa's voice quivered, almost in tears, as she responded to the police.
Grandma Meding and Aunt Choleng, my father's older sister, were rendered speechless. Their faces displayed extreme worry about the consequences of my complaint against my own father and stepmother.
"Andrea, my dear granddaughter, are you really going to do this to your own father?" Grandma Meding asked me, her voice softer and filled with pleading. I couldn't recall the last time she had referred to me as "apo" (grandchild). Since then, Grandma Meding had vehemently opposed my Mom's marriage to Dad. She disapproved of their relationship, fueled by rumors of a wealthy widow in New Zealand who had an interest to Dad. Despite Grandma Meding's objections, Dad chose to marry my mother, even though she was already pregnant with me. Grandma Meding continued to criticize my mother, claiming I wasn't Dad's biological child and that Mom had conceived me with another man. Nevertheless, my mom endured all of it out of her love for my father.
Life for my Mom, Luisa and daddy Rudy became happy, especially after my birth. My Dad then was a loving husband and father, and our family was filled with joy. Dad had a good job as a bank manager, while my Mom dedicated herself to taking care of me and Dad.
Our family grew even happier when Oteph came into our lives. Dad worked even harder to provide for both of us, striving to give us a good life. Meanwhile, Mom showered us with care and taught us good manners.
However, one day, my mother was struck by a serious illness. The doctor informed my father that Mom had stage 4 uterus cancer. Mom had been experiencing symptoms for a while, but she never mentioned them to Dad. I was ignorant about cancer except for its dangerous and deadly nature. I cried uncontrollably, refusing to let go of my mother. Dad's world nearly crumbled under the weight of my mother's condition. He found it difficult to accept what was happening to my mom, so he seldom visited the hospital. He threw himself into work to avoid witnessing Mama Luisa's suffering.
That night, before Mama Luisa passed away, she spoke to me about my sibling. She entrusting me with the care and protection of Oteph, as she would no longer be able to do it herself for her youngest child. Holding my hand and gently caressing my cheek, she smiled at me. She urged me to follow and love Dad because he would be devastated without her. Her words brought me to tears. I knew Mama Luisa's time with us would be short-lived. She longed for my father's presence, but he was nowhere to be found. He had not visited for days, and Mom repeatedly asked me where he was. Helpless and alone in the room with her, I didn't know what to do. Our relatives, particularly my father's siblings, rarely visited, leaving mostly Grandma Gloria to watch over my Mom, occasionally supported by Grandma Rosa, our kind-hearted neighbor.
That night, as I took charge of Oteph, Mama Luisa grew restless, desperately searching for my father, Rudy. But no one knew his whereabouts. I called our house, but he wasn't there. I reached out to grandma Meding, but they explained they were too busy to come. Unfortunately, Lola Gloria had gone home to rest and freshen up before returning to care for my Mom. I watched her suffer, her breath labored, as she repeatedly called Dad's name. She implored me to find him, but I felt powerless since I was the sole caregiver in the hospital room. I couldn't alleviate her pain. I cried and cried, for that was all I could do in that moment, witnessing my beloved mother in immense agony, being consumed by death. Overwhelmed, I rushed out of the room, screaming for help to the nearby nurses. Two of them noticed, swiftly coming to my aid. Without any need for explanation, they rushed into my Mom's room, witnessing her condition.
My legs gave way, and I sank to the smooth hospital floor. I sobbed uncontrollably, desperate for my mother not to die, I want her to fight and be with us her children.
Soon, another nurse emerged hastily from the room and, while making her way to the nurse station, relayed the events occurring in Mama Luisa's room. I stared at the door, catching snippets of mother's name being repeatedly mentioned.
After a while, the nurse returned accompanied by the doctor taking care of Mama Luisa. They didn't take notice of me anymore, as they hurriedly entered Mom's room.
I had sensed that something was amiss with Mama Luisa. I knew this might be the last time I would see her alive. I had tried to brace myself for this moment. And that night, it happened. My mother bid her final farewell.
Morning dawned as Daddy Rudy staggered in. He was clearly intoxicated, his breath reeking of alcohol. His once-white shirt was stained with dried vomit, a testament to his excessive drinking. Even before he could approach Mama Luisa's lifeless body, he broke down into uncontrollable sobs, his cries echoing the cries of a child. Grandma Gloria embraced him while I stood there, stunned and tears streaming down my face. Surprisingly, none of Daddy Rudy's family had shown up, displaying a complete lack of concern or support.
Mama Luisa's passing was devastating for Dad, but witnessing Daddy Rudy's disintegration before our eyes was even more agonizing for Oteph and me. The expenses incurred during Mom's illness had completely depleted father's savings. He was forced to sell his possessions, including other properties. Frequently absent from work, father eventually lost his job at the bank. When he did manage to go to work, he was always inebriated and easily agitated.
