{"id":179,"date":"2021-03-15T10:51:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T02:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/?page_id=179"},"modified":"2021-03-18T00:48:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:48:59","slug":"dr-almayrah-abbas-tiburon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/issues\/issue-1\/dr-almayrah-abbas-tiburon\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Almayrah Abbas Tiburon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kata-o<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[Fiction<\/em>]
\nby Almayrah A. Tiburon<\/p>\n

Go to: English Translation<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMapiya i parangay so karoma ko. Masakaw go mapiya pen i kapakindodolona. Oo, totoong nakakasundo niya ang lahat ngunit bakit sa mabubuting tao pa nangyayari ang mga ito? Sa lahat ng tao, bakit si Yusoph pa?\u201d Ito ang mga tanong ni Sahara sa sarili habang nakadungaw sa bintana\u2019t nagmumuni-muni. Sinasariwa niya ang mga alaala ng mga unang araw nila ni Yusoph, noong hindi pa nagkakasakit ang asawa. Napakasaya nila.<\/p>\n

Mabuting babae si Sahara. Ang lahat na yata ng kabutihan ng isang babae ay nasa kanya na kaya walang masabi sa kanya ang asawa dahil bukod dito, si Sahara ay mapagmahal din. Lumakisiya sa isang pamilyang binuklod ng pagmamahal.<\/p>\n

Makalipas ang isang taong pagsasama nila ni Yusoph ay binigyan sila ng isang malusog na batang lalaki, si Khalid. Ngunit ang hindi mawari ni Sahara ay ang biglang pagkakasakit ng asawa.<\/p>\n

Nakatayong umiinom ng kape si Yusoph nang umagang \u2018yon sa sala. Biglang kumirot ang tiyan niya ngunit binalewala lamang ng lalaki ang naramdaman. Pero sa bawat paghigop nito ng kape ay nagsunod-sunod na ang pagkirot ng tiyan hanggang sa namimilipit na ito sa sobrang sakit.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026ah\u2026 Aydaw!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pakiramdam ni Yusoph ay pinipiga ang kanyang apdo. Naglaway siya hanggang sa siya ay sumuka. Hindi na siya nakatakbo sa banyo. Walang lumabas na pagkain sa kanyang bibig. Puro laway at tubig lang ang lumabas dito. Pinigil niya ang pagsuka, ngunit parang may iba pang bagay na nagnanais lumabas sa kanyang bibig.<\/p>\n

Si Yusoph ay isang responsableng asawa\u2019t ama. Minsan na siyang nagkamali kaya naman nag-ingat na siya na huwag mabahiran muli ng dungis ang kanyang reputasyon lalo na\u2019t galing siya sa isang kilalang pamilyang Meranaw. Nag-iisa siyang anak na lalaki nina Ali at Saripe na kilala ring matataas ang maratabat (Kapag nasaktan o naapakan ang kanilang karapatan, dangal, at prinsipyo ay dahilan upang magkaroon o magresulta ng away.)<\/p>\n

Matapos ang kasal nila ni Sahara ay nagsimula ang pananakit ng kanyang tiyan. Inilihim lamang niya ito sa asawa dahil inakala niyang karaniwang pananakit lamang iyon ng tiyan.<\/p>\n

\u201cSa..ha..ra..Sahara! Sahara!\u201d ang hirap na hirap na tawag ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Natarantang lumabas galing ng kusina si Sahara. Nakita niyang nakahandusay na ang asawa at tila naliligo sa isinukang laway.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, antonaa i pekhagedam ka? Anotanaa i masakit r\u2019ka?\u201d Ang malakas niyang sigaw. Sinikap niyang ibangon si Yusoph, subalit may kabigatan ito. Ang agad na pumasok sa isip niya ay ang cellphone niya upang makontak ang pamilya. Taranta siyang nag-dial sa kapatid ngunit hindi niya ito makontak. Kung sino-sino ang sinubukan pa niyang tawagan.<\/p>\n

\u201cOgopiya kong ka! Pumunta ka sa bahay! Ngayon na! May nangyari kay Yusoph,\u201d mabilis na sabi niya sa kaibigan ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Hinila ni Sahara papuntang sala si Yusoph. Kumuha siya ng damit nito para palitan ang basa ng damit. Iniayos niya ang pagkakasalagmak ni Yusoph hanggang sa ito ay mapaupo.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkey na okey na ako,\u201d bulong ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Nang makaramdam ng sandaling ginhawa sa pananakit ng tiyan ay isang anyo ng babae ang nakita ni Yusoph. Nakatalikod ito. Katabi niya si Sahara na pinupunasan pa rin siya ngunit parang wala itong nakikita. Siya lamang ang nakakakita sa babae sa kanyang tapat. Biglang dumating ang kanyang anak, nagtanong ito kung napaano siya.<\/p>\n

\u201cKataya, miyapiya den a ginawa ko,\u201dang wika ni Yusoph sabay himas sa kanyang tiyan.<\/p>\n

Nag-text siya sa kaibigan ni Yusoph na huwag ng tumuloy kasi okey na si Yusoph. Maayos na ang pakiramdam nito pagsapit ng gabi. Iniisip niya kung anong klaseng sakit ang mayroon siya. Baka kanser. Kaya mas mabuting huwag na lang niyang malaman kung anong sakit nga ito.<\/p>\n

Masaya niyang pinagmasdan ang paglalaro ni Khalid. Bibong-bibong bata ang anak. Natutuwa sila ni Sahara kapag nagsasabi ito ng p\u2019khababayaan ak\u2019n skano ome ago abe.<\/p>\n

\u201cMabuti pa\u2019y magpatingin ka sa doktor,\u201d mungkahi ni Sahara kay Yusoph. \u201cAmay ka kowan na tona-i miyasowa aka. Di iyan simpleng sakit ng tiyan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlam mo namang takot ako sa doktor,\u201d natatawang sagot ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cDi nga!\u201d natatawa ring reaksiyon ni Sahara. Pagkatapos ay niyakap nila nang buong higpit ang isa\u2019t isa. Nakatulog nang mahimbing si Yusoph. Hindi na siya ginising ni Sahara pagtuntong ng alas-singko ng umaga. Ito ang oras ng gising ng asawa. Naisip niyang nasarapan ito sa pagtulog. Bumangon siya at nanalanging wala sanang sakit si Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Hindi niya muna itinimpla ng kape si Yusoph. Alam niyang hindi ito makabubuti sa masakit at mahapding sikmura. Naglaga siya ng dilaw na luya. Paborito rin naman itong inumin ng asawa.<\/p>\n

\u201cBa\u2019t di mo ako ginising?\u201d bungad ni Yusoph kay Sahara sa kusina.<\/p>\n

\u201cAng sarap kaya ng tulog mo. O, eto naglaga ako ng luya. Inumin mo muna para mainitan ang tiyan mo. Mamaya pupunta tayo sa Iligan para makapagpa-check up ka.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay pupuntahan ako ngayon. May usapan kami ni Atty. Macasilao. Magkikita kami sa BIR.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019no \u2018yan? Kailan ka puwede? Baka balewalain mo \u2018yang sakit mo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sa pamomolong na lang kaya tayo pumunta? D\u2019yan lang \u2018yon sa kabilang kanto,\u201d pabirong sabi ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cSige ka, tawanan mo \u2018yang iniinda mong sakit. Akala mo biro \u2018yan, ha?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBakit? Manggagamot din naman ang mga albularyong Meranaw. Kaya marami pa rin ang pumupunta sa pamomolong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaniniwala ka do\u2019n?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOo, naman. Sa probinsiya ako lumaki, saka \u2018yong lolo ng lolo ko\u2019y pamomolong. Palibhasa kasi ay sa Maynila ka lumaki kaya \u2018yang isip mo, moderno na.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nang papaalis na si Yusoph ay bahagyang kumirot ang kanyang tiyan. Hindi siya nagpahalata kay Sahara. Ang totoo, sa pamomolong\u00a0 ang punta niya. Magpapasama siya sa kanyang kaibigan na si Hassan. May lahing manggagamot sina Yusoph. Naalala pa niya noong bata pa siya kung paanong manggamot ang isa niyang lolo, kapatid ng kanyang lolo. May mga dahon na pinapakuluan sa tubig, langis, asin, luya at may binabasa rito ang lolo niya kapag idinidikit sa masakit na parte ng katawan ng maysakit. Ginagawa lamang ito ng lolo niya tuwing umaga ng Martes at Huwebes. Bumabalik ang nagpapagamot sa lolo niya matapos ang ilang linggo upang magpasalamat dahil gumaling sila. At naalala pa niya ang kung ano-anong bitbit na pagkain para sa lolo niya bilang pasasalamat. Hindi siya nagbibiro kay Sahara. Pero kailangan niyang itago ang kanyang gagawin. Hindi pa niya tiyak kung anong sakit ang mayroon siya pero may nabubuong kongklusyon sa kanyang isipan.<\/p>\n

Hindi siya magpapagamot sa bayan nila. Baka malaman ni Sahara. Hindi muna dapat malaman ng kanyang pamilya ang nangyayari sa kanya. Si Hassan ang magiging katuwang niya sa pakikibakang ito. Kilala na nila kung sino ang lalapitan nilang albularyo. Sa Lumba a Gorinao sila nagpunta na nirekomenda sa kanya ni Hassan.<\/p>\n

Pumasok sila sa isang bahay na di kalakihan at ang kwarto at salas ay iisa. Doon ang receiving room, bedroom at iba pang rooms. May isang kama sa bandang kaliwa na maayos na nakatali ang kulambo sa ulunan nito. May isang mahabang bangko sa gilid ng pinto at may isa pang lumang bangko sa tabi ng bintana. May maliit na mesa naman sa bandang kanan na siyang hapagkainan ng pamilya.<\/p>\n

Pinahiga si Yusoph sa kama roon at sinuri ni Madid, ang pamomolong, ang kanyang kalagayan. Nakasuot si Madid ng short sleeve na polo shirt at naka-malong, nagkakaedad ng animnapu\u2019t lima hanggang pitumpo. May kapayatan at makikita sa mukha nito ang kaalaman niya sa panggagamot. Sinimulan ni Madid ang ritwal. Kumuha siya ng langis na nasa boteng may laman ding maliliit na ugat ng puno. Inihalo ito sa dinikdik na dahon ng bayabas, dahon ng sili, at talawatawa upang itapal sa tiyan ni Yusoph. Bumulong ito ng orasyon. Nagdasal muna ito saka umusal. Habang si Hassan ay nakatayo sa tabi ni Yusoph, pinagmamasdan si Yusoph at ipinaparamdam na kakayanin ni Yusoph ang pinagdadaanan nito. Nagulat si Madid nang mapakislot sa sakit si Yusoph. Nangitim ang tiyan at sumuka nang sumuka. Kinabahan ang matandang albularyo. Umiling siya.<\/p>\n

\u201cDi aken aya khagaga bulongan. May kakaibang espiritu ang gumagambala sa kanyang tiyan. Malakas. Makapangyarihan. Mabuti pa\u2019y sumangguni kayo sa iba pang pamomolong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSigurado po ba kayo na hindi niyo na kaya?\u201d nahintakutang tanong ni Hassan.\u00a0 \u201cBaka po may magawa pa kayo para sa kaibigan ko. Nakikiusap po kami, Kaka Madid.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaba ako di sablao. Pangimbenar kano raken. Magmadali na kayo. Huwag ninyong hintayin na mahuli na ang lahat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wala nang nagawa pa si Hassan kundi makipag-ugnayan sa pamilya ni Yusoph dahil hindi niya kakayaning mag-isa at nakokonsensya siyang hindi malaman ng pamilya ni Yusoph ang tunay na kalagayan nito. Umiling si Yusoph kahit namimilipit na ito sa sakit. Hindi siya sinang-ayunan ni Hassan. Tumawag ito sa ina ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Walang sinayang na sandali ang pamilya ni Yusoph. Agad silang nakipag-ugnayan sa ibang pamomolong para maisagawa ang ritwal sa lalong madaling panahon. Kailangan munang humugot ng lakas ng manggagamot na espiritista bago gawin ang orasyon. Malakas ang masamang espiritung gumagambala at nananakit kay Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Hindi umuwi nang araw na \u2018yon si Yusoph. Tumawag lang ang ina niya kay Sahara at nagsabing pupunta si Yusoph sa Cotabato kasama si Atty. Macasilao. Para sa katulad na trabaho ni Yusoph na Community Developer sa isang Non-Government Office (NGO) ay sanay na si Sahara sa pagbiyahe ni Yusoph sa malalayong lugar kaya hindi ito nabahala. Minsan ay agaran pa ang pag-alis ng asawa. Hindi na ito nakakapagpaalam pa. Tumatawag na lang ito sa kanyang cellphone.<\/p>\n

Nagdahilan na lamang ang ina ni Yusoph na nawala ang cellphone ng anak at pansamantalang hindi makakakontak dito si Sahara. Kampante naman ang babae sa sinabi ng biyenan. Maganda ang relasyon niya sa kanyang mga biyenan at sa buong angkan ni Yusoph. Magkasundong-magkasundo ang kanilang pamilya.<\/p>\n

Ginamitan ng matinding kata-o si Yusoph. Ito ang natuklasan ng pamomolong sa Poona a Makasilay. Kailangang masuri kung sino ang gumawa nito kay Yusoph. Isasagawa na ang ritwal ng panggagamot gamit ang mabisang orasyon.<\/p>\n