Neglect became a staple in our relationship with Dad. Only Grandma Gloria, despite her old age, stood by us, taking care of our needs. Father would often engage in arguments with grandma whenever she confronted him about his excessive drinking and neglect towards us his children. Yet, father would always become defensive whenever Grandma Gloria attempted to hold him accountable.
Unexpectedly, Daddy Rudy underwent a sudden change. Grandma Gloria and I were elated to witness the return of Daddy Rudy' old self. He found a new job and started consistently tending to our needs. As his birthday approached, the three of us planned a surprise to express our gratitude for his transformation into a responsible father figure once more. Grandma Gloria diligently prepared everything, eager to recreate the feeling of unity we had lost since Mama Luisa's passing. However, our excitement turned to disbelief when my father arrived home, accompanied by Aunt Alma, who would now be living with us. It hadn't even been a year since my mom's death, leaving Grandma Gloria furious with Daddy Rudy.
The relationship between grandma and Aunt Alma became fraught with constant clashes, leading to ongoing arguments involving my father. Despite Grandmaa Gloria's advanced age, she remained determined to protect us from the mistreatment of our stepmother.
Aunt Alma consistently complained to Dad, often fabricating conflicts to drive a wedge between them. At this point, it seemed that Aunt Alma was successfully winning my father's favor. In response, my maternal grandmother made the decision to return to Bicol.
Aunt Alma's mistreatment of Oteph and me persisted, with Oteph becoming her primary target. He was left alone at home frequently. Whenever we tried to report her behavior to our father, he would side with her and unfairly place the blame on us. Honoring the promise I made to Mama Luisa before her passing, I chose to stand up for Oteph against anyone who mistreated him, whether it be Aunt Alma or even our very own father.
"Andrea, please have compassion for your father. Who do you think will support you if he gets imprisoned? Who will finance your education?" Aunt Choleng, my father's eldest sister, pleaded.
I turned my gaze towards my father, still with his head bowed, and then looked at Aunt Alma, who continued to regard me with disdain. No matter how the world turned, he was still my father. He had loved both me and Oteph when our mother, Luisa, was alive. We owed our lives to him. Therefore, I made the decision not to pursue my complaint against him. Instead, I resolved to find a different path for Oteph and me. Although Mrs. Rowena Garcia from the Social welfare had suggested that my sibling would be taken first, that was not the outcome I desired. What I want is to distance ourselves to them then, I will find work and provide both I and my brother's needs.
Father fixed his gaze on me, his eyes reddening as if he had something important to say. He stood up from his seat and slowly approached me. My heart raced as he took my hands and knelt in front of me.
"Andrea, my child..." he uttered with a trembling voice. But before he could express what he wanted to say, tears streamed down his face like that of a child.
"Rudy, what are you doing?" Aunt Alma asked, surprised by father's act of kneeling before me.
"Dad...?" I could only manage to say, tears cascading down my cheeks.
"Please forgive me, my child. Please forgive your father for what I have done to you and Oteph. I didn't mean to." Daddy Rudy said, his words nearly incomprehensible through his sobs as he repeatedly kissed my hands.
Overwhelmed with emotions, I couldn't find the words to speak. Anger still lingered within me, considering the abuse I endured from him for nearly two years.
"Mr. Agustin, it might be better if you refrain from approaching the children, especially considering the trauma they've experienced due to your actions. It is not up to Andrea to decide whether she will press charges against you and your wife. Your children are still minors, so the Social Welfare will make that decision," Mrs. Garcia explained to my father.
"What? Why should it come to that, ma'am? Can't we simply discuss my granddaughter's complaint? After all, she is not innocent either. Besides, she is stubborn, which provoked her father's anger," Grandma Meding argued, still insisting that my father did nothing wrong to me.
"Ma'am, regardless of how stubborn your granddaughter may be, it is not right for her father to hurt or beat her like that. And as her grandmother, shouldn't you be guiding your son on how to be a father to his children?" Mrs. Garcia responded firmly to Grandma Meding.
"But..." Grandma was about to speak when she was interrupted by the DSWD representative.
"No 'buts', Ma'amw. In fact, it is your duty to protect your grandchildren. But instead, it seems like you are condoning your son's wrongdoing," Mrs. Garcia accused Lola Meding.
"That's not true, ma'am. All I want is to avoid legal proceedings. The children will suffer even more if they lose their father," my Grandmother explained.
One of the police officers chuckled at grandma's statement. "Well, the children are already suffering at the hands of their own father, even before he's imprisoned," the officer said.
"Andrea, my grandchild, please have mercy on your father and Alma. I beg you," Grandma Meding pleaded with me, as she sat down in front of me.
I don't know why, but in that moment, I considered forgiving my father. I begged Mrs. Garcia not to pursue legal action against my father and to allow Oteph and me to escape to a distant place. Unfortunately, she did not grant my request. Grandma Rosa also pleaded to take care of us, especially since she is alone in her house, but the Social Service declined the request of the kind elderly lady.