Nagkakilala sina Yusoph at Akmilah sa kolehiyo. Si Akmilah ay lumaki sa isang magulong pamilya. Ang ama nito ay Meranaw ngunit ang ina ay kalahating Kristiyano at kalahating Maguindanaon. May sariling mundo si Akmilah. Pakiramdam niya ay walang nag-uukol ng pagmamahal sa kanya. Kaya wala siyang muwang sa salitang pag-ibig. Nagbago ang lahat nang makilala niya si Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Mula noon ay natuto siyang umibig. Nagtiwala siya at agad na nagbago ang pananaw niya sa buhay. Dama niyang naging ganap ang sariling pagkatao at pagkababae nang ipamalas sa kanya ni Yusoph ang pagmamahal nito.<\/p>\n

Sigurado si Akmilah na si Yusoph ang lalaking aangkin sa kanya. Ang apat na taong relasyon nila ay labis na upang hindi niya isuko rito ang iniingatang puri. Ang munting parihabang bintana at ang maliit na silid ang naging piping saksi sa ginawa nila. Maalab ang simbuyo ng damdamin ng dalawang nilalang na ito.<\/p>\n

\u201cAkmilah, phanalamatangko s\u2019ka ka, ikaw lang ang babaeng nagdulot sa\u2019kin ng ganitong kaligayahan. Mahal kita.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMahal na mahal din kita, Yusoph. Sekabo i mama a para rak\u2019n,\u201d ang wika ni Akmilah nang may ngiti sa labi.<\/p>\n

Nasundan pa ang pag-aalab ng kanilang damdamin hanggang isang umaga ay nagising na lamang si Akmilah na nagduruwal. Nabahala si Yusoph. Sinamahan niya ang nobya sa doktor. Sa pagsusuri sa ihi ng babae ay napag-alamang buntis ito. Walang kibo si Yusoph. Masaya si Akmilah. Wala siyang pakialam sa sasabihin ng kanyang pamilya. Ngunit naisip niyang kasiraan ito sa iniingatang pangalan ng pamilya. Ipaglalaban niya ang kanyang katwiran, higit sa lahat ang kanyang damdamin at ang bata sa kanyang sinapupunan.<\/p>\n

\u201cPakibobosen ka a wata anan,\u201d sabi ni Yusoph sa mahinang tinig.<\/p>\n

\u201cAno? Akala ko\u2019y matutuwa ka. Ba\u2019t mo nasabing ipalaglag ko ito? Umaatras ka ba? Naduduwag ka?\u201d Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Akmilah. Ipinaparamdam niya ang matinding galit kay Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Bigla siyang iniwan ni Yusoph sa ganoong sitwasyon. Hindi na ito nagpakita sa kanya. Walang text o tawag. Walang paramdam kahit sa kaninong kilala nila.<\/p>\n

Nag-iisang hinarap ni Akmilah ang sariling pamilya. Lahat ay galit sa kanya. Kahihiyan ang kanyang idinulot sa angkan. Mabuti pang mamatay na lang siya o ipapatay. Bago pa man makalabit ng kanyang ama ang gatilyo ng baril ay mabilis siyang nakatakbo papalabas ng bahay.Wala siyang dalang kahit ano, kahit man lang sapin sa paa.<\/p>\n

\u201cDa ka den maya! Opama na da kaming ka den pamikira? Nagdala ka ng kahihiyan sa pamilyang ito!\u201d Patuloy na umaalingawngaw iyon sa isip ni Akmilah habang tumatakbo siya palayo.<\/p>\n

Hindi pa naglalaon mula nang mangyari ito kay Akmilah, nabalitaan niyang nag-dialaga na si Yusoph sa babaeng gusto ng pamilya ni Yusoph para ditto, engaged na si Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cBakit niya nagawa sa \u2018kin ito?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hindi niya isusuko nang gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig niya kay Yusoph. Naisip niyang napilitan lamang ang nobyo. Naiintindihan niya ang kasunduan. Subalit, may panahon pa para hindi\u00a0 maganap ang kasal. Kailangang sumuway si Yusoph sa gusto ng pamilya. Ito ang naiisip niyang dapat gawin ng lalaking minamahal.<\/p>\n

Ipinaabot niya kay Yusoph na magkita sila sa kanilang tagpuan, sa isang abandonang kubong may mga pananim na gulay sa likod at sa harap ay may punong mangga. Nadiskubre nila ito noong nasa kolehiyo pa sila at napadalas ang pagbisita nila sa lugar na ito \u2013 nililinis\u00a0 nila\u2019t sa katunayan ay may ilang gamit sila rito kasama ng gamit pangkusina gaya ng plato\u2019t baso, maliit na kaldero na para lamang silang bagong kasal noon na nagsisimula sa buhay. Ang kubong ito ang nagbigkis sa kanilang pagmamahalan.<\/p>\n

Pumayag itong makipag-usap sa kanya. Alas-nuwebe ang usapan, pero malapit nang magtanghali ay wala pa rin ang lalaki. Kumain siya sandali dahil humihilab na ang kanyang tiyan. Naisip niya ang batang bunga ng magandang pag-iibigan nila ni Yusoph. Kaya\u2019t naghintay pa siya. Ngunit sumapit na ang gabi, wala pa rin ang lalaki. Pinilit na siya ng kaibigan na kasama niya sa araw na \u2018yon, si Maida, sa paghaharap nila ni Yusoph na kalimutan na ang pakikipagkita kay Yusoph ngunit hindi siya nakinig. Mabuti\u2019t may kaibigang tapat si Akmilah sa kanya. Sinamahan siya nito sa kanyang mga lakad. Sa katunayan ay si Maida na ang tumawag kay Yusoph at siya ang nakiusap sa lalaki. Kinabukasan ang napagkasunduang pagkikita.<\/p>\n

Sabik na sabik si Akmilah sa muli nilang pagkikita ni Yusoph. Hihimukin niya itong magsama na sila. Magpapakalayo-layo silang dalawa.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, nakikiusap ako,\u201d pagmamakaawa ni Akmilah.\u00a0 \u201cDingka raken aya kidiya-an. Huwag mo akong iwan, maawa ka sa \u2018kin at sa magiging anak natin. Nakahanda ako sa dowaya, kahit makihati ako sa magiging asawa mo, basta\u2019t huwag mo lang kaming iwan,\u201d dugtong pa nito habang umiiyak at nakaluhod sa harap ni Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaiintindihan mo naman siguro ang kasunduan ng mga Meranaw sa pag-aasawa. Nakapag-dialaga na kami, Akmilah, engaged na ako. Mahal kita pero hindi ko puwedeng suwayin ang mga magulang ko. Malapit na ang kasal ko.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTindegen akong ka. Ipaglaban mo ang pagmamahalan natin, ang magiging anak natin. Nagmamakaawa ako.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDi ko kayang suwayin sina Ama\u2019t Ina. Kung nagawa mo \u2018yon sa pamilya mo, ako, hindi ko kaya. Iniingatan ko ang pangalan ng pamilya ko.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA, gano\u2019n ba? Ako pa ngayon ang masamang anak? Naging masama ako dahil mahal kita. Sa tingin mo pala ay masama ang aking ginawa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMakakahanap ka rin ng karapat-dapat na lalaki para sa iyo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Napangiti nang mapait si Akmilah. \u201cSino pa\u2019ng Meranaw ang iibig sa\u2019kin? Sa ganitong sitwasyon ko? Sinong angkan ang tatanggap sa \u2018kin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tumalikod na si Yusoph at hindi na siya nilingon pa. Saka napaisip si Akmilah. Dapat sana\u2019y pinigilan niya si Yusoph. Hindi sana nangyari ang gayong tagpo. Hindi ganon ang kanyang plano, pero wala na uli ang lalaking pinakamamahal niya. Nagkamali siya. Ngunit sa isang banda, may nagsasabi sa kanyang isip na \u201cTama ang ginawa mo. Palayain mo na ang lalaking \u2018yon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inalo siya ni Maida na tunay at tapat na kaibigang kumupkop sa kanya. \u201cMagparaya ka na,\u201d bulong ng kaibigan kay Akmilah.<\/p>\n

Dumating na ang araw ng kasal nina Yusoph at Sahara. Sabado. Ala-una ng hapon. Abalang-abala sa bahay nina Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, imanto a phangaroma ka den na piya-piya ka,\u201d payo ng kanyang ama. \u201cObang ka den phaparomani a makiilay sa babai oto. Di seka niyan khapakay sa pamilya tano. Mapiya angkaya a babai go so manga maphapanogangan ka,\u201d ang payo ng ama kay Yusoph. \u201cBasta, ayaw ko ng muling magkaproblema at mula ngayon ay magpakatino ka na,\u201d ang dugtong pa ng ama nito.<\/p>\n

Tumango lamang si Yusoph. Bigla niyang naalala si Akmilah, ang masaya nilang pagsasama noon sa kubo, sabay na kumakain sa kantina ng eskwelahan nila, ang pagsama sa kanya ni Akmilah sa pagte-tennis nito, at ang kalagayan ni Akmilah ngayon. Hindi alam ng mga magulang niya na nagdadalantao ang babae. Kung alam lang nila ay maaaring maging maaliw sila rito kahit man lang para sa bata. Walang kamuwang-muwang ang bata sa nangyari sa kanyang magulang.<\/p>\n

Sa araw na rin na \u2018yon ay nakaramdam ng matinding pananakit ng tiyan si Akmilah. Mabilis ang labas ng dugo mula sa kanyang puwerta. Buo-buo ang dugo. Pulang-pula.<\/p>\n

\u201cAno ito? Ang anak ko! Ang anak ko!\u201dSumisigaw siya, humahagulgol. Sunod-sunod ang patak ng kanyang luha.<\/p>\n

Mabilis na sumaklolo ang kaibigan. Agad siyang dinala nito sa ospital. Niraspa siya. Wala na ang bata.<\/p>\n

Sa kabila ng pagtakwil sa kanya ng pamilya ay hindi niya itinago kaninuman ang kalagayan.<\/p>\n

Ginawa niya ang gayong kapangahasan kaya haharapin niya ang lahat ng ibinunga nito. Ngunit, wala na ang batang dapat niyang pangalagaan. Wala na ang amang naduwag sa pananagutan dahil lang sa kasunduan.<\/p>\n

Naghinagpis siya, nagluksa. Wala sa plano niya ang pagtalikod kay Yusoph. Wala sa hinagap niya ang gagawing mga hakbang laban sa lalaki.<\/p>\n

Umuwi siya ng Cotabato. Tutuloy siya sa bayan ng Tulunan, sa pinsan niya sa ina. Hindi lahat ng kapamilya ay tuluyan ang pagtalikod sa kanya. Mabilis nilang tinahak ang makipot na daan na may mataas na pader tila nag-aanyaya\u2019t nagsasabing magmadali sila. Natagpuan nila ang kanilang hinahanap sa isang maliit na bahay na may matandang nakatira. Kilala ito sa lugar na \u2018yon. Kinatatakutan ng iba ngunit iginagalang ng marami.\u00a0 Pumasok sila sa isang maliit na silid, bahagya lang itong nasisinagan ng liwanag. Ang naroon lang ay isang maliit na bombilyang nakukulayan ng pula.<\/p>\n

Isang sungay ng kalabaw ang nakatusok sa dingding. May mga boteng nakasabit sa iba pang pako sa dingding. May laman ang mga bote.\u00a0 Sa isang mesa ay nakapatong ang iba\u2019t ibang klase ng ugat ng puno na nakabigkis nang maayos. Sa isang sulok nama\u2019y nakalapag ang tatlong maliit na manikang gawa sa puting tela. Nakaturok ang mga karayom sa katawan ng mga manikang ito.<\/p>\n

\u201cKailangan mo akong tulungan,\u201d matatag na sabi ni Akmilah sa matanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlam ko na ang lahat. Sinabi na sa \u2018kin ni Digo. Matinding kata-o ang ipapataw natin sa kanya. Ako ang bahala. Sundin mo lang ang lahat ng sasabihin ko at magtiwala ka sa kakayahang ito,\u201d ang wika ng matandang mangkukulam.<\/p>\n

Agad niyang iniabot sa matanda ang isang supot na plastik. Sa loob nito ay ang mga damit niyang may bahid ng dugo mula sa kanyang sinapupunan. Ibinigay rin niya ang larawan ni Yusoph sa matanda. Nang maihanda na ang lahat ng kailangan, nagsimula na ang ritwal.<\/p>\n

Ipinulupot ng matanda sa katawan ni Akmilah ang mga damit ni Akmilah na may bahid na dugo habang sa paanan nito\u2019y naroroon ang isang boteng may nakasilid na nakabigkis na ugat ng puno at sa ilalim ng unan nito\u2019y ang larawan ni Yusoph. Binasahaan niya ito ng ritwal at mga salitang hindi maunawaan habang nanlilisik ang mga mata na tila sinasapian at kung sino-sino ang tinatawag. Nagtagal ng mahigit dalawang oras ang ritwal at pagkatapos ay mahigpit ang bilin sa kanya ng matanda tungkol sa bote na may lamang punit na damit na may bahid ng dugo at larawan ni Yusoph kasama ang mga ugat ng punong nakabigkis. \u201cGawan mo ng paraan na mailibing ito sa bakuran nina Yusoph o kaya sa mga lugar na dinadaanan niya. Kapag natapakan niya ang lupang pinagbabaunan nito ay magsisimulang sumakit ang kanyang tiyan. Habang tumatagal ay titindi ang pananakit na kanyang madarama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pinauwi na sila ng matanda at kinabukasan na raw ang kanilang balik.<\/p>\n

Naisip ni Akmilah na madalas pumunta si Yusoph sa tennis court. Tumatambay ito sa damuhan pagkatapos maglaro. Iyon ang pinakamabuting lugar na paglilibingan niyang botelyang may piraso ng kanyang duguang damit.<\/p>\n

Mabilis na naisakatuparan ni Akmilah ang bilin sa kanya. Agad na tumalab ito kay Yusoph base sa kuwento sa kanya ni Maida.<\/p>\n

Ngunit natanto niyang sa buong buhay niya ay ito na ang pinakamasamang bagay na kanyang nagawa. Makakaligtas siya sa mga mata ng tao ngunit hindi sa mga mata ni ALLAH.<\/p>\n

Sinisi niya ang sarili. Paano niya babawiin ang kata-o? Tinawagan niya ang pinsan niya para malaman kung paano labanan ang kata-o.<\/p>\n

\u201cParang awa mo na\u2026 ano\u2019ng gagawin ko?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDi ba\u2019t sinabi sa \u2018yo ng matanda na sa\u2019yo mababaling ang kata-o? Dugo n\u2019yo ang nakalagay sa bote. Laman n\u2019yong dalawa ni Yusoph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDi na bale. Ililigtas ko si Yusoph,\u201d agad na tugon ni Akmilah.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuwag mong gawin \u2018yan. Di mo alam kung pa\u2019no lalabanan ang\u2026 \u201dpigil ni Digo sa kanya.<\/p>\n

Di na pinakinggan ni Akmilah ang sasabihin ng pinsan. Pinatay na niya ang cellphone.<\/p>\n

Di dapat magdusa si Yusoph. Sapat nang malaman niyang siya ang mahal ng lalaki. Si Yusoph ay isa lamang anak na nagmamahal sa mga magulang. Sa pag-aasawa ng anak, ang pasya ng magulang ang nasusunod. Dali-dali niyang pinuntahan ang pinagbabaunan ng bote at binungkal niya agad ito.<\/p>\n

Nang mga oras na \u2018yon ay malala na ang sakit ni Yusoph. Lahat ay nagsasabing wala na itong lunas. Dasal na lamang ang nakikitang pag-asa. Lumaki ang tiyan ni Yusoph, halos di na mabuhat ng kanyang nangayayat na katawan ang sarili. Alam na ni Sahara ang sinapit ng asawa. Walang araw na hindi ito umiyak. Kung sino-sino na ang tinatanong na manggagamot para lamang gumaling si Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cSalamat sa pagmamahal mo, Sahara,\u201d sa mahinang tinig ni Yusoph. \u201cMay ipagtatapat sana ako sa \u2018yo. Tungkol ito sa babaeng \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlam ko na ang tungkol doon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIhingi mo ako ng tawad sa kanya. May anak kami. Wala akong balita kung nasaan siya ngayon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGusto mo bang makita ang anak ninyo?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hirap nang huminga si Yusoph. Hindi na ito sumagot. Agad na tinawag ni Sahara ang mga kamag-anak na nasa labas ng silid. Pumasok din ang Imam. Lumapit ito kay Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, pakinggan mo ako. Subukan mong ulitin ang sasabihin ko. Lailahailallah. Lailahailallah. Lailahaillah,\u201d ang paulit-ulit na ibinulong ng Imam sa tainga nito.<\/p>\n

Samantala ay balisang-balisa naman si Akmilah. Gusto niyang makibalita sa nangyayari kay Yusoph ngunit di pa tumatawag ang kaibigan. Pinakikiramdaman niya ang kanyang sarili kung may kakaibang nangyayari sa kanya. Gusto niyang makaramdam ng pananakit ng kanyang tiyan o saanmang bahagi ng katawan. Hinihintay niyang tumalab ang kata-o sa kanya.<\/p>\n

Yakap-yakap niya ang bote. Ililibing niya itong muli ngunit hindi upang umusal ng isa pang sumpa. Ililibing niya ang dugo upang matahimik ang nabuong laman na dumikit sa damit.\u00a0 Isa lang ang alam niyang pipigil sa kata-o na ito \u2013 ang taimtim na pag-Salaah. Nang nananalangin na siya ay humingi siya ng tawad sa anak. Humingi rin siya ng tawad sa Panginoong ALLAH.<\/p>\n

Ilang saglit pa\u2019y umaalingawngaw ang sirena ng ambulansiya. Dumaan sa tapat ng bahay nina Maida habang nasa kwarto si Akmilah na kinakabahan, tinutop niya ang tapat ng puso\u2019t naramdaman ang mabilis na pagtibok nito, \u201cSi Yusoph na \u2018yon,\u201d bulong niyasa sarili at tuluyan na siyang napahagulgol habang naririnig ang sirena ng ambulansya.<\/p>\n

Samantala, hawak-hawak ni Sahara ang malamig na kanang kamay ni Yusoph habang lumuluha. Naramdaman niyang biglang kumilos ito, pinisil ang kanyang kamay at napayakap si Sahara kay Yusoph.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

English Translation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kata-o
\n<\/strong>Almayrah A. Tiburon<\/p>\n

Translated from Filipino by John Bengan<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMapiya i parangay so karoma ko \u2014 my husband is good man. Warm and kind to other people. Masakaw go mapiya pen i kapakindodolona. Yes, it\u2019s true, he relates well to others, but why do these things happen to good people? Of all people, why does it have to be Yusoph?\u201d Immersed in her thoughts, Sahara asked herself these questions while peering from the window. She recalled the early days with Yusoph, when her husband hadn\u2019t yet gotten sick. They were so happy.<\/p>\n

Sahara was a good woman. She had all the good qualities a woman should have, which was why her husband need not ask for more, and apart from this, Sahara was also affectionate. She grew up in a family bound by love.<\/p>\n

A year after she and Yusoph had lived together, they were blessed with a healthy baby boy, Khalid. But what Sahara couldn\u2019t understand was the sudden affliction that had befallen her husband.<\/p>\n

That morning, Yusoph was standing in the living room, having coffee. He felt a sudden pain in his stomach though he didn\u2019t think much of it. But as he sipped his coffee, a wave of aches wracked his stomach until he twisted from too much pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026ah\u2026 Aydaw!\u201d<\/p>\n

Yusoph felt as though something was wringing his bladder. Saliva flooded his mouth until he vomited. He wasn\u2019t able to run to the bathroom. No food came out of his mouth. Only spit and water poured out. He tried to stop vomiting, but it was as if something was trying to climb out of his mouth.<\/p>\n

Yusoph was a good husband and father. He had made a mistake once and so he was careful not to besmirch his name again especially since he was from a prominent Meranaw family. He was the only son of Ali and Saripe who were known to have high maratabat. (When their rights, honor, and principles were harmed or trampled on, it would end or result in a dispute.)<\/p>\n

After his wedding to Sahara, the pain in his stomach began. He kept it from his wife because he thought it was just an upset stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cSa..ha..ra..Sahara! Sahara!\u201d Yusoph struggled.<\/p>\n

Sahara left the kitchen in a panic. She saw her husband on the floor, as though bathed in saliva he\u2019d vomited.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, antonaa i pekhagedam ka? Anotanaa i masakit r\u2019ka?\u201d she screamed, asking her husband what he felt, what it was that caused such pain. She tried to pull Yusoph up, but he was too heavy. The first thing she thought of was her cellular phone so that she could call family. In haste, she dialed her sibling\u2019s number, but the call wouldn\u2019t come through. She tried to call many people.<\/p>\n

\u201cOgopiya kong ka!\u2014help me! Come to the house! Now! Something happened to Yusoph,\u201d she hurriedly told a friend of Yusoph\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Sahara dragged Yusoph to the living room. She took fresh clothes so he could change. She helped Yusoph so that he could sit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay, I\u2019m okay,\u201d whispered Yusoph.<\/p>\n

After felling momentary comfort from the pain in his stomach, the image of a woman appeared before Yusoph. She had her back turned on him. She was beside Sahara who was still wiping him over but didn\u2019t see anything else. Only he could see the woman before him. His son arrived, and asked what had happened to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cKataya, miyapiya den a ginawa ko,\u201d said Yusoph, feeling better and rubbing his belly.<\/p>\n

Sahara sent a text message to Yusoph\u2019s friend to tell him not to come anymore since Yusoph\u2019s condition had improved. By evening, he was feeling better. He thought about what illness he might have. Maybe cancer. It might be best not to know what sort of disease it was.<\/p>\n

He was happily observing Khalid play. His son was a lively boy. He and Sahara were both happy when the boy would say p\u2019khababayaan ak\u2019n skano ome ago abe\u2014I love you so much Ome and Abe.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should see a doctor,\u201d Sahara told Yusoph. \u201cAmay ka kowan na tona-i miyasowa aka. It\u2019s not a simple pain in the stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that doctors scare me,\u201d Yusoph said, laughing a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh really!\u201d Sahara said. Then they held each other tight. Yusoph slept soundly. Sahara didn\u2019t wake him up anymore at five in the morning. It was the usual time her husband woke up. She thought that he was deep in sleep. She got up and began to pray for Yusoph\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t make Yusoph coffee anymore. She knew it would only worsen a bad and aching stomach. She boiled some yellow ginger. Her husband liked to drink it after all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you wake me up?\u201d Yusoph greeted his wife in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou looked like you were having a good sleep. Here, I made some ginger tea. Have some to warm your stomach. Later we\u2019re going to Iligan to have you checked up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have something to attend to. Atty. Macasilao and I agreed to meet. We\u2019ll meet at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so? When are you free? Don\u2019t play down your illness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we go to the pamomolong instead? It\u2019s just right around the corner,\u201d Yusoph quipped.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, laugh at your illness. You think it\u2019s joke?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Meranaw herbalists are also healers. That\u2019s why a lot people still go to the pamomolong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou believe in those?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. I grew up in the province, and the grandfather of my grandfather was a pamomolong. Just because you grew up in Manila, you think in that modern way.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Yusoph was about to leave, his stomach began to hurt a little. He didn\u2019t show Sahara any hint. In truth, he was going to the pamomolong. He was going there with his friend Hassan. Yusoph came from a family of healers. He remembered when he was a kid and how one of his granduncles practiced healing, the brother of his grandfather. Leaves were brought to boil in water, oil, salt, and ginger and his granduncle read something when he plastered the leaves on the ailing parts of the sick. His granduncle only healed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Patients returned the following week to thank his granduncle for healing them. He also remembered the food they brought to express their gratitude for his granduncle.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t being flippant when he spoke to Sahara. But he had to hide what he was about to do. He wasn\u2019t quite sure yet what sickness he had but a conclusion was already forming in his mind.<\/p>\n

He wouldn\u2019t go to a healer in their town. Sahara might find out. His family shouldn\u2019t yet know what was happening to him. Hassan would be his companion in this struggle. They already knew which healer to go to. Upon Hassan\u2019s recommendation, they went to Lumba a Gorinao.<\/p>\n

They went into a small house where the living room and bedroom were the same space. The area was also the receiving room, bedroom, and other rooms. There was a bed on the left corner over which a mosquito net had been hung. There was a long wooden bench next to the door and another old chair by the window. On the right, there was a small table where the family dined.<\/p>\n

Yusoph was told to lie on the bed while Madid, the pamomolong, examined his condition. Around sixty-five to seventy years old, Madid wore a shirt with short sleeves and a malong. He was of slight built but one could glimpse on his face his knowledge in healing. Madid began the ritual. He took a bottle of oil which also contained a small root. He mixed it with the pulverized leaves of chili, guava, and tawa tawa herb and plastered the concoction on Yusoph\u2019s belly. The healer whispered a prayer. He prayed and sighed. Hassan stood beside Yusoph, observing and telling him that he would overcome the ordeal. Madid was alarmed when Yusoph suddenly winced in pain. His belly darkened and he vomited and vomited. The old healer was nervous. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDi aken aya khagaga bulongan\u2014I can\u2019t help him. There is strange spirit troubling his stomach. Strong. And powerful. Maybe it would be best if you go to another pamomolong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you can\u2019t do it?\u201d Hassan asked in dread. \u201cMaybe you could still help my friend. We beg you, Kaka Madid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am serious. You have to believe me. You better hurry. Don\u2019t wait before it\u2019s too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hassan couldn\u2019t do anything but to inform Yusoph\u2019s family since he couldn\u2019t do it anymore by himself, his conscience telling him that Yusoph\u2019s kin should know about his condition. Yusoph shook his head even when he was already squirming in pain. Hassan didn\u2019t agree with him. He called Yusoph\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n

Yusoph\u2019s family wasted no time. They immediately got in touch with another pamomolong so that the ritual would be done at the soonest time possible. The spiritual healer needed to charge his energies before performing the rites. The spirit besetting and harming Yusoph was a powerful one.<\/p>\n

Yusoph didn\u2019t come home that day. His mother called Sahara and told her that Yusoph went to Cotabato with Atty. Macasilao. Knowing the nature of Yusoph work as community developer for a non-government organization, Sahara was used to such trips to faraway places and so she didn\u2019t worry. It was often that her husband would leave abruptly to go somewhere. He wouldn\u2019t even be able to say goodbye to her. He would just call on her mobile phone.<\/p>\n

Yusoph\u2019s mother made up a story about Yusoph\u2019s phone that had gone missing, which was why he couldn\u2019t call Sahara. She believed what her mother-in-law had told her. She had good relations with her in-laws and Yusoph\u2019s entire clan. Their families got along very well.<\/p>\n

An intense kata-o had been meted out upon Yusoph. This was what the pamomolong in Poona a Makasilay discovered. Whoever had done this to Yusoph had to be found. The ritual of healing would have to be done using a powerful spell.<\/p>\n

Yusoph and Akmilah met at the university. Akmilah grew up in a chaotic family. Her father was a Meranaw but her mother was part Christian and part Maguindanao. Akmilah was alone in her own world. She felt that nobody had ever loved her.\u00a0 She knew nothing about the word \u201clove.\u201d Everything changed when she met Yusoph.<\/p>\n

Since then she learned how to love. She immediately gave her trust, and her perspective on life changed. She felt that her being and womanhood became whole when Yusoph showed her his love. A small rectangular window and the small room were the silent witnesses to their deed.<\/p>\n

Akmilah was certain that Yusoph was the man who would claim her. The four years they spent together were more than enough for her to surrender the honor she protected. The small rectangular window and the tiny room silently witnessed what they had done. A burning passion consumed these two beings.<\/p>\n

\u201cAkmilah, phanalamatangko s\u2019ka ka. Thank you\u2014you are the only woman who has brought me such joy. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, Yusoph. Sekabo i mama a para rak\u2019n,\u201d said Akmilah, her lips forming a smile.<\/p>\n

Their desires continued to burn until one morning, Akmilah woke up sick. Yusoph was worried. He took his girlfriend to the doctor. A urine test revealed that she was pregnant.<\/p>\n

Yusoph was silent. Akmilah was pleased. She didn\u2019t mind what her family would say. However, she knew that it had tarnished the good name of her family. She would reason, she would fight for what was in heart, she would fight for the child in her womb.<\/p>\n

\u201cPakibobosen ka a wata anan,\u201d Yusoph said in a low voice. He told her to get rid of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I thought you\u2019d be happy. How could you say that I should get rid of it? Are you turning your back on me? Are you scared?\u201d Akmilah asked. She saw to it that he would feel her anger.<\/p>\n

Yusoph left her hanging. He disappeared. No calls, no messages. Not a word even to people they knew.<\/p>\n

Akmilah had to face her family by herself. Everyone was upset with her. She had brought shame upon her family. Better if she died or was put to death. Before her father could pull the trigger himself, she was able to run out of the house. She brought nothing, not even her shoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDa ka den maya! Opama na da kaming ka den pamikira? Aren\u2019t you shamed? Didn\u2019t you think of us? You brought shame upon this house!\u201d These words echoed in Akmilah\u2019s mind as she ran away. Not long after this had happened to Akmilah, she got word that Yusoph met with the woman his family wanted for him, and soon he was engaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could he do this to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

She wouldn\u2019t easily give up her love for Yusoph. She thought her boyfriend had been made to act against his wishes. She understood the agreement. But there was still time to stop the wedding. Yusoph would have to defy his family\u2019s will. The man she loved, she thought, should do this.<\/p>\n

She sent a Yusoph a message to meet her in their usual place, an abandoned hut that stood admit vegetables and a mango tree in front of it. They\u2019d found the place when they were still in college and they\u2019d gone there often \u2014 they cleaned the surroundings and left tools and utensils, plates and cups, a small pot as though they were newlyweds who were about to begin a life together. The hut had girdled their loved.<\/p>\n

He agreed to talk to her. They agreed to meet at nine in the morning, but noon came and he still hadn\u2019t come. Her stomach ached and so she had to have lunch first. She thought of Yusoph and their love. So she waited. But night came, he still hadn\u2019t come. Maida, a friend who had accompanied her that day, asked that she forget about seeing Yusoph again, but she didn\u2019t listen. Good thing she had a friend she could trust. Maida stayed by her side wherever she went. Maida called on Yusoph and pleaded with him. The day after, Yusoph agreed to meet Akmilah.<\/p>\n

Akmilah was so eager to see Yusoph again. She would try to convince him to be with her. The two of them would run away together.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, I\u2019m begging you,\u201d said Akmilah. \u201cDingka raken aya kidiya-an \u2014
\ndon\u2019t do this to me. Don\u2019t leave me, please I beg you, for our child. I\u2019m prepared for the dowaya, even if I have to share with your wife, just please don\u2019t leave us,\u201d she continued, in tears and on her knees before Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do understand the agreement among Meranaw when it comes to marriage. We already had dialaga, Akmilah. I\u2019m engaged. I love you but I can\u2019t go against my parents. I\u2019m getting married soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTindegen akong ka\u2014stand up for me. I will fight for us, our child. I\u2019m begging you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t defy Ama and Ina. If you can do that to your family, I can\u2019t do it to my own. I honor the family\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? I\u2019m now the bad daughter? I turned out this way because I love you. So you think I did a disgraceful thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will find another man worthy of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Akmilah smiled bitterly. \u201cWhat Meranaw man will still love me? In my situation? What family would accept me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yusoph turned away from her, never looking back. Akmilah was thinking. She would have stopped Yusoph. That scene would not have taken place. This was not what she had planned, but the man she loved was gone. She made a mistake. But a part of her said, \u201cYou did the right thing. Let that man go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maida, her loyal friend, comforted her and made her stay at her place. \u201cLet it be,\u201d her friend whispered to her.<\/p>\n

The day of Yusoph and Sahara\u2019s wedding came. A Saturday. One in the afternoon. Yusoph\u2019s household bustled with activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, now that you are engaged,\u201d his father said, \u201cdon\u2019t ever see that woman again. She\u2019s not right for our family. Your betrothed and future in-laws are good people. I don\u2019t want you to have any more problems. Get it together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yusoph could only nod. He suddenly thought of Akmilah, staying happily in the hut, eating together at the university cafeteria, playing tennis, then he thought of Akmilah\u2019s present situation. His parents didn\u2019t know that he had gotten her pregnant. If they\u2019d know perhaps the baby would console them. The child knew nothing.<\/p>\n

That same day, Akmilah felt an excruciating pain in her stomach. Blood flowed from her groin. Thick, congealed blood. A deep red.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this? My child! My child!\u201d she screamed, bawling. She wept.<\/p>\n

Her friend came to her aide. She brought her to the hospital. They scraped her uterus. The child was gone.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that her family had spurned her, she didn\u2019t anymore hide what happened to her. She had made the risk and she would have to face the consequences head-on.<\/p>\n

But, the child she would care for was gone. The father who cowered from his responsibility because of an agreement was gone.<\/p>\n

She lamented, she grieved.\u00a0\u00a0 She didn\u2019t expect Yusoph would leave her. She didn\u2019t know what else to do against the man.<\/p>\n

She returned to Cotabato. She would go to the town of Tulunan, to a cousin on her mother\u2019s side. Not everyone in her family had turned their backs on her. They hurried down the narrow road lined with high walls that seemed to goad and tell them to push on. They found what they were looking for in an old woman living in a small house. The woman was known in the place. Feared by others but respected by many. They went into a small room, scarcely touched by light. There was only a small, red-colored bulb.<\/p>\n

A carabao horn jutted from the wall. There were bottles hung on nails. They were filled with something. Different kinds of roots had been tied in bundles on the table. Three small dolls made from white cloth lay in a corner. Needles pricked the dolls\u2019 bodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to help me,\u201d Akmilah said firmly to the old woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know everything. Digo told me. We will inflict a powerful kata-o on him. Leave it to me. Follow everything I tell you and trust this ability,\u201d the old witchdoctor said.<\/p>\n

She handed the old woman a plastic bag. Inside the bag were Akmilah\u2019s blood-stained clothes from when she had miscarried. She also gave the woman Yusoph\u2019s picture. When everything had been prepared, the ritual commenced.<\/p>\n

The woman wrapped Akmilah with the soiled clothes she\u2019d brought while on her feet lay a bottle containing a root of a tree, and under the pillow, a photograph of Yusoph. The woman began to recite obscure words and her eyes flashed, as though she were calling for someone. The ritual lasted for more than two hours, afterward the woman told Akmilah to keep a bottle that contained a piece of fabric from her bloodied clothes, Yusoph\u2019s picture, and roots. \u201cTry to bury this in Yusoph\u2019s yard or somewhere he would set foot on. If he steps on the earth where you buried the bottle, his stomach will begin to ache. As time goes by, he will feel more pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman told them to leave and return the next day.<\/p>\n

Akmilah recalled that Yusoph frequented the tennis court. He stayed on the grassy field after playing. It was the best place to bury the bottle with a piece of her blood-stained clothes.<\/p>\n

Akmilah completed the task right away. According to Maida, the curse worked quickly on Yusoph.<\/p>\n

But it occurred to her that in all her life this was the most wicked thing she had done. She could escape the scrutiny of people but not the eyes of Allah.<\/p>\n

She blamed herself. How could she reverse the kata-o? She called her cousin Digo to help her fight the curse.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me please\u2026what should I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t the woman tell you that the curse will be on you instead? It\u2019s both your blood that\u2019s in the bottle. Your flesh and Yusoph\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care. I will save Yusoph,\u201d Akmilah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do such a thing. You don\u2019t know how to fight the\u2026.\u201d Digo was telling her.<\/p>\n

Akmilah didn\u2019t anymore listen to what her cousin was going to say. She turned off the cellphone.<\/p>\n

Yusoph shouldn\u2019t suffer. It was enough to know that she was the one he loved. Yusoph was only a son who loved his parents. In a child\u2019s marriage, the parents\u2019 wishes need to be fulfilled. She hurried to the place where she\u2019d buried the bottle and dug it out.<\/p>\n

At that very hour, Yusoph was in so much pain. Everyone said that there was no cure for it. The only last hope were prayers. Yusoph\u2019s stomach had swollen, until his shrunken body could hardly carry himself anymore. By then, Sahara knew what had happened to her husband. There was not a day that she didn\u2019t cry over it. She sought the advice of different healers just to heal Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for your love, Sahara,\u201d Yusoph faintly said. \u201cI have something to tell you. It\u2019s about the woman\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk her forgiveness for me. We have a child. I don\u2019t know where she is now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to see your child with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yusoph was struggling to breathe. He didn\u2019t anymore answer. Sahara called for the relatives who were staying outside the room. The Imam also came in. He approached Yusoph.<\/p>\n

\u201cYusoph, listen to me. Try to repeat what I\u2019m about to say. Lailahailallah. Lailahailallah. Lailahaillah,\u201d the Imam whispered over and over into Yusoph\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Akmilah was troubled. She wanted to know what was happening to Yusoph but her friend hadn\u2019t called her yet. She was observing whether something was happening to her. She wanted to feel pain in her stomach or anywhere in her body. She was waiting for the kata-o to work on her.<\/p>\n

She hugged the bottle. She would bury it again not to exact another curse. She would bury the blood to quiet the flesh that had clung on the fabric. The only thing that could stop the kata-o, she thought \u2014 a sincere Salaah. While praying, she asked forgiveness from her child. She also asked Allah\u2019s forgiveness.<\/p>\n

Soon the sound of siren from an ambulance rang. The vehicle passed by Maida\u2019s place while Akmilah was restless inside a room; she put her hand on her heart and felt its rapid beating. \u201cThat was Yusoph,\u201d she whispered to herself until she wept, listening to the ambulance\u2019s wail.<\/p>\n

Sahara held Yusoph\u2019s cool hand. She felt a sudden movement, his hand pressing hers, until Sahara embraced Yusoph.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

[box type=”bio”] \u201cKata-O\u201d<\/strong> by Almayrah A. Tiburon (tr. John Bengan) is republished from the forthcoming Signos: Anthology of 21st Century Filipino Fiction on Dark Lore and the Supernatural, edited by Tilde Acu\u00f1a, John Bengan, Daryll Delgado, Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III, and Kristine Ong Muslim.[\/box]<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

[box]\"Dr.Si Dr. Almayrah Abbas Tiburon<\/strong> ay guro sa Mindanao State University, Marawi city. Bilang manunulat, ibig niyang ipakilala sa ibang tribo na ang mga Meranaw ay may makulay, dakila, at makasaysayang kultura\u2019t tradisyon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/box]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[box]\"JohnJohn Bengan<\/strong>\u00a0teaches writing and literature at the University of the Philippines in Mindanao. His stories have appeared in\u00a0Likhaan<\/em>,\u00a0Kritika Kultura<\/em>,\u00a0Asian Cha<\/em>, and BooksActually\u2019s\u00a0Gold Standard<\/em>, an anthology of Asian fiction from Math Paper Press. His translations of Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano\u2019s fiction have appeared in\u00a0Words Without Borders<\/em>,\u00a0LIT<\/em>,\u00a0Anomaly<\/em>,\u00a0World Literature Today<\/em>, and\u00a0Shenandoah<\/em>.\u00a0He co-edited the anthology\u00a0Ulir\u00e1t: Best Contemporary Stories in Translation from the Philippines<\/em>\u00a0(Gaudy Boy Translates, 2021).[\/box]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kata-o [Fiction] by Almayrah A. Tiburon Go to: English Translation \u201cMapiya i parangay so karoma ko. Masakaw go mapiya pen i kapakindodolona. Oo, totoong nakakasundo niya ang lahat ngunit bakit sa mabubuting tao pa nangyayari ang mga ito? Sa lahat … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":180,"parent":105,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-179","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":252,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/179\/revisions\/252"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